Meg started gagging this morning - disturbed me at 6 and came down to see her throw up a small amount from her stomach.  It sounds as if she has something in her throat.  She has continued off and on all day leaving small puddles of bile.  She has been drinking.  When I walked her this morning she only did it once and was quite happy to run around off lead with no ill effect.  Should I give her her food tonight?  She is due for her worming tablets but I won't give her them until she is settled.

could it be kennel cough? that often sounds like the dog is trying to cough something out of throat, and often they will vomit with the effort? Otherwise could she have eaten something that has scratched her throat? i would feed her if she wants food, if kibble maybe pre soak it or offer some soft bland food such as chicken and rice? hope she feels better.

she has had the anti-kennel cough vaccine though I know it can't prevent all strains.  There are an awful lot of dogs in this area.  Doesn't sound like a cough though.  Will keep it in mind and not take her out amongst other dogs tonight.

often it doesnt, i work as a veterinary nurse, and when people phone up they usually always describe it as retching, most will say they think their dog has something stuck in throat. Maybe phone your local vet and see if theres an outbreak in your area. If she has any vomiting or diarrhoea take her to be checked over. If it is KC it will run its course and most dogs dont require anything more than some childrens cough medicine, eg benylin. However, if dogs are young, old or immuno supressed i would maybe see about antibiotics to prevent any secondary infections.

I have just come though all my dogs going down with kennel cough after bring home a new pup. Nightmare! Let us know if you find out. Lois

Thought after coming off computer earlier - she was in kennels a week ago for the weekend - just in time to catch it!!  She has eaten her food with her usual relish so nothing stuck in her throat.  A week is about the incubation time isn't it?

yeah a week is about right, can be anywhere between 3-10 days. Maybe phone the kennels and enquire as to whether anyone else has had it? i would keep her away from all other dogs and popular areas whilst she is coughing and at least a week after she stops. Its a horrible thing, my pup had it at 14 weeks, absolute nightmare!

Yes they say, about 6 - 11 days. Your poor girl.

When you look at their little faces with runny noses n all you just want them better, a snug throw on the sofa does the trick,i gave my lot a cough mixture to help them a long, my boy went down with it first and he had the cough and other symptons for about 10 days, but my 15 month old only had the cough for a few days. A tip is that he they won't take the mixture mixed in with food or lick it off a plate then to soak a small picece of bread in the desired amount and then wrap in up in a bit of ham/bacon it is really messy but worked really well for my bunch!

Keep us updated. Lois

She coughed a bit this morning but seems to have stopped now.  She is not being sick any longer but it looked like a bit of phlegm when she coughed this morning.  However no runny nose - eyes and nose as clean as normal.  Trouble is once they have had the vaccine it means that they don't get the full blown thing but can still pass it on to others.  So if she doesn't cough again today does it mean I should wait a week from today?  She was only coughing when she jumped up and got excited - ie started barking then coughed.  She was shaking her head as well.  Does this still sound like kennel cough?

dogs get it to varying degrees, some only cough slightly for day or two, some get it full blown, vomiting etc. my pup only retched several times a day for 3-4 days, was fit and healthy otherwise. the vaccine only protects against several strains. it does sound like kennel cough, if your worried get her checked by your vet, but remember phone ahead and warn them you think it may be kennel cough. most dogs only cough when excoted, ie after waking in the morning or going out for a walk. i would wait at least a week after she last shows ANY signs, its so infectious and once in area can take ages to get rid of it.

phoned the kennels - asked if there had been any other reports to support the diagnosis!!  I was told that a dog that came in on the day I collected mine was showing signs of something.  Not sure if he was inferring that my dog was the one who introduced it!  Seeing that she hasn't developed anything until yesterday I doubt that.   I phoned the vet because he suggested antibiotics and they said to take her in for a check-up.  Will give it a few days for that - she does not seem ill really and I dislike antibiotics for nothing.  I have to walk her though - how do I avoid other dogs - she is not sneezing or coughing when out.  Can she still pass it on even though she is not in direct contact.  I can't keep her in the garden for however long it takes.  We have so many dogs around here.  

She is not being sick any longer but it looked like a bit of phlegm when she coughed this morning.

I must say this does sound like kennel cough to me! But i am no vet just going on what i went through with my bunch! Lois

Have done a search and read several articles - everything points to kennel cough and from what I see I can't take her into company of other dogs for 7-10 days clear of coughing.  So that has put paid to my 2 last classes of my agility - what bad luck.  Will have to wait until Oct now.  Read on one of the articles that young children should be kept clear of kennel cough - too late I am afraid - my 10 month old grandson has been here most of the afternoon.  I really didn't think Kennel cough could affect humans. He wasn't 100% himself either - he is full of cold too.   Any thoughts?

Hi Ceejay, Thats a new one on me, i have not heard of this before! Maybe someone else can shed some light?

Thats a shame about your agility classes! :-( Hope your baby is feeling better soon, it really is not nice seeing them poorly.

I have a stinking cold. The guy on the rsdio has(And I deffinatly havnt been near him!!!)
And Sam my 9yo boy had hd bad nose bleeds that I will guess is the start of a cold.
so what I am trying to saym there are alot of colds going around, and as I know it is not connected to KC!!! more likely they have caught it from a show or another dog at ring craft :)
Hope yours improves soon :)
Lea :)

Hi ceejay,

sorry about your girl, hopefully she'll be over the worst symptoms soon and at least you're aware of the need to keep her isolated from other dogs and doggy areas.  Remember dogs suffering with KC should have minimal exercise and preferably no excitement - they need to be kept rested and calm.

I'm with Lea on the situation with your grandson's cold - it sounds pretty much the norm for most folks right now and much more likely than exposure to KC :)
AFAIK kennel cough is not transmitted to humans, regardless of age just as our common cold and flu viruses are not transmitted to our dogs

Best wishes,
Teri :)

Luckily she is just a bit quieter in herself but not looking too ill.  Thanks.  Only 2 coughs so far today.  I didn't think she had passed on anything to my grandson - just that he was not in good health.  Here is the article that I saw http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1611&articleid=452.