The traditional treatment for a dog with a cough is starting antibiotics. Ideally, the antibiotic chosen is based on culture results, but often an antibiotic such as doxycycline is chosen, as it takes care of the more common bacterial causes of CIRD.
Most cases of kennel cough are caused by viral illnesses, so antibiotics are not warranted. However, in cases where the risk of secondary bacterial infection is high, such as shelter situations, antibiotics may be prescribed. The antibiotic of choice is doxycycline.
This medication will take effect quickly, in about 1 to 2 hours, however, visible effects may take a few days to be recognized.
Conclusion: Doxycycline has small beneficial effects in patients with acute cough and purulent sputum. These beneficial effects are more prominent, and probably clinically relevant, in patients aged 55 years and over and in patients who cough very frequently and who also feel ill.
Doxycycline is the preferred empiric treatment for canine and feline upper respiratory tract infections owing to its probable effectiveness against primary bacterial pathogens such as Bordetella bronchiseptica, Mycoplasma species, and C felis, as well as numerous secondary bacterial pathogens.
Dosage of Doxycycline for Dogs
While the Merck Veterinary Manual recommends an oral dosage of 5-10 mg/kg per day, you should not attempt to adjust the dosage without the guidance of your veterinarian.
It remains a fast acting and effective antibiotic in upper and lower respiratory tract infections irrespective of age, sex or diagnosis.
Long-term doxycycline appears well tolerated and seems to improve lung function, health status and exacerbations in COPD.
Uses. Because doxycycline kills a wide range of bacteria that can infect the respiratory system, it is commonly prescribed for pneumonia and bronchitis.
Some of the most widely prescribed antibiotics for kennel cough include Baytril, Doxycycline, and Clavamox. Antibiotics will not affect the viral aspect of the illness (that is, they won't prevent its spread) but will help treat secondary bacterial infections.
Respiratory infections often need time to run their course, and it is not unusual for patients to have a pronounced cough for 1-2 weeks despite antibiotic therapy. During this time, it is important to keep your veterinarian updated as to how your dog is doing at home in regards to appetite and energy.
Dosage of Doxycycline for Dogs
For general infections, doxycycline is given 3-5 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 7-14 days. For infections of the urinary tract and soft tissue infection, wounds that won't heal, doxycycline is given 4.4-11 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 7-14 days.
Adequate rest is one of the best remedies for kennel cough. If your dog gets plenty of sleep, it will give his body a chance to fight the virus and recover properly. Put your dog in a room by himself, away from kids and other pets. This way, he will not be disturbed while trying to rest.
Honey and Coconut Oil
The most common natural remedy for dogs with a kennel cough, or canine tracheobronchitis, is honey. Manuka honey, which is usually imported from New Zealand, is the most preferred type of honey.
Cough medications such as dextromethorphan (Robitussin) and guaifenesin (Mucinex) are sometimes used in pets, but should only be used as recommended by your vet.
Antibiotics kill bacteria but they do not treat symptoms of an illness, such as ear pain, fever, cough or congestion. Fever is treated with an 'anti-pyretic' such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
The most common cause behind a concerning cough is acute bronchitis (also known as a chest cold), an inflammation of the airways usually due to a viral infection — and it will almost always go away on its own.
Would antibiotics help? Antibiotics usually do not help people with acute cough, including bronchitis. People do not get better more quickly with antibiotics, even if the cough has lasted several weeks.
Adults and children weighing 45 kilograms (kg) or more—100 milligrams (mg) two times a day (taken every 12 hours) for 60 days. Children weighing less than 45 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 2.2 mg per kg of body weight per day, two times a day for 60 days.
Doxycycline starts working in as little as 2 hours after taking it. But depending on the infection you have, it may take up to 24 to 48 hours (1 to 2 days) to start seeing its effects. It typically takes 1 to 2 weeks for doxycycline to fully clear an infection, but some infections can take as long as 2 months.
The findings, based on clinical observations, suggest that both antibiotics were equally effective in providing prompt improvement and complete resolution of the infection, only 7 of the 134 receiving doxycycline and 13 of the 133 patients receiving amoxycillin failing to show a satisfactory response.
Doxycycline is an accessible and effective option to treat both typical and atypical bacteria that may cause community acquired pneumonia (CAP).
Doxycycline was found to successfully reduce the airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness in murine model of Toluene di-isocyanate induced asthma.