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HOW YOUR PUPPY
CAN LIVE LONGER?
Dr Sing Kong Yuen,
BVMS (Glasgow), MRCVS
Excerpts from "How Your Puppy Can Live Longer?" by Dr Kong Sing
COUGHING puppies
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Singapore, Kennel Cough is the most common complaint of owners of
puppies bought from the pet shops which is a major source of puppies
sold in Singapore. Occasional reports of older dogs suffering
from Kennel Cough after being boarded at boarding kennels have been
reported.
Signs: The first-time dog owner complains that the puppy wants
to "vomit" many times but nothing comes out from the throat.
These frequent dry hacking coughs prevents family members from
sleeping. Usually the puppy has good appetite.
Advices on kennel cough
Most of the kennel cough cases are not fatal and puppies will
recover in two weeks. In some cases, the puppy has runny noses and a
fever. It is important to consult your veterinarian rather
than administer cough medicine or medication from the puppy sellers.
Much depends on the owners.
Other causes of coughing:
 1. Roundworm larvae migrating in the lung tissue to the
trachea to be coughed out and swallowed into the stomach.
Coughing may not be obvious. The encysted larvae in the muscles of
the pregnant bitch are released and infect the puppies.
Deworming every two weeks from as early as 6 weeks of age or
earlier, for at least four periods is advised.
2. Heartworm in the heart in puppies older than 6 months. The
larvae are transmitted by infected mosquitoes and the adult worms
live inside the heart. The heavily infested dog coughs and have
difficulty in breathing or is short of breath after exercise.
There is the heartworm prevention tablets to be taken monthly or an
annual injection.
3. Distemper virus. Some puppies have not been
vaccinated or the vaccine did
not produce antibodies to protect the puppies. Do not expose
your puppy till 2 weeks after it has its 3rd vaccination The 3
vaccinations at usually 6, 10 and 14 weeks old. In this
schedule, the puppy is able to socialise with other dogs at 16 weeks
of age but there are puppy classes for younger puppies in Singapore.
You have to make your own decisions. Consult your veterinarian
who may have his own vaccination schedules and recommendations.
Vaccination has been very effective in controlling distemper in
dogs.
There are authorities, vets and others (on internet websites) and
dog book authors advising that vaccination is not needed every year
for older dogs. Some recommend 3-yearly vaccinations or blood
tests before vaccination.
Annual
vaccinations of older dogs are recommended for dogs likely to be
exposed to other dogs, e.g. at dog shows, boarding kennels, groomers
or veterinary
premises.
Puppies with distemper start having a "cold". They have runny noses
and eyes, not eating, fever and a thick yellow or greenish discharge
from the nose. Consult your veterinarian immediately. Most
infected puppies die as the virus attacks the nervous system.
4. Other causes of coughing like tuberculosis, fungal
infections of the lungs for puppies reared in areas like chicken
farms and allergies are not common but may be present.
Repeated
coughing episodes in your puppy is serious. It is best to consult
your veterinarian. Do not make appointments to vaccinate when
puppies or dogs are sick. Some busy owners may still insist on
vaccination as they have no time to see the veterinarian. |
 A
lady owner of the coughing Silkie Terrier was worried with the
frequent coughs despite the one-day medication given by the puppy
seller.
Would the puppy die of heart failure if he continues coughing and
coughing? Would the coughing episodes strain the heart and
cause it to break down?
Was there an instant anti-coughing cure?
The antibiotics could resolve the bacterial infection of the upper
respiratory tract and the puppy's immune system must overcome the
viral infection.
The Silkie Terrier (another picture above) was warded for
observation and treatment.
On the second day, he was barking loudly. Maybe he had barked
loudly at home and that could have aggravated his sore throat.
 He
was confined to cage rest. His cough took over 10 days to disappear
and he did not bark much during this period of time.
Extracts from the
Asiahomes.com Book: How Your Puppy Can Live Longer ?
Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow), MRCVS.
Buyers interested in this book, email to
judy@asiahomes.com
Article
contributed by: Dr Sing Kong Yuen, Veterinary Surgeon, Toa Payoh
Vets.
Be Kind To Pets is a community service sponsored by
asiahomes.com
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TOA
PAYOH VETS 
