To blame Daycare for my dogs kennel cough?

[DobieMom81]

My dog (7 month old puppy) goes to daycare twice a week. She was last there last Thursday. On Saturday she started coughing and became quite unwell. £100 at the vets and kennel cough diagnosed. I contacted the daycare to make them aware and they admitted that they’ve had a few dogs “call in sick” with KC in the past week. So they clearly knew it was spreading around the dogs in their care and chose not to tell anyone. Now my French bulldog has caught it off my puppy. I’ve been in contact with a number of customers and their dogs are all suffering with KC.

If I’d known it was going around the school I would have kept her at home. But they never thought to mention it??!!

I’m fuming. They’re now at me to pay £160 for January’s dayschool fees. AIBU to send a strongly worded email tomorrow about the fact that they knowingly let dogs go to their care knowing KC was spreading around when they should have been warning people???

Mine got it walking in an area where other dogs go, best vaccinated for

I haven't seen a daycare or boarding facility that allows dogs which haven't been vaccinated against KC.
Your dog could have picked this up from sniffing an infected dog on the street.

It must be far too late for me.

Giving that a quick read, nowhere does it say that boarding kennels or day carr can only allow dogs that are vaccinated.

Having dog vaccinated is a way to stop the spread of diseases, of course. However that's different to it being illegal to provide a service for unvaccinated dogs.

OP was fully aware of their conditions when she put her dog in there

Regarding spreading of disease. The dogs that have been ill from there, may never have come in contact with eachother. Ops dog may now trigger them into look at if the cause is there. Before there might not have been a reason to think it was there.

Again, no where does it state that you are breaking your license rules if you accept dogs that are not vaccinated.

@schuyler I will try and explain one more time and then I will give up and concede I am incomprehensible.

The law is that the dog boarder is required to have a licence and the terms of those licence will include provisions to prevent disease and keep good records as evidence this is under Control. The licence is granted by the local authority who must satisfy themselves that the current guidance on what it means to 'prevent disease' etc are met. Another Condition is to register the business with a vet who will also give direction on what preventative healthcare is required.

In the uk there are core vaccines so these will be required as part of a licence (parvo etc) and it is the duty of the business to stick to these rules. If an owner chooses not to vacc their dog, there is no law or duty on the owner to do anything. If the boarding business takes payment and provides a services for a dog that is not vaccinated, or fails to keep records, it is the business that is operating illegally.

Now kc is more nuanced. It is not a core vaccine, so it is not automatically assumed that it is a Condition of the licence in government guidance. Saying that, I have yet to identify any local authorities that do not include it as a condition. Again, it is the responsibility of the establishment to ensure that all dogs in their care have the necessary preventative heath care and vaccininations and there are records kept on this. Yes, owners need to get the vaccs done to access the services, but the legal duty is on the boarding business to check it is done.
If there is a failure to follow these rules, it is the business that is in breach and not the owner.

The owner has social obligations as a dog owner but this is not the same thing as the rules that exist for the business.

The boarding business is acting unprofessionally, failing to exercise the necessary care to prevent the spread of disease, and should not be paid.

Our VERY vaccinated dog caught kennel cough too OP. In fact, he is recovering as we speak.
Apparently our kennels (actually home boarding) has to close for 3 months if kennel cough is discovered!!

@scarsthelot
If the op states who their local authority is we can check the licence conditions in that particular area and that will contain those details you are looking for. In addition, the regulations require registration with a vet who will subscribe to professional standards regarding core and recommended vaccinations and these will also be reflected in the rules of the establishment.

The op seems unaware of any rules. Red flag. Where are the rules.

I'm sorry I can't explain it more simply but this is the way legislation and professions work.

don't be silly - your dog could have caught it from anywhere - other dogs on walks etc. was he/she vaccinated?

