Danny has been off colour for a few days and today he started coughing..he coughed so much he bought up some white frothy liquid

I phoned the vet and the first appointment I could get was 6.30 this evening, which I took, but I've just found out that there have been some cases of kennel cough among the dogs he was walking with on Friday

I'm really worried now that this is whats wrong with him..obviously I'll find out for sure from the vet this evening, but I just wondered if anyone knows how likely it is that he has this, or can give me any idea of what to expect and any tips that might help him if it does turn out that is what he has

I was wondering if I should tell the receptionist before I take him in that he has been with dogs who have this, as I would hate to put any dogs in the waiting room at risk

The other worry I have is that he has been with my parents dog Josh all week, and Josh has a bad heart

It certainly sounds like Kennel Cough. Other problems could be a scratched throat or obstruction - KC is really the lesser of the three.

If he is otherwise healthy, then I really wouldn't worry too much -it will pass, just follow good advice on keeping him away from other dogs.

You can tell the vets - they may say keep him outside until he is ready to be seen etc.

I really wouldn't overly worry - it;s not very pleasant to witness and can be distressing for some dogs, but it passes.

We brought it back from a show to a 7 week old litter, I was horrified - but it passed without major issue.

I always keep a squeezable bottle of honey in the house, and for my adult dogs, also some benylin.

Keeping the dogs calm as well can help stop the symptoms.

Edited to add, if it is confirmed as KC, then it is only fair if he has been in contact with any dogs over the last 5 to 10 days, you let their owners know if you can.

Thanks for the info Sue. It doesn't sound as bad I had feared I've been lucky until now, I've had dogs most of my life and never encountered it before.

He seems ok in himself, although he hasn't eaten much today

If it is kennel cough, I will let the lady who organises the walks know, she will be able to get in touch with the other owners.

A lot of people associate it solely with kennels, when in reality, you can pick it up anywhere there is a group of dogs.

I've got 6 here, and considering we are out showing every weekend, we've been very very lucky, my eldest had it after being in kennels and the other time was after a show.

It was just a touch ironic that it happened when we had a litter (it can be dangerous to very young puppies) - but we separated them out and gave them regular honey followed by water - I don't think they even went off their food (typical Labs ) Only one of my adult dogs actually caught it.


His throat is probably sore - even if it turns out to be a scratch - I can heartily recommend investing in a squeezable bottle of honey (although not too much as it piles the pounds on) - the dogs generally love it -with the pups, we squirted into their mouths through a needleless syringe, they went mad for it.

The vet has confirmed that it is KC and has given him some antibiotics

Shes advised us to give him soft food only for the moment and he has to go back in five days..he has to rest and stay calm too...not easy for an excitable little yapper like Danny lol

Hopefully my parents dog won't catch it. but the vet advised mum gets him vaccinated just in case

I will definitely get him a bottle of squeezable honey, thats a great idea to help ease his sore throat..thanks for the tip

Have they been in contact? if they have, I am a little surprised at the vet recommending vaccination because it is a live vaccine. the vaccine is only effective against certain strains, and I would imagine, if he has been in contact with your boy, he will already be incubating it.

I had 12 dogs here including the pups when we had it, I got so fed up with going back and fore to the vets I just got AB's for the lot (at great expense) and then didn't need them.

I dog sat for my parents on Tuesday when they went to the hospital, and the two boys layed together and shared a bowl of water, Joshy also ate some of Dannys half eaten chews that were laying around.

I was suprised the vet reccomended a vaccine too, as they have already had contact, and we will be keeping them apart now until Danny is better, but my parents have the same vet and she knows his health problems, she thinks the vaccine might reduce the symptoms if he does catch it, as she is worried that coughing could put too much strain on his heart

It's encourgaing to hear that not all your dogs caught it, so fingers crossed, maybe Josh won't either.

Will keep everything crossed he doesn't - all living inside, needless to say, they are all in close and virtually constant proximity to one another - I did crate my adult who had it almost for the duration, because she tends to be um - rather excitable shall we say - but again, the dogs were still in constant contact with one another

How is he this morning? I found the AB's kicked in with the
pups at about 2 days

He's not too bad thanks, he's feeling a bit sorry for himself atm and wants lots of cuddles. but it didn't stop him barking at the postman this morning, even if his bark did sound a little bit creakier than usual..

His coughing seems a bit better today though

Pleased he seems a bit brighter today, it's a worry when pets get poorly.

My greyhound had kennel cough a couple of times when she alive, it lasted a couple of months in total, but the end it was just the odd one here and there. It wasn't nice to see her coughing and we had to be careful with her food (she had a dry mix diet). She got better and was fine after though