Accepted Answer

Benadryl is an allergy medication so may not do as much for them as another med might.

It sounds like your new dog might have brought in either kennel cough

www.marvistavet.com/html/body_kennel_cough.html

or canine influenza

www.marvistavet.com/html/body_canine_influenza.html

Both of these are very easily picked up from another dog particularly in a stressful shelter situation.

You can see if some Robitussin DM will help the dogs breathe better and control any cough or sneezing or runny nose. Read here about cautions and dose info

http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/dextromethorphan-robitussin-dm/page1.aspx

You may find that bringing up the humidity in your home helps with breathing. Bringing a really congested dog into a steamy bathroom can help break up congestion too.

You can see and hear a dog with kennel cough here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amGKQX9zdug&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN3RpoU0qXw

If you are seeiing a colored discharge from nose or eyes, if any of your dogs coughs stuff up, seems lethargic, has any real trouble with breathing, or goes off eating, see your vet with that one as that dog may have a secondary bacterial infection, including potentially deadly pneumonia, that will need antibiotics or other meds.

As cash flow is an issue, check with your local humane society to see if there is local low cost vet care, ask your vet if you can do time payments or here are some groups that might help you afford the vet bills:

American Animal Hospital Association
http://www.aahahelpingpets.org/
" Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing financial hardship."

Angels 4 Animals
http://www.angels4animals.org/
"Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment
to those pets and pet owners in need."

Care Credit If you qualify this may work well for you.
http://www.carecredit.com/
A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care.
"With a comprehensive range of plan options, for
treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, we offer a plan
and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every
budget." They have a zero interest program if you pay within a certain time frame and they list the vets who work with their product.


God's Creatures Ministry
http://www.all-creatures.org/gcm/help-cf.html
"This fund helps pay for veterinarian bills for those who need help."

Help-A-Pet
http://www.help-a-pet.org/home.html http://www.help-a-pet.org/
"Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the
working poor."

IMOM
http://www.imom.org/
"We are dedicated to insure that no
companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker
is financially challenged."

The Pet Fund
http://thepetfund.com/
"The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that
provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need
urgent veterinary care."

United Animal Nations
http://www.uan.org/lifeline/index.html
"The m ission of LifeLine is to help homeless or recently rescued
animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require
specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve
Good Samaritans and rescue groups who take in sick or injured
animals. In certain cases, LifeLine can also assist senior citizens
and low-income families pay for immediate emergency veterinary care." They also keep a list of local and national help resources here
http://www.uan.org/index.cfm?navid=163

 

More groups here http://www.speakingforspot.com/helppayingforveterinarycare.html

Hope this helps you!

 

Expert:	NancyH
Pos. Feedback:	99.5 %
Accepts:
Answered:	11/5/2009

Dog Expert:Rescue, Train,Breed,Care

30+ yrs dog home vet care & nursing, rescue, behavior&training, responsible show breeding, genetics