My 18 month old Irish Setter has had kennel cough for 9 days. He's generally ok in himself except he has refused breakfast yesterday and today. He does eat at tea time though. His cough is still dry, loud and quite violent but he has settled periods of 1-2 hours between episodes. Snotty nose in the mornings. So I'm thinking I still just wait it out. Any thoughts? My concern today is that my 11 year old also has now got a snotty nose although he isn't coughing. I'm inclined to think he might need some anti biotics but I don't want to jump the gun. I thought I would get some thoughts from you all before I ring the vet for a little chat about it all.

Dawn R.

Most KC is viral, so only the symptoms can be treated - it can't be cured.   It's of more concern in the young and the elderly and for this reason, vets will often prescribe a course of antibiotics, to help prevent it going to pneumonia.    I'm afraid it just has to take it's course - and those who have been vaccinated will tend to shake it off fast, as opposed to those who haven't been vaccinated.   Again, like the human flu, the virus can mutate.    We used Benelyn, childs' dose, for those badly affected.    You do know not to take an affected dog out off your property and if you need to see your vet - keep the patient OUT OF THE WAITING AREA!   Nothing empties a waiting area faster than a dog that's coughing!!

If it will help put your mind at rest, phone your vet, but be aware, he may need to see your dog and if he's into money, will charge for a course og ab. which may not be needed

Thanks Mamabas, I am aware of all the points you raise, I think I just needed to hear it from someone else as well. I think my main concern is the oldie. He's not the fittest 11 year old and I am worried he might be felled with it. I did actually ring my vet and we're there this afternoon with both boys. So we'll see what she thinks. Thanks again for your input. X

I hope your old boy is ok fingers crossed for him

The only dog I've ever owned that contracted canine infectious tracheobronchitis was one that had been given the "vaccine"& he had the worse symptoms my vet had ever seen, he was given the "vaccine" by his breeder as he was slightly over the normal age I get puppies at & his breeder was having the puppies he kept vaccinated so did mine as a "favour". Poor lad he was so very ill with it, the rest of my dogs never had any symptons at all not even my oldies & the puppy had mixed with them all.

I do use Echinacea Angustifolia to improve immune systems

Hi Dawn, I find that Manuka honey is very good for soothing dogs with kc. Asda sell a version that is only £6 and works well.

Thanks Tommee and Ali for those suggestions. Both boys seem improved this morning. They were both prescribed anti biotics yesterday when we saw the vet. The youngster had a temperature of 40 degrees so he's on anti inflamatories too. I know some will think it unnecessary but in the circumstances I'm relieved to have them on some support. Thanks everyone for listening. Xx

We are very concerned about our 8 week old darling puppy who came home from the breeders on Thursday with a bad case of kennel cough.  This breeder is part of champdogs and she didn't mention anything about the illness to us when we fetched our little girl.  I believe that this is SO SO wrong as she would have obviously known about this kennel cough before we picked her up.  We would not have refused her but feel that as she had got to the stage that she was it had obviously been going on for a few days and if the breeder cared anything about the dogs then surely she should have been checked and treated before the poor little dog got to the stage that she is in now.  She gets herself into such coughing fits.  We took her to the vet, on the morning after we fetched her from the breeder and she was put straight onto 2 courses of antibiotics.  How cruel is this for it to have been left until this stage..............  I am only glad that we have fetched her and she could now get some loving care to improve her health.................  I hate to think how she would be if she was still with this breeder................ I have not mentioned names  but feel that this breeder will know exactly who they are and I hope that they are ashamed of themselves ....... if they have any conscience they will be............

That's awful for you and pup.  At the very least I would ask the breeder to pick up the vet bill.  I would also be cautious about timing of puppy vacs with your poorly pup.  I wouldn't want to overload her system at this age.   Try not to let it spoil this wonderful new adventure you have with your new puppy.

> At the very least I would ask the breeder to pick up the vet bill.

SO WOULD I.   In fact when we had A LOAD of vet expenses with a buy in, from somebody I knew well and who had been in the breed for as long, if not longer, than us, I wrote and invited them to contribute to the large costs we had incurred.   They sent me £100. - better than nothing I suppose and maybe I could have taken him back, but he wasn't going back there, for sure.

