Cough medicine for dogs with kennel cough

There is no single test to diagnose kennel cough. Usually, if your dog has symptoms and has been exposed to a crowd of other canines within the incubation period, it’s adequate to diagnose them with kennel cough. Swabs can be taken to determine the exact virus or bacteria causing kennel cough – although this isn’t always useful for treatment. If there are suspected complications, radiographs can be used to assess a dog’s condition.

If your dog is bright, perky, eating well and playful, you may not need to visit the vet. But always  phone for advice if you are worried and advise the clinic on arrival that your dog has been coughing – it’s best if they wait somewhere other than a crowded waiting room. In general, it's a good idea to keep your dog away from other dogs while they are coughing.

Is there a treatment for kennel cough?

In most cases, dogs will recover from kennel cough without treatment within three weeks, but it can sometimes linger for anything up to six weeks. To aid recovery, make sure your home is well ventilated and avoid using a collar and lead, as any pulling might aggravate the wind pipe further – a harness is a better option on walks. Should treatment be given, antibiotics can kill the Bordetella bacteria – the most common present in kennel cough cases. Cough suppressants and anti-inflammatories can also be given to make your pet a bit more comfortable as they make a natural recovery.

Can my dog get kennel cough more than once?

Yes. There are many different strains of kennel cough – as there are among common colds in humans – so your dog can catch the infection multiple times. But if your dog has contracted the Bordetella bronchiseptica strain, he or she will typically be immune to reinfection for six to 12 months.

Should I vaccinate my dog against kennel cough?

Some of the infections that can cause kennel cough are included in the basic vaccinations dogs need to have as a puppy, and subsequent boosters. These are canine adenovirus type two, canine parainfluenza virus, canine distemper, and canine influenza.

But the most common bacteria present in kennel cough is Bordetella bronchiseptica, which can be given as a separate vaccine – through nasal drops or injection. However, as there are many strains of the infection, it cannot guarantee protection – but at the very least should lessen symptoms. Vaccination is not useful in dogs already incubating kennel cough.

The nasal vaccine for Bordetella bronchiseptica can be given when your dog is as young as three weeks, with it providing protection for about 12 months. It takes four days for it to become effective, and is considered the fastest method of providing immunity.

Although protection is not guaranteed, many boarding kennels require dogs staying with them to have the Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccine.

To treat kennel cough, start by isolating your dog from other dogs immediately, since kennel cough is contagious. Next, bring your pet to a veterinarian to confirm the illness and receive a treatment plan, which usually includes a round of oral antibiotics. You can ease your dog's discomfort and loosen any mucus in its chest by bringing it into a steamy bathroom for 5-10 minutes several times throughout the day. Make sure your dog rests as much as possible and avoid bringing it on its daily walks until the condition resolves. For tips on preventing kennel cough, read on!

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When your dog starts hacking, wheezing, or honking, you'll definitely want to help. We've all had coughs before and know how much they absolutely stink. But there's one thing you should do before you try to purchase cough medicine for dogs.

If you're a returning visitor to Daily Paws, you know what's coming: If your dog is coughing, you need to talk to your veterinarian. Not all coughs are equal, and your vet is the one who will determine what kind of medicine your dog needs, says Michael Stone, DVM, DACVIM, and associate clinical professor at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. The treatment is based on the cause.

"It's very safe to give cough medicine to a dog who has a benign disease, but it's very dangerous to give cough suppressant to a dog who has a disease that needs to be treated differently," he tells Daily Paws. 

So you're better safe than sorry when it comes to your dog's cough medicine. Here's what you need to know: 

Is There Cough Medicine for Dogs?

Indeed there is, but you should have your veterinarian either prescribe or recommend (if it's over the counter) the drugs your dog needs.

Your dog might need canine cough suppressants—which limits coughing—or he might need something to clear out his lungs, called an expectorant. That would be the case if your dog has pneumonia, when he needs to get the gunk and bacteria out of his lungs, Stone says. 

That's why a proper diagnosis is so important. You don't want to limit coughing if your dog has pneumonia, so don't immediately reach for a cough suppressant. 

"If you stop the cough, that's risking not being able to clear that material and, therefore, making the pneumonia worse," Stone says. The same goes for when dogs cough because of heart disease. Stone says a cough suppressant could actually speed up heart failure, which could be fatal.  

However, treating pneumonia and heart disease with medication specific to those ailments—antibiotics for pneumonia, for example—can eventually ease your dogs' coughing.

A collapsed trachea, however, can be aided by a cough suppressant like dextromethorphan. Same goes for your dog with kennel cough, though you might be able to simply monitor your dog's cough until it departs on its own.

RELATED: Here's Why the Bordetella Vaccine Is So Important

Stone says it's hard to know how well cough suppressants work, though. Some dogs might have better or worse coughing days based on a variety of conditions. Plus, there's the ever-present challenge of not being able to simply ask our dogs how they're feeling and get an answer.

Vets might also suggest using a nebulizer or humidifier, though that's not common, Stone says. However, the bottom line remains that your veterinarian is best equipped to determine medicine your dog needs.

Can I Give My Dog Human Cough Medicine?

Don't do this, Stone says. It's best to avoid all human cough medicine because some products include xylitol, the artificial sweetener that can threaten your dog's life.

"Any medication that's got xylitol in it—it's very dangerous to dogs, and that's commonly in cough drops," Stone says. 

Plus cough medicine dosage for dogs and humans varies drastically, especially if you have a small dog. For those reasons, it's best to stay away from all human drugs when considering how best to treat your dog's cough, he adds.

RELATED: What Is Reverse Sneezing in Dogs, Anyway?

How To Safely Give Dogs Cough Medicine

Your dog can be prescribed cough medicine through a variety of methods, Stone says, including pills, liquids, and injectables. Here's how to administer each kind of drug safely: 

What cough medicine can I give my dog for kennel cough?

Mild over-the-counter cough suppressants such as Mucinex cough medicine for children may help keep pets comfortable. Temaril-P can also be used to treat itching and coughing symptoms in dogs. Keeping pets in a well-humidified area and using a harness instead of a collar may also help decrease the coughing.

Can I give my dog Robitussin DM for kennel cough?

COUGH: For dry, non-productive coughing in dogs, Robitussin DM (Dextromethorphan)--(2mg/mL), can be given. Read all ingredients thoroughly on the package, as some formulations may not contain Dextromethorphan or may contain additional ingredients (ex. Acetaminophen), which should never be given to your pet.

Can I give my dog Benadryl for kennel cough?

Benadryl is a relatively safe and effective medication for dogs when used according to the instructions of a veterinarian. As with any new medication, always observe your dog closely after administration to make sure there aren't any adverse reactions.