Question:
We have a 1yo Siberian Husky that was bought from the pet store. Since she was about six to eight months old she has had a cough. After many different vet visits and doctors opinions its still not 100% what the cause is. She has a bad habit of chewing paper and it seems that when she chews on the paper her cough gets worse. One doctor had told us that the pup has asthma and prescribed steroids and the cough disappears for a few days. Then the puppy starts chewing again and the cough comes back. The other doctor claims she has a kennel cough and just says it will pass but it never has. There is also a fight between us in the house as to what the issue is. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:
I have had lot of dogs while growing up chew paper and none developed a cough as a result, so it is defintely a medical issue

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You might need a third opinion. It is not normal for a dog to have a cough for so long.

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There are different strains of Kennel Cough, and even if your dog has been vaccinnated, it's still possible to contract it (sort of like a flu shot). However, symptoms should clear up within a few weeks... Do a search on it to see what the symptoms are (how long they last, etc), and keep going to your vet to see what he/she says.

(Edited, so no one gets any smart ideas.)

(Edit again... never mind. I just realized that OG quoted me. No one get any smart ideas, yo! LOL! I should've PMed it anyway.)

Answer:
Originally Posted by Spirit
There are different strains of Kennel Cough, and even if your dog has been vaccinnated, it's still possible to contract it (sort of like a flu shot). However, symptoms should clear up within a few weeks... Do a search on it to see what the symptoms are (how long they last, etc), and keep going to your vet to see what he/she says.

In the meantime (disclaimer: self medicating is NEVER a good idea), dextromethorphan hydrobromide (active ingredient in cough syrup) might help to ease the cough if it is very bad. Life brand 'dry cough DM, cough syrup" (sucrose free) is what our vet uses. It's cheap and contains no other ingredients that might harm the dogs (one ingredient). Please write this down and phone your vet to confirm if it might help ease your dogs cough, and how much is safe to give her. If you go into your vets office, you can also ask them for a syringe, which of course will have all the CC levels on it so there's no guesswork (and much easier to use than a spoon). And be warned about wildberry flavor... Most dogs HATE it. lol

It's by no means a medicine to cure (and is not meant to be used for more than a few days), but if your vet gives you the go-ahead, it will surely help her feel more comfortable.


And please do not use unless a vet prescribes, it is not simply some safe harmless syrup sometimes reactions can occur

I have quite severe reactions to DM, just using a prescribe dose, it will put me in a very drunken state with severe dizziness

DXM (dextromethorphan) is an opioid drug agent used as a cough suppressant.
More info on.
http://www.stopaddiction.com/narconon_drugs_dxm.html#

also known to cause seizure in young children
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2005/...rup030513.html

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I can't take it either. It makes the room spin for days. That and nyquil... which, if you ask me, was manufactured in hell.

Like I already stated, never self medicate, but PLEASE ask your vet what you can do to help ease your dogs cough. I've been through it myself, and it's quite a helpless feeling watching them hack away like that.

Answer:
Originally Posted by KGilvin1124
After many different vet visits and doctors opinions its still not 100% what the cause is.

Where do you live? I can't imagine that one of the vets you've seen can't diagnose this properly. If you can't get a diagnosis from a local vet then ask to be referred to a specialist. Good luck and keep us posted.

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So the pup got pretty bad today and made a trip to the Doctor. From what she could gather it's possibly an allergy to something in the house. That comes from the fact that when she goes to the Doc or out other places she seems just fine. And when she would get home it would start again. Well exactly that happened today. So the doc is going to do some allergy tests and see what comes up. Thanks to everyone for there input. It's greatly appreciated.

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good luck and keep us posted. a cool air humidifier may relieve some of her symptoms keep it in the area she is in most often or get a couple they're pretty cheap

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So here we are yet again. Different medicine and no result. The pup has been getting worse so we have to go back to the vet. Still after 3 doctors nothing. So we'll just keep trying I guess.

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Well now we decided to go our own route and see what giving her something would do. We went to the drun store and got some children's medicine for chest /nasal congestion and it seems to be helping her get some of what ever it is out. But still getting bad. Poor pup. Still no one can tell us what to do. I was thinking it might be something hereditary due to breeding issues. She is to good of a dog to loose as we have the papers for her being a full breed Siberian Husky.

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I have a Siberian Husky and had two previous and have never known this to be a breeding issue. Please do not self medicate her without a vet's approval.

Are you anywhere near a vet school? I would be taking her to one or else get your vet to refer you to a specialist.

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