snuffles?

[mandy_moo_1]

hiya
Just wondered if anyone's got any ideas what i could give Libby for a cold. She sounds like she's trying to sniff back a load of phlegm up her nose, and she's bit snuffly. she's drinking plenty, but her appetite's not good...probably cos she feels a bit bunged up!!
Had her to the vets just last week cos she had sickness and diarreah(spelling?!!) but that's cleared up now.just wondered if there were any home remedies i could give her to help her?
Thanks guys x

[mandy_moo_1]

She's eating scrambled eggs at the moment...anything else, and she finds it hard to breathe. I'm sure I've seen somewhere that you can give a dog Benadryl....is this right,just so she can breathe a bit easier?

[Mordy]

this could be kennel cough. keep a close eye on her.

there are many causes for kennel cough. if it is viral, there is not much you can do, and it will have to run its course before it goes away. if it is bacterial, it will not go away on its own and needs to be treated with antibiotics.

[bubbatd]

Don't take any chances....oddly enough I have had one dog that picked up our bug. Even to the point he had the same nose discharge as the kids......that horrible yellow to green gunk (sorry !) Went on antibiotic and was fine. Have you ever tried to blow a dog's nose !! But, when he sneezed...YUK!!

[Mordy]

bubbatd, just keep in mind that if the cause is viral (not bacterial), antibiotics don't do anything, so it's important to find out what exactly is going on - especially if there is any nasal discharge.

[mandy_moo_1]

thanks guys.Rang a vet yesterday, and he suggested putting her in a steamy bathroom,giving her 1/2 a paracetamol and rubbing a decongestant under her chin! Did that, and its helped her breathe a bit easier, but i'm taking her to see him this morning.Will let you know how we get on :)

[bubbatd]

Thanks Mordy...I've learned that through my own illnesses. Mandy, let us know.

[mandy_moo_1]

Well, we had a much better night with Libby,so hopefully the antibiotics are getting into her system...what a nightmare that is tho,trying to give a dog a pill :eek: She's having to have a kaolin mixture as well to stop the diarraoeh (?spelling?) and that really is a nightmare to give, cos its in a syringe!

Anyway, she's a bit perkier today, just been down to the beach with her, and she was chasing her ball again, so she must be starting to feel a bit better. Her appetite's still lousy tho.All I can get her to eat is scrambled egg, but i s'pose that's better than nothing,isn't it?

[Mordy]

mandy moo - to help firm up the diarrhea, you can give canned pumpkin. most dogs love the taste of it and will eat it all by themselves, thinking they are getting a wonderful treat. 1-2 teaspoons with every meal is usually enough already, but you can increase the amount if necessary.

as for feeding the pill - try putting a little butter on it. tastes interesting too and makes it slide down the throat easily. :) some people recommend peanut butter, but that's a bad idea, since it sticks and is difficult to swallow.

[mandy_moo_1]

Thanks Mordy
I've been puting a bit of butter on the pill...tried hiding it in a cube of cheese but she got wise to that one!!
She's got 4more days of antibiotics to go, but my god, what a difference with her today!! She hasn't sat down once!! She's got so much energy, and she wants to play ball all the time.
I got her from a rescue place 2wks ago, and i've only known her when she was poorly, so I think i'm finally getting to see the 'real' Libby....it's lovely!! She's 'talking' to me all the time, and is like a big daft puppy again :D :D
Thanks for all your help when i was feeling down about her being poorly x