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My Boston Terrier has seems to have a "head

Sent to Pet Experts June 24 2006 at 5:23 PM
   

My Boston Terrier has seems to have a "head cold". She is having to breathe through her mouth. Is there any way that I can give her something or do something to provide her with some relief?

 

Optional Information:
Age: <1; Female; Breed: Boston Terrier

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Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $8
Info Request
June 24 2006 at 5:29 PM (6 minutes and 2 seconds later)
         
REPLIED to Info RequestCheck Mark

How old is she?

What are her symptoms-cough? sneezing? nasal discharge?

Has she had her vaccines?

What does she weigh?

Dr. Vicky Lamb -- Veterinarian -- 97% Positive Feedback on 259 Pet Accepts
15 years small animal veterinarian
Reply
June 24 2006 at 5:40 PM (10 minutes and 58 seconds later)
         
Reply to Dr. Vicky Lamb's Post: She is 8 months old.

Her symptoms are pretty much confined to the nasal passage. She is experiencing some nasal discharge, an occassional sneeze; however, not very often. The couple of times that she has sneezed, there was quite a bit of thick nasal discharge. She also seems to be less active than usual.

She has had all of her vaccines.

She weighs approx. 17lbs.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 24 2006 at 5:47 PM (7 minutes and 40 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

This sounds like an upper respiratory infection, or more specifically, rhinits. They can be cause by viruses and bacteria.

With your dog being a puppy, I would recommend having her on antibiotics to help resolve the problem. This will not cure a virus, but it certainly will kill bacteria, and prevent this from going down in her lungs and causing pneumonia. You will most likely need to see the vet to get her a prescription for the antibiotics.

In the mean time, you can give her some children's Benadryl. If you buy the pills she can have 1 1/2 pills every 8-12 hrs. If you buy the liquid, give her 1 1/2 teaspoons every 8-12 hrs. This might help her breathe through her nose better, but she will need antibiotics to help rid her of the infection also.

Let me know if you have more questions.

Dr. Vicky Lamb -- Veterinarian -- 97% Positive Feedback on 259 Pet Accepts
15 years small animal veterinarian
Reply
June 24 2006 at 5:58 PM (10 minutes and 34 seconds later)
         
Reply to Dr. Vicky Lamb's Post: There are a few types of children's Benadryl. Should I get the type with the decongestant or should I get the one without?

Thank you so much!
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 24 2006 at 6:03 PM (5 minutes and 13 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

Just the plain Allergy one.

One of these two will do:

http://www.pfizerch.com/product.aspx?id=382

http://www.pfizerch.com/product.aspx?id=383

Do not get one for sinus or cold as that will have another medicine in it.

Dr. Vicky Lamb -- Veterinarian -- 97% Positive Feedback on 259 Pet Accepts
15 years small animal veterinarian
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