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I have searched this forum for this info...didn't find exactly what I need...
We rescued a dog from a shelter about a week ago. Since bringing her home, she has been constantly sneezing, occasionally reverse sneezing, gagging off and on, and now coughing...Also very itchy and biting her feet...like biting to scratch her feet... So I thougth maybe she was allergic to her food...I went and got her some 'hypoallergenic food'... So far no change...
So my questions...
Do you think this is Kennel Cough?
Do I need to keep my small kids away from this dog if she has Kennel Cough? Can they catch it?
If she's having an allergic reaction, it may be to her food or it may be environmental allergens. If it's the food, it will take at least 6 weeks of eating nothing but the hypoallergenic food for you to see a result. That would explain the itchy feet, and maybe the reverse sneezing.
The coughing is more likely due to an upper respiratory infection (like kennel cough). These types of infections are not contagious to people. Have you taken her to see a vet? Finding a good vet who you trust is the best way to find out what's wrong, treat it appropriately and have a professional you can turn to when questions come up.
Could be Kennel cough but sounds more like allergies. (Especially the chewing on the feet - thats a classic symptom of an allergy) Its actually far less likely to be a food allergy as compared to an environmental allergy. For the inside of the house. Do you have a dog bed? If so, does it have cedar shavings in it? I've found that a lot of dogs seem to be allergic to cedar for some reason. If this is true take the bed away for a couple of days and see if it makes a difference. For outside, does anything seem to make it better or worse? What I mean by that is things like "it seems to be better when it rains" or "worse when we cut the grass or if a certain flower or tree is in bloom". Allergies are very hard to pin down. Best to get your kid into the vet to be checked out and see what it is. There are medications that can make your kid more comfortable for both!
Kennel cough is fairly common in shelter dogs and as others have said there is no need to worry that your children will catch it. While chewing and licking of the feet may very well be allergies it may also be something as simple as urine scald or a reaction to the chemicals used to clean at the shelter. If you haven't already I would give the dog a good bath, if you have already done so I would rinse the feet with water VERY throughly (some dogs go mad even from shampoo residue). It could also be stress related. Even though you "saved" the dog, being brought in a new home is very stressful.
If your concerns continue see a vet.
Kennel cough is fairly common in shelter dogs and as others have said there is no need to worry that your children will catch it. While chewing and licking of the feet may very well be allergies it may also be something as simple as urine scald or a reaction to the chemicals used to clean at the shelter. If you haven't already I would give the dog a good bath, if you have already done so I would rinse the feet with water VERY throughly (some dogs go mad even from shampoo residue). It could also be stress related. Even though you "saved" the dog, being brought in a new home is very stressful.
If your concerns continue see a vet.
Thanks for all the replies... the cough has gotten a lot better but it is still here. I took her to the vet and he put her on 100mg of Amox BID x 7 days. I hope that helps her. Her stiches are now out from her spay surgery...I gave her a bath last night. I also took away her dog bed and switched her food... The itching has stopped...So now I am wondering if she really is allergic to the bed or if it was just something at the shelter... She loves that bed...Do you think I can bring it back on the scene?
Also, I was going to go home for a visit this weekend. I would bring my puppy of course...is she still contagious? I have gotten conflictin info...My parents also have a new puppy so if she is contagious still, the trip will get cancelled....
Also, I was going to go home for a visit this weekend. I would bring my puppy of course...is she still contagious? I have gotten conflictin info...My parents also have a new puppy so if she is contagious still, the trip will get cancelled....
I would call your vets office and ask their opinion. Kennel cough is easily transmitted and even if your parents puppy has had all its shots it could still be at risk for a mild case. I probably wouldn't risk it myself especially considering their dog is still a puppy, but that's just me.
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