Kennel Cough In Dogs: Signs, Symptoms And Treatments

Puppies are very cute and need extra love and care especially at this stage of their life to remain healthy and grow into strong dogs. However, at this early point of time, their fragile and developing bodies put them at a higher risk of contracting illnesses, viruses, and diseases. Which means that if you’re not careful and don’t give your pooch enough love and attention, you run the risk of them getting a bad illness and potentially hampering their growth.

Although it is a no-brainer that you need to show your dog utmost love and care, many dog owners don’t have a clue when it comes to giving effective home care and treatment for the pups if the situation arises. Puppy cough is common, a mild problem that may seem harmless, but can actually lead to serious repercussions if not dealt with properly. So, to help you get started on the right track towards puppy healthy we ‘ve prepared this short guide on puppy cough.

To get things started, let us first learn what puppy cough actually is and the many signs and symptoms you should be alert to:

What is Puppy Cough?

Just like the rest of us, dogs and puppies alike experience a cough or two every now and then to clear out their throat and keep it clean of bacteria. However, just like we get a cold sometimes, our puppies also run the risk of getting puppy cough, also known as kennel cough, through exposure to bacteria. While coughing for puppies is normal, excessive coughing is most likely a sign of puppy cough. And although most puppies and dogs naturally recover from it, it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your pooch’s health.

Kennel Cough In Dogs Signs and Symptoms

Just like any other illness, puppy cough will show very distinct signs and symptoms which you can quickly catch on. So, to stay on top of your puppy’s health, make sure to watch out for any of the following:

1. Excessive Coughing

If you’ve noticed your puppy coughing way more frequently than normal, then this might just be the dead giveaway that they’ve contracted a bad case of puppy cough. We highly suggest that you take note of how your puppy coughs, as this will be of substantial help for the veterinarian when getting your puppy checked upon.

2. Feeling Weak

Another dead giveaway is when your puppy is not feeling as up to it as usual, because puppy cough just siphons out all that robust energy, thus making them feel lethargic. Puppies are naturally bustling with energy and excitement, but if you’re noticing that your puppy appears to be toning down a bit, then they might just have a case of puppy cough.

3. Loss of Appetite

The loss of energy to run around and play also comes along with the loss of appetite and unwillingness to eat. This is due to the puppy’s body not being accustomed to the presence of illness. Loss of appetite is therefore a sign that their body is currently adapting.

4. Fever

For your final at-home check-up, it’s time you bust out the thermometer, because checking your puppy’s temperature will be a great way of assessing their current condition. If your puppy has come down with a fever, then you can be sure that they have caught the puppy cough bad and will be needing extra care from now on.

Now you are aware of the four signs and symptoms you need to watch out for to detect puppy cough. Let’s proceed to the effective home-care and treatment methods that you can use to make sure your puppy has a fast recovery gets back to perfect shape in next to no time!

Treatment and Care for Kennel Cough Puppy

First of all, we want you to relax; nothing good can come out of stress and pressure, which means you’ll need a level head to better digest the knowledge on how to care for your furry pal and treat your pooch’s puppy cough. Like we’ve mentioned before, puppies are pretty strong and can naturally come back stronger from this illness on their own. However, they will still need your help to pave that path for them. Here are five ways you can speed up the process:

1. Rest and Relaxation

Think of yourself when you’re hit with the cold, the number one thing your body will look for is some good rest and relaxation. The same goes for your puppy if you want them to fully recover. Prepare a space for them to relax, a space where there is absolutely no source of stress, where they cannot be distracted by any noise, but rather feel perfectly comfortable, and most importantly, a place with you by their side. Nothing is more calming for a puppy than to be with their owner, and your presence alone can actually make them feel a whole lot better!

If you’ve got any other dogs in the house, you might want to isolate this puppy for a while so as to avoid the risk of the whole doggy family getting down with the cough. This way, you’ll be able to minimize the effects of puppy cough and make everything much easier on your end to manage and care for your puppy.

2. Lots of Hydration

Coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose will generally deplete those water storages and have your dog in constant need of water. So, to avoid a scarcity of hydration in their body, make sure to prepare lots of water on standby for your puppy to easily go to when they feel like refilling. This way, the recovery process is sped up. As coughing gets rid of the bacteria, hydration will keep your puppy from experiencing any other detrimental effects of thirst.

However, to stay on the safe side, you may want to wash your puppy’s bowls so as to eliminate any potential bacteria or fungi lingering in them that caused the puppy cough in the first place. By doing this, you are essentially getting rid of the problem entirely and setting your pooch on the expressway to recovery!

3. Healthy Meals

While we did mention a loss of appetite as one of the signs and symptoms you’ll observe if your furry pal suffers from puppy cough, this doesn’t mean they won’t eat at all. In fact, it is even more important that they receive the right nutrients to help keep their body healthy and strong to fight off the illness from the inside. So, make sure that your puppy always gets proper meals, packed with vitamins and minerals, spread throughout the day in six different portions. This way, you’ll be set for victory.

In this scenario, try to stick with a flavour your puppy has already grown accustomed to and don’t try to suddenly change foods, because they might have a hard time adapting to a new diet. Get them something that they love!

4. Visit the Vet

As with all types of illnesses and disease, whether it be dog or human, it is always a must to ask the expert opinion of a medical professional who can diagnose and tell you exactly what you need. For your puppy’s sake, schedule a check-up with the veterinarian and have them do a full consult. Agree on the general steps that you should follow next. Remember, while all these tips will undoubtedly help, there is only so much we can do for you through our online reach. If you want to be a responsible dog owner, you should trust the veterinarian and do what they say for your dog’s health.

5. Antibiotics

The very final step is an optional one, and it’s reserved for cases wherein it is within the veterinarian’s recommendation to proceed this way. Puppy cough will more often than not heal naturally; However, if by a slim chance your puppy’s cough gets worse over time, then your veterinarian might suggest the use of over-the-counter antibiotics to help fight the bacteria causing the problem from the inside. In this worst-case scenario, make sure to consult your veterinarian on the exact procedure you need to follow to make sure the antibiotics work effectively.

On a more important note, always make sure to update and keep in touch with the veterinarian regarding your puppy’s condition to ensure fast recovery.

Puppy Cough Summary

Puppy cough is a very common illness among growing dogs and is a very communicable disease that can easily be passed from one dog to another. However, it is generally an illness you don’t need to worry much about, because puppies and dogs alike can actually recover and naturally heal from it without a problem. Coughing is just a normal way for puppies and dogs to remove dirt, debris, and bacteria from their body and keep them in peak condition. Likewise, if you want to be a responsible dog owner, there five different ways for you to help speed up the recovery process and give effective home care and treatment for your puppy.

These five are: rest and relaxation, lots of hydration, healthy meals, visits to the vet, and antibiotics. By going through all of these and utilizing each different method to help a speedy recovery, your puppy will go back to being energetic and happy in next to no time. However, in the case wherein your puppy’s conditions get worse over time, it is in your best interest to consult a veterinarian, as these may be signs of a much more dangerous illness.

Overall, though, the five aforementioned ways should be more than enough to get your puppy back on their feet; if you’re in the mood to keep reading more, why not learn about the common healthy dog signs that tell your puppy is in A1 condition!