Question:
My puppy Casey's coughing is quite serious and has been for more than two weeks. We have visited the vet about 10 times since he got sick, and now the vet is thinking he might have distemper.

I live in Korea, and sometimes I'm not sure if I understand my vet perfectly. Also, because of the culture here, I'm afraid to challenge what she says, so I'd really appreciate another expert opinion. He has been getting needles (humans also get needles here whenever they have any kind of sickness) regularly, and he's been on medecine, but I don't know exactly what. They give it to me in the form of powder which I mix with homemade rice pudding.

Casey coughs until he gags, and it's especially bad in the morning, and sometimes in the evening also. He's only 3 months old. For a couple of days at the beginning he also had a fever, a little diarrhea and vomitted, but for the last 10 days he hasn't had any symptoms except the coughing. He eats well, he's active and happy most of the time, and he keeps growing.

Casey also came to me with a case of scabies, which I believe is cleared up now after a treatment.

I have been reading about distemper and it's a horrifying disease. But it also seems to me like he isn't displaying very much evidence of distemper. Could he have allergies? Can I try giving him an antihistamine myself if the vet doesn't agree? Casey is very tiny, though (right now he's exactly 1.48 kg) so it would be hard to get the amount right...

Please help me. I really love this little guy a lot, and couldn't bear to lose him.

Answer:
Hi,

I'm not sure how long you have been on the board but I am a pretty new member myself. My freind Leah teaches English in Korea and recently found an abandoned puppy in the street and brought him home. He was sick and I sought advise on this board. After taking Oliver to the vet it turned out he had distemper and he didn't make it. Maybe check out the posting "seoul pup"

Where did you get you dog? Do you live permantley in Seoul?

Olivers symptoms were diareha, breathing problems, and a bad cough. The vet that Leah took Oliver too seemed very knowlegable and spoke very good English. Maybe you should consider a second opinion. Altough Korean culture does not have much respect for dogs, Seoul is one of the more westerised parts and there are vets avaliable for pet dogs.

Oliver was never given any shots by the vet just anti Diareha pills. So a second opionon would be a great idea, you might be getting ripped off.

I don't know if this helps you at all.
Good luck with everything and let us all know how it goes. This must be very upsetting and frustrating for you.

Answer:
The coughing and gagging sounds like kennel cough. If your dog had distemper, he would likely be dead by now.

Here is a an article outlining symptoms and treatment for kennel cough.
Kennel Cough

Answer:
I'm so sorry your little Casey is sick. Nothing tears you up more than watching your fur-baby suffer and you feel so helpless!
Just a question about "getting needles". I've seen that term used before but am unclear what it means. Injections? Acupunture?

Answer:
Thank you guys so much! Yesterday I found out that there is actually a test they can do for distemper and although it was a little on the pricey side, it was worth it for my peace of mind.

The vet clinic I go to is excellent, and one vet there is actually able to speak English, but because of my schedule his main vet has turned out to be a woman who does not speak English -- and Casey and I both prefer her (anyway, I do speak Korean, just not quite fluently yet). But I do appreciate your advice about seeking another opinion.

The needles are just regular injections. Korean "Western style" medecine uses a lot of injections as well. You get a cold, you get a shot. I cut my hand somewhat severely earlier this year -- yep, I got a shot (and stitches, of course!)

Anyway, I'm doing all I can for this poochie, and I feel like he'll be okay in time. Any additional advice would be great to hear though.

Thank you again!

Answer:
Pls let us know how pup is doing. It's so hard when they are sick on them and on you. I wish the very best! When will you know the test result?

Answer:
Did I seriously not mention the test result? I found out within 4 minutes, and he's okay -- it's not distemper. I feel so dumb for not saying that in my last post! Actually, I was so relieved that I burst into uncontrollable tears, and the vet told me again that it was good news, and looked kind of confused!

I really like this forum -- everyone seems quite caring.

Casey is still coughing, and they are now treating him with a kind of inhaling machine thingy, and it's all getting very expensive, but now that I know he doesn't have a fatal illness, I don't really mind at all.

Thank you all so much. I will let you know how it goes.

Answer:
Did you read the article I linked, about kennel cough?

I'm glad to hear your dog doesn't have distemper, although not surprised.

Answer:
Yes, I did read the article about kennel cough, and seems like a match, except that wouldn't it be easy for the vet to diagnose? Also, is it treatable with medecine, because if it is, he's had a heck of a lot of that and he keeps on coughing. Anyway, I hope you are right, because that will definitely go away, and should be gone soon, right? But he's had this for almost a month! Very expensive puppy as it turns out! Anyway, thanks again for the help from all!

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