Kennel Cough

[aitchparki]

Tysie has kennel cough and is feeling really sorry for himself :-(

He spent the weekend in kennels a couple of weeks ago and when we picked him up they forewarned us that they'd had an outbreak of it and to keep an eye on him, then nearly a week later he came down with it. The kennels are being really nice and paying for his treatment but I feel so guilty.

My poor little Tyger.

The vet has said he shouldn't get too excited or bark too much (easier said than done with Ty!) I've even taken to putting him on a lead to take him into the garden for a wee as normally he runs up and down the garden (excitedly) barking at the birds and at next door's cats. Eek.

Any advice gratefully received.....

Aitch and her wounded little soldier

xx

[Ailsa]

Sorry don't know anything much about kennel cough - only avoid it if you can! I haven't put mine in kennels yet but do plan to later on in the year, it's worrying me even more now. Is it a virus? why do so many dogs get it, do you know?
Give your pup a big hug from us and I'll watch the posts with interest to see what other people recommend.

[zaclucy]

Hi

Barney had this a couple of months ago. He picked it up without being in kennels. Apparently you can pick it up easily from other dogs, so they can get it if a dog they play with has it. A weeks course of antibiotics sorted it out, we also got pills for Lucy as well, so that it didn't pass backwards and forwards between the 2 of them.

[GSDOWNER]

Mine has had the Kennel Cough injection, no sides effects from it, not to sure why he needed it tho, he has never been in a kennel so glad you are back online helen...........pictures of ickle.....must be at least 6 mths old now baby pictures


anyway lecture on Kennel Cough

Found this article, imo after reading about Kennel Cough it is advisable to have it.

CANINE INFECTIOUS TRACHEOBRONCHITIS

Canine infectious tracheobronchitis, more commonly known as kennel cough, is a highly contagious multifactorial disease of a dog's respiratory tract. It occurs where dogs are in close contact with each other - boarding kennels, rescue centres, shows, etc.
Who is at risk?

All dogs are at risk if they are in close contact with other dogs. With a high morbidity rate, clinical signs of kennel cough can be more severe in puppies, older dogs or debilitated individuals, including fatal bronchopneumonia. Any dog which comes into contact with other dogs is at risk. The disease is also not restricted to dogs, other species can become infected.
How is it spread?

Canine infectious tracheobronchitis is transmitted by coughing, sneezing or nose-to-nose contact. The disease can spread rapidly and can last up to six weeks.
Causes of kennel cough

The pathogens listed below are the main causes of kennel cough. However, there are other viruses and bacteria which may contribute to the kennel cough complex.
Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb)

The commonest cause of kennel cough and from the same family as Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough in humans), Bb causes disease in a wide range of host species, including cats (where it is one of the causes of cat ‘flu), pigs, rabbits and horses. Bb can infect other species commonly kept in contact with dogs and therefore interspecies transmission is possible in particular between dogs and cats. Bb can be shed for up to four months post infection.
Canine parainfluenza virus (CPi)

Often found together with Bordetella bronchiseptica (Bb), CPi is present in mouth and nose secretions for up to two weeks post-infection. CPi alone can cause a mild cough and runny nose. However, the severity and duration of clinical signs are worse if CPi is in combination with Bb.
Canine adenovirus 1 and 2 (CAV-1 and CAV-2)

These two viruses are very similar, with CAV-1 the cause of infectious canine hepatitis and CAV-2 the cause of respiratory disease.
Canine herpesvirus (CHV)

Similar to herpes simplex (cold sores) and feline herpesvirus (cat ‘flu), CHV only infects canine species. Pups can be infected in the womb, or immediately after birth from the dam. In latent carriers the virus may be re-activated after stress. In puppies less than two weeks of age, it presents as ‘fading puppy syndrome’. Over two weeks of age and in adults, symptoms are usually mild respiratory signs of nasal discharge and coughing. Genital lesions may also be present.
Signs and symptoms

