My youngest Lab has the dreaded KC :-(

My older dogs had it 2 years ago, they were all so easily entertained that keeping them in wasn't a problem.

What are the 'rules' about exercising. Obviously not the local park or anywhere he will have contact with dogs, but what about road walking? As it's air borne, even letting him out in the garden is technically a risk for local dogs, but keeping him in entirely is out of the question. This one is a live wire so life could become hard with no walks!

Thanks,

Clare

Really he should not be in any public place - he will spread it and exercise slows down recovery. I think you need to do lots and lots of find the hidden treat games with him in the house!!

Thanks, I thought that was probably the case. I just wanted to check in case I was missing something that could make life easier!

No, sorry, it is a real pain, especially with young bouncy dogs. BUT, hopefully he will be immune to this strain next year!

It is airborne but still requires contact with other dogs to spread.  Their nasal and respiratory secretions are infectious to other dogs and are usually passed via coughing, sneezing or other direct contact.  The uninfected dog will need to inhale airborne droplets and it's very rare for infections like this to be passed on inanimate objects.  So even if I walked my dogs in the same place as you, my dog is highly unlikely to catch KC from your dog.  Now licking and sniffing on the other hand... !

You can still walk your dog, away from others, and a certain amount of fresh air will be good for him BUT take care not to do too much.  As with any respiratory infection it can make dogs a little short of breath or uncomfortable with too much exertion.  A bit of rest and he should get over it quite quickly :)

Thanks DaB, how long do the airborn droplets survive? And can it be passed on from the owners clothing ?

> how long do the airborn droplets survive?

Not sure, but my understanding is that they fall to the ground and are less likely to be passed on due to inaccessibility as much as deterioration.  (Might need to check that)

Most commonly dogs become infected if they inhale the respiratory secretions of a dog infected with kennel cough - coughing, sneezing and watery discharges all shed replicated infectious disease particles into the environment and, consequently, the disease spreads and infects new hosts.

Dogs can also ingest respiratory secretions contaminated with infective virus and bacterial particles. Such inadvertent consumption of infectious disease particles can occur if your pet eats or drinks out of (apparently clean) feeding dishes and water bowls that have been contaminated by a sick dog's respiratory secretions (e.g. nasal discharges).

> And can it be passed on from the owners clothing ?

It is possible for dogs to ingest infectious viral and bacterial particles when they lick the shoes, hands or clothes of a human that has been in hands-on contact with an infected animal. Dogs that sniff and lick hands and clothes can leave infectious secretions (e.g. snotty discharges) behind on those hands and clothes. They might even sneeze or cough on those hands and clothes, coating them with infectious aerosols.

If you have dogs living in close proximity to one another then you really ought to expect transfer - it would be be extremely difficult to isolate an infectious dog in a normal home.  However you can apply good hygiene - such as that used when you or others have colds.  Keep surfaces clean, wash bedding regularly, don't allow your dogs to eat or drink from each others bowls, wash door handles, wash hands regularly etc

Thank you.

Thank you dogs a babe, that is good to know.  We live in a suburban housing estate, so pavement dog-traffic is still quite high.  I am worried that we'll spread it and everyone will know where it's come from!  I'm going to keep him in for a few days because he's actually feeling pretty rotten from what I can tell (he's been quite calm!!!), and maybe have a gentle stroll at an off peak dog walking time in a few days.  It's very inconvenient :-(  Last time my dogs had it I wasn't attending any shows, but this time we have millions booked - I intended to use the Christmas holidays to their full potential!  Typical! 

It's definitely a major pain...poor Eddie, hope he is able to manage his tea and keep drinking. I've got two down and one seemingly completely immune, and they're all staying in unless they are in the yard for a few minutes. The weather is so hideous anyway they are happy to snuggle in their fleeces and nap on the bed. I've been trying to keep their spirits up with little treats here and there.

I know what you mean thinking everyone will know you are the pariah that brought the curse of kennel cough to their door. My biggest relief was that we hadn't gone to Bean's lesson last week because of bad weather, otherwise the LKA results might have been a bit different...!

As far as I am concerned it is strictly confined to barracks until all symptoms are gone.

Unfortunately it would seem many people do not which is why it spreads.

> until all symptoms are gone
> which is why it spreads

One of the problems is that a dog can be infectious well before showing clinical signs of KC.

Some dogs shouldn't be exercised at all during KC because getting excited or moving around elicits coughing. Its best to keep them calm. I was always told to avoid walking in areas where other dogs would go and would prefer dogs with KC to stay at home.

Thanks all, I've chosen to keep him in, with just some time in the garden.  He is coughing when he gets excited, so not a good idea to have him out.  Barbara, when you say 'until all symptoms are gone', do you walk, go to shows etc as normal once the coughing has stopped?  I've heard such varying reports of how long to keep them in, even after the symptoms are gone.  My old training club wouldn't let me go back last time until 28 days after the coughing had stopped!!  A little OTT perhaps.  But then my vet at the time said 3 days after coughing stops which may have been a bit premature.   

Well with shows it says not in contact with a contagious disease for 21 days. 

I would be lead walking (roads not the park) once symptoms gone.

Thanks :-)