@scarsthelot
Here is an example. Each local authority will set out the specific requirements for the licence they give under the regulations.
Reading Council have helpfully published there's here... <a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.reading.gov.uk/media/3695/Conditions-for-dog-home-boarding-establishment/pdf/Conditions_for_dog_home_boarding_establishment__Aug_20153.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjGyZHx68LmAhXHiFwKHTdvDeIQFjALegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw3Vnd1lIMmJA45XyDH2NDPF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.reading.gov.uk/media/3695/Conditions-for-dog-home-boarding-establishment/pdf/Conditions_for_dog_home_boarding_establishment__Aug_20153.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjGyZHx68LmAhXHiFwKHTdvDeIQFjALegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw3Vnd1lIMmJA45XyDH2NDPF

I just looked and my local authority does request the KC vaccine. Prior to the intro of the licence, I vaxxed anyway so it didn’t change anything. I’d be curious if OP has checked her boarder’s licence and the regs around it.

Should be vaccinated, YABVU. My 5 month puppy is very unlikely to go to kennels ever but he is still fully vaccinated and will have his boosters, irresponsible

Here is an example. Each local authority will set out the specific requirements for the licence they give under the regulations.

Yes each local authority. Some don't. So your claim they are unlicensed or dont have a licence (which was your reason the OP shouldnt pay) isnt true. It's not illegal to have a kennels or 'day care' where dogs haven't had the KC vaccine.

OP knew they dont insist on it (maybe they will change this now) because hee dog doesnt have it she chose to take the risk, fully aware if the situation.

Most boarding kennels require dogs staying with them to be vaccinated against Kennel Cough, as the infection can spread very quickly in this environment.

This is from the PDSA website. Its clear from their use of 'most', that all kennels do not require it.

*My kennel use herbal remedies if any dogs get kennel cough and it clears up more quickly.
Try raw honey, coconut oil and garlic. *

WTF garlic is poisonous to dogs!!!

Condition 9.4 of the Animal Welfare Regulations 2018 for kennels does not include Kennel Cough as a required vaccination - it specifies only that some establishments may want enforce vaccination against it.

The required vaccinations are parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis.

Couple of cross posts while I was checking the condition number there It's early!

If you’re sending your dog(s) into high risk environments such as doggy day care they should be vaccinated against kennel cough. YABVU

Try raw honey, coconut oil and garlic.

@Frenchw1fe please don't give out such dodgy advice.

Garlic is poisonous to dogs. They may be able to eat a tiny amount safely, but most people have no idea what the safe dosage for their pet would be.

Telling people to give their dogs toxic foods is highly irresponsible.

Before I could even visit a local day care for my dog, I had to get her kennel cough done AND an incubation period. I can't remember how long it was now, maybe two weeks after the vaccination...?

That was just to view the day care and have a socialisation test.

I think the kennel is at fault for not insisting on vaccinations for all attendees. Yes, it's still not 100%, but it does vastly lessen the chance of an epidemic.

Another one saying DO NOT GIVE YOUR DOGS GARLIC, it can be toxic.

I think the kennel is at fault for not insisting on vaccinations for all attendees. Yes, it's still not 100%, but it does vastly lessen the chance of an epidemic.

They dont have to insist on KC vaccine. Op knew they dont insist on it, because hers doesnt have it. Op accepted the risk of her unvaccinated dog mixing with other unvaccinated dogs

It happens. It’s very contagious. My 2 never go to day care/kennels and got it, probably from a friends dog. Annoying, but that’s life.

Just to jump on to be very clear as PP have pointed out, garlic is toxic to dogs. DO NOT give your dogs garlic. @Frenchw1fe please read this www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/garlic/

Any daycare/boarding I have used insisted on seeing prior proof of KC vaccination.

Amazed they don't insist that they are vaccinated for it. It's not a boarding kennels perhaps but comes with same risks if not more with the dogs closely mixing!!

I think you were a bit at fault for not thinking it through to vaccinate anyway, and they are for not insisting on it and not informing