Can my dog contract kennel cough even if up to date with annual immunisations?

[hmcAsWas]

He keeps hacking as if he needs to bring something up. Most of the time nothing happens. Once or twice he has been mildly sick - but nine times out of ten there is nothing. Appetite is normal and energy levels are fine (he has had his two customary walks today). His mood is fine too

Yes. Kennel cough vaccs only cover so many of the various kc viruses. And not that many, at that.

Okay thanks - well as luck would have it, he is going to the vets tomorrow for a follow up appointment since he has had discharge from his ears. I shall mention it to them - hopefully its not too serious in a young fit dog?

Annual vaccinations do not include Kennel Cough. It is an extra one that they need to have before going into boarding kennels. This means that unless your dog has had a stay in kennels recently and been given the nasal spray vaccination for kennel Cough then he could have caught the virus.

My puppy caught it from puppy training class last year. He had a bit of a cough and a cold but was otherwise fine. He recovered perfectly well. Just like when we get a cold virus. It is very contagious though so keep him away from other dogs if you suspect he has it.

Okay - well he never goes in kennels but he does go with a dog walker for some walks every week so that is probably how he contracted it. I hadn't realised it wasn't included as standard in the annual vacs - will discuss with vet re future vaccinations as he will continue with the dog walker once recovered and so probably does need protection

He's a very high maintenance dog! (ear infections, impaled himself on a sharp object a few months ago etc etc!)

As PP mentioned you often need to ask for kennel cough vaccination as it isn't standard. It's a live vaccine administered up the nose (made BiteyDog sneeze). However, even with the vaccination you can catch it.

Thanks all - love the doghouse for the excellent advice available

As PPs have said, it's a separate nasal spray vaccine, and even then only protects against one type, so they can still get a different type.

Phone your vet and tell them you suspect kennel cough before the app, they might not want you hanging about in the waiting room. When we had suspected kennel cough the vet saw the dog in the car park.

I will do that gandalfspants

Yes, vet may want your dog not to come in the surgery. My dog trainer wouldn't let ConfessorDog into the building (he happened to see ConfessorDog outside before the class and said he had KC - we just thought he had a cold!). I think it was about 3 weeks before he was allowed back.