Autumn is here. And with it comes the flu season. Colds and other ailments associated with this time of the year do not only affect people, but also their four-legged friends. Especially widespread and highly dangerous in case of non-treatment is the kennel cough, which affects dogs in cities as well as in the country. Despite being fairly common, this dog disease is highly contagious. How to treat it?
How can you tell it is kennel cough?
It is crucial to recognise the symptoms as soon as possible, which can be an irritating dry cough, sometimes even paroxysmal cough. The dog can be coughing up white foam or mucus. Dog cough sounds different to human cough. Some even compare it to goose honking. So do not be fooled and if you are not sure, take your dog to see your vet.
First aid for cough
First of all, make sure your dog has plenty of rest. Ignore the fact that your dog is usually very active. Shorten your walks to a minimum. Do not let your dog near other dogs. In the case of kennel cough, the animal is contagious for about three days. Provide him with a cozy snuggle and a blanket. You can make an exception and allow a bit of "couching". If the symptoms are mild and the cough is not severe, exhausting and convulsive, Plantago syrup is recommended. Plantago syrup is a little miracle and provides the animal with immediate relief from coughing by calming down the throat.
Measure the dog's temperature by inserting a common thermometer in his anus. Phone your vet to discuss the next step.
If the vet does not prescribe antibiotics, they will at least recommend some vitamins. Same as with the human cold, it is important to boost immunity. Other than the Plantago syrup, you can also give your dog Vitamin C, spirulina or echinacea. All this strengthens the immunity and speeds up the treatment.
If the dog is not suffering from other health problems, the treatment should last about a week.
How to comfort the animal?
Take off the collar. It can be uncomfortable on the neck. You can replace it by a harness when going for a walk. Humidify your home. Moist air will help with the dry cough. If you own an essential oil diffuser, use a few drops of lemon balm oil or mint and eucalyptus oil. You can also put a wet towel on your warm radiator.
Make sure the dog drinks plenty of water. You can make him a weak tea with honey, add a few spoonfuls of milk into water or cook a meat and vegetable broth. If you use dry food, it is recommended to temporarily soak it in warm water or in the broth. Dogs suffering from diarrhoea can be fed boiled rice with chicken.
Another option for you to consider is vaccination against kennel cough. However, because it is not only a single disease but rather a combination of bacteria and viruses, a 100% effective vaccine doesn't exist as yet.
We wish all our two and four-legged friends the best of health.
Allegedly, fast is instinctively practised by both wolfs and wild dogs. This has led many people to that assumption, that our dog on the couch should, once in a while, be fasting as well. A wild animal surely knows what it is doing, nature is wise, you...
In this cycle, we will get to know interesting dog personalities. Dogs play an important role in our life, so let us take a look what they have already achieved during our life together. We should find Hachiko in the dictionary next to the phrase...
Markéta is my long-time friend. We got to know each other through a shelter, from which I took my first dog and where I then started to help out. Under this association, Markéta runs a depository for cats in Prague, where I like to go when I have a bit...
Have you ever wondered how much movement is healthy for your dog and when it can be harmful? Or that not every movement is beneficial? Most dog owners never think about this. It’s said that the more you move, the better. But this is not always true.
As I mentioned in previous articles, I occasionally help out my friend Markéta, who runs a cat shelter. I had the opportunity to take part in several humane trappings for stray cats and would like to share the experience with you today.
Did you know that even your pet dog can suffer from depression? As with people, we shouldn’t underestimate the mental state of our dogs. How to recognize it and what to do about it?
In this cycle, we shall take a look at how cats and dogs are getting along in the world. Where people nurture and spoil them, or on the contrary they suffer and their situation is critical. Today I would like to introduce you to the cats of Greece,...
The approach of warm sunny days will surely entice many people to go for long walks. Many of us take our four-legged companions on vacation. It’s during these times that we should be careful about sunstroke, both for us and our dogs. How can we prevent...
Just like with people, being overweight can have a negative impact on a dog’s health. Preparing the right diet and amount of food to give them can sometimes be, however, like pure alchemy, and so your dog can start to become obese. If this is the case...
There seems to be more and more ticks year after year. Fortunately, the ways to protect our furry friends, whether dogs or cats, against these parasites are growing. Everyone can choose what product fits best for them and their four-legged companions.
Until recently skinny guinea pigs were relatively rare in our country. Word about them is quickly spreading, however, and they have become a sudden hit among breeders. What’s it like having these guinea pigs and what do they like to eat?
The kidneys perform one of the most important functions in the body - cleaning the blood. Due to their small intake of water, cats are more burdened than other animals and therefore suffer quite often from kidney problems the older they get.
