We just boarded our dog for a week in a clean facility but noticed that she has the symptoms for Kennel Cough. Although she has been vaccinated for it... we still are unsure what we should do about it. She will be going to the vet tomorrow but from what I read online there's not much that can be done except letting it run it's course.
Any advice?
2006-08-06 12:57:42 · 14 answers · asked by kristinaanneblack 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
you have a good handle on the ins and outs of kennel cough ( bordetella). what most people do not realize is that it take 10 to 14 days for the vaccine to protect the dog , just getting it on the way to the boarding facility is not going to help protect the dog. There are many different strains for bordetella and we only vaccinate for a few of them. i still vaccinate both my dogs every 6 month even though I do not board them but I do take one of my dogs to work with me every day, I am a vet tech . When I have to leave them I hire a pet sitter to stay at my house. kennel cough will run its course in about 3 weeks. the coughing is the worst part of it . It get very annoying to listen to . Your vet will most likely give you an antibiotic and hopefully something for the cough. before you board again get the vaccine 2 weeks before you take her to the facility. it is a air born virus so any dog in your neighborhood who is standing down wind of your dog when she coughs or sneezes could get it.
2006-08-06 13:15:40 · answer #1 · answered by basque girl 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Our dog got kennel cough (even though she was vaccinated as well,) and we also took her to the vet, just to confirm what it was. You're right, there's not much that can be done about it except to let it run its course. Kennel cough is worse at night (of course) so the vet gave us some sedatives to let her (and us) get some sleep.
One thing to be aware of, after a bout of coughing your dog may spit up a white frothy fluid. Our dog did and when we brought her back to the vet the vet said it was normal and just caused by constant hacking. So be ready for that fun little treat as well. Everything should be all over in about two weeks.
Good luck!
2006-08-06 13:18:43 · answer #2 · answered by ndpndntjn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kennel cough vaccine isn't effective for all 28 strains of kennel cough so even if your dog has been vaccinated he can still get it. It is a good thing to take him to the vet to rule out other issues, however if it is kennel cough it will run it's course. If the cough is real bad the vet may prescribe cough medication.
2006-08-06 13:16:33 · answer #3 · answered by Great Dane Lover 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dogs had kennel cough about a month ago when just 2 of them were coughing and we took them to the vet where we had to get all of our dogs (4 dogs :) ) on antibiotics and the two that actually had it were given cortisone injections to suppress the cough. I have heard that you can let it run it's course, but our vet suggested this treatment so that's what we did and after 10 days on the meds they are all fine. Although, the first set of antibiotics did NOT work, the vet said they may have a resistance so we started a new set and they were fine. Good luck
2006-08-06 13:05:13 · answer #4 · answered by VDJ44 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We had the same thing happen to our dog. He was just at the vet's for a bath and caught kennel cough. He needed antibiotics to clear the infection. The cough can carry on for awhile, but it's the infection that needs to be cleared first. The first group of antibiotics didn't work and we had to try a different medicine. The vet said that the kennel cough in a general vaccination but there are so many strains of kennel cough it is impossible to vaccinate for them all.
2006-08-06 13:04:07 · answer #5 · answered by Kim 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is still a slim chance that your dog could have kennel cough, but if he does it will be very mild. However he will probably need meds if it is indeed kennel cough. It sounds bad, but your dog will be ok and it won't be something that re-occurs. Don't worry too much. You're doing the BEST thing ever by taking him to the vet.
2006-08-06 13:20:48 · answer #6 · answered by JL's Mom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
antibiotics can usually clear it up...the vet will probably give you some when he/she sees him. Even if you dog is vaccinated against kennel cough they can still get it. There are ALL types of strains of kennel cough but there is ONLY a vaccination available for the most common type called Bordatella. There are no vaccines for the other strains available.
2006-08-06 13:47:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually Kennel Cough was named by Vets. In most cases it is caught at vets offices not kennels. Any reputable kennel requires Bordetella, DHLP, Rabies and Corona. Also most kennel customers maintain their dogs well. When one goes to a vet they naturally are exposing their dog to germs from sick dogs. Kennels don't admit sick dogs. The incubation period for Bordetella is 7 - 10 days.
2006-08-06 13:34:28 · answer #8 · answered by M D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kennel cough is highly contagious. Even though you have had her vaccinated for it, she can still contract it. You can even pass it to other dogs on your clothing and hands. A simple course of antibiotics should do the trick, but it may not. Both my dogs have had many courses of it, yet they always need a double dose to fully kill the virus. Hope this helps and she gets better!
2006-08-06 13:05:06 · answer #9 · answered by CactusRaven 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is kennel cough that's about you can do! Although if it's really bad, the vet may prescribe something to quiet the cough by way of a mild sedative.
2006-08-06 13:06:25 · answer #10 · answered by trusport 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