Is it possible for a dog to be a carrier of kennel cough but show no symptoms and only infect some dogs? This is quite a confusing tale so please try to follow it

One of the dogs that plays with my two is alleged to be a carrier of kennel cough by a vet - but not her own vet.  She is dog R but D's vet thinks R is a carrier even though she has shown no symptoms and hasn't given it to either of my dogs.  P who also plays with them has got kennel cough but has never met D.  Confused yet?

D doesn't live near us but has been visiting R twice recently and both times has developed kennel cough even though R never had it.  D's vet says it must be transmitted through close contact e.g. nose to nose but R's vet says it can be picked up from the ground or the air etc.  I have no idea who is correct but have a feeling it does not need to be touching contact.

Can anyone shed a bit of light on this.  FWIW I have been using benylin as a preventative measure on occassion recently, R, D and P have not used benylin although R has been on antibiotics on and off for the last month due to a stomach complaint.

Wish I could answer this, .. but hopefully will be able to do just that, this time next week,.. I am attending a 'Canine Infectious Bronchitis (formerly called Kennel Cough) Seminar next Wednesday, run by Intervet Schering-Plough.. the seminar is about the challenge and its control..

A few weeks ago, we also had Kennel cough, of sorts,  2 youngers gave occassional hacks, the, then 3 weeks old pups hacked only when pinched, but sniffled occassionally, none of my adults got it, but one boy was blowing bubbles, (trust the boy to get man flu lol) absently, when wiping his nose, I said 'blow' (blush) lol

I know Intervet are holding these seminars across the UK.. so there may be one in your area shortly.  Attendance is by invitation from your vet..

Digressing a little.. Invitation is by RSVP, which I have done, and going alone, but I am allowed to take 2 people with me.. if anyone would like to join me.. PM me, I need to RSVP any extra attendees

sorry, another thought, are you sure its Kennel Cough, coughing can be a symptom of a heart problem

Hi Kay I will check with my vet to see if the seminars are running anywhere near here.  It definitely appears to be kennel cough rather than any heart probs with the infected dogs although I haven't been to the vets with any of them as none of the infected dogs are mine.  I would be interested to hear how you get on with the seminar.