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)

[Readlots in reply to JumpJiving]

Thank you JJ, I’ll be doing the same if the dog needs to go away again. Hopefully she won’t need to as well normally take her with us on holiday.

[JumpJiving in reply to Readlots]

Officially, the risk lasts 6 weeks, but our vet reckoned my wife would be ok after 2 weeks

[Readlots in reply to JumpJiving]

Thank you. That’s what my vet told me too. I take it your wife hasn’t suffered any ill effects from being around the dog after 2 weeks?

[JumpJiving in reply to Readlots]

Readlots No, not at all

[ThreeSmiles]

Hi Readlots

I’m on immunosuppressants post Transplant.

I get told about kennel cough being a live vaccine when we have our dog vaccinated. For two weeks I just avoid her licking me too much (certainly not on face) and wash hands regularly- a bit like during Covid (aaagh!).

Miles

[Readlots in reply to ThreeSmiles]

Thanks Miles, that’s the approach I’m taking.Im dodging her mouth and nose, bobbing her bum and belly rubs then washing my hands. I’ve become hyper vigilant when she’s on the move, nose incoming! I’m also avoiding her toys because they’ve been slobbered on and wearing gloves to play ball. She does not approve…

Close up facial shot of a Cream golden doodle looking at the camera

[ThreeSmiles in reply to Readlots]

Hi Readlots

Sounds good to me (not being a doctor etc - Disclaimer alert 😀).

Lovely looking dog!

Miles

[Readlots in reply to ThreeSmiles]

Thank you, she is gorgeous and looks just like the dog on the flash advert. Makes the same amount of mess too!

[Buddythezhu]

I live alone so decided not to give my dog the kennel cough vaccine, I’ve got AIH and on medication. Aparently they can shed it by sneezing for up to 6 weeks.

[Readlots in reply to Buddythezhu]

That’s what I’ve read too. I wish I’d known that it was a live virus before I got to the vets. I might have decided against it if I’d had time to consider properly. The trouble is that I need her looked after during the days around my son’s wedding and all my family and friends who would normally take her will be involved. Not a situation that’s likely to occur again ( unless my daughter gets married) so hopefully we won’t need it again. Just got to keep my distance for 6 weeks. We’ve got an air filter running and I’m using a nasal spray, any hint of a sneeze and I’ll mask up 😷 Thank you for responding

[Buddythezhu in reply to Readlots]

My dog goes to a licenced and registered dog sittter, I asked her if she would still board my dog without kennel cough vaccination under the circumstances, she said yes. He has his other vaccinations.

[Readlots in reply to Buddythezhu]

Sounds like you’ve got a keeper there 😍

[Ked620]

Hi, my husband has had a liver transplant nearly 7 years ago and our older dog and now our pup both don’t have the kennel cough - because kennels or boarding need this the vet can give a letter or a website link only boarders can get into and the boarder will except this. msd-animal-health-hub.co.uk...

Good luck and I Hope this helps

Karen x

Ps just be aware I had bronchitis last year and because no kennel cough my pup caught it off me - so she had to have antibiotics for a week. She was ok but chesty .

Also just another thing we have 6 grandchildren and all have the flu jabs not the nose spray because that is a live vaccine! We see most of our grandchildren daily so it certainly wasn’t worth the risk,

[Readlots in reply to Ked620]

Thanks Karen, this is all good to know. We don’t have grandchildren yet, but they sometimes follow a wedding so it’s good to be prepared.