dog not eating or drinking

Question
I have a 10 year old maltese she went to the vet a week ago and was diagnosed with kennel cough she has had it for 2 weeks now I have been doing everything I was told and then some. But she is still coughing and has not been eating much at all and only drinking 1/2 cup of water a day. She has not ate or drank anything at all for about 36 hrs now. I have offered alot of different foods.

Answer
Hi Melissa,

If this has been going on two weeks, you should contact your vet because the condition isn't getting better, and now she's not eating or drinking. In more severe cases of Kennel Cough, the symptoms may progress and include lethargy, fever, a lack of appetite, or pneumonia, so it's not a condition to be ignored. If your dog isn't already receiving antibiotics, at this point they may be needed, or she may need a different prescription if she's already receiving them. So please don't put off calling your vet.

Keep offering your dog water, because dehydration can make your dog's treatment more complex.

Until you can be seen by your vet, try running your shower in your bathroom on HOT and get the bathroom nice and steamy. Sit in the steamy bathroom with your dog for about 20 minutes. The steam will help loosen the congestion and make breathing easier. Giving your dog warm low sodium broth will also help loosen the congestion, and help keep fluids in her. You can also try giving your dog some warm (not hot!) non-decaffeinated herbal peppermint tea with a little honey to drink.

Best of luck,

Patti