My Boston Terrier Got Kennel Cough While My Other Boston Launches Poopacolypse

On Friday night Maggie started to cough … or more like hack. It sounded like she was trying to expel something that was stuck in her throat.

It also sounded a bit like a duck honk at the end.

In any event I suspected kennel cough right away … but it had been five years since she last had kennel cough. I never took video back then so I couldn’t remember.

For the sake of having a record. I took video of her coughing spells this time so that I could have this for reference should it happen again.

Also my disclaimer. I’m not a vet or a medical expert. This article is to serve as informational purposes only to share our experience.

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Kennel Cough or Obstruction?

The problem is I was also paranoid that:

• She had eaten something at Fiesta Island. We go on off leash beach walks daily and with the island in full bloom she and Orbit have been in exploratory mode.
• Dog dad had done some yard work and he was fearful that she may have eaten some branches, leaves or that a foxtail went up her nose.

Forget Dr. Google, Lets Go To The Vet

I’m against self diagnosing my dog. And I don’t like to go on Facebook to ask. I promptly called my vet to book an appointment.

I’d always rather be safe than sorry.

Luckily for me they had a 3pm opening.

Maggie remained in good spirits the whole day. Asides from the morning coughing episode she didn’t cough until we were getting ready to leave for the vet.

I noticed excitement would trigger a coughing episode.

Kennel Cough Vs. Obstruction

Even though I suspected that Maggie had kennel cough – I wanted the vet to rule out obstruction (any dog parent’s worst nightmare).

Here’s what my vet Dr. Nova from Coast View Veterinary told me.

• Maggie’s symptoms were in line with Kennel Cough
• Maggie had great energy during her visit. She did tricks. She happily ate treats. This was a good sign because if it were an obstruction Maggie wouldn’t be as into treats and would be low energy and lethargic.
• Maggie also had a bit of white foam when she coughed. This was a good sign because if it were green mucous then the vet would be more concerned about other complications like bronchitis or pneumonia.
• We were sent home with cough suppressants and instructions to stay home and take it easy for a week.
• When I asked the vet about giving Maggie honey for her cough, she replied by stating that honey didn’t have any proven studies but a little wouldn’t hurt as a treat.

On Why She Didn’t Think It Was Obstruction

• She also said that if it were obstruction, Maggie would be swallowing every thirty seconds as if something where in her throat.
• She also said that Maggie would have probably not been able to keep food or treats down and that it would come back up undigested.

What To Look Out For

Our Vet said that in Maggie’s case she should get better within the week.

If Maggie’s coughing got worse or she started to get green mucous then we should return for the vet to reassess her.

Where Do I Think She Caught Kennel Cough

My first guess would be Fiesta Island. We walk every day, mostly there, sometimes other locations around San Diego.

Maggie is also one month past her Bordatella shots.

I was having a hard time with her previous vet. They simply don’t answer the phone. And when I tried to book online I couldn’t remember my password and when I selected to reset it – I wouldn’t receive my link for a new one.

Out of frustration I changed vets. My new vet (Coast View Vet) is a fear free vet. They also get a 10/10 for customer service.

Dr. Nova advised me that there are 10 strains of the kennel cough and the bordetella vaccine protects our dogs from one strain. Least to say Maggie will be getting her shots in two weeks (after she heals).

Poopacolypse

Maggie’s coughing episodes since the vet visit have been minimal.

I was giving her half a teaspoon of Manuka honey that I had in the pantry. She had have four half teaspoons over the past two days.

Unfortunately though I learned that it causes loose stools.

And it wasn’t Maggie who’s tummy turned, it was Orbit.

See her younger sister was benefiting from all the honey and cheese that Maggie was getting (because I had to hide the pill that Maggie had to take).

So Orbit was along for the ride.

And I learned the hard way that Orbit can’t take honey.

We were sitting on the sofa when Orbit came up to cuddle. The problem was she smelled like poo.

Upon quick inspection …. I realized that her shirt had gotten stuck on her nub of a tail. And when she went to go poo her poo ended up stuck IN HER SHIRT.

And because the honey didn’t agree with her, the poo was soft (#itwasmessy)

As I had Orbit in the sink washing her, Dog Dad walked around the house to retrace her steps.

Poo was everywhere. It was on her bed, in her travel crate, and on the rug. It was even on the wall next to her bed. Seriously…. how does that even happen.

You see prior to her coming up to us we heard a short case of the Zoomies and what we suspect is that poor Orbit was trying to run away from her own poopy butt.

That night I made some slippery elm to add to their bowls. It normally fixes their diarrhea after one dosage.

Least to say … she now has a new name: Ms. Poopy Pants and we shall forever refer to this event as the Poopacolypse.

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But Wait There’s More

The next morning I got out of the shower and looked at the bed.

Next to Maggie were there unmistakably brown streaks.

I realized that Maggie had gone to go poo outside and as she kicked up her back feet as she always does, she invariable stepped in her own doo doo.

And so it was bath time again while the newly laundered sheets went back into the washing machine.

I traced her steps from outside in. Vacuumed the rug and steam mopped the floor.

It had been one heck of a 48 hours and after now what was Poopacolypse part 2 …. I was ready to rest.

Some days being a dog mom faces you with challenges. Some days are messier than others.

Final Thoughts

As a blogger and Boston Terrier advocate … I realize this article is not in line with my normally “research based with citation” type articles because there are health events that are better left for the vet to diagnose.

I simply wanted to have an online record of her coughing so that I could reference it again (because sometimes memory gets fuzzy) should we have a case kennel cough once again.

Also … I wanted to start a new series of the #dogmomdiaries in raising my two.

It’s not always rainbows and unicorns … sometime’s we get hit with poo stories too!

DID YOU ENJOY THIS ARTICLE? HERE ARE SOME OTHERS FOR YOU TO READ:

DIARRHEA IN BOSTON TERRIERS. HOW TO QUICKLY TREAT AT HOME

HOW TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OMEGA 3’S YOU GIVE YOUR DOG (ESPECIALLY USEFUL IF YOUR DOG SUFFERS FROM ALLERGIES)

HOW TO DECIDE WHEN TO BATHE YOUR BOSTON TERRIER

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hello, my name is Hannah and learning about Boston Terriers and canine nutrition has become my life’s work. 

First and foremost I am a dog owner, a Boston Terrier breed enthusiast and a seeker of the truth.

I started this blog because there isn’t enough space to write on our Instagram.

My mission is to equip Boston Terrier owners and dog owners alike with the knowledge I have so that your dog will live a longer life and better health.

I have two dogs.  Maggie is my socially awkward one; which I find highly relatable because I am completely out of place in large groups myself.  And Orbit is the freebird. She used to have terrible allergies but since she started eating fresh food she’s been symptom free.

You won’t read about cats here… but you will get a fairly large dosage of articles dedicated to the Boston Terrier.   Read more about us.