Hello
I took my 11 month old Rottie to the vets this morning as he was retching occasionally.  He is a serial chewer so thought maybe he had something stuck.  Vet diagnosed either a sore throat due to swallowing something sharp or unusual presenting Kennel cough ( she said unusual as he didn't react to the pinch test ).
He has been prescribed antibiotics and a liquid painkiller and seems fine in himself if slightly quieter than usual, although I think that is more due to him enjoying all the attention!
My question is could he catch Kennel Cough without coming into contact with an infected dog?
Also, thinking about getting him vaccinated against KC, if this is what he has is he now immune or would you recommend getting it done?
Thanks in advance :)

Kennel cough is like the common cold & has lots of different kinds. Personally I think its pretty much pointless jabbing against it.
You wouldnt know if he came into contact or not with other dogs who have it. When showing we sign a declaration to say we believe our dog not to have a contagious disease (of which KC is one) within the last 21 days. Therefore your dog(or others) can pass it on for this length of time.
Lots of folk(joe public mainly) dont know their dog have KC & carry on walking them regardless, this allows the bugs to be caught by other dogs & so the cycle carries on.

Last year I had to have my Patt jabbed against KC because she was going into Newmarket referrals for an op, however this year when I was asked if I wanted an annual booster I declined as I have never had a problem with KC. I prefer not to vaccinate unless it is a life threatening condition and even though some dogs suffer badly from KC, most do not and a dose of ABs clears it away.
Just my opinion however so each must make their own decision.

kennel cough vaccine is given up the nose not jabbed and even though it offers some protection it can't guarantee to stop the dog getting kennel cough but will hopefully reduce the symptoms.
Like human flu there are many strains of kennel cough and the vaccine is altered slightly each year to combat the most prevelant strain doing the rounds for that year just as the human flu vaccine is.
Not all dogs show the same symptoms when infected,the majority do cough as if trying to remove something from their throat but others simply sneeze or retch up a small amount of froth