How Full Proof?

Dakota Spirit

How full proof are Kennel Cough vaccines? Are they similar to our flu shots in that you still have a -chance- of catching the sickness, or is the dog fully protected?

I only ask because of some recent symptoms in Dakota. The other night she was coughing and had a bit of a running nose - very similar to the KC dogs I work with in close contact at the Humane Society. She has had her KC vaccine but if that doesn't completely protect her then I want to start taking better steps in keeping the illness out of my house.

As it stands, she appears to be better today. Less coughing, no runny nose, etc. I'd like to know for the future though, as KC can be very contagious.

Criosphynx

personally, i found the vacine a joke.

Three of my four dogs had the vac done and all four got KC at least once since. Emma and Scooter have had it twice now.

It was less severe (not that it was ever horrible) the second time. Only Emma needed antibiotics the one time.

They often get "better" for a day or two then go back to coughing again, so don't be surprised if your does too.

Dakota Spirit

Hrm, well we've never had a problem with it sticking before (though, there is a first time for everything ) - but thanks you for sharing your experience!

Dakota actually has never had KC before, and I've been working at the shelter for about two years now. So either we've been really lucky, or the vaccine has at least offered some form of protection.

Criosphynx

perhaps it just never went away on my dogs, i dunno. Are there "different" vacines for this and maybe some that are just less effective? Perhaps they were administered to my dogs too late?

RonE

The bordetella vaccine prevents the most common strains (so, yes, it's like the flu shot.) My daughter's dog got kennel cough, despite the vaccine. None of my dogs ever have, though they go to dog parks, doggy day care and boarding kennels.

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Dakota Spirit

Alright, good to know. Thanks for the help, guys!

Shalva

I do not vaccinate for bordatella for the reasons ron mentioned....

I have only had kennel cough once and a ver ymild case in one dog

I would rather treat the kennel cough if we were to get it than give a vaccine that won't work....

like I said we have only had it once.... shalva coughed one whole night in a hotel in montreal..... we gave her a bit of robitussin and that took care of it and she didn't continue to cough and our dogs are show dogs so around other dogs all the time....

just my two cents
s

poodleholic

I don't vaccinate for this because there are many strains of kennel cough. I had my vet go ahead and give the nosode to my male prior to getting neutered, just in case. Hah! He ended up getting kennel cough, and gave it to my female. The symptoms were mild in each, and short lived. Had to laugh - never vaccinated for this for years and years, and never had a dog get it. The one time I do, we end up with it! LOL

RonE

I DO vaccinate, because it's a requirement of the doggy daycare I've used.

I'm not sure that was clear from my first post.

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