Upper respiratory infection

[jerros]

Vash has been doing alot of coughing and gagging recently. This morning after taking him out for a walk he came in layed down in his pen and started making the most horrible noises (sounded like an old smoker).

I ended up taking him to the Vet, and due to the symptoms (coughing, sneezing, gagging, water dripping out his nose when he sniffs stuff, his in ability to smell food..) she diagnosed him with a Upper Respiratory Infection.

Does anyone know how long a pup could have an infection like this and not show any serious symptoms? I would've asked the vet if I had thought about it at the time, but now that I've had time to mull over my time with Vash he's coughed once or twice after a good run, and sneezed for almost 4 months or so now.

Vash has been a "Saint" as a puppy, he doesn't bark much, he hasn't really destroyed anything even through the teething phase (ok he got my rug once, but that was all my fault), he'll hold his potty until I can take him out unless he's eaten something that gives him the poops, and the "Sheltie Energy Level" has been relatively low. But now I'm wondering if his saintly behaviors been because he's been sick all this time.

I guess I'll find out for sure in 2 weeks...

 

[Justicemom]

Generally incubation time is 7-10 days. Most infections last 7 to 14 days. If they are mild they usually go away on their own but sometimes they get a deeper hold and turn into chronic infections that don't clear up without medication. I had one patient that went 6 wks on meds before we finally kicked it with a culture too I might add. But he was bad from day 2 on. It would be rare to have a mild(so mild that you could barely tell) infection for several weeks to months that finally turned more sereve. Could happen I guess but rare.

 

[take4roll10]

Bailey sneezed a few times a day when she was a puppy, but it was just from excitement. She always did it when we were outside. She also was very good when teething. She didn't chew the furniture or the carpet. She was never a chewer. She did have a ton of energy though. She still does.

 

[RonandJan]

I would think Vash is just a good puppy with a good owner.

I don't think his good behavior is from being sick. Like Dr Shelli said, most likely this infection is just the last few days.

He is a good boy!

 

[jerros]

I would think Vash is just a good puppy with a good owner.

I don't think his good behavior is from being sick. Like Dr Shelli said, most likely this infection is just the last few days.

He is a good boy!

He has been a very good boy! After putting him on the meds yesterday, he's been slightly more rambunctious and playful. But no more so than he has been in the past.

Still keeping him isolated and not over doing his excersize for two weeks is going to create a very stir crazy, obnoxious sheltie pup. I usually take him on long walks, and send him to day camp once every 2 or 3 weeks to keep him the sweet little guy I've come to know. If I don't he'll drive me bonkers whimpering, or inventing things to do for himself. I suspect the next two weeks are going to be trying.

 

[Toffee's Mom]

He has been a very good boy! After putting him on the meds yesterday, he's been slightly more rambunctious and playful. But no more so than he has been in the past.

Still keeping him isolated and not over doing his excersize for two weeks is going to create a very stir crazy, obnoxious sheltie pup. I usually take him on long walks, and send him to day camp once every 2 or 3 weeks to keep him the sweet little guy I've come to know. If I don't he'll drive me bonkers whimpering, or inventing things to do for himself. I suspect the next two weeks are going to be trying.

lol, see? THAT is why he is such a good puppy! you're doing all of the above!
Good luck keeping him still
So sorry to hear he isn't feeling well.. I hate the thought of this happy go lucky pup not feeling like himself

 

[jerros]

Ever since he started the medicine Vash has been a rambunctious fool. I've been trying to keep his excitement level low but all the pent up energy got released tonight. Vash went into back to back ZOOMIE mode for about 20 min.

I thought things were going well because he wasn't coughing or having a difficult time breathing, then all of a sudden he stopped and did a *Kack* *Unph* *Unph* and tossed up some of his dinner. We've got about 2 days worth of his medicine left.

He's been so naughty lately too, I'm not sure if it's just because he's not getting as much excersize as normal, if it's because he'll be 6 months old in 10 days, or if it's because he misses me (I took some time off work to repair my house so I'm home but not available for cuddle due to what I am doing).

He's started playing "Fly Trap" where he just opens his mouth everytime he is near me and hopes to grab onto something (shoe lace, pant leg, fingers, arms). The worst, and funniest thing he did was knock off my base ball cap and took it off to a hiding spot to chew on, and that was after playing a practical joke by untying my shoes.

Then there is "Keep away from poppa". Another new game he decides to play when ever he thinks I may put him in his play pen to goto work. The first couple times I gave chase, but now I've just decided to sit down and wait him out.

Yesterday he did something really naughty, which was he pretended to take his medicine, and then spit it out after eating all his dinner. I didn't notice till I was cleaning his play area up this morning and spotted the pill! I swear to god I've never let him see any movies where this was done...

I'm torn between being annoyed with him for being a pain in the butt, and feeling sad for him because he simply doesn't realize how sick he is and still has tons and tons of energy to use up and simply can't without throwing up or coughing yet.

Hopefully I can make it through these next 10 days without losing my mind. He's going in for Neutering on the 20th, so I suppose he's using up his sympathy points early.