My dog has kennel cough, and HAD the vaccine!

**cab54** · 08-30-2007, 04:10 PM

Well, I went over to get my dog's VERY expensive allergy meds for our trip up north, and told her he'd been coughing and sometimes it was making him throw up. We honestly thought it was just because he has allergies and licks his feet etc, all the time, and then hacks up hairballs.

So, he's running a fever (all this time) but his lungs are fairly clear (having been on steroids all this time for allergies) and she says even though he gets the bordatella vaccine, there are many strains and he has all the signs. Sigh. So they charge extra for emergency visits (meaning they worked me in because we are going away) and between that, and his regular meds, and an antibiotic for THIS, It was over $450. :surprise:

He is 12 years old, and although he's my baby, I think when he is gone, we are going to be awhile without a pet. (I always say that, though, LOL)

**wanderinggrandma** · 08-30-2007, 05:58 PM

OUCH!! Vet bills can get expensive. My old dog had allergies and the vet had me give her Benedryl. It did the trick most of the times. Doesn't help with food allergy reactions though.

I understand about the break between dogs. I had to put my beloved GSD down a couple of months ago and we are still dogless. Even though the house is too too quiet now, I don't miss the doghair or finding a stay in our home pet sitter.

Enjoy your trip!!

**lwlynch** · 08-30-2007, 06:09 PM

Kennel cough. I just found out the right amount in robitussin to give a dog and rubbed vicks on a towel and he slept with that. It cleared right up. But still check with vet before you do anything.

**Persimmon Lace** · 08-30-2007, 08:28 PM

Depending on the strain kennel cough can be fatal, I'm glad you caught it in time. My mom's next door neighbors just lost 1 of their dogs and the other one is sick, so she took her dog in and got the vaccine. Kennel cough is scary stuff!

**cab54** · 08-31-2007, 08:12 AM

Well, I have to say that after only 3 doses of antibiotics, he IS doing better. No cooughing all night and he is calm and resting this AM. I think the steroids he was already on were holding the inflammatory part of the disease at bay enough (congestion in lungs and higher fever), that we weren't as clue-d in.

Poor guy. Plus we've been getting our affairs in order here at home so we could go up to the cabin for 10 weeks (dh retires today!! Yay!!

) It's amazing how much has to be handled before you can get away for that long!

Thanks all of you who commiserated with me about my puppy. He is a sweet old Yellow Lab and my only son who's still home. He'll be OK eventually, I just mainly wanted to warn everyone that the vaccine isn't 'all that'.

**Sari** · 08-31-2007, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by cab54

I just mainly wanted to warn everyone that the vaccine isn't 'all that'.

I'm glad your dog is getting better, but even if the vaccine isn't 100%, it will make the "infection" less severe and help the dog get over it quicker. I wouldn't want someone to read your post and think "Well she said it didn't work so I'm not getting my dog vaccinated."

**QuadSquadMom** · 08-31-2007, 03:41 PM

We have 4 (see sig.) who get bordatella vaccine each year. When they were all babies getting their first dose (by shot), only Duke got kennel cough symptoms (the day after!). He needed treatment by antibiotics. I remember our Vet saying something about how the vaccine itself can cause a less-severe version of the KC in some dogs, but the full blown thing is far more serious. Since ours get to the park, dog-friendly stores, the occasional trip to a dog park and 2 go to groomers, we need to keep up the vaccine.

Since then, they all get the nasal rather than the shot variety of vaccine. No problems since. That was 2001.

I hope your boy is feeling better! Have a great vacation! Congrats to your DH on his retirement!

**cab54** · 09-01-2007, 08:53 PM

OH! You're right, Sari !! It IS important to get the vaccine, it covers the strains that are going around at that time. My doggie just managed to get another strain, and I didn't even KNOW there was more than one.

My post should say 'Get the vaccine, but be aware of coughing.'

**MTS04** · 09-10-2007, 02:12 AM

I am just seeing this now. So sorry you had a bought of kennel cough. Being that I have pet greyhounds, I am so familiar with it, since Massachusetts went through kennel cough hell at the racetracks. One thing that we did learn, is that the bordatella vaccine should be given every 6 months if you board or go to play groups and such, since it has a short efficacy.
so glad you caught it in time. Hope everything is well now.