Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:41 am Post subject: Kennel Cough Vaccine
Hello all
We received a letter from our vets at the weekend suggesting we make an appointment for Cooper to have the kennel cough vaccination.
This is because there has been an "outbreak" of kennel cough on the island.
All the training classes and shows have been postponed until the new year.
He does meet other dogs when we are out on walks, but is it a necessary vaccine do you think?
I mean if he does get KC, the vet's letter says it can be treated but is the infection itself really bad for Cooper (feeling poorly and complications wise).
There will be a cost for the vaccine and for the appointment, which to be honest I could do without at this time of year. Am I a bad mum???
Its completely up to you. But, I would just add that we had Fin vaccinated after he got KC when he was a pupster, and lo and behold he got KC again less than a year later.......
I have never used this vaccine, and consider it unnecessary, however some do use it. I have seen many dogs hit by KC although vaccinated because there are many different strains. It gives some a sense of security but I really wouldn't worry too much if you decide against it.
Its not a worrying condition in basically healthy dogs, except in very rare cases, i'm sure whether you have the vaccine or not, if he is going to get hit by KC, he will.
Its not hugely pleasantly administered either, up the nostrils, and that is just another reason I avoid it (its not just because i'm tight - grin).
Di
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The boys!
Read: Wylanbriar Dog Blog on the website: Updated! 1st February 12´!
Mine have it because the kennels insist, otherwise I don't think I would bother TBH, it doesn't cover all strains bit like the flu jab they predict which strain will be the most prevalent
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Vikki, Ruby, Henry & Hector xxx
I too received one of these letters from a certain Vet franchise in St Sampson. I'm in two minds about this because a few weeks ago, Maisy had a cough and I took her in to be on the safe side. I was offered little treatment in the form of a handful of antibiotics for the grand total of £75.00. My main concern is firstly Maisy's health and secondly having to keep an excited 7 month old pup at home for some length of time. Also feeling the Christmas Pinch!
Hopefully responsible dog owners will keep their infected dogs away from others eh!
So you're a Guern too
I also thought the vets were a bit slow on the uptake of this "outbreak"!! classes and shows have been cancelled for weeks!
(saying that i really like the vets there, and they have been great with Cooper)
Id like to think owners wouldnt risk infecting others (and have been advised by their vet also), but there is an incubation period where symptoms may not be obvious, so contagious dogs may seem fit and healthy (as Cooper does at the moment!?)
I hope Maisy is feeling better though.
7 Months eh! blimey, ull have your hands full keeping her calm.
I used to live in Guernsey and got 2 letters saying similar and all before Basil was 6months age.
I do think doggy heavy areas where you walk and training etc it would spread fast.....but it wasn't enough for me to vaccinate a healthy dog who should be able to recover fast if he had got it.
I think it's a bit of a money spinner tbh, I get similar marketting now from my vets (not in Guernsey)
I haven't bothered with the KC vaccine for my Lab after my Pointer had one at 6mths old and suddenly developed allergies. It could well of been a coincidence but I wasn't going to chance it.
Id like to think owners wouldnt risk infecting others (and have been advised by their vet also), but there is an incubation period where symptoms may not be obvious, so contagious dogs may seem fit and healthy (as Cooper does at the moment!?)
Not only is there an incubation period before any symptoms show, but there is a chance they can still shed the virus 3-6 months after all the symptoms have disappeared. Now unless you put every dog with it on house arrest for half a year, then this is going to spread no matter what you do.
Personally I look at KC as similar to the Common Cold in humans, as in it's only really dangerous to the immune suppressed. Other than that it's a bit of an inconvenience but it gives the dog's immune system a good workout, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I don't bother having mine vaccinated against it.
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