yooperdude Posted May 10, 2013 Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 We picked up a husky mix (husky and basset hound...looks like a husky though) six weeks ago from a local shelter. She was fine for two days and developed a problem breathing through her nose. She would try to keep her head up at bed time, start to fall asleep then bob her head up again because she closed her mouth and her nose was stuffed up. She also had white discharge from her eye. Took her to the vet and she prescribed an antibiotic and cough suppressant (hydrocodone), After two weeks, there was slight improvement. Took her back and they gave her a different antibiotic (a bactrin type) and continued the suppressant. A week later she seemed fine. We were just to the last two antibiotic pills, when she relapsed and got worse than she initially was and the eye discharge had also worsened. Took her back and they changed the antibiotic. After a week, no change. Took her back again, and they prescribed doxycycline antibiotic and a steroid-antihistimine (Temaril-P). Basically, they said they have no idea what is wrong, and the next step is to give a different special order antibiotic. If that does not work they said "some dogs and cats get respiratory issues that they just have to live with". This came from two different vets at the clinic. I find that hard to swallow. They said her lungs are clear. She is still stuffed up and coughng and snoring terribly. She also snorts when she drinks water. I hate to see this puppy (1 year old) suffer...just breaks my heart. Any advice would be appreciated. We live in a rural area, so there are not too many vets in the area. Next closest is about 200 miles away. Thanks so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myka Posted May 10, 2013 Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 allergies?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BingBlaze n Skyla Posted May 10, 2013 Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 Oh she's gorgeous! Not sure what it could be tbh , have they tested her for kennel cough and allergies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yooperdude Posted May 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 They said it was a form of kennel cough...they think. Not tested for allergies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowpups Posted May 10, 2013 Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 Sounds like kennel cough maybe try kids bendadil cough mixture, some lemon and honey it will help sooth her throat hope she gets better soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazz Posted May 10, 2013 Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 Did they take a sample of the discharge from both the eyes and the nose, and check them for bacteria? Antibiotics won't make a difference if the cause is viral and not bacterial. Is there another vet clinic you could take your dog to, for a fresh look? From what you've described, it sure sounds like kennel cough. But then again, it could be something else altogether. Did they take your dog's temp? Was it normal? I would not give any human drugs to your dog, unless you verify with your vet. The dosage rates can be dramatically different, and some may be harmful at any dosage. We give one of ours Benadryl, twice daily, for alergies. The dosage is higher than for a human, because the drug does not absorb as readily in a dog as it does a human. The dosage was determined by our vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yooperdude Posted May 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 Sorry...forgot that we also gave her two Benadryl tablets per the vet twice daily with no change. They did not take any samples at all. Not sure that they have the resources to do that. As I said, the closest vet clinic is 200 miles away. If she does not improve in the next two weeks, we may have to plan a trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yooperdude Posted May 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 Also, the temp was normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elyse Posted May 10, 2013 Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 If they don't have the resources to take a simple sample...than it doesn't sound like they are a good vet. But, if they are your only option (and the other one is 200 miles away), then...well... Take her to the closer vet, ask to have samples done. If they can't/won't do it...then you'll have to take her to the other (200 miles away) vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yooperdude Posted May 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2013 UPDATE: Thanks for all of the help. After talking to a different vet at the same clinic, he prescribed a stronger antibiotic, a steroid and eye antibiotic. After another two weeks, she seems to be cleared up. Hopefully, she will stay well this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted May 26, 2013 Report Share Posted May 26, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loops Posted May 26, 2013 Report Share Posted May 26, 2013 fingers and paws crossed that it continues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedJasper Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 I certainly hope she continues to improve. All the animals and myself just went through upper respitory infections. We were all sick at the same time. I understand the frustration. We were changing antibiotics and medications as well. A beautiful girl by the way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyc4t Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 Already been posted and diagnosed but I would have said Kennel cough as well. My little guy had it once and I get the vaccine now as we frequent a local dog park. It's probably due to the shelter but for future reference if your dog is going to be in contact with many others looking into the vaccine for kennel cough is highly reccomended. I read it doesnt take much to pass the virus from dog to dog and it'll save you some $$$ in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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