Kennel Cough Vaccine

[Readlots]

I’ve just been to the vet to get my dog vaccinated. She asked me exactly how immunocompromised I am, because the Kennel Cough vaccine is a live vaccine. I said that I take Azathioprine for autoimmune hepatitus, but I don’t know how immunocompromised that makes me. We decided to go ahead with the vaccine but she told me avoid contact with my dogs mouth and nose for 2 weeks, particularly no licking my face as the illness is spread through mouth and nose secretions.

Checked with my liver nurse about the level of risk but she had never heard of this.

Did the thing I recommend others don’t do… Dr G… I know, I know… and have now terrified myself.

We needed this vaccine so that the dog can stay with a dog carer when our son gets married in May. We have lots of family who will have her normally but obviously they will be at the wedding too.

Has anyone else come across this?

[Don123]

Hello Readlots, yes, our vet has told us the same thing about kennel cough vaccine every year for the last 7 years. She said it's likely someone become ill and now it has to be a tick box/legal thing that you have been informed of risk. I think the guidelines say that you should stay away from the dog for 2 weeks. My hubby is on Azathioprine for AIH. Our dog has had the vaccine every year for 7 years and to be honest we don't do anything any different apart from he doesn't fuss her for the first couple of days after the vaccine. Our dog shares the furniture with us etc and we are with her all day. I can only tell you our experience. All the best, Kind regards Donna

[Readlots in reply to Don123]

Thank you Don, that’s exactly what I needed to hear

[JumpJiving]

Readlots My wife is immunocompromised as a result of medications. As a result, we have either skipped kennel cough vaccine or waited until my wife is away for a couple of weeks and I get it done whilst she is away. Ideally, she should not be exposed for more than a couple of weeks, but it’s not practical and the risk apparently reduces after a couple of weeks (or so our vet told us)