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Argh!! Well, just got a call from our puppy's daycare and it looks like she probably has kennel cough. We're bringing her to the vet's tonight to get it checked out. We had her vaccinated for it (was mandatory at all of the daycares we inquired with) but of course she just had to catch it anyways! She's been coughing for a little over a week now but I didn't think much of it as we just started her on raw at about the same time. I just figured that she was gagging and coughing a bit due to the new diet, bones, etc. Plus she's been acting totally normal energy and appetite-wise (which I've heard is typical with kennel cough). Anybody have any experience with this? How long does it usually last and how long are they contageous? We rely on the daycare during the day and now they won't take her until she's better. Don't really have family or friends to leave her with so I'm hoping this will be short-lived.

Our dog was vaccinated for it as well, but then caught it. It's kind of like the flu shot, where it covers only certain strains, meaning you can still get sick. However, the length of time they have the virus is supposed to be shorter with the vaccine. I'm not sure how long they are contagious for, that would be a question for your vet, but for us, the symptoms lasted 4-5 days. Typically it can be double that if you're not vaccinated for it. For about 3-4 nights, he was up walking around, coughing, and then basically spitting up this foamy white stuff, so be prepared for that if it hasn't happened already. You can ask your vet if there's any sort of remedy they can recommend to make it easier on her, like a cough medicine of some sort. During the day he didn't seem to be as bad. He was still active, but maybe not as much as usual, so we tried to take it easy on him. It's a pain for them to get it, but if she's been vaccinated for it, I wouldn't worry too much unless she gets really lethargic. Still though, call your vet if you haven't already and get some recommendations on what you should be doing and ask them about the contagiousness.

Even though she was vaccinated, she still caught it which isn't unusual esp. in puppies. You can try home remedies- colloidal silver works. Google should have some sites where you can get other remedies. Your vet will give you a better idea how long she will need to be 'quarantined'. Don't feel too bad- they do the same thing to kids at daycare!

Bordetella vaccines (kennel cough) is like getting the flu shot doesnt stop it completly. Kennel cough is VERY VERY common and doesnt need to be treated by a vet unless the dog has been coughing for more then 7 days. Usually a dog that is vaccinated stops coughing anywhere from 3 to 7 days and it can sound nasty but most vets will not do anything about it as its like a human having a head cold with a cough nothing a doctor can do it just needs to run its course unless the dog has been coughing like i said for more the 7 days or has a green discharge from its eyes and nose as then it may become like a phenmonia (sp?) some vets will perscribe antibiotics but it is not necessary unless its been 7 days. hope some of this helps i work in a boarding kennel and have worked in vet clinics so i know alittle bit about it

Yep, talked to the daycare attendant when I picked up our pup today and she said it's really common at the daycare, and that they get about 2 breakouts every year. They have had to send 8 dogs home this week with symptoms, and there will likely be more as the other dogs start showing signs. Her coughing is not constant and she hasn't been really spitting anything up the last several days. Her worst time for sure is right when she gets up in the morning and she'll have a bit of a coughing spell. She'll do it when we take her for a walk as well or when she is playing, so I guess the activity aggrevates it. She's been normal otherwise, except for a bit of sneezing today. Hopefully it's on the way out as she's been coughing a bit for a little over a week now. We didn't take her to the vet after all as the daycare gal said the vet would probably try to give us unessasary antibiotics and not really cure anything. It just needs to run its course, but we're keeping an eye on her for any changes.

Just so your aware as well so your not shocked is another typical symptom is throwing up clear gunk too (its mostly made up of spit and water) just so your prepared She should be done the symptoms soon so hang in ther

While in Australia at the Vet this happened to my Chocolate Lab.
My vet told us... to turn the shower on as hot as you can, and close the curtain or door.... just allow the bathroom to steam and get her to sit in there full of steam twice a day for 15minutes.

Also, when the coughing begins.... a tablespoon of honey (perf. organic) will calm the coughs and sooth their throat!

Let me know if this works!

When my first dog had it, the vet gave me some Robutussin..he didn't tell me that's what it was but I tasted it and sure enough!! She got about a tsp twice a day. Ok just so you all know I don't normally go tasting my critter's medicine but it sure looked like plain old cough syrup and it was.

Yeah my dogs had it last year and my vet said to give them children's cough syrup. And to keep them at home and away form other dogs. And to wait it out.

Well, almost 5 days later and the kennel cough seems to be gone. Storm didn't seem to have a really bad case of it and got over it quite quickly. Never had any spitty barfs, just some hacking first thing when she got up in the morning, and on walks I think the leash irritated her throat so she would wheze and gag a bit. Haven't had any coughing for a good day and a half now. Thanks everyone for the input!