How contagious- Kennel cough - Page 1

My brother's dog (they live in a different house, in a different neighborhood) has kennel cough.  I'm going over to take care of it periodically at their house; How possible is it that I could bring it back to my dogs somehow? Or does it contaminate like that (by feet)? Their dog has had it for maybe a week and a half or so, but is getting better now that it's on antibiotics, and had a steroid shot.  I don't do yearly vaccines on my dogs, to me it is over-vaccinating, not to mention the only times my dogs have ever been sick (and it was with kennel cough) in the past, was a couple of weeks after their vaccinations......for kennel cough (irony).  Anyway, just wandering if it's possible that I bring it on to the property or in our home?

Kennel cough spreads like lightening.  We get a good bout of it every single time we enter the Tradex dog show.  I do mean every time.  All of our dogs are vaccinated and it doesnt seem to help.  The dogs hack like they have whooping cough but they come out of it ok.  We have not experienced anything negative from it.  Other than the dogs coughing but they don't seem or act ill.  They get baby cough medicine and it goes away pretty quickly.

The viruses that cause kennel cough are usually airborne,
which is why dogs catch them at gatherings like shows.
A belt and braces approach I would take, just in case some
other vector is involved with your brothers dog, is that I'd keep
a tray of disinfectant outside my own door and stand in it to
deal with anything I was walking in on my shoes / boots. And
as Abby says I would preferably change my clothes before I
greeted my own dogs.

Yes, what is the news on Auggie's eyes ?

Kennel Cough is very contagious......It's an airborne virus.

There are many strains....My vet wont vaccinate for it unless the customer requests it.

For those of you that want to read more about it here is the Wiki definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennel_cough

Thanks guys, and this morning I wore my regular shoes on my way there; When I got there I put old shoes on, took the dog out, fed it, etc etc; When I got done I put the shoes in a walmart bag in my car and then put my normal shoes back on.  I'm just paranoid, I didn't even let the old shoes touch the inside of the car after I took them off (and I left my normal shoes in the car).  I also changed clothes when I got back here, cleaned up, and then took my dogs for a walk.  I have other clients that I go to through the day so I want to make sure I don't bring anything to their houses either.  

As for Auggie's eyes, I have not taken him yet to have them checked.  There are a few things I need to get done and finish paying off (should be later this month), so after that......So in a few weeks I should be able to let you guys know.  The one's I talked to that are local are suggesting a test that is $150 for his eyes, and then they started suggesting a whole shlew of other things (everything after that started getting higher and higher in price) if they see anything wrong.   

If your dogs are healthy, even if exposed, most likely wont get it. Ive brought in several rescue dogs over the years that had kennel cough and my dogs almost never got it.

Barb

Its method of transmission is the same as the common cold. You know  what they say during cold and flu season...WASH YOUR HANDS!

Transmission is mainly airborne, but I think the virus can survive on surfaces for short periods...especially warm surfaces, like skin!

Years ago I used to vaccinate for kennel cough....and my dogs would get it!  
Now, I never, ever vaccinate for kennel cough anymore.....none of my dogs have gotten kennel cough since I stopped vaccinating for it.  What I do do is feed them raw, put raw apple cider vinegar in their water, etc.   They have very strong immune systems now, I have not had to deal with hotspots, ear infections, itchy-scratchy dogs, etc, etc, since I changed the way I feed my dogs.  

Euro, how much apple cider vinegar? And what does that do exactly?