please help, my doggy is sick

[smcgarity1]

I just got a dog from the pound a week ago. since i brought her home she has had a constant cough. it seems to ease up when she's active but at night she coughs alot. the coughs are mostly little, like it seems like she's just breathing out hard, but every once in a while she has loud honking type coughs. she also has watery eyes and a runny nose.the stuff from her eyes is completly clear but the nose discharge looks slightly cloudy. she has a slight fever of 103 but shes acting completly normal, she's active and playful and eating and drinking fine. her poop is slightly loose but not runny or diarea. she got spayed right before i adopted her and the incision doesn't seem to be healing right, it has a little bit of pus around it and its really scabby. she also has little pussy things on her tummy that look like infected bug bites or blisters filled with puss. these are right near the infected insision so maybe the infectio is spreading? or maybe it has nothing to do with that. I took her to the vet today and they put her on antibiotics for the infections in her skin and spay incision but as far as the rest of the symtoms the vet didn't really know what was wrong with her and told me hopefully the antibiotics will help with everything else as well. does anyone have any idea of what all these symtoms could be? I've been told that it could be either distemper or an upper respretory infection along with kennel cough. any ideas?

[PatchO'Pits]

Unfortunately shelters are often understaffed and funded and dogs may be exposed to sick animals and get things like you mentioned. Did the shelter give you copies of the vaccines? I would devinately call them and let them know about the issues.

I'm surprised your vet didn't give you more input on the illness.

I would definately make a follow up apt if she doesn't start improving in a couple of days.

Yes, it could be any of the things you mentions and well as other things as well. Keep a close eye on her and don't let her near other dogs until she is better


I hope yur dog is better soon

[MariaRosa]

Hi SMC.....I feel so bad to read that your little one is feeling so unwell! I'm with Patch when it comes to wondering why your vet couldn't nail down anything more concrete for you by way of diagnosis.....

I would do as Patch says and watch this little one (who is isolated from any other pets) closely, and if you feel uncomfortable with your vets directives, go for a second opinion elsewhere.

Most shelters are pretty good at ensuring that their adoptable pets are in good health, but there are always those that miss the mark and an ailing little one is adopted out to someone. I would call the shelter and let them know your babies condition: alert them that the pet they adopted out to you may have something contagious that could have been passed to the other pets at the shelter.

I'm including some links here that may help you......

Kennel Cough (http://www.auntjeni.com/kennel.htm)

Parvo FAQ's (http://www.workingdogs.com/parvofaq.htm)

Puppy Viruses (http://www.canismajor.com/dog/pupvirus.html#Dissym)

Please keep us posted, and here's a ((((((((hug)))))))) for you and your little one, from me.

(((hugs)))
Paula n' Coco