Sick dog, help!

[Shari]

Okay this is a toughie but if anyone has suggestions, GREAT.

So most of you know I recently adopted a dog, a siberian husky mix.

Anyway, took her to the vet cause she's severely congested and can hardly breath through her nose.

We have her on antibiotics right now (vet thinks she might have kennel cough) and hopefully it should clear up in about 5 days. Only problem is she can hardly breath which is making it difficult for her to sleep. Any suggestions?

[Blazing247]

I know it sounds silly, but Vicks VapoRub always worked for me. I'm sure it'd have the same effect on a dog.

[SpunGirl]

It might hurt her nose. Maybe just make her sniff it? Hot steam bath? I donno. Call the on call vet person.

-K

[Shari]

She's got really long fur and I'm afraid she would try to lick it off....BUT...maybe if I held it infront of her nose for a little while?

I'm desprate so I'm gonna go try that right now.

[Scott]

Call the vet. If you can't get ahold of one, put the dog in the bathroom and turn on the shower (hot, for steam.) and keep the air moist.

This actually works to help get dogs asleep. Do it to my ub3r hyper boxer.

Give the dog one or two pills of benedryl in the food. Completely safe for dogs. Should make the dog real tired and it will go to sleep eventually.

If that doesn't work, valium is also acceptable, but if you have human doses make sure you break the pill up! We need more than they do.

Always worked for my two boxers when they needed some sleep and couldn't.

- Arkans

[Shari]

Well, I don't think the person would have someone on-call right now and its not endangering her life. I'll give them a call in the morning to see if they can suggest anything. I just feel so bad for her and we have to keep her kicked out of the bedroom because she snores so loud.

[SpunGirl]

Kicked out of the bedroom because she snores? Phfft. She's your pet. Make her as comfortable as you possibly can, and sacrifice your comfort for awhile. Especially when she's sick like that. Also, you can call the vet about it, the worst they'll say is, "we can't help her right now."

-K

I remember when I fucked my world up on a bike. It sucked. I went and pulled a Warclaidhm, but without the memory loss and bieng gay. My dogs were all by my side even though I was a fucking wreck.

Needless to say, my snoring, feet smelling dogs can sleep by me any night.

- Arkans

[Shari]

Oh well its not like she's miserable! She's wagging her tail and her eyes are clear, the only problem is the congestion. And besides, she has are whole fucking huge couch to herself, which is way better than the bedroom carpet. I'm not a mean mommy!

Yes you are. Your dog is not sleeping on your bed. WTF IS WRONG WITH U JULIET!?!?!?!?11/

- Arkans

[SpunGirl]

Grin... I don't think you're mean! Then again, I do tend to baby pets. I hope she gets better, though. Sick animals make me sad.

:sniffle:

-K

[HarmNone]

Put her in the bathroom with a humidifier. It works great for my asthmatic cat. :)

HarmNone

[Sylvan Dreams]

My dog recently had a bit of a cough (although it wasn't kennel cough). If you just got her, then it's probably kennel cough which will clear up soon. Try a humidifier. I would NOT recommend putting vapo-rub or anything else that isn't specifically for an animal on her though. Ask your vet to prescribe some anti-congestion meds. I recently had my dog on some and they worked pretty well.

[Gan]

We used to raise St. Bernards (my parents were professional dog show handlers once upon a time), and they, the dogs, always had congested noses.

Vicks vapo rub under the nose works great, and wont hurt them... and 1/2 Benadryl also works safely too. You can also try the humidifier, but see if you can use it with the inhalent in it so it will have a stronger effect on the congestion.

Info on Vics VapoRub:

VICKS® VAPORUB® OTC (Procter & Gamble)

VICKS® VAPORUB® CREAM
(greaseless)
Cough Suppressant/Nasal
Decongestant/Topical Analgesic


Drug Facts:
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Vicks® VapoRub®:
Active Ingredients: Purpose:

Camphor 4.8% ......... Cough suppressant, nasal decongestant & topical analgesic
Eucalyptus oil 1.2% ............................. Cough suppressant & nasal decongestant
Menthol 2.6% ........... Cough suppressant, nasal decongestant & topical analgesic

Vicks® VapoRub® Cream:
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS Purpose:

Camphor 4.8% ......... Cough suppressant, nasal decongestant & topical analgesic
Eucalyptus oil 1.2% ............................. Cough suppressant & nasal decongestant
Menthol 2.8% ............Cough suppressant, nasal decongestant & topical analgesic

[Edited on 8-5-2004 by Ganalon]

[Ravenstorm]

Don't judge her condition by how you see her acting. Animal instincts are not to show any weakness. She'll put on a happy act for you whenever you're watching. The news had a report on that one day and had this poor dog on video: as soon as she was left alone she showed how miserable she was. When she wasn't alone the tail was going and everything.

You'll need to look for subtle cues. If she tries to hide so as to be left alone, that's a big one.

Raven

[Caiylania]

I pretty much concur with what they all said, just wanted to say that I hope she feels better soon :(

[Shari]

Well first, I folded. We let her in the bedroom and she snored so bad my boyfriend slept on the couch. (I offered to buy him some of those silicone earplugs at like midnight and he declined, so I hope he enjoyed his stay on the couch :D ) I have a full bed, with two people sleeping in it and a min pin, there doesn't leave much room for a siberian husky mix. (Boyfriend came back into the bed sometime after midnight.)

Anyhow, I gave her today's dose of antibiotics and I'll see how that goes. I'll likely put a humidifier in our room and put some vicks on it to help out.

[HarmNone]

I hope the poor guy is feeling better today. :)

HarmNone sends the pup good health vibes

[SpunGirl]

Yay for letting the dog in the bed. :heart: Jesae.

-K