Elmo the Eskimo has Kennel Cough, I think.

[SnowDancer]

We are off to the vet at 11:30 this morning. El was fine until 8:00 last night and then he started to cough (memories of 1976 and our "pound" Beagle who had an extremely bad case - and this was before vaccines or even knowing to give cough meds). Neither my husband or I have slept of course - including Elmo - and now we are in to the white foamy phlegm. He has been vaccinated for KC - but I do realize that it doesn't cover all strains of KC. He was home boarded 12 days ago and does go to socialization once a week so probably another dog had the virus without the signs (they are very careful where he goes). We were up and ready to go at 8:30 just in case there was an early vet app't - but Murphy's Law applies here. I have to catch this now as my husband is leaving in 3 weeks for a business trip to Europe and I have an AC points seat leaving on July 12 so El is going to boarder's. Poor little guy is scared - and wants to be held. Hasn't affected his appetite at all though - yet. I am somewhat nervous though about giving him his kibble in case a coughing fit starts. I don't know whether vet will prescribe a cough suppressant or if an antibiotic will be necessary. I am allergic to cough meds so if I have to go to drug store I will want vet to write down exact product name. If he doesn't like the taste (unlikely) I think I will add some to my emergency cans of I/D kept for the just in case tummy upsets that might happen. Hope you pups don't come down with this. Elmo has been extremely healthy - he is now just over 3 years old. But gee this was fast. Worst of it is is that he was at socialization yesterday - which is located behind vet's - if only he had coughed before we left at 6:00 last night.

[hazelrunpack]

Sorry about Elmo, SnowDancer. KC can be wicked.

I've heard that, too, that the vaccine doesn't cover all the many strains of KC...just the most common ones. Unfortunately, it seems that our dogs always manage to get exposed to the ones that aren't covered. Nothing like six dogs all hacking and needing pills and cough suppressant! Sigh...

Is Elmo easy to pill? We usually get a cough suppressant in pill form--Hydrocodone/Homatropine 5 mg/1.5 mg. Our dogs take pills pretty well. (Getting them to take cough syrup would probably be a futile, sitcky endeavor ) Typically, we only needed to treat the cough a few days after we started the antibiotics.

I hope Elmo recovers quickly, SnowDancer!

[jessi76]

when my dog had it, my vet prescribed antibiotics for about 10 days. (although as soon as he was on the meds, he cleared up in a few days, but as recommended we continued the full antibiotic treatment)

I also had my dog vaccinated, and he still got KC. I do continue to have him vaccinated each year, as it's a requirement for the daycare he attends, but I'm now aware it doesn't cover every strain.

you may want to let the other owners who were at that social event know (if possible), your dog very well could of picked it up there, or passed it along.

I'm sorry your little Elmo is sick! I hope he clears up real fast!

[SnowDancer]

Thanks, Hazel and Jessi. I have used about a whole roll of paper towel chasing the phelgm. Surprises me that Elmo isn't trying to lick it up, disgusting as that would be. Elmo takes his Sentinel pill with great delight and the only time he had to have an antibiotic pill was in Nov. 2004 when he had a stomach virus - I hid it in his canned I/D that came home with him - so figure I can work out something. I am hoping he will get antibiotics instead of a cough medicine - just want to clear this as soon as possible. I have already called his groomer where he goes for his weekly socialization and told them about the KC so they are going to watch for other cases. Will let dog boarder know tonight. Other than those 2 places Elmo doesn't really have contact with other dogs - but heck, dogs "water" our lawn all the time and it doesn't take much for an air borne particle to land on our pups. I have "our" sheets in the wash now and I guess I will have to disinfect Elmo's Kongs etc. I know there is some recipe that uses bleach - of which I have none in this house - my husband is a little careless and spilled good amounts - twice - not pleasant! Will report back on our vet visit. Sure hope it is KC - symptoms could be for illnesses a whole lot worse.

[hazelrunpack]

Good luck at the vet, SD

[SnowDancer]

Well, we are back. And as I expected, despite being there for an hour Elmo did not cough once. This despite hacking the whole way over in the car and as we walked down the street to vet's - to point that people were stopping me to ask if Elmo was okay. My husband can't believe it - but I can because of my experiences with my very stoical Dachshunds. As soon as we turned the car into our street, he started hacking again. Now of course, I did get Elmo to the vet early - the symptoms during night were severe and since I will never forget our Beagle's experiences with KC - all of the green discharge etc. I wasn't about to take a chance. The vet prescribed a cough suppressant - Butorphenol - 1 mg. Dosage is 1/2 to 1 pill every 8 - 12 hours depending on severity of cough. I just gave him 1/2 a pill. Will try to use mainly at night. She is hopeful that this is just early stage KC that will quickly run its course since he has been vaccinated - and that if it is KC it will most likely be full blown in 3 days. She will be on duty all weekend - thank heavens for a Toronto vet who opens on Sundays. I am to call her over weekend if his coughing continues to be extreme as last night and this a.m. and if by Tues. things are not looking better further tests may well be in order - of the sort requiring being put under. He does not have a temperature either. As she was listening to his heart I was trying not to think the worst. Today being the 3rd anniversary of my darling last mini Dacshund's death did not help. Elmo and Jack also share the same birthday - April Fool's Day. Maybe he is getting messages from Rainbow Bridge. This med may cause slight sedation - I can only hope. Now if only they could find a cough suppressant I could take - the only hacking going on was from me.

[hazelrunpack]

How do they always know!?! We've had more limps and coughs and lethargy disappear on the way into the vet than I can count! Are dogs silly or smart?

Anyway, I'm glad you got something for the cough at least. I hope that's all it takes!