3 month puppy

Question
I took my new puppy to the vet yesterday, for check up and coughing.  Worried that it may be kennel cough.  The vet told me to give him Robitussin DM for now and if it gets worse to bring him back in.  He seems to be normal until he gets excited and starts to cough but, it quickly goes away.  He also coughs when he first wakes up from sleeping and even when he has a bad or fun dream.  My main two questions are is Robitussin a right move?  And, how long after he stops coughing is he allowed to interact with other dogs?

Answer
Hi Katie,

Minor to moderate forms of Kennel Cough usually will go away on it's own, without any treatment. If the cough lasts longer than 7 - 10 days, then an antibiotic might be prescribed, or more tests run to see if it's something more serious, such as airway or lung diseases is present. The disease can linger as long as 21 days. When a puppy has a good appetite and is otherwise normal, no antibiotics would be used and the disease will just run its course.  

If you could limit your puppy's interaction with other dogs for about 2 weeks, when your puppy should be symptom free, that would be good.

If your puppy's case of Kennel Cough is a mild one, that would explain your vet's recommendation to use Robitussin DM to treat the symptoms. Using an over the counter cough suppressant is a common remedy for this condition.

If you have a vaporizer or humidifier, you could run that near where your puppy spends a lot of time. It can help ease his breathing and break up the phlegm. Alternatively, you could sit with your puppy in a steamy bathroom for about 20 minutes. Try not to over exert your puppy, as it will cause him to cough.

Kennel Cough is a lot like the common cold humans get, usually it's not serious, and the coughing is your puppy clearing his airways.

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

Patti