Friday, May 14, 2010

Kennel cough

Cliff mentioned the other day that perhaps we should go to a different shelter next time we're looking for a dog; after all, Iris is the second dog we've gotten from Wayside Waifs:  both of them have had to suffer with kennel cough almost as soon as we got them home. 

I've googled the condition many times, looking for answers.  I found one article by a veterinary that pretty much covers all bases:  Click HERE to read it in its entirety.   It explains why the shelter is not at fault.  Here are a few excerpts:  


(California) State law requires dogs usually be held in a shelter six days before they can be adopted.  During this time, the stress of shelter life and exposure to airborne bacteria make shelter dogs prime candidates for kennel cough, even if vaccinated. Although the symptoms can occur in three to five days from the time of infection, some veterinarians report the actual coughing does not begin for seven to 10 days.  Because even the fastest acting vaccines don’t provide protection for at least four days, shelter dogs may often look perfectly healthy at the shelter and start coughing almost as soon as they get home.  

Kennel cough is usually what veterinarians call “self-limiting.”  That’s a fancy way of saying you probably don’t need to take your kennel cough dog to the vet.  The problem will resolve all by itself in 10 days to three weeks.   Although it is caused by a bacterium, antibiotics are generally not needed.  

If you see a kennel dog you want to adopt, don’t be discouraged even if they are coughing.  Kennel cough is easily overcome.  Once a dog is taken from the stress of a shelter and given a loving home and some time to heal, you’ll soon forget about the cough.  But the dog will always remember that you gave him a home when others wouldn’t.

8 comments:

  1. We just had a news feature about ANOTHER household where dogs have been 'hoarded' and are in despicable condition. Every one of those stories just breaks my heart. I wish I could adopt every one of them. Sadly, allergies to dander and fur don't allow me to. But I'm so glad Iris has 'found' you guys...I'm sure she'll be blessed with lots of love and affection. And here's hoping the kennel cough will be gone in no time.

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  2. Winnie only suffered for about four days. It'll be gone before you know it.

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  3. I hope she overcomes this cough soon. I suppose stress would make any condition worse if they had or took it. Helen

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  4. Congrats on your new addition, and bless you for adopting! I'm sure the KC will let up quickly. -Tammy

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  5. I once had a blind date that had kennel cough.

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  6. Lindie2:30 PM

    Not all dogs at Wayside Waifs develop the cough. My granddaughter's dog didn't. They go back there to play in the Bark Park too.

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  7. Here in England protection against kennel cough is included in a dog's annual booster shots and no decent kennels will take a dog without up-to-date vaccination certificates.

    Our vet told me that kennel cough looks much worse than it really is, though it is highly infectious among dogs. When the dog isn't actually coughing he isn't in pain or distressed.

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  8. I love reading about Iris. I hope she is over her cough soon.

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