Kennel Cough !!

[Kyoko]

Charlie is now 14 weeks, and we have been going to Puppy Kindergarten. There, I learned all about the importance of socialization. Plus, she has some anxiety about straingers, so I was doing my best to socialize her by taking her to puppy social, play ground and started to take her to the dog park, too. Weather has gotten better lately, and it was fun for me, too!
But guess what happend? Charlie got Kennel Cough!!!
I didn't think it was important for her to be vaccinated for it, because I don't plan to board her at any point...
But since it is a communicable illenss, dog can get it anywhere as long as they can come in contact with other dogs!!
She is on antibiotic to keep her from getting worse, and is doing fine otherwise. But, by me trying to socialize her, ended up exposing her to the illness...:(

[Kyoko]

Yeah, they said that vaccine only protects against certain strain of the Kennel cough, just like flue for humans.... I also think she got it from the dog park, where no one ask you for the vaccine record or anything, you know? So far today, she is not coughing ay all. So that is a good sign.

[Jeri]

They can still get KC esp if you are nearing the end of the vaccine time and even if vaccinated. But the episode is not as bad. I always reboost a little early esp if exposed to other dogs. Jaeger had it and is fine to this day.

[Kyoko]

Her cough is getting much better, and she is taking her pills really nicely without any struggle.
Thank you all for the informations and get well wishes!!

[Stella]

We were lucky that our vet recommended the vaccine to us, and then when we went to classes, they had to have it before they could start. So, both of ours had the shot/spray thingy! I never realised you had to ask for it most times though, I guess we got lucky with our vet! But, even if you are not planning on boarding your dog, for sure it's a good idea to get them protected if they are going to be socialising a lot with other dogs. Hope your girl gets better soon.

[Karen & Lucy]

Give Charlie a kiss from us...... Glad she is on the mend. Lucy gets this vac yearly by the recommendation of my vet. I look at it as just like us humans getting the flu vac yearly. See ya at the romp Charlie. Thanks for posting about this important vac.

[GBK]

This IS a vaccine you have to ask for at the vet. If you take them to classes, dog park, doggie daycare, it is helpful, but not always effective. Kennel Cough is like a human cold, and just drinking from the fountain at the dog park can spread it. I hope Charlie feels better soon, don't beat yourself up over thinking you did bad by trying to socialize her, you are a good doodle Mom, she just caught a cold.

[Denise, Winnie, and AngelAbby]

How old are they before they can have this shot?? I'm sure Abby hasn't had it either.
Best wishes for Charlie and a speedy recovery!!!

[Phoebe's Mom]

I am so sorry Charlie is sick and you need to go through this. I don't plan to board Phoebe either but we used to have a lab/chow mix and she almost died from kennel cough with complications so we decided to vaccinate Phoebe anyway. I am sure the antibiotics will have Charlie up and running in no time--our lab was only 9 weeks when she caught it-she was a rescue-but the antibiotics had her back to her old self within 10 days. You take care as well. Isn't it awful when our puppies are sick!

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Sorry to hear Charlie is not feeling well, guess we don't think of dog parks or dog training schools as a place where some dogs or puppies could come in contact with kennel cough. I always thought of it when they needed to be borded in a kennel, but now I am having my two done whenever they need it for their own protection cause we travel a lot around here, and with pet sitting, I never know what I could bring home to them. Hope Charlie is up and bouncing around again soon.

[Yvonne, Riley, Murphy and Luca]

I am so sorry that Charlie is not feeling well. I hope she is better soon. Socializing her is worth it though, so don't balme yourself. Kennel cough lasts a week or so and socialization will make the rest of her life with you SO much easier. Keep us posted.