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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Kennel cough advice please

46 replies

YearOfYouRemember · 10/01/2018 09:53

I am taking my dog to the vet this afternoon but until then is there anything I can do to help her please?

We were up all night with her, she's cough eight times today , three times as I was typing this, and started late yesterday afternoon. It sounds much like what a dog she played with at the weekend had but they said she'd even vaccinated Confused. My dog hasn't as the vet said no need as she'll never go into kennels or day care.

We've been given her ice cubes but is there anything else I need to do and what do I do about her walks? We've stayed away from our usual place today to help not spread it.

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BiteyShark · 10/01/2018 10:00

I vaccinated against kennel cough but it only overs a few strains as the term KC covers many things.

Whilst you often need the vaccination for kennels and daycare you can pick it up from anywhere as it's highly contagious. So you can pick it up from training, playing with other dogs, the vets etc and you can also get it when you have vaccinated.

Think of it like the human flu virus. You can get it off anyone but the chances are increased when you are around lots of people as some of them may be carrying it. And the flu vaccination is widely known to only cover a few strains.

BiteyShark · 10/01/2018 10:04

Have you warned the vets that you suspect KC as they may not want you waiting in the waiting room in case you do have it. Often they will get you to wait in the car until it's your turn so you can go straight in without interacting with any other dogs.

Original poster
YearOfYouRemember · 10/01/2018 10:14

Thank you. Yes, we are waiting outside until they are ready. I feel so sorry for her and annoyed I didn't vaccinate. I feel I've let her down. I know that's silly but she's my first dog and I'm potty about her.

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BiteyShark · 10/01/2018 10:22

I vaccinate because I am worried that if I didn't and we needed to use kennels in an emergency we wouldn't be able to. We also go to daycare so he's around lots of other dogs. But even then he can still pick one of the strains up so I really wouldn't beat yourself up about not vaccinating as it still could have happened and lots of people don't vaccinate because of that.

Original poster
YearOfYouRemember · 10/01/2018 10:23

Should we vaccinate now or once she's better? Thank you for your kind words.

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BiteyShark · 10/01/2018 10:27

The vaccination is actually a live vaccine administered up the nose (makes BiteyDog sneeze).

I doubt they would vaccinate until your dog was better but that is me guessing.

Original poster
YearOfYouRemember · 10/01/2018 10:29

Ok I'll ask. I wasn't sure if KC was something they could only get once so too late to vaccinate now. Thanks again.

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Chickenagain · 10/01/2018 10:30

I wouldn't worry too much about vaccinating - it's not 100% effective and what your vet told you is accurate. One of my clients brought their dog to me & it was in the early stages of KC. If yours can't keep down the anti inflammatory (forgotten the name now Rymadyl? Ask for a Rymadyl injection. The worst will be over soon. Bed rest & liquids for her.

Chickenagain · 10/01/2018 10:35

BTW - owner had no idea it was KC & thought it was something in the dogs throat. It did develop into a terrible hacking cough, so we had two visits to the vet. I.kept her in a different room & cosy in her crate. She recovered within 48 hours and 100% within the week. Boiled rice & chicken breast soon git her in her feet.
None of the other dogs caught it - two were vaccinated, two were not.

Original poster
YearOfYouRemember · 10/01/2018 10:38

She has been on antibiotics once before as a result of a tick bite and she took the tablet fine and kept it down. She's currently sleeping but I have to go out shortly for a couple of hours but dh is coming home at 12:30 to feed and check on her and I should be home shorty after so she'll get time to rest. We also have a camera so can check on her and dh can get to her in 10-15 minutes if there is any problems.

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BiteyShark · 10/01/2018 10:39

I get the vaccine every year along with his other boosters.

Original poster
YearOfYouRemember · 10/01/2018 10:39

She mostly seems herself, just wanting to go out more and is pulling at the grass. She's been eating as normal. Goodness, I feel like my child is ill Blush.

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Floralnomad · 10/01/2018 10:40

My dog gets KC a lot , he’s particularly susceptible . We have him vaccinated ( never use dog care / kennels) because I feel that it makes any cough he gets less severe . We give him baby tixylix at the first sign of a cough and he loves it .

ajandjjmum · 10/01/2018 10:47

Our vet has recommended not vaccinating our dog, as he always gets kennel cough after the vaccination. Horrible to listen to him. Hope your dog recovers soon.

MarcoPoloCX · 10/01/2018 12:42

Honey and water.
And junior benylin.
I wouldn't bother with vaccine unless you use kennels or if your dog's immune system is compromised.
Most dogs recover naturall.

Original poster
YearOfYouRemember · 10/01/2018 14:05

Thank you very much everyone. All helpful and reassuring advice. Just grabbing a quick lunch then taking her to the vet.

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Original poster
YearOfYouRemember · 10/01/2018 15:54

KC confirmed. Two lots of meds, steam and lots of rest. I guess I'll have to buy her some new toys since we're not alllowed out on walks. Every cloud...

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BiteyShark · 10/01/2018 18:00

Hope she gets better soon.

Original poster
YearOfYouRemember · 10/01/2018 18:17

Thank you. She has an anti inflammatory once a day and had it at 5 after her early tea. Do I have to wait until 5 tomorrow evening as I'm thinking that's a day of coughing before it's eased for the evening? She has something else with codeine in, twice a day. I think that was the one that will make her drowsy so she is to have that at bedtime. I guess the other one in the morning? Confused.

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RedHelenB · 10/01/2018 18:56

When can she go out on walks again?

Original poster
YearOfYouRemember · 10/01/2018 19:13

When she's stopped coughing. Or, really short walks which don't cause her to pant. He said to treat her as highly contagious. The dog I thought she'd caught it from doesn't have it which I am really pleased about but now I'm totally confused as to how DDog has it. I need to find out how it's spread to ascertain whether we can go for a walk as I don't want her to pass it on to anyone else.

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Elphame · 10/01/2018 19:19

I believe it's airborne and by direct contact- like human colds/flu. Elfpup caught it somehow when very young. He coughed for a couple of days.

We still went walking but at times and places I knew we wouldn't see other dogs.

Original poster
YearOfYouRemember · 10/01/2018 19:31

I'm thinking a short afternoon walk tomorrow if she's up to it. She's used to at least an hour of lead in a huge park and a long walk after lunch too so nothing would be cruel I think. Thanks again.

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Original poster
YearOfYouRemember · 10/01/2018 19:32

Off lead..

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FairfaxAikman · 10/01/2018 19:36

I wouldn't bother with the KC vaccine. They can still get it if vaccinated.
I go to a lot of dog shows and I don't know anyone who gives it, we just have a really good system of quarantine.
Appalled that the other owner had a contagious dog out though.