Kennel cough nasal spray? What’s it like to administer?

[Poggli]

Do dogs generally take this ok? Worried first time dog mum. She can be nervy when she ain’t sure what we are planning to do. She lets me wipe here eyes with cotton pads when they need cleaned but a lot more difficult to administer drops. Just thinking how on earth will vet nurse stick something up the nose!

I always try to gently dribble it into the nose of first time dogs whist bribing them with a biscuit.

One of mine couldn't care less. The other absolutely loathes it and has to be pinned into the corner of the surgery, but its over quicklu

Would it be worth me getting her used to me doing something? Not sure what. Dribbling water in nose may not be very good idea

Our vet would do it with a handful of biscuits - dog eats the biscuits from the hand with their nose obviously very close to the hand, then a quick puff up the nose at the same time, before the dog even realises. They were usually surprised for a second, but by then it was over.

Ok. Guess I just need to hope the vet is well practiced at it 🤞

Vets and vet nurses do this umpteen times a week. They know what they're doing and by trying to "prepare" your dog you may well put it off completely by fiddling about with its nose. It's over in a second, quite literally, so let the professionals do their job.

Fair point 😀

Mine has got worse and worse every year. Vet tried everything including a muzzle and eventually managed it by putting a towel over his head.

This year we had the new oral kennel cough vaccine and it was so much easier.

Oh there is an oral one? I need to check this out

You might be best phoning ahead if you want the oral one as we were lucky that our vet had some in stock and has asked we call ahead again next year to get the oral one because he won't tolerate the nasal vaccine anymore.

Yeah I can ask about it. I wonder if most dogs would fine oral easier. I just watched a little video online of them giving the oral one and it’s still did look a little awkward. I was hoping it was just a drop on the tongue !

First timers usually ok. I warm it up in my pocket first and go slow. If you want to practise, get a 2ml syringe from the vets and bring it near or touching their nose whilst feeding treats. Don't try actually puffing any air or water up the nose.

My dog had it in her nose for the first time when she had her last vaccines, up till then it had always been given by mouth.

I know all dogs are different but she hardly noticed it when the vet did it. She's always been a bit uncomfortable with the oral one.

Also, she was able to have it at the same time as the rest of her vaccines. With the oral one we've always had to wait 2 weeks between her jabs and the kennel cough dose, which obviously meant another visit to the vet.

Totally depends on the dog! There is an injectable kennel cough vaccine available in the uk now too. Not all vets will stock every type of vaccine.

Almost all dogs are fine with the nasal vaccine the first time they have it, so don't worry.