Kennel Cough ?

[tsfarling]

My 7 month GSD had her bordatella vaccine before she went to the local boarding place. They have a fantastic facility and she spent the day there for her temperament test before we go on vacation. The next morning she started doing this snorting thing. She sounds like a pig. I noticed it as soon as she came in from outside. I don't know if she snorted something outside or if its the beginning of kennel cough. She snorts a bit and then hacks like something is stuck up her nose so I am leaning away from kennel cough but wanted to make sure it wasn't maybe just a small case of it. I also was wondering if it could have been a reaction to the intranasal bordatella that they gave to her, however, I feel like that would have started the day of not two days later. Any suggestions? She is drinking water and eating still with high activity, playful, fetching, and bothering the cats.

[Anubis_Star]

It takes the intranasal vaccine up to 10 days to become fully effective. As well, it only covers a small percentage of the viruses and bacteria that actually cause "kennel cough" (well over 200 strains). Kennel cough is literally any upper respiratory infection/disease.

Kennel cough normally resolves on it's own within a week or so. And as the cause is unknown unless cultured, antibiotics are iffy because they will have no effect on viral infections. If you are concerned, the dog becomes listless, lethargic, doesn't want to eat or drink, or you feel the cough becomes severe, then see your vet.

[GatorBytes]

defusing eucalyptus essential oil in a vapourizer will bring some relief

bortadella is related to virus in humans known as whooping cough

[tsfarling]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the advice! I talked to my vet as well and they are leaning more towards it could be allergies but they also said to watch it as well if it turns more from snorting pig sounds with hacks into a cough. If it doesn't change I might need to get her some doses of benadryl from the vet.

[Magwart]

COCONUT OIL! It's counterintuitive to think that a fat would help this, but it has a well-documented antiviral effect.

I just discovered the benefit of it for kennel cough with a foster -- I'm convinced it works. Here's the article that got me to try it:
Remedies for Kennel Cough - Whole Dog Journal Article

I have a thread in the rescue forum about my experience with this foster -- I'm convinced it helped her fight off a nasty strain of kennel cough:
Fostering Sick Dogs: kennel cough

Here's more about the science behind coconut oil and viruses:
The Truth About Saturated Fats and The Coconut Oil Benefits

[DollBaby]

It could just be a 'reverse sneeze' brought on from a little throat irritation from the Bordatella vacc. My vet has stopped giving it nasal and administers in the mouth. It runs down the throat anyway so why continue to make it uncomfortable by putting it up the nose. I've heard quite a few vets are beginning to administer in the mouth

[tsfarling]

i ended up waiting a few days and her symptoms didn't clear up. she was diagnosed with kennel cough. almost through her antibiotics a few weeks later and she is no longer having issues.