my dog has kennel cough

So my puppy has been in daycare a few times and he's having a good time...but the other day he was coughing when we were on a walk...he did it again when we ran out to get the mail. I've never heard him do that before, so I looked up Kennel Cough on youtube. Sounds exactly what my dog sounds like.

I called the vet and he has to go in for his second canine influenza vaccine on Tuesday. They said to give him baby Robitussin and keep him resting all weekend, ice in his water to soothe his throat, and keep him away from other dogs. Poor guy.

I was going to bringhim to my b/f's house tomorrow but I cancelled those plans - I was doing some reading and see that kennel cough can be contagious to cats. My b/f has a cat. Is this true? I called the vet, but they aren't open on Saturdays.

I also don't know how long he is contagious for. I was going to bring him to my parent's house next weekend for a play date (thye have 3 dogs). I'd hate for them to get sick too. The websites say dogs can be contagious for anywhere up to 2-3 weeks.

Suggestions on how I can make him more comfy, too?

kennel cough...yup.

you'll know when he is better.

you get him the bordatella shots before he goes to daycare (most places require it) & he still gets it...it's like a human flue shot..strain A is what the shot covers but if strain B is what is going around then the shot doesn't work.

keep him away from other dogs for like 2 weeks. robitussin works.

ice in water is never a good idea. it can cause bloat (think ice cream headache)...which is when your dog's stomach flips & is a life threatening condition. also dogs pick out the cubs & crunch them...& break teeth. ice water even on mega hot days..never never never. dogs don't cool off like people do.

let the day care know asap. they hopefully will step up their cleaning procedures. this is a common thing...happens when dogs get together..parks, day cares etc..but especially in closed areas.

if he should have problems you can also give him a benadryl or take him into the bathroom & sit with him as the shower run hot..kind of like a walk in vaporizer.

good luck. happens to everyone.

me personally i do not give my guys the bordatella shots as i do not board them. they go to the park every day & are with other dogs & i foster . i believe i have had 1 dog of mine get kennel cough from a foster in 8 years but he had health issues of his own prior to that (cardiac). i also do not give the lyme vaccine. these are just my choices.

I'm sorry to hear he is sick and hope he recovers soon. Please keep him home right now away from other animals not only for their protection and to prevent infection, but to minimize the stress on his body to help him heal.

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/kennel-cough-in-dogs
http://www.kennelcoughindogs.com/

With boarding and daycare, the vet has recommended the Bordetella vaccination and most daycares will require it as well. It can be given as a nasal mist or as an intramuscular injection. I will vaccinate all of mine now with this, especially after losing one to complications when it turned to pneumonia. If he has not not had it, it might be something to consider once he heals if going to continue with daycare or in going to many places with other dogs such as parks.

So as Stumpy mentioned a vaporizor or steam can be really helpful to ease the congestion, along with some of the other suggestions in the articles.

Wishing for a speedy recovery. Hang in there.

Thanks guys. Yes, I plan to keep him home. I didn't know if cats could get it too??

He actually did get the Bordatella shot (through the nose) a few weeks before I took him to the doggie daycare. I hate giving him a ton of vaccinations but it's required for the daycare. I gave him the canine influenza too, just in case.

He's reasting nice today and I havne't walked or played with him too much. I also have the humidifer on. Fingers crossed Calling the day daycare tomorrow when they open to let them know.

It depends on the strain; it could be contagious causing symptoms in cats and in humans as well. The only way to tell is to do a swab at the back of the throat and have it cultured. It is best to keep animals away and if not possible, animals or not, cleaning surfaces can help prevent the spread or reinfection.

the vaccine will help prevent kennel cough to some extent but not always...depends on the strain going around...

usually it's not a big deal...like a doggie cold...you'll know if it turns into the flu...doggie snot everywhere...

don't know about cats..but better to be on the safe side..

it happens...usually everyone gets a dog with it once...be it from fosters, the park, day care what ever...it comes with the joy of dogs hanging around with others...kind of like kids at school..plus he just started day care...so he is new to the crud (like a kid starting school so to speak)...