If you are asking the question what is kennel cough then your dog or cat may be exhibiting some of the symptoms of kennel cough. The main symptom is a dry hacking cough. You will want to treat your pet to help relieve the symptoms and home remedies are a great way to help our pet. You are obviously aware that vet bills are getting more expensive each year and saving a little money by using home remedies can help out.
WHAT IS KENNEL COUGH
Think of kennel cough as being like a cold or flu in humans. This respiratory infection in our pets is caused by bacteria and viruses. Here are the bacteria and viruses that cause kennel cough.
- Bordetella Bronchiseptica – This bacteria is thought to be the main culprit in causing kennel cough.
- Canine Parainfluuenza -3 – This is the same virus that causes distemper in dogs.
- Canine Adenovirus Type 2 – This virus causes colds in dogs.
Kennel cough will cause your pet to have a dry hacking cough, phlegm, and fever. While some vets treat kennel cough with antibiotics we know these will only help out with bacterial infections as antibiotics do not kill viruses. The vet, however, may prescribe antibiotics to prevent secondary infections from occurring with the viral types of kennel cough. If your pet exhibits severe symptoms of kennel cough then take them to the vet as kennel cough can work itself into pneumonia.
KENNEL COUGH HOME REMEDIES:
- Pediatric robitussen is being used for puppies to help soothe throat tissues that have become sore due to the inflammation of the throat that occurs from the infection. Just like we would do for our children cough syrups are being used on pets.
- Honey is being used not only to soothe the throat but also for the antiseptic benefits of the honey. The amount that is being reported used is 1 teaspoon of honey given three times a day. Other people are having trouble getting the dog to take straight honey are mixing it in water and giving a few drops directly into your pet’s mouth every hour or so.
- Peppermint tea is being given at a rate of two drops per hour until the coughing stops. The tea can be made out of peppermint leaves and water.
- Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) is being used not only to disinfect the water bowls but also to put into the drinking water. In this case 3 drops of hydrogen peroxide (3%) is being mixed into 8 ounces of water along with two teaspoons of honey.
- Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) as a tooth brushing solution. This solution is being used at a rate of 3 drops of hydrogen peroxide (3%) into 4 ounces of water and then using the solution with a tooth brush to brush the dog’s teeth. This is reported to stop the coughing and repeated when the cough comes back. Slow gentle brushing is the technique with this one.
- Certain herbal remedies are also being used to expel mucus. One is plantango lanceolata .
- Another herbal remedy being used to clear mucus is Bryonia C6 which is also reported to be able to soothe sore throat tissues.
- Yerba Santa is being used to help out with phlegm. This is being used in making a strong tea and then giving a few drops in water to your dog every hour or so. Some report using 15-25 drops in to an ounce of distilled water and then giving this to your dog every hour or more until the coughing stops.
- Wild Cherry Bark as a tea. Again make a tea out of this and give a few drops with water to your dog every hour or so until the coughing stops.
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Are you making any of the classic pet treatment mistakes which will cause you not to understand what is kennel cough? I hate to admit it but I have made most if not all of them myself. Find out what they are and how to avoid them by visiting http://www.natural-and-herbal-dog-remedies.com right now before you do any serious harm to your pet. They are a member of the family also.