Kennel cough is described as the inflammation of your pet's respiratory system, more particularly the upper part of the lungs. Kennel cough is very common in dog centers, especially in crowded shelters.
This disease is airborne, meaning dogs living within the same area are at high risks of acquiring it. Kennel cough is a highly contagious disease and it is very similar to human cough.
If you suspect that your dog has kennel cough, take it to the vet right away. It always pays to be sure whether your dog just has a mild case of cough or a more complicated respiratory disease. The vet would perform the necessary diagnosis for your pet and he can give your dog the medicines that it need.
But aside from following the vet's orders, you also have to do several things to speed up your pet's recovery. Milder cases of kennel cough rarely require medication. But it is still necessary to give your pet the drugs that the vet had prescribed. Antibiotics are usually prescribed to dogs with kennel cough. And they have to take it as frequently as indicated in order to experience eventual relief from the disease.
If your dog has kennel cough, try to keep it away from your other pets as much as possible. All of them could easily contract the same disease just with mere association. If you must, keep your pets in their respective cages. This way, you can prevent their contact with each other. There are also preventive medicines that you can give to your other pets so that they would have stronger immune system. This way, they won't easily acquire the disease. Ask your vet about the possible vaccines against kennel cough.
The best home remedy to give dogs with kennel cough is Vitamin C. There are Vitamin C soft capsules that can be bought at pharmacies today and you can simply add it to your dog's meals. Break the capsule and put the content in the food of your dog. It is also possible to use similar tinctures and herbal remedies that are easily available at pharmacies today.
The cold weather can make your dog suffer from the disease even more. Try to keep its environment warm and humid. Use a vaporizer or a home humidifier to keep the dog house or crate comfortable enough for your sick pet. It is also possible to use a cough medicine used for children on your dog. However, this should be done only as a first aid and never as a continued medication for its disease.
Honey can help so much in easing an irritated throat. You should also do your best to keep your pet from pollutants such as smoke. For the entire length of time that your dog is sick, try to keep smokers out of the house. This way, your pet would experience speedy recover from its condition.
Be sure to monitor your pet's health all the time. This is very important so you can stop the onset of any diseases. Prevention and early cure are your best defenses against kennel cough and similar health concern.
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