Since I diagnose my own quasi-illnesses on the innernets, I figured I might as well give Marley a virtual checkup. I have come to the conclusion that Marley has kennel cough. The main clue being the sound he makes, which matches up info on a search for "why does my dog sound like a goose?" Okay. I didn't type that. I just did "dog cough" and saw that as an option.
Apparently, it can be caused by a bacteria, and is highly contagious. Or also by cold weather, or doggie asthma, or I don't remember others. Since Marley has been penned up, and not around other dogs until AFTER the cough, I figure he didn't catch it from another dog. However, it WAS a cold night before the day Farmer H reported Marley's cough. So I'm thinking that's it.
Despite sounding like he's knock-knock-knockin' on death's door, it seems that according to the innernets, Marley will likely make a full recovery in three weeks or less. Without treatment. That vets are usually not inclined to prescribe stuff for it. Heh, heh. I bet the innernets didn't do a vet survey! They have to make their money somehow!
Anyhoo...I was correct that you shouldn't give expired human cough medicine to dogs! I must be a genius, ya think? While some sites recommended garlic and lemon juice, others declared that garlic is toxic to dogs, and that vitamin C is also not good for them. The one thing that seemed agreeable was HONEY.
Not a lot of honey, but 1/2 to 1 full tablespoon, 3 to 4 times a day, for a 30-50 pound dog. I'd say Marley is about 10-15 pounds. So doesn't need much. Not that it would hurt him, probably. Farmer H said he'd give Marley some honey. I said "NOT ON MY SPOONS!"
Anyhoo...I don't know if Farmer H did the dosing or not, but last I heard of Marley's cough, around 5:00 a.m., it was not as forceful. Maybe he's gradually getting over it. Maybe the 100% humidity from all the mist and snow and fog acted as a natural humidifier. Maybe he was not as barky since he spent the night on the end of the porch in a spare dog house.
I think Marley is probably going to be okay. I'm not as worried now. I need to check with Farmer H about the honey. We have TWO honey bears, each half full, from just not using honey, and from Genius buying one as an additive for Farmer H's homemade beer.
Perhaps Farmer H simply squeezes some honey, straight from the Honey Bear, into Marley's mouth.
ReplyDeleteOr better yet, maybe he lets Marley suckle on the Honey Bear, like a guinea pig water bottle...
Sioux,
ReplyDeleteWell, Madam, your mission has been accomplished. I am GAGGING at the thought, and fear that I may have that image for infinity when my gaze falls upon a Honey Bear.
Of course in doing so, Farmer H would put BACK the Honey Bear, next to the UNSUCKLED Honey Bear, and I would never know which one...
Uh-Oh, you need to find out how Farmer H gave the honey to Marley. Hopefully he just drizzled a bit onto a dog dish and let Marley lick it from there, which is what I would have done.
ReplyDeleteGarlic is toxic for dogs and for cats too, along with chocolate. I'm not sure about Vitamin C, which I take in tablet form, but as juice from a fruit I wouldn't recommend it either for animals.
Glad to hear Marley's cough isn't so bad now.
Today: Sioux 1, Val 0.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
ReplyDeleteI got the scoop. Story coming up. I have no plans to dose Marley with garlic! Farmer H is not known for measuring out correct dosage, even for himself! He takes liquid cough medicine in a serving spoon. Every four hours, even setting an alarm to wake up and take it. Ridiculous! It's not like an antibiotic that needs such a schedule.
***
Sioux,
I hate it when that happens!