Pneumonia

Question
Hello, my 8 month old cocker spaniel has been detected with liquid in his lungs 2 nights ago. He is on baytril antibiotics and metacal oral suspension. His conditions seem improved, he is eating more and wanting to go outside. He is however still coughing now and then and wheezing also. He has fast interval breathing and sleeps most of the time.
I am wondering if you know anything about this symptom and have seen anytime before? Do yo know what the progression is?

Answer
Hi Marta
Sounds like complications from kennel cough although sometimes they just get pneumonia on their own, just like people. Baytril should work, that's a very strong antibiotic. I would've probably gone with something milder like gentomycin, but i don't know how seriously ill your baby is either. Be sure you give the antibiotics exactly as your vet specified and give them ALL even if you pup gets better. Finish them totally. He's breathing fast likely due to fever and also due to difficulty breathing. Sleeping is because he;'s ill of course and is very healing. Give him lots and lots of fluids, even soak his dog food if possible right now. Get him on 500 mgs of vit c broken into two doses per day, vitamin E, b complex. Let him get lots of sleep as he needs to. You might want to add some unflavored pedialyte to his water to boost his electrolytes.
A humidifier will be very beneficial also.,
Thrd day on antibiotics he should be feeling better and should gradually get better as time goes on. He will likely seem well before you are done with the antibotics. Don't keep him overly warm and try to keep him from getting wet or chilled.
He should be fine :)
Cindi