[RachelW]

It seems as though Maddie has contracted kennel cough. I was out of town for the weekend and boarded her at PetSmart. I have had nothing but good experiences with them when I've taken her for day camp - usually once a week, sometimes not at all - just depends on my schedule and finances at that time.

However, she was there from Friday until Monday afternoon. I got home Sunday but was asked to cater a superbowl party and was there much later than I planned, so I just picked her up around noon Monday. I got her home Monday and she slept pretty much the rest of the day. This is normal for her after a day of day camp, just because she's worn out!

We woke up this morning to the sounds of what sounded like gagging from Maddie. I would not describe it as a cough, but more of a gag. Then, we went outside for a little morning walk, came in and she drank some water and hardly touched her breakfast - very unusual for her!

After seeming kind of mopey today, she vomited about 4 times in the span of only a few hours. I decided to take her to the vet and sure enough, it's kennel cough. She's been vaccinated for it and all the other dogs at PetSmart are required to be vaccinated as well. Apparently other strains can get in somehow and that's just kind of tough luck unfortunately.

Anyway, my question is - has anybody ever dealt with kennel cough in their Basset? She seems really bummed out and kind of like she just doesn't feel good. Any advice about making her feel as comfortable as possible? I have antibiotics that she will be on for the next 10 days but I just want my baby to feel better, asap!

Any help or suggestions is appreciated. Thanks!

Oh - one more thing. I called PetSmart to let them know, they aren't liable for anything because it's nearly impossible to vaccinate for all strains of kennel cough I guess. But I just wanted to let them know. Would you all suggest not taking her there anymore? Is this just something that happens and after she's well, she will probably be okay to go back? She just has so much fun there, I'd hate to quit taking her but needless to say, I'm not too impressed that she's gotten sick!! To top it off, I've got the flu so we're a sick little family just trying to stay warm in this Colorado snow!

 

[SophieB]

Has your dog stopped being sick? I hope your kennel cough injection works OK because a girl where I used to live, who worked at a vet's reckoned that they may as well inject water for what good kennel cough injections are!

What do you think Mikey?

 

[RachelW]

By injection, do you mean the vaccination? That's not reassuring at all, if it doesn't work!

She's still ill - we just got her antibiotics today. She'll be on a couple of them for the next 10 days and if her condition doesn't improve, I'll have to take her back. She's a tired girl and I can tell she doesn't feel well, so she's just sleeping a lot right now. As long as she's not bothered too much, it's alright. I just know how bad I feel when I'm sick.. I can only imagine a poor dog who can't tell me what she needs!

 

[Basset Momma]

It's much like children in daycare- vaccines don't cover all strains for the most part (for example think of the flu shots)... and sometimes children/pets don't appear sick but are already contagious so there isn't anything much you can do to completely prevent the spread of disease. I think if she is generally healthy and does not seem to have immune issues I would likely allow her to go again in the future- ask your vet what he/she thinks-

 

[LottesMama]

Our Charlotte used to go to doggie daycare until she picked up a "kennel cough like" infection even though she was also vaccinated. She was so sad and miserable and that hacking cough was the worst. We just supplied lots of extra love and a few sleepless nights but she got over it faster than the vet was expecting. One thing that helped in the first few days when the cough was so bad that she was throwing up often was an OTC sugar free children's cough syrup with the words tussin in the label (think Robitussin).
Good luck I hope your pup is up on her paws again soon!

 

[bubbad]

With any vaccination and kennel cough( intra nasal solution)administration they help to build the dog's immune system so that if they come in contact with a virus or bacteria it should help lessen the effects. In which case the dog does not get as ill as it would if it were not vaccinated.(This is just the short east version)

 

[fred'smom]

Fred has kennel cough too! And despite 2 weeks of twice daily meds she's still coughing and needs to go back.

 

[Annie714]

Yikes! How is Maddie doing now? And Fred too? Sheesh! Keep us posted as to what the vet says please.

Annie and I send healing drool and thoughts!

 

[mhvonalmen8908]

Healing thoughts from me and my husband and healing drool from Doppler and Virga!

 

[Kirska]

I believe kennel cough is an airborne disease so even the best and cleanest kennels get afflicted by it every now and then unless each dog is on its own air supply. I wouldn't stop using them just yet if you've been satisfied with them otherwise. It is very contagious so I would keep her away from other dogs until it's cleared up.

 

[RachelW]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and concerns! I apologize for the delay in response - it's been a busy week/weekend! Anyway, Maddie is doing fabulous now. She's been on meds since Tuesday and seems to be doing just fine. I'm still keeping her away from other dogs - I don't want anybody else sick! But she's doing great - no more coughing for vomiting!

I hope Fred gets better. Stay healthy everybody - and our pups!