Good advice re not doing puppy vaccination at the moment PROVIDED you don't put her on the ground ANYWHERE (especially in the vet's waiting area - where you shouldn't be if she has KC in any case) meantime.

I hope she recovers.   The ab treatment would only be to help prevent it going to pneumonia, not to cure this as most KC is the viral kind, and viruses cannot be cured.   You can only treat the symptoms but this is especially serious in the puppy and the elderly.   Poor baby - and you.

I’m so sorry to hear about your poor pup, it sounds as though the breeder may not have been responsible. Unfortunately although this site is great at minimising the amount of ‘bad’ breeders, imo no site can stop them completely. Have you managed to contact the breeder? And was there anything in the contract (if there was a contract) that stated what would happen if a vet checked the pup over and found her to not be in good health. I personally put in my contract that the new owner should see their own vet within 48hrs of picking up the pup and if the vet finds that the pup isn’t in fit health or has an underlying issue that me/my vet missed then I’d take the pup back and offer a full refund of the money or we’d come to an alternative arrangement. So far that has never happened, fortunately.
It does sound that it’s pretty severe, which in such a small pup it certainly can be, so I would be surprised if the breeder hadn’t noticed it but may be worth getting in touch with them anyway. It may be that for some reason they did miss it and may be very apologetic and offer to pay for the antibiotics?

K C Here is Lancashire also, my 8 month old has gone down with it, also battling Guirdia again after 2 clear results, it returns with vengance....

Thank you so much for all of your responses and concerns.  My little girl has had a tough afternoon with her coughing fits but she is still full of bounce and certainly not off of her food, which is a good sign!!  In regards to the breeder - I really cannot believe that anyone who claims to love dogs and have bred them for as long as they say that they have, can be so irresponsible in this case.  I have a follow up appointment with our vet tomorrow where we will see if she needs any further treatments.  It just breaks our hearts that our little 8 week old puppy is already having antibiotics put into her little body.  We are however also giving her some honey to try and soothe her throat and cough.  If anyone has any further suggestions to help our little Cassandra, it would be greatly appreciated.  When we fetched Cassandra, and discovered her cough on our way home, we promptly phoned the breeder and was told not to worry - it was just the stress of leaving her mother and siblings that was causing this.............

When you see your vet ask what they might recommend as a probiotic or supplement to help counter the after effects of antibiotics.   Glad to hear that the puppy seems to be doing ok.

> not to worry - it was just the stress of leaving her mother and siblings that was causing this.............

BS!!   Moving to new surroundings won't have helped, but I'd suggest the puppy was allowed to leave, WITH KC!!   It's a pity re the antibiotics, but more and more vets are prescribing this, again to help prevent it developing into pneumonia, not to cure the KC.   Most good dog food contains probiotics, but nothing is better really than good old plain yoghurt - if possible goats yog at that.   Just to keep your costs down!

Again I hope you keep her strictly quarantined and just carry her into your vet's examination room when he's ready to see you.   It is extremely contageous.

I would be calling the breeder back and explaining that you went straight to the vets who confirmed kennel cough. She needs to be aware because of the rest of the litter and her own dogs. I would suggest that you mention a contribution to the vets fees at least.
You can have all the vets notes to send if the breeder is not accepting this. A vet wouldn't put such a young baby on ab's for no good reason.
Please don't start vaccinations until this is fully clear, a good vet wouldn't vaccinate an ill dog let alone an ill puppy.

It is possible the pup had KC vaccine before leaving the breeders which can cause a KC as a side effect in some unfortunately.  Just wondered if this was the case and how recently the pup had vaccines before leaving the breeder.
The breeder definitely needs to know as suejaw says and I agree no further vaccines untill pup is totally well. Also don't start the whole programme again .only one will be needed if given later .vet will have the data sheets to give you the correct information

My boy is on Manuka honey and has helped him no end. Also Benylin only giving him at night time as he is worse then....hope your little one is feeling better soon...

Hi Dawn,

Well my poor girl caught Kennel Cough from a show she went to in Wales.

I was so worried about her when I noticed she started gagging and coughing like she had something stuck in her throat - until we found out it was Kennel Cough.

She soon recovered (4 weeks of being kept in the house!!) all her toys,bedding and dog bowls where thoroughly cleaned.

Thanks Beau Bute, Connor is fine now and I'm glad that episode is over. X