kennel cough

Question
ok this is kind of medical but not really :) .... I took my Frenchton (2.5 mths) to the vet today and he has kennel cough(not serious) and she persribed liquid penicillian... my husband and I gave him the right dosage at 6:30ish and it is now 12:30 am and he has only woken up twice to take a pee and a nibble of food... is this normal?? this is the longest we've seen him sleep... So i don't know whats going on with him... alright

thanks alot!!
Bonnie

Answer

Hi Bonnie,

Actually, minor to moderate forms of Kennel Cough usually go away with no treatment at all.  Treating a mild case does not shorten the length in which the dog will be a potential spreader of the disease.

The possible side effects of Penicillin in dogs are: gas or flatulence, or digestion problems, including diarrhea. I couldn't tell you why your puppy seemed hungry or needed to go outside.  If you continue to have questions regarding the prescribed treatment, you should contact your vet.  She will be very happy to address all of your concerns.

Penicillin only works properly if your puppy takes the full course that was prescribed. It is common for pets to look much better a few days before the course of medication has ended. However, if you stop giving your puppy the penicillin before the course is over then there is a chance the infection might return. At this point, the bacteria causing the infection might be immune to the effects of the penicillin so it will be even harder to cure your puppy.

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti