Hack, hack, gag, gag -- it sounds like your dog has kennel cough, or canine infectious tracheobronchitis. This highly contagious condition is similar to the cold or flu you catch and is caused by a mix of bacteria and viruses. Fortunately, there are a variety of home remedies to give your dog some relief.
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Help is in the House -- or the Drugstore
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Try a little sweetness to help your dog with his persistent cough. A spoonful or two of honey two or three times a day will soothe your pup's throat and likely please his palate. Honey and coconut oil team up to make a natural infection-fighting team, as coconut oil's fatty acids kill harmful viruses and bacteria. It takes a few days to work up to a full dose of coconut oil; a maintenance dose is a teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight per day, which can be doubled for a dog with kennel cough. Too much coconut oil can result in loose, greasy poop and some short-lived fatigue. If you see this in your dog, decrease the amount of coconut oil. Steam also will help your dog breathe a little easier, as it opens his bronchial tubes, allowing him to clear the phlegm when he coughs. Turn your bathroom into a steam room by closing the bathroom door and letting the shower run until the bathroom is steamy. A 15- to 25-minute steam session will help get things moving. If you prefer a more traditional route, a decongestant cough syrup, such as pediatric guaifenesin, will help an adult dog cope with his cough. Talk to your vet about the right dose of cough medicine. If the cough doesn't improve in a couple of weeks, if he's coughing up green or yellow phlegm or if his appetite has decreased, contact your vet.
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