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I adopted a cocker spaniel 2 weeks ago. He didn't cough when I first visited him but after I got him home, he started
coughing. He was at the shelter for only 7 days before he was processed for me to bring home. The vet pressed on his throat to make him cough & said it was kennel cough. He has completed his meds but still coughs. Especially when he first gets up in the a.m., after we take him out & sporadically thru out the day. His cough isn't as deep but he still coughs. Is this something else? Now my cats are coughing & sneezing. Is this a separate issue? I've been told the dog could have heart problems by a person that does animal rescue.
Asked by
Hershey
on Oct 25th 2009
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in Health & Wellness
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Sounds like a classic case of kennel cough! Yes, the cough can linger for weeks and weeks, just as a person sometimes has a lingering cough from a cold.
And, yes, the cats more than likely have caught the virus from the dog. Bordetella, one of the recognized strains of kennel cough, is very contagious to cats. I am sure your vet would have listened to his heart when he examined him! Keep a close eye on those cats as sometimes they can develop bacterial infections from the disease and would require an antibiotic. If they are still eating and acting normally they should be fine. Bordetella is a virus and as such, an antibiotic will not make it go away any sooner.
Toto, CD, RN, CGC
answered on 10/25/09.
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If it has passed to the cats it may be kennel cough , yes.
Kennel cough is an airborne thing. So, it is spread quickly by coughing
If they checked the heart I agree I don't think that it is a heart condition.
Just in case make sure you get a heartworm test done as well.
Dieta
answered on 10/25/09.
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