Recipe: Honey & Slippery Elm Cough Syrup

For dogs with kennel cough or collapsing trachea

To make a honey and slippery elm cough syrup, you can simmer 1 teaspoon of slippery elm powder in 1 cup of cold water for a few minutes until it thickens into a syrup, then stir in 1 tablespoon of honey after removing it from heat. Give this mixture to your dog at a dose of about ½ to 1 teaspoon for every 10kg of body weight, once or twice daily. Remember to consult a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment of a collapsed trachea and to ensure this remedy is safe for your pet. 

Ingredients:

• 1 rounded teaspoon of slippery elm powder
• 1 cup of cold water
• 1 tablespoon of honey (preferably local raw honey, or Manuka honey) 

Instructions:

1. Combine the slippery elm powder and cold water in a saucepan.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
3. Stir and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens into a syrup.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the honey until it is well combined and the mixture has cooled slightly. 

Dosage:

• For a small dog (e.g., under 10kg), use about ½ to 1 teaspoon.
• For a larger dog, use 1 to 2 teaspoons.
• Administer the mixture once or twice a day as needed. 

Important Considerations:

• Veterinary Consultation: Consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any new supplement or home remedy for a collapsed trachea.
• Honey Type: Use local, unpasteurised (raw) honey, or Manuka honey for its potential antibacterial properties.
• Timing with Other Medications: Give this mixture at least 1.5 hours before or after other medications, as the slippery elm can interfere with the absorption of other drugs.
• Potential Side Effects: Monitor your dog for any side effects, as honey can cause yeast infections in some dogs.