*kirty* Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 There is a very contagious kennel cough going around Melbourne at the moment. Our clinic dog caught it off a patient and then infected my dogs (he is staying with us) The patient apparently caught it from their local vet clinic and he wasn't showing any signs when he came into work. Now our next door neighbours dogs are coughing! They have had no direct contact with our dogs, just barking through a solid wooden fence. My dogs are in lock down but thankfully have only had a mild case and are no longer coughing. But if your dog is immuno-compromised I'd be avoiding dog parks in the Eastern suburbs for a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentchild Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Guh! And I was just about to book her in to the vet for her annual check up. Thanks for the heads up. Any idea which suburbs it's most prevalent in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I would like to know which suburbs too. My boy has just had a scary brush with CHF and is now on meds. I want to take him in for a checkup but would rather wait a while if KC in in the Mt Waverley region. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Pretty sure Kirty works in the Malvern area so not too far away from there. Maybe you could leave him in the car until you're appointment and suss out who else is in before taking him in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah82 Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 and just as the weather is starting to warm up What's the incubation period like for kennel cough? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 Yes my work is in Malvern, patient comes from Kew, and I live near Ringwood. Incubation seems to be 7-10 days but they are contagious before they show signs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentchild Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Bugger. Not far from where I am at all and between Malvern, Kew and Ringwood it seems to cover most of the east. Not good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Dogs can be contagious for up to 14 days prior to symptoms appearing... and for up to 14 days AFTER the symptoms have gone. Incubation can be as little as 2 days though... T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 Yes we have been told to keep them at home for 2 weeks once they have stopped coughing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 I called my vet who's been caring for my dog with CHF because I wanted to know where my boy stood since he has not had a KC vaccination for many years. The vet said they're not seeing a greater number of KC dogs than is normal. He advised not to vaccinate my dog but to be sure to keep him well away from other dogs, which I do anyway as he's not well enough to cope with the stress/excitment of meeting new dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah82 Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 well Collie was making an interesting noise this morning, kind of like he was trying to bring up some phlegm with his mouth closed. Of course KC was the first thing that came to mind because I'd never heard him do that before but he only had the one episode so it's possible something else had irritated him. Either way I'll be keeping a eye on both of them tonight and no walkies till I'm sure they're ok and a just in case FYI we were at Gardiners Creek Reserve in Burwood on Saturday and Aranga Reserve Dog park in Donvale on Sunday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted September 4, 2014 Author Share Posted September 4, 2014 Heard of another case from North Melbourne today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpha bet Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 (edited) Just remember there are 8 strains of KC and only two are covered under the vaccines..... By Jean Dodds the vaccine only lasts 6 months.... Have run a boarding kennel for 20 years and not had any kennel cough (touch wood) - my own dogs don't have the KC vaccinations. no need to panic unless you have a dog who is unwell and his immune levels are low.... Let your dogs have their normal fun and frolic..... keeping them robust and healthy is more important than worrying about a bit of a cough. Edited September 4, 2014 by alpha bet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted September 4, 2014 Author Share Posted September 4, 2014 Yep, but it can be dangerous for very young, very old and immune compromised dogs. Ironically my 12yo dog with cancer has not contracted it. None of my dogs are vaccinated for KC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah82 Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Well Collie is definitely sick, seems to be getting worse over the last couple of days but he's still active and eating well. Annoyingly that's put a stop to our lure coursing plans this weekend and Kepala next weekend I don't know when the last time Collie was vaccinated for KC, I don't think he has been since his puppy vacs. Sarah was vaccinated for KC by the rescue before I got her so that would have been March/April last year and so far she seems fine. Although I can't help but cringe when her and collie are playing licky face :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Yep, but it can be dangerous for very young, very old and immune compromised dogs. Ironically my 12yo dog with cancer has not contracted it. None of my dogs are vaccinated for KC. I sure hope your boy doesn't get it and I hope my CHF boy doesn't catch it either. He's just stabilising from the CHF attack. We're in the catchment area so here's hoping they keep safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentchild Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 (edited) Wondering whether it will be safe to take my dog out and about this weekend - was planning to go down to either the bushlands or the beach.. now that your Collie is sick I am getting worried! My girl is unvacced for KC too and as I am leaving her to go on holidays soon I really can't risk having her sick at all....... Edited September 5, 2014 by silentchild Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted September 4, 2014 Author Share Posted September 4, 2014 I deliberately choose not to vacc for KC and two of mine haven't developed it. Jolie and Rocky got a very mild case, Blue and Toby had a moderate case but no secondary infections thankfully. One more week and we can leave the house! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah82 Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Wondering whether it will be safe to take my dog out and about this weekend - was planning to go down to either the Glenfern Valley bushlands or the beach.. now that your Collie is sick I am getting worried! My girl is unvacced for KC too and as I am leaving her to go on holidays soon I really can't risk having her sick at all....... I called our vet and they haven't seen any more cases than usual. Maybe just steer clear of dog heavy places Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remarkabull Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 It's going around Darwin too atm. I don't vaccinate against it and only one of my 4 dogs has it. His brother (doesn't live with us but they do have playdates) also has it. He has been coughing for 2 days and just today started bringing up phlegm. He is still eating and playing and other than not being happy about the coughing up he seems bright enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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