Kennel Cough and PetSmart Day Care

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Quincy is all better after a week of antibiotics for the kennel cough he apparently picked up at his PetSmart day care.  His buddy from our Saturday tricks class also caught it, probably from playing with Quincy at PetSmart on the same day he started with the cough and spitting up. I felt bad Lucky got sick, but I am guessing he would have got it from another dog, anyway.  

Lucky's Mom just texted me that she called PetSmart and they claimed they had no idea Quincy had the kennel cough.  That makes me angry since I specifically called to alert them so if other dogs had symptoms they could give them the heads up. Lucky's vet said that it was the 3rd case of kennel cough from PetSmart that week.  Clearly, it ran through the "campers" like wild fire.  

I certainly don't plan to bring him back any time soon-but is this a forever ban?  He had so much fun there and came back happy and exhausted.  But I don't want him sick again, either.  

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

I don't think that I would take Quincy back any time soon.  I did a quick search for doggie daycares in your area but didn't find much.  Good luck finding a daycare you love and trust!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Does Petsmart require that people show proof of the dog having received the bordatella vaccine before they can bring their dogs to the daycare? Many facilities do. As you saw, the vaccine doesn't prevent all strains of kennel cough, but if every dog was vaccinated, that might help lessen the odds of an outbreak. 

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

They do require it - that is the reason we did it, as a matter of fact.  The vet said it might have helped it to be a mild case.  If you remember the video of Quincy "honking", it did not seem mild to me.  It did go away fairly quick. The facility is very clean looking, but they do share water bowls so you know they share germs.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I do think the vaccine does limit the severity of it when they do get kennel cough. 

I think you would probably have the same risk of him getting it again anywhere, but it is upsetting that they claimed not to know that Quincy had kennel cough and didn't give the other dog parents a heads up so they would know what it was if their dogs started honking. I don't blame you for being angry about that. 

It's a tough decision. :( 

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Yes, the honking was mild. Monty got a horrible one not too long ago and he was coughing with every move to the point of throwing up. And it came out of nowhere: he went to the bed just fine and got up in the middle of night hacking. They just sound so horrible, poor babies. The vaccine won't stop them from catching it, it's just like our flu vaccine. That's just too bad that there are no other doggy daycare in your area. What I don't like about Petsmart daycare is the enclosed space. No real air. I prefer a daycare where the dogs have access to the outside and fresh air. Needless to say, they STILL get the kennel cough. Glad Quincy felt better fast.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

That's why I hate airplanes- same stale air circulating around.  I may look into a stay at home mom who day boards that we checked out last fall.  Quincy was way to puppy to be in their house back then-they have knick knacks and stuff all over coffee table height and bookcases.  I just could not see him in that house when he was that age.He would probably be okay now.  They have a pool, too. (we don't)  Of course it is even more than PetSmart, but hey, at least we don't have to save for his college fund...We have a nice man who comes in mid day for 1/2 hour, but I would like Quincy to get more out of crate time as well as exercise.  The day care seemed so perfect!  

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My guys have had it a few times, but always very mild cases.  I assume they picked it up from Daycare.  It has been quite a while since they're had it so I'm wondering if they've kind of built up some immunity as they've gotten older...plus they do get the vaccine.  I'm glad Quincy is feeling better.

[Janice Hammond]

I am wondering how vigilant they are in checking that everydog has had its bortadella shot. Scary.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

We get the yearly vaccine for kennel cough. Some places require the vaccine every 6 months. To me, it's just over-vaccination, especially, if they still get the kennel cough.