Kennel Cough and other dog illnesses

It’s really upsetting when your dog becomes sick. Kennel cough, parvo, heartwork, these are all illnesses you want your dog to be free of.

Like a small child, your dog or puppy cannot tell you what’s wrong or where it hurts. Any form of Dog Health Care depends, in most cases, on your observations. You can see just by looking at the way your pet acts, what part of their body is “hurting.” We realize you are not a vet, but just by watching your sick dog, you will be able to tell your vet the symptoms that your dog is having.

Dog health care, or for that matter, general pet health is your responsibility. It’s one at Country Waggin’ we take very seriously as well. If your dog exhibits some of those illness symptoms listed below, rest assured, we will make you aware of them.

There are a number of illnesses that your dog can have. The few below are just some of the most common. It is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat sick dogs or as a substitute for obtaining professional veterinary advice. It’s just used as a guide to understanding a dogs symptoms and identifying their possible causes.

Heartworm – When certain parasites attack the chambers of your dog’s heart & lungs, even a vibrant dog can be quickly reduced to a sickly companion who’s facing death. Heartworms are parasites that will quickly grow and multiply in your dog’s internal organs causing your pet to become tired, sluggish and emit a soft cough. When Heartworm is not treated, the condition is always fatal. However, Heartworm can be prevented through a variety of prescriptions and over-the-counter products, such as HartGard.

Parvovirus (Parvo) – Parvo is a highly contagious disease that mainly strikes puppies. This disease is so serious that it can take the life of your dog within 48 to 72 hours after they are exposed. Your dog will display depression, loss of appetite, severe diarrhea, and vomiting. Vaccinations against Parvo are important with booster shots in the future.

Kennel Cough – The term “Kennel Cough” is the common name used for Canine Infectious Tracheobronchits. The term relates to coughing localized to the trachea (wind pipe) and bronchi (within the lungs). Kennel Cough is a worldwide upper respiratory disease caused by several viruses and bacteria. Just remember, a high percentage of dogs will contract Kennel Cough during their lifetime. However, a majority of cases is not serious in itself, but can lead to some dogs developing life-threatening complications.

The term “Kennel Cough” is very misleading – this highly prevalent disease can be contracted by dogs who have never been near a kennel! Dogs can pick up this disease in a variety of ways including: Dog Shows – Training Classes – Veterinary Clinics – Contact of any king with other dogs – Out on walks – or passing other dogs in the street.

If your dog has the following symptoms, they may have “Kennel Cough”: Dry hacking cough-described as “honking” – Wheezing – Retching – Described as “something caught in his throat” – Watery nasal or eye discharge – Lack of Appetite – Lethargy or Fever. If our dog has any of these symptoms, take them to your local Professional Vet ASAP.

Kennel Cough treatment can include the uses of cough suppressants, antibiotics, bronchodilators and sprays. The bedding of your pet should be washed frequently and if the dog is in a kennel, strict attention should be paid to the sufficient and regular ventilation ensuring fresh air.

Infectious Canine Hepatitis – Any dog stricken with this disease, will show sluggishness and have a slight fever. In some cases, death may occur, but dogs that recover will show signs of improvement in a very short period of time. It’s recommended to have your dog vaccinated against this disease.

Coronavirus – Since diarrhea and vomiting are associated systems with this disease, it’s often confused for paravovirus. Your dog can often show signs of decreased appetite, a foul-smelling diarrhea, lethargy and dehydration. To treat this condition, lost fluids should be replaced and measures taken to control vomiting and diarrhea.

Obesity – Just like humans, when a dog carries around excess body weight, serious health ailments may develop. To treat obesity in dogs, limit food intake, eliminate giving them human food and increase their exercise regiment.

As a dog owner, you want to be sure that you help to establish a healthy and happy relationship with your new friend. Understanding that a healthy pup that has a full complement of preventive shots, good nutrition and a full exercise program will work to keep your dog living a long and healthy live. We have just added a line of pet vitamins because good nutrition is vital to your pet's health.

At Country Waggin’ we're not vets, but we can help you when your pet gets sick by providing you with some of the best over-the-counter medicine on the market. We are pet specialists who can help you when something is wrong with your dog.