Kennel Cough Questions

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

So this has been one heck of a week. Floods in Nashville - friends having houses destroyed, and now Peri has kennel cough (we think - called emergency vet and that is what they think - taking her in tomorrow).

We took her to doggy daycare Friday and they had lots of dogs from the other daycare that was flooded. So new dogs, possibly lack of vet records, you get the picture. Peri was vaccinated for bortitella, but apparently, has come down with the cough. Throwing up all day after these crazy coughs that sound TERRIBLE. We are so worried, but emergency vet said tomorrow would be fine to take her to our regular doctor.

My question: she is hungry. Going around wanting to drink TONS of water and will eat anything she can find. But she coughs like crazy and then throws up more when we give her anything at all.

Do I give her water when she wants it? Even though she will throw it up after coughing?

Do I give her dinner tonight???

I tried to do a search but we are a little panicked and are hoping you can help.

Many thanks!
Allyson and Lady Peri

[Yvonne N]

Oh dear. Peri cannot be sick too. Allyson this is just too much. I hope the vet can make her feel better quickly. So so sorry.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Allyson, sorry to hear about Peri. Starlit was presumed to also have kennel cough even though she too was vacinnated a few weeks before we got her. For us it lasted weeks and went into secondary upper respiratory and ear infections. Not a fun first month : (

I just feed her even though she occasionally threw up.
All I kept thinking was the old saying, " Starve a Fever, Feed a Cold".

This also makes me wonder how effective Bortitella vaccinations are in preventing infections? Nancy mentioned one of her dogs got it even though the dog had been vaccinated. Spud, gets the shot and has never had a problem even though I hear the nasal spray is best. Makes me wonder.

Hope all gets better for you.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I asked my Vet about that this morning. She said the vaccine is not effective against all strains. There are two new strains that she has become aware of in our area (she told me the names, but it was "greek to me), and the vaccine will not prevent them, but they do get a milder case. Also, I hadn't realized that some are bacterial and some are viral, so antibiotics don't always work. With some forms you just have to "wait it out".

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

I didn't even know there was a vaccine?! My vet only uses the nasal spray. I hope Peri, Guinness and Murphy start feeling better soon!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's the vaccine; it's just the intranasal form, which I prefer. Some dogs get it in a "cocktail" injection along with other vaccines.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I have recently switched to titers first, then only necessary shots and the nasal spray - for Taquito and will do the same for Peri in July. No more cocktails for me (the vaccination kind, for my dogs, I mean LOL)!

Thanks everyone for your input.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Me, too. This year, Jack's annual physical will consist of an exam, a fecal, and his intranasal bordatella; no shots at all & no blood work.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's interesting. Jack has never had the injectable form since he's been with me; only the intranasal form.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

So hope that everyone is feeling better really soon! Gotta wonder why everyplace requires the vaccine if it doesn't seem to work?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

True, although I will take my chances and continue to get the vaccines. I have only experianced kennel cough two times and both times .................. well it was just awful.

Wishing all the dogs this Spring Lots of Romping and Good Health!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Well, our little girl is doing okay. DH went home to check on her - she had thrown up slightly. As soon as he got home, she ran and stood by her bowl and acted like she was starving. He fed her another 1/2 of her serving. He said her nose looks better and she has only coughed a few times. She took 1 round of antibiotics and cough suppressants this morning. Maybe that will continue to help.

Thanks for everyone's support. I can't believe the Irish Brothers (Guinness & Murphy) have this stuff too! Yuck!!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My guys are on the meds now, and the Vet says they'll feel much better in a day or two. No vomit yet today....yea! Little miss Peri, Guinness and Murphy hope you feel much better.