Vets diagnose sick dog with kennel cough, but owner thinks it was coronavirus

An owner thinks her dog had coronavirus earlier this year, although the veterinary community thinks otherwise. She now wants the pooch tested to see if she's right.

By Ashley Murphy

Published on the 04/08/2020, 18:00, Updated on the 08/02/2021, 13:26

Mushka the Alaskan Malamute began coughing back in March. Then a few days later the poor pooch developed breathing problems.

Mushka started coughing

His dog mum, Mandy Hayes, rushed her fur baby to the vet, who diagnosed Mushka with a bad case of kennel cough and lungworm.

He even suggested putting Mushka to sleep. But Mandy refused, and the brave hound made a full recovery thanks to a course of steroids and lots of TLC.

But Mandy is still not convinced by the original diagnosis. In fact, she thinks her dog had coronavirus.

Speaking to the Sun, Mandy said:

"I know he had it. We nearly lost him."

She now wants the vet to perform a COVID-19 test on Mushka.

Here's everything you need to know about kennel cough in dogs.

But what do the experts think?

At the beginning of the outbreak scientists confirmed that the virus could not pass between humans and pets.

Mandy could be right

But several dogs have since tested positive for COVID-19 after close contact with infected humans. And last week UK government officials confirmed the first feline case of coronavirus.

But health chiefs have urged UK pet owners not to panic. There's still no evidence that pets can transmit the virus to humans.

And like Mushka, the COVID-19 kitty made a full recovery.

Ashley Murphy

Ashley is a freelance writer based in Manchester. He grew up around pooches, but (unfortunately) he doesn't have the time or space for one of his own. So he volunteers with a local dog-walking agency in his spare time. It's definitely the best part of his week!

Frequently asked questions

Is coughing in dogs normal?

All dogs cough now and again. They might be clearing their airways, or something might have irritated them. Alternatively, your dog might have picked up a bacterial infection. Most coughs are not serious and usually clear up in a few days. But if the symptoms persist, they will need to see a vet.

Find out more about why dogs cough.

When should I take my coughing dog to the vet?

If your dog is coughing, but also discharging thick mucus from his/her eyes and nose, then you should see your vet as soon as possible.

Find out how to know when it's time to see a vet.

Can I give my dog coronavirus?

According to veterinary experts, passing coronavirus onto your dog is unlikely. However, there have been some isolated cases around the world where dogs have tested positive after coming into close contact with infected humans. So if you do need to self-isolate, then restrict contact with your dog as a precautionary measure.

Here's more useful information on coronavirus in dogs.