does anyone no how long kennel cough lasts for

1 to 2 weeks is normal providing no secondary infection occurs.  The dog should be cough free for 7 days before he can be regarded as non infectious.

she had it now coming up to 3 weeks

Some dogs must go over the average but you might want to check with your vet that she has not developed a secondary respiratory infection that may require antibiotic treatment. 

Our Kayla had it for just over a week and Ido was coughing for about 5 days in all. I'd say 1-2 weeks is 'normal', any more and personally I would go back to the vet, esp. if it was not seeming to get better, is she on any meds from the vet, such as anti-biotics, would you say the cough is easing, getting worse, or just the same? :)

Hi Isabel/Emily - is it best to get antiobiotics straight away?  I read about Benylin - what dosage should you give?  Is there an incubation period - I assume I should avoid dogs during this period?

I have 4 dogs two of which seem to have it - one is coughing the other has a snotty nose - will the others definitely get it - Max has been on antiobiotics for a tail infection - do you think he may be lucky and avoid it.

Is a snotty nose a sympton or is this a secondary infection?

The others seem fit and lively so seem happy just snotty and coughing.

Sorry to ask so many question and you may not have the answers.

I'm at the vets tomorrow anyway (Max's tail) and will ring them later to let them know we are infected so can ask all my questions then if you aren't able to help.

Many Thanks

Rachel

Kennel cough itself is a virus and therefore antibiotics has no effect whatsoever.  Only if a secondary infection develops are they of use.  I don't believe in using antibiotics willynilly as every use is a tiny step forward for the bacteria to develop resistance.  The slower that process is the better chance of our scientists keeping ahead with developing new antibiotics to counter this.  I therefore believe they should only be used if an infection has been confirmed by culture or strongly suspected from clinical examination.
Your vet should be able to determine if a secondary infection has occured but please keep your dog in the car until you have spoken to him, he may come out to the car to examine him or he may have another entrance to the surgery avoiding the waiting area.  As I said, my understanding is they are treated as infectious for 7 days after coughing has stopped.
I give mine paediactric Benylin, adjusting the dose to match a similar sized child, this does not cure anything but does seem to relieve their symptoms and perhaps if they are not coughing as much the throat will not become so raw that bacteria can get in and cause an infection but I am just speculating there.

Thanks very much for replying - I to don't like antiobiotics for no purpose.  Realise we need to stay out of the vets and avoid other dogs until clear of it!  I'm having a nightmare of a time recently with my boys - feel like it's just one thing after another - they are all so lovely though I forgive them!!

Gave our Boxer Benylin - he only coughed for about a week.  However, for a few days after he went out to the kitchen stood looking up at the medicine cupboard and 'coughed' !  All this just because he LURVES benylin and wanted sooo much more :)

Charlie doesn't seem quite as keen on the stuff but who knows maybe he will grow to like it!  It's just like the kids bribery to take the yukky medicine!

Will my other dogs be contagious?  even if they aren't coughing?

Rachel

No dog that has been in contact with another dog that has KC should be allowed to mix with others until 21 days have passed from the date of your last cough so to speak.  Remember incubation periods have sub clinical signs

thanks for that tohme - think I now know where we picked it up from!!

I thought there must be an incubation period.

I have not had much luck on anything lately - want something nice to happen!

I have read that the infectious period can be up to 21 days but I have never heard that it was 21 days beyond the last obvious clinical signs.  However when you Google the subject the infectious period doesn't seem to be very clearly defined so I would be grateful for any reference you can offer on that for my own interest.

i dont suppose people can get it?...cough cough cough.

I don't know about you but not spent many nights or days living in a kennel!  Although I guess with 4 dogs my house could be classed as one!!!  But I know what you mean dogs, kids and husband coughing and spluttering - maybe the dogs wanted to get some sympathy too.  Nobody gives me any mind you!!

No we've got plenty of viruses of our own to plague us this time of year :)  However during my Googling I did learn that it can be passed to rabbits, guinea pigs and pigs so there you go.

my dogs seem to have escaped,but im coughing like a good un,i sound abit KCy & i think im addicted to benelyn :(

Lot of it going round - I actually haven't been ill for ages, have nursed OH, kids and dogs through all sorts so I though it only fair that I had a dose of something :)  - anyway, got the most awful cold last week and have been barking better than my dogs for the past four days, unlike Dylan the boxer I detest Benylin so it's been a case of a quick swig of benylin followed by a large swig of red wine - doesn't seem to be working but I sure do have a huge grin on my face all day long :D