What type of cough medicine do they give dogs?
We’ ve recently torn down our old fence and replaced it with a new redwood fence. Several days ago, our male dog began "coughing", which sounded like he was trying to cough up a furball. Doing research tonight on the internet, it appears that this could be kennel cough caused by excess dust. My husband and I read that along with antibiotics, they often give cough medicine. Does anyone know the type? Is it in liquid or pill form?
4 Responses
chetco
16 Jun 2010
Loz
16 Jun 2010
Kennel cough isn’t caused by dust. It’s a contagious disease (viral/bacterial complex- canine parainfluenza virus and Bordatella bronchiseptica). Dogs get kennel cough through contact with other dogs, especially if they’ve not been vaccinated. It’s typically a hacking ("honking") dry cough, which often makes the dog retch.
If he’s not come into contact with other dogs, it’s possible that the dust is causing irritation to his airways, or it could be coincidental. If it doesn’t settle, or he’s getting distressed by it, have him checked by your vet to ensure that there’s no secondary infection going on. To answer your question, the cough syrup used comes in liquid form. The most commonly used one is called ‘Linctol’ syrup.
poochiesmoochie
16 Jun 2010
It would be my advice to contact your vet . I wouldn’t give any cough medicine to your dog without asking a vet first . If you are already established with a clinic then you may just be able to call and get advice .
badgirl41
16 Jun 2010
I really do not suggest trying to treat the dog with cough medicine for a cough you really do not know what is causing it. There is several reasons your dog is coughing from heartworms to allergies. I treated a dog with a childrens medicine for a cough and it caused seizures. What works on one may not work on another.
The dust from doing the fence would not cause kennel cough, it could be allergic to the dust since that is when it started. If it is an allergy, it is safe to give benadryl 1mg per pound of body weight.
Dogs cough for a variety of reasons, some of which can be serious in themselves and others that are signs of an underlying problem. Internal parasites, heartworm disease, distemper, fungus diseases, tuberculosis, allergies, and pollutants such as cigarette smoke can cause Fido to cough.
Coughs are triggered by irritants in the air passages and can be characterized as dry and hacking; moist and bubbly; gagging; wheezy; harsh; or weak. It can be frequent, chronic, or intermittent, and is often self-perpetuating as it dries the throat and leads to further irritation.
Allergies to pollen, house dust, molds, insect bites, and foods can cause coughing, sneezing, and general itchiness.
Any repeated episodes of coughing should be investigated. Owners should note any other symptoms that accompany the cough and make a list for the veterinarian. And those cough-producing diseases that can be prevented with a little effort certainly should be part of the pet-and-owner lifetime contract.
children’s over-the-counter cough syrup.<< http://www.canismajor.com/dog/cough.html
this one says children’s cough suppressant> http://www.workingdogs.com/deboerken_cough.htm
this one says, guaifenesin-based cough syrup. <<http://www.2ndchance.info/cough.htm << very good article, too!