The American Beagler Forum

Im kinda new at this. My dogs are vaccinated properly. but two of my dogs got kennel cough. " that is a self prognosis" Any tips on beating it or the danger of it. Does antibotics work or Human cough suppressants

It is normally self-limiting and most dogs recover fully without treatment. Human cough suppressants such as Robitussin will help with the symptoms but do not "cure" the illness. Antibotics do not help with the virus but can prevent/cure a secondary bacterial infection. I am not much on giving antibotics just in case as I feel they often more risky than an infection. I have brought kennel cough home from trial once and from hunting with a friend once. Practically every dog in the kennel got it both times. Out of those two dozen or so beagles, only a couple of them had cough issues beyond the intial week or so. Those two would cough a bit on damp or cold mornings for the rest of their life but it did not seem to cause them much distress - just bugged me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

here are a couple good Sites that will explain it further.
We always give our Dogs the canine Bordetella vaccine before we start the show or trial circuit.
our Dogs have got this more at SHOWS than at trials......Probably Due to the more confined space, than anything.
Pretty much just have to let it run its course.
its worse on puppys though. My Wife will give them a childrens Dose of Cough Syrup.

http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/kenc.html

http://www.chatvet.com/canine_bordetella.htm