Experiences with Kennel Cough?

[Jean in Newcastle]

Background:  was helping out at my neighbor's dog boarding facility.  The dog I was assisting with (mastiff puppy) started coughing right before he went home (Sunday).  The boarding facility's owner's dog started coughing the next day (Monday).  Juliet (a rottie/shepherd mix) started coughing yesterday (Wednesday).  BUT while the mastiff and the owner's dog (a boxer) are coughing a lot, Juliet only coughed once yesterday (a short burst of a couple coughs) and then again a short burst in the middle of the night.

I called the vet's office to find out what I should be looking for in illness that would actually require the help of a vet and they immediately said that they want to see her.  I have an appt. set for Friday.  But honestly - do I need to keep the appointment?  The dog boarding owner is into alternative dog meds and has her dog on Robutussin and vitamin C and some kind of allergy med.

Any insights?  Stories?  Advice? 

[Pawz4me]

For many dogs KC will run its course much like a cold in humans. They'll be anywhere from uncomfortable to miserable for a few days or a week and then be over it. Others can develop really terrible coughs or even secondary infections. I've never been in any hurry to rush a dog with KC to the vet, but have always taken a wait-and-watch approach. I did have one dog many years ago who needed two courses of antibiotics and cough medicine for a few weeks to get completely over it. So . . . I guess it just depends? It might be a good precaution to take her in, but I don't think you HAVE to.

[Jean in Newcastle]

4 minutes ago, Pawz4me said:

For many dogs KC will run its course much like a cold in humans. They'll be anywhere from uncomfortable to miserable for a few days or a week and then be over it. Others can develop really terrible coughs or even secondary infections. I've never been in any hurry to rush a dog with KC to the vet, but have always taken a wait-and-watch approach. I did have one dog many years ago who needed two courses of antibiotics and cough medicine for a few weeks to get completely over it. So . . . I guess it just depends? It might be a good precaution to take her in, but I don't think you HAVE to.

What symptoms/severity would have you making a vet appointment for KC?

[Pawz4me]

6 minutes ago, Jean in Newcastle said:

What symptoms/severity would have you making a vet appointment for KC?

Coughing so much that the dog can't rest, not eating/drinking (especially not drinking enough to stay hydrated), lethargy.

[elegantlion]

My only advice would be that the owner start requiring a kennel cough vaccine for all dogs that are boarding. It used to be drops in the nose and where we used to board would allow it to be done when you dropped off a dog (ideally beforehand though). 

 

Here's some info on it: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/facts-bordetella-vaccine-dogs/

[Jean in Newcastle]

24 minutes ago, elegantlion said:

My only advice would be that the owner start requiring a kennel cough vaccine for all dogs that are boarding. It used to be drops in the nose and where we used to board would allow it to be done when you dropped off a dog (ideally beforehand though). 

 

Here's some info on it: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/facts-bordetella-vaccine-dogs/

She does require it.  All three dogs who have developed it (including my own) had the Bordatella (and all other suggested) vaccines.  There were a number of other dogs during the same time who did not develop any symptoms.  But the mastiff (a 7 month old puppy) seemed to be ground zero and my dog and the boxer were specifically working on socializing the mastiff puppy. 

[Pawz4me]

It's not a highly effective vaccine. I always get it for my dogs, even though they're never boarded, but I don't have much of an expectation that it will prevent them from getting KC. I've had too many fully vaccinated dogs over the years who still got it. Even so, any boarding kennel that allows it to be done at drop off is just engaging in money making vaccine theater, IMO. Just like with all vaccines, it's not immediately effective. It takes a week or two for immunity to kick in.

Edited October 15, 2020 by Pawz4me

[ktgrok]

If the coughing is mild, and dog is healthy otherwise, and you know said dog was exposed to kennel cough, I wouldn't go to the vet. (saying this a a vet tech). I'd be comfortable keeping an eye on the dog at home. If coughing got worse, or dog got sicker, I'd go to the vet in case antibiotics for a secondary infection were needed (similar to a kid with a cough...if they get better,great. Get worse, go to doctor) 

The biggest thing is keep her calm - running around will trigger more coughing, which damages the cilia in the airway which means it takes way longer to heal. This is the kind of cough you DO want to suppress - it's a croup, not a bronchial thing where you want to get crud out of the lungs. 

If dog gets green snots, runny eyes, looks sick, go to the vet. 

(the reason vets say to always come in with a cough is that it can be a sign of heart failure - they want to hear that heart and lungs. But given this particular situation, it's unlikely your dog got random heart failure coincidentally when exposed to kennel cough)

[ktgrok]

Like the flu vaccine, often the vaccine won't totally prevent the illness, but will minimize symptoms. It's also possible it's a doggy flu, not bordetella. 

[Jean in Newcastle]

Just got a notice that Kennel Cough is going around local dog parks.  (Though we haven't been to any lately)

 

New question:  how long are dogs contagious with kennel cough?  Juliet hasn't coughed since the night before last.  How long before I can take her on a walk, to a pet store, etc.