My 2 1/2 year old Westie died very suddenly about two months ago and we never found out what caused his death. Next we brought a MaltiPoo puppy home and within 24 hrs he began to get sick - runny nose, cough and was diagnosed with distemper. He died after 8 days.

This past Sunday, I brought home a 1 yr old rescued Westie. He was full of energy and was the picture of health. Within 24 hrs, he began to have a runny nose and the next day developed a cough. We tried Children's Benadryl but it didn't help. The vet gave us an antibiotic and cough medication. It's not working. This morning he had no appetite and didn't want water. I thought it was distemper all over again. I put him outside because he was shivering. After an hour he looked better. I tried feeding him. He ate and drank water. I put him out again and have left him outside most of today. He is almost 100% better. No runny nose, no cough.

When I thought about it, I remembered that he was feeling fine at the vet's office and really every time I've had him out of the house he hasn't coughed. So, now I think my house is making my dogs sick!!

I have no idea where to start. I know there were rumors about Febreze but heard that they weren't true. I do use Febreze so this is a definite possibility. It could be any other household cleanser I use. Can I just switch to natural cleansers or do I need to pull out the carpet and throw out my furniture? I don't know.

Anyway, if you know of similar stories, please let me know.

Just a thought, check your house for radiation contamination as well.

Sorry to hear about all your losses, I've had 3 of my four dogs sick with a cough and running noses, I was blaming it on Kennel Cough cause we had newly bought a German Shepard, and she got it first after one of her vaccinations, I'm now strongly thinking that it might be air fresheners because like you, it always stops when they're outside.

They are now coming out of all the coughing, it's my little Yorkie that's 18 weeks old, still has the slight cough, I have been told it takes several weeks for it to go away.

Can it be possible that you might have dust mites in the carpet and a mixture of sprays and cleansers are giving your dog like mine just bad allergies.

The funny thing is that my Westie didn't get sick at all and she's 3 so I'm still playing a guessing game with my babies.

I really hope that you can get things sorted cause I know it's heartbreaking to lose a pet of any kind.

Regards Cat

Sorry to hear about all your losses, I've had 3 of my four dogs sick with a cough and running noses, I was blaming it on Kennel Cough cause we had newly bought a German Shepard, and she got it first after one of her vaccinations, I'm now strongly thinking that it might be air fresheners because like you, it always stops when they're outside.

They are now coming out of all the coughing, it's my little Yorkie that's 18 weeks old, still has the slight cough, I have been told it takes several weeks for it to go away.

Can it be possible that you might have dust mites in the carpet and a mixture of sprays and cleansers are giving your dog like mine just bad allergies.

The funny thing is that my Westie didn't get sick at all and she's 3 so I'm still playing a guessing game with my babies.

I really hope that you can get things sorted cause I know it's heartbreaking to lose a pet of any kind.

Regards Cat

Dogs can be allergic to many of the products we use in our homes. While Fabreeze may not be toxic, that doesn't mean your dog doesn't have an allergy to the fragrance. Air fresheners of any kind could be the culprit, as well as cleaning products, laundry detergent, or even dust mites.

If you have carpeting, your dog could be allergic to the fibers. Some carpets and furniture can release formaldehyde into the air. That'll make dogs sick. It can make humans sick, too. But I wouldn't start by ripping up the carpets and tossing out the sofa. I'd try to eliminate possible fragrances first. Stop using Fabreeze, ditch the air fresheners, and switch to unscented, natural cleaning products to see if that helps.

You can eliminate odors by using baking soda or borax. Sprinkle it on your carpets and furniture at night, before you go to bed. Vacuum in the morning. Baking soda will boost the cleaning power of your laundry detergent, and eliminate odors. Baking soda also makes a good scouring powder for sinks and bath tubs. To save money, buy the bags of baking soda used to treat swimming pools.

Use white vinegar to clean glass and appliances. It's antibacterial, antifungal, and it cuts grease really well. It'll make your appliances sparkle. Vinegar is also a good fabric softener. Just add a cup to the rinse water. No need to use scented fabric softeners.

I'm very sorry about what you and your pets have been through. My impression is whatever the first dog brought home, it left it behind for the ones succeeding it. I'm not clear on your time line, but if it were distemper, from what I've read, one could have caught it from the previous within a month of its absence, as that's how long it takes to purge the virus from a home. Has the vet suggested distemper for your third dog?