Kennel Cough 😩

[EllieBeast]

Poor Erik, it looks like he’s succumbed to the dreaded Kennel cough. It seems most likely he’s picked it up at his disobedience class 10 days ago- as a friends pup who was also there has it too. I’ve let the lady that runs the class know.

I’m shocked at how quickly it’s taken hold, we were doing some retrieving last night- over the biggest distances yet and he was like a steam train and wasn’t struggling at all. Then this morning, full on KC!

He’s happy enough in himself, still eating. I’m trying to keep him as quiet at possible and have been out to get some manuka honey and salt free broth to encourage him to drink plenty.

It’s a real shame as it means Ivy has to miss our first shoot day next Saturday as, of course, we’ll quarantine all 3.

Does anyone have any hints or tips for how to make him as comfortable as possible? Poor (not so) little pup

 

[Sandstone1]

Some childs cough mixture may help as well as honey in warm water.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I always use children's Benylin.

 

[Sandstone1]

I always use children's Benylin.

Yes, thats what I have used.

 

[EllieBeast]

Fabulous thanks guys! None of my dogs have ever had it before so this is totally new to me! Any particular one? I hadn’t realised there were so many!

 

[Sandstone1]

Ive just used childs chesty cough mixture. Think its cherry flavour.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Kids Benilyn, honey, echinacea.

I rinse all bowls/toys etc in boiling water and am quite diligent about washing bedding and my own clothes I've been wearing around them to prevent spread.

 

[EllieBeast]

Thankyou CC, cross infection control is a massive part of my day job so should have that squared away.

Biggest challenge at the moment is convincing a 10 month old pup that he needs to rest

 

[CorvusCorax]

Yep, it's one of those things that can lie dormant on inanimate objects and fire up again if temperatures are mild so I have been seen going round the garden with a kettle in one hand and a skooshy bottle in the other

 

[EllieBeast]

Yep, it's one of those things that can lie dormant on inanimate objects and fire up again if temperatures are mild so I have been seen going round the garden with a kettle in one hand and a skooshy bottle in the other

Hopefully the predicted cold snap should help! Otherwise I shall be following your example

 

[meesha]

My border collie had it years ago, horrible cough but seemed ok In himself and it went quite quickly. Can't remember treating with anything as apart from the cough he seemed fine.

Fingers crossed it doesn't spread to the others. That's alot of coughing !!!

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Mitch had it some weeks ago. We panicked, because when Zak started coughing, blood soon followed and then we got the cancer diagnosis. Thankfully, he was past the infectious stage and the vet was very understanding. Goose then had a very mild version, Bear didn’t succumb. Hope your boy is better soon.

 

[EllieBeast]

Thanks guys, keeping everything crossed it doesn’t spread to everyone.

I’m hoping the girls have a more established immune system, so should be ok if they do get it- and although the Damnation is now 11yrs old, I’d challenge anyone that calls her ‘elderly’

Lighting the log burner has been the best thing yet for sending the boy to sleep and keeping him quiet

 

[Clodagh]

I don’t get mine inoculated for it. Got me thinking now!

 

[CorvusCorax]

The vaccine only covers a certain number of the multiple strains. Mine still got it off each other despite being separated.

 

[EllieBeast]

I don’t get mine inoculated for it. Got me thinking now!

Me and my husband are debating it now, we’ve never had a dog with KC before.

We used to vaccinate the girls for it but stopped at the last cycle as our vet felt it wasn’t worth it as it only covers for certain strains- like the human seasonal flu jab. They also aren’t often in close contact with lots of other dogs, anything shoot related is outside and we tend to travel them around in our own transport rather than a gun bus.

The pup, however has been going to shows, ringcraft, disobedience classes etc which are all indoors and very dog heavy. It’s definitely made us rethink!

 

[skinnydipper]

Kennel cough is a live vaccine and following vaccination dogs can shed the disease for weeks.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

As mentioned, there are loads of different strains, so while a kennel might require it, it's pretty pointless cos they could easily pick up another strain that the vaccine wasn't for.