Kennel Cough

We took Harley to the vet on Monday since she was still hacking and we were hoping to find out what was wrong and how to treat her.

Harley knew right away where we were...she is absolutely TERRIFIED of the vet's office. The only reason she has ever been there was for vaccinations and she hates shots! I felt so bad for her. It took a while but we finally got her onto the scale and she weighed in at 31 pounds. I think she actually weighs more like 35 pounds but it was really hard to get and keep her on the scale so I am not really sure how accurate the reading was.

Anyhow, we get her in there, show the vet the video we took of her coughing (we took it because we weren't sure she would cough while we were there and we wanted her to know exactly what she sounded like) and the first thing she asked was whether or not Harley was taking heart worm medication..well, actually, no she isn't. So then I was freaking out thinking that she may have heart worm. So the vet drew some blood to test her for heart worm and decided to treat her as if she had kennel cough.

(Here is the video of her hacking)



So we went home with antibiotics and hydrocodone (for pain) and were told to keep her away from other dogs as she could be contagious. So that means no play time with Tucker or Daisy. :(

The vet got back to us late the next day and told us that Harley doesn't have heart worm! So that was a major relief!

Oh yea, and the vet said, that whatever she caught, she caught it from the dog park. So crappy!! We finally get Harley to the dog park, playing with other dogs, etc. and then she catches something from one of the dogs.

Anyhow, so Harley has been separated from all dogs since Monday and is just basically resting and taking medication. She still has a cough, but now she has more of a huffing than a cough...and she is sneezing...A LOT! So after seeing the whole illness running its course, we have come to realize that Harley does in fact have Kennel Cough. The hacking cough is a major sign of kennel cough and also sometimes when dogs have kennel cough they hack up a white foamy substance, which she has done. Oh and also, dogs with kennel cough sometimes have nasal discharge, which Harley also has. So our poor baby is suffering from this highly contagious illness that leaves her away from all her friends and quite uncomfortable. And you know what really sucks?? Kennel cough can last up to 3 weeks! And she is contagious for 10 days after her symptoms (coughing, etc.) stop!

So with her being contagious, we have to figure out what to do with her while we are gone at work...she obviously can't be with Tucker. So we figured out last week, but still need to figure out next week and thankfully I have spring break the next week so we for sure have that covered. I just really hope she gets better soon because I hate to see her so sick. =(