Coughing? Canceling?

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Yesterday Riley started coughing, just a little.  It sounds like he has swallowed a ball of hair and is trying to get it out. Sometimes it actually sounds as if he is sneezing.  Today he's still doing it and has coughed up a little bile on a couple of occasions.  His energy levels are normal and he's eating fine.  At first we thought he had swallowed something that was irritating him but after a day?  He was vaccinated against Kennel Cough but now I'm wondering if this is it?  I'm heading to London tomorrow, due back Sunday evening of course the timing couldn't be worse but my partner says he will take him to the vet tomorrow if he's still coughing.  Now I'm worried...He was at the dog park about ten days ago and that's the only place I can think of unless it's airborn. He doesn't do day care . I wonder what the gestation period is.

If anyone has any experience of this and how serious it might be please chip in.  I'm thinking of maybe canceling this trip (I'm a volunteer in the media centre for the Olympics London 2012 and this is a training day I'm going to)

****UPDATE

Riley seems fine and is only coughing a little so I have decided to go to London.  I will phone the vet in the morning before I go and if he says to bring him to the surgery then my partner will take him.  I am not as worried as I was initially.  If this is KC then it is a mild dose. Thank you for all your great input, it is wonderful to have so many friends with such great advice and information at times like these.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Kennel Cough vaccine last only three months I think.  The symptoms you describe are exactly those that Tigger had about two months ago.  Lasted about 10 days to two weeks and then went away.  Roo did not even get it.  I wouldn't cancel, you will only be gone a short while, let your partner handle it.

[F, Calla & Luca]

The bordatella vaccine doesn't cover all strains either I think. Sounds like kennel cough. A little antibiotic should have him good to go so to speak. Don't cancel but do see the vet.

[BG and Gavin]

I agree with F.  Hopefully Riley kicks it quick.  Try to relax and enjoy London.  Working during the Olympics sounds very exciting Nickey!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Yes, it does sound like Kennel Cough to me also.  Go on your trip...and let your partner take him to the Vet.  Oh, and try not to worry....he'll be fine.

[Judi, David & Maddie Irishdoodle]

Hi Nicky - my dog Maddie was vaccinated for Kennel Cough but she did catch it from playing at the dog park last year when it was running rampant in our city and I was unaware of the outbreak at the time. 

She was about 1 year old at the time and she developed a gaggy choking cough so I called the vet and took her in.

I was quickly ushered to a room alone because it is so contagious and Maddie was diagnosed and our vet suggested that I try an over the counter cough medicine because she was acting normal but she just had that annoying cough. If she got lethargic or her cough got worse. I was to just come in and pick up some medication for her. 

 It so happened that I did have to pick up some pills and within a few days of meds she was feeling much better and the coughing spells got less and less and eventually disappeared. 

I made a little pill pocket in a piece of cheese and Maddie took her meds no problem.

I did keep her in our house and yard for at least a couple of weeks after the coughing stopped so as not to pass it on to any other dogs. 

I would call the vet asap and find out if there has been an outbreak and tell them about Riley's symptoms.

 

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

A trip to the vet will help him out, and I'm sure he will befine! Go on your trip!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good info here. The incubation period for bordatella is anywhere from 3-14 days, so he definitely could have been exposed 10 days ago.  Bordatella vaccines do not protect against all strains of bordatella, but if a vaccinated dog does get it, it's usually milder than it would have been without the vaccine. They usually improve quickly once you start antibiotics. I'd get him to the vet and have treatment started if needed, but don't cancel your trip, if he does have bordatella he should be much better in a day or two.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

if he is coughing a lot, then take him to the vet, it may be kennel cough. if its just occasionally then id just keep an yey on him. Cooper will sometimes cough now and then and it turns out to be nothing

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Sounds exactly like kennel cough. Peri had these symptoms (and yes, she had been vaccinated).

It is not serious but you need to get him on meds!!!!!

[Donna K & Quincy]

I don't have any experience with Kennel Cough but if he is not acting sick I would go ahead with the trip. Hope Riley's cough goes away quickly. Volunteering at the Olympics, how exciting.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Yep... sounds like kennel cough to me.  My doodles never had it but my Shih-Tzu did get in a couple of times.  They were on antibiotics for a week or so and it all cleared up.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Nicky...someone just posted the same discussion about two weeks ago...I wish I could remember the Doodle.  So we all suggested Kennel Cough and sure enough, that is what it was.  And they had just received their vaccine  few weeks before.  You might want to go back in the discussions a few weeks but bottom line...go to Vet because it is a good chance little Riley has it!  Hugs to you both!