Hi
can anyone give any advice on kennel cough .
Gus had the spray the week after his last jab ( at 12 weeks) . Will he need another six months from this date ?
We are hoping to show and he goes to training classes so obviously he will come into contact with lots of dogs .
Lel
By the way does Kennel cough tend to be seasonal ?

It tends to be spread where dogs are in close company such as boarding kennels, hence Kennel Cough, so often appears around the time when people are off for their holidays.

So saying, I have never given my dogs the spray, (For that matter I never have the Flu jab! ;) ) Natural immunity will build up given time and I'm afraid that with the sprays we are not allowing this to happen.

Regards, John

Thanks John
when we asked the vet about it he said " Oh I'd recommend it as if you are taking him to training classes with lots of dogs etc he has a good chance of catching it " . As he was only little I think thats why we opted for it .
I know vets just like to get you to shell out pennies sometimes
He's 5 months now and just wondering whether to "renew" it so to speak
Lel
Do many poeple in the show world bother ?

I've never treated mine against it, and, touch wood, they've never had it.

Thanks JeanGenie
when they are little i think you sometimes worry too much - just like with the kids
:)
Lel

hi lel,
as john has said, dogs build up there own imunity,as with some vacines they are live and like with human vac somtimes you can get a mild form of what ever you are vaccinating against, there are also different strains of kennel cough, if it is mild with snuffles and a bit of a cough, benalin childrens or adults for dry coughs will help relieve the symtomsand it's like our colds will pass in two to three weeks, the incubation time is about two weeks prior to the symtoms, if you have a young pup or elderly dog always seek the advice of a vet if the dog is off there food etc, regards tina

Almost all dogs get Kennel Cough at some time or other. The danger time is with the very young and very old. I guess as an old fella I just like to see the natural immune system doing it's job and am a little concerned that too much in the way of vaccines could impaire it's function. We live in such sterile conditions these days that I'm afraid we are wide open to infections.

Being involved with a dog club, I, along with most people in a similar position, get to hear of outbreaks and pass the info on to the members so to a certain extent dog club members tend to be better informed than most dog owner!

Regards, John

Thanks John
I think at the time as well the vet said it was going around in the area which we live
Lel

We NEVER insist on a kennel cough vaccine in the boarding kennels. There are many types of kennel cough. One type "parainfluenza" is incorperated in the annual vaccinations, "bordatella" is the 6 monthly one up the dogs nose. They are NOT 100% successfull which is why we do not insist on it. Its also interesting to know that insurers (commercial) do not insist on kennel cough vaccines either, considering dogs are all together and the risk can be high, yet they DO insist on the annual vaccinations, but Parvo and Distemper seem hardly likely in a lisensed property boarding peoples much loved pets.
Dawn.

We've noticed that most boarding kennels do ask for dogs to be vaccinated against kennel cough, even though the vaccine is relatively inadequate. I think the reasoning behind it is that although it isnt a perfect vaccine, it gives at least some cover, and less and less people are happy to say that they'd prefer to let a dog's natural immunity to build up - theyre even less likely to believe that theory if their dog gets poorly with kennel cough in a boarding kennel and they come back from sunny Spain with a massive vets bill *lol* I wouldnt use the vaccine, mainly because it gives so little cover and unless your dog is very young or very old, it's a relatively mild illness.

hi went to boots to get the new skin for wispa tail and the chemlist said it has been withdrawn from the self from the manufactors,did you know that.

Thats news to me Terri, The last time I brought any was about 3 weeks ago from my local chemist. This is only a small place without the turnover of Boots so maybe they have not heard. I'll call in there as soon as I can and ask them if they have heard anything. I'll post again when i've seen them.

Regards, John

Not on the subject. But when is his first show lel?

His brother is going to East Mids Show at Melton Mowbray but i think it is too far to take him for his first .
I think there is a mixed terrier show in Stafford way in may - but as yet - still undecided
Have you any plans ??
Lel

No not firm ones but I may try as it sounds like you are a few mixed shows first. Just to get me used to it, I think the pup will be fine if she stops licking the judge long enough. She just loves everyone and everything, but I must say I prefer her this way to being scared or shy.

Anyhow my breeder suggest's we go to the two championship shows in July!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Me and Sal I'm quaking already, 18th and 19th July. He said he will be there and will guide me around. Guide me I think I'll need carrying championship shows I hope he knows what he's doing (only joking C)

Did Sal have Kennel cough innoc/spray
I will let you guide me Karen - through the showing circles
I cant believe my little fella is nearly that age.
How is Sal ?
Lesley

Hiya...

Just a quick post...

We had a big outbreak of kennel cough around where I live (west wales) last year....we have a lot of breeders, and kennels within a couple of miles.

My dogs have not had the spray....and they were amongst the few who didn't get kennel cough.

Lisa

food for thought then
Lel

No no kennel; cough jab. To be honest I didn't know they exsisted.

I am no expert in showing I thought you were guiding me. Lol

No honest I am moving forward slowly and with a little thoughlike I'd rather go to a mixed show because I think a room full of hyped up Staffords may be too much just yet.
Sal is doing fine apart from wanting to kiss everyone and everything, when we are out. She is walking okay most of the time (fingers crossed) other than when she see's homeless/dogless/unattended sticks!!!

She is starting to fill out slightly as well I think. And doesn't run back in the house when the three German sheppards over the road bark, now she stands with her head on one side and weighs up what they are barking at I think.

Although she does bark at the door and if anyone touches the back or side gate. Not to bad for 18 weeks.and we haven't encourgaged her to do that either.