Clinical signs include a harsh dry cough, which may cause retching; tiredness, loss of appetite and a mildly raised temperature. Very occasionally, the disease can progress to pneumonia.
Diagnosis and treatment

Swabs from the nose or throat and washings from the trachea and lower respiratory tract can be used for identification of the causative agent. Cough suppressants can help relieve symptoms. Antibacterials can also be used to help alleviate clinical disease but may not be able to eliminate infection.
Prevention and control

Vaccination is obviously the best and easiest way to protect dogs against kennel cough, especially for dogs kept together in close proximity who are especially at risk. There is now an easy-to-administer intranasal vaccine available that mirrors the natural route of infection and protects for a full 12 months.
It can be given to dogs of any shape, size and age, giving protection in just 72 hours. It is safe to use in puppies as young as three weeks of age and in pregnant bitches.
Other preventative measures include adequate hygiene and ventilation, preventing contact between animals, isolation of affected dogs and avoiding contact with cats.

[aitchparki]

Glad to report that Ty is feeling a little better and doesn't sound like he has 60 a day cigarette habit any more- thank you all for your messages of support and advice. Still having to keep him 'quiet' which isn't an easy task with a dog as bouncy as Ty, but all in a good cause!

What I didn't mention was that it was his 4th birthday on 5th April and that was the day he was in kennels.... Evil me!
To be fair he loves kennels though and enjoys himself stupid when he's there cos they give him loads of attention so not quite as bad as it sounds!
Basically we'd gone up in my mum and dad's in Notts for the weekend and they have a nervous cat so taking Ty is a lot of hard work and now we have the baby too.....

Definitely think we'll get him the injection in future as prevention better than cure and all that, plus this has been quite stressful. He has 2 lots of tablets to take for 10 days and he HATES tablets plus they're huge! We currently crushing them up, mixing them with gravy and putting it over his food. Bit of a gourmet doggy dinner but better than the first day of them when he would only take them in a jam sandwich (stop laughing!).

Little Emily (human baby!) is fine and currently singing lalala and waving a toy at me, yes, nearly 6 months old, can't believe how time flies. I'll be back at work before I know it- eek. She is fascinated by Ty and her little eyes follow him intently when he walks round the room- she also likes patting him but he is really good and v gentle with her (and of course when they're together they're under close supervision)

Speak soon

H
xxx

[LOVEGSD]

Ok this is weird, I'e posted a reply to this but yet it's not on here so here I go again......

Aww poor Ty, I hope he's back to full health soon. We had an outbreak of kennel cough, thankfully Diesel didn't catch it but some of his friends did.

Emily sounds lovely, and I can't wait to see pics of her & Ty together....he'll be her protector I'm sure

I hope you're ok too....take care...Lynn
xx

[LOVEGSD]

Oscar has got KC and I am worried about when the right time would be for him to mix with Diesel again....we're not seeing him at all this week or next so would he be over it when we get back from our hols do you think?

Any advice would be great.

[Petnanny]

Vets will usually prescribe Benelyn for children. It works a treat, but be sure and clear it with your vet first as a precaution.

Not wishing to toll the bell for having your dog cared for in your own home, but we have many clients who's dog's has contracted kennel cough while in kennels, hence they do not use them again.

However, that said, I know a lot of dogs that do well in that environment and it is a cheaper alternative. I just cannot understand why kennels do not insist on their clients having a vaccination certificate before excepting their dogs

Hope Tysie improves quickly x

[LOVEGSD]

Hi Nina

Do you know how long I should keep Diesel away from Oscar? He's an EBT that we look after during the day who's just contracted KC. I have no experience of this so I'm not sure.....

Thanks

Lynn
x

[Wooferhound]

I believe it is a good three weeks to ensure the virus has completely gone, vets would know for sure, they all seem to be different, also depends on how well your dog responds to treatment etc.

Benelyn is good for dogs, but for anyone that might have a dog with epilepsy shouldn't use it, it can bring an attack on.

Jo
x