Kennel Cough

[Bonnie and Kona]

We are on vacation. Our dog sitter called to say she believes the dogs have kennel cough. She has worked at a vet so I'm sure she's right. Owen has been vaccinated but Kona has not. The vet is booked until Monday afternoon. I'm super worried although the dog sitter doesn't seem to be. Anyone with experience with this? 

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have heard that lots of people don't even treat it and it goes away on its own. Also that once the dog has it, they can't get it again. I would ask the vet about that though--it is just what I have heard. I would want to treat it if it were my dog, but antibiotics would only help if it is caused by a bacteria, which it can be--like human pneumonia, it can be bacterial or viral as far as I know.

I think that the vet put it off because it is not serious and may go away on its own. Also there isn't always a way to treat it--some vets probably don't want to give dogs antibiotics unnecessarily. 

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

R&B have both had the vaccince and KC... they were pretty sick from it but came around once they were on the antibiotic.  Keep us posted once you get back!

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

Clifford got it from our first foster - lots of coughing and snotty nose but acting pretty normal.  Our vet starts them off on Robitussin for a few days and if it doesn't get better we go to the antibiotic.  (Like the flu shot, the vaccine cannot protect against every strain.)

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Poor doodles-I had NO idea that they could still get it if vaccinated! We always get ours their shots just because of other dogs around, but I thought they were safe so I'm glad I read this. I hope they get better soon!!

[Harper]

I think you guys live in Menlo Park, and in the future if you have an emergency like this perhaps you can take your dogs to Adobe Animal Hospital, our vet in Los Altos.  They are great and are open 24/7.  They also have appointments until 10PM or so.  Just something to keep in mind if anything like this ever happens again. 

 

I hope your dogs are okay!  

[Bonnie and Kona]

UPDATE: We arrived home about an hour ago and Kona is not coughing. Owen coughed when he tried to bark at us but only then. I was so worried that they were coughing incessantly. They have an appointment at 4:45 tomorrow afternoon but if Kona doesn't cough I probably won't take him in.

 

Thank you, everyone for your very helpful concern. I am so grateful for DK. As soon as we heard the boys were sick, my daughter said, "Go on DoodleKisses! They'll know what to do." She has never been on this website but knows I read it all of the time and I share some of what I read. cute, huh?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm glad your guys are doing better....hope your vacation was fun.

[Lindsey]

good news, glad your pups are doing somewhat okay.

I've had plenty of cases with dogs and KC...it's more annoying than anything. My little guy has had it, we just had to give him meds for a few days and the coughing stopped. He acted totally fine the entire time, so hopefully your pup won't even know he's got a "cold" :-)