Kennel cough??
Submitted by lmc2180 on August 21, 2011 - 9:42amNeed some thoughts on what might be going on with our bulldog (he's 3) before we can get to the vet. We were gone for a few hours last evening and came home to find two small piles of vomit on the floor; Peanut had puked up a little of his food. We were only a little concerned because he's done this in the past with no consequences. But then we noticed he looked like he didn't feel good; he was drooling more than usual and hacking occasionally, almost like he's trying to get something up. We gave him a Cerenia tablet (anti-emetic prescribed by the vet about a month ago for a stomch issue). Now I noticed that when he breathes, it sounds like he's snoring (sounds congested I guess). The first thing I thought of was kennel cough because last weekend we had to board him (it's been 7 days). I've never heard kennel cough before so I looked up videos on youtube for comparison. Our dog hacks every once in a while; it's not like he has a bout of 5 coughs in a row. And I'm not sure it sounds the same as that dry cough. It's more of a hack. Plus he has those "snoring" breaths. My husband is worried there's something blocking his throat or nasal cavity or, I don't know what. Any thoughts?
The vet isn't open today so
The vet isn't open today so we have to wait until tomorrow.
It's always a possibilty that...
he aspirated some of the vomit which can cause pneumonia. Not to scare you, but it happens. Keep a close eye on him. Do you have an ER vet just in case? It could also be kennel cough, hard to tell.
There is an ER vet nearby.
There is an ER vet nearby. How would we know when to take him to the ER?
You need to take his temp.
If it is elevated, take him in. You also want to watch his breathing....really, I would be very careful with these symptoms. It could be aspiration of vomit, or kennel cough becoming pneumonia. I would definitely watch him closely and DON'T wait if you feel uncomfortable with what you are seeing.
Amy and Sophia
We called our vet's exchange
We called our vet's exchange number and spoke to our vet. He seems to think Peanut is okay, just wants us to watch him for signs of worsening and then take him to the ER in that case. He said what's happening is probably caused by the vomit episode last night. He said to make sure he's eating and drinking and resting. We're making an appointment for tomorrow.
Peanut did eat and drink a few hours ago, yay. And he doesn't seem as lethargic as he was this morning/last night. Still not his old self. He's hacking/coughing occasionally, still raspy breathing. We tried the shower steam thing and I think it helped. Oh yeah, he isn't drooling like he was last night. And his temp is normal.
I appreciate everyone's advice! This is our first dog.
Drooling can be sign of a fever. ER might be a good idea.
I would take him in today if at all possible. You are describing what happened to our Beagle who went from Kennel Cough to Pneumonia in a day. We almost lost him.
Amy and Sophia
UPDATE
HELLO EVERYONE IM AM GLAD TO POST THAT PUPPIES ARE STILL ALIVE AND SEEM TO BE DOING WELL SO FAR THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SLEEP BETTER SO THE CONJESTION IS LESS BUT STILL NOT COMPLETELY GONE MILK OR BOOGERS STILL COMMING OUT OF NOSE. i HAVE TRIED WHAT MOST OF YOU HAVE SUGGESTED I AM USING THE SUCKTION BULB TO HELP I WILL ADDRESS THIS WITH MY VET ABOUT THE MILK COMMING OUT OF NOSE EVERYDAY. THEY ARE GROWING QUICKLY HAVE GAINED A LOT MORE WEIGHT SINCE FEEDING EVERY TWO HRS. YES AT TIMES I DO STRESS ONLY BECAUSE I CARE ABOUT THESE BABIES SO MUCH I TRY TO STAY CALM BUT I REALLY WISH THEY WERE BETTER EVERYONE INCLUDING MY CHIUAUA TOOTSIE SEEM TO BE IMPROVING SO THAT IS GOOD I FEEL BETTER BUT STILL CONCERNED. i WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR HELPING OUT AND SHOWING SUPPORT IN MY TIME OF STRESS.
P.S. AS FOR SUCKING OUT THE MILK OR BOOGERS OUT WITH MY MOUTH AHHHHHH IM NOT SURE IF I AM ABLE TO DO THAT YUCK! MY KIDS SAID WELL IF ONE WAS CHOKING AND YOU NEEDED TO SAVE HER WOULD YOU DO IT? I REPLYED I DONT KNOW BUT I THINK IN MY HEART I PROBABLY WOOD IF I FELT IT WAS LIFE OR DEATH FOR MY BABIES LOL. BUT MUCH RESPECT FOR THOSE WHO DO THAT METHOD. I WILL CONTIUE TO POST PROGRESS THANKS EVERYONE.