Sick puppy

My little puppy is sick today. She has kennel cough. I don't feel guilty enough for having to leave her at the kennel when we go out of town.... now I get to add more because it makes her sick. Poor baby.

She was throwing up most of the day yesterday. She was acting fine, so I just figured she ate something that did not agree with her. By 8:30 pm it was getting worse and we were getting worried. Which meant it was time for our first trip to the emergency vet clinic. Thankfully there is one like 5 minutes from our house. I held puppy on my lap trying to keep a pee-pee pad under her mouth every time she gagged. Not an easy task.

Puppy was of course excited and happy to be going on a trip. Clearly the hacking and puking was not slowing her down. It was not a fun trip for mommy and daddy. First we were worried, then we had to keep cleaning up her messes, and she was in her crazy dog mode which is never fun when people need to examine her. Then I'm guessing they must have suspected Kennel Cough ( which is very contagious and easily spread ) because they made us keep her outside until a room was ready. I had to carry her around the clinic so she would not contaminate anything. Two hours later the Dr finally came in to see her. At least puppy decided to get sick a couple times for her. Its easier to let the vet see first hand, than try to describe the problem.

They sent us home with antibiotic and cough suppressant. Kennel cough is pretty much like the common cold for us. Her throat is sore and irritated so she coughs, and sometime so hard she gets sick. Poor little thing, it is an awful sound. She is also dehydrated, so if any one has any good tips on how to get a dog that is not interested in drinking water to drink more water.... please pass them along! So far following her around with a cup and begging is not working. Although she did like playing with the ice cubes after breakfast today.

She's sleeping now on her bed. Hopefully the meds work quickly! I don't like seeing my loved ones sick.... and let me tell you its even worse when they can't tell you what is wrong. Those puppy dog eyes she keeps giving me are breaking my heart. Its going to get even worse this afternoon when she's standing by the door for her walk, but can't go because she's contagious and dehydrated.

That is one good thing about moving closer to home. There will be plenty of people willing to puppy sit for us, so no more kennels!