A really weird query re suppressed immune system

[RikkiGK]

I have RA and take 125mg of methotrextae weekly. Having immunosuppressents means they advise the Flu and or the pneumonia jab, which i have done.

However my husband has returned from the Vets after the dogs annual check up, to announce that the dog cannot have his kennel cough preventative as it is a live preparation and if he was too sneeze on me post treatment i could be effected it. The Vet (this is UK BTW) has adviced talking to my doctor, my husband wants the dog protected, i feel this is such a small risk that they should go ahead and sort the dog out. but they both seem to be waiting for official permission.

Sorry its not a question re my health but has anyone else come across this situation?

[RedPip]

I think 125 mg must be typo , Methotrexate you are taking for RA 12.5 mg i.e. 5 tablets of 2.5 mg ? ?

Ref Kennel Cough see web site

pets4homes.co.uk/pet-advice...

“Surprisingly, kennel cough is one of the few canine conditions that can pass back and forth between humans and dogs; this is known as a zoonotic condition. People with a compromised immune system and young people whose immune system has not yet fully developed are most at risk of contracting the condition, but it is considered to be unusual and unlikely that the condition will affect healthy people, even after prolonged exposure to affected dogs.”

See Prevention through vaccination at

vet4life.co.uk/kennel-cough/

So may be you can get a friend to look after the dog until the dog vaccination is effective

[RikkiGK in reply to RedPip]

Sorry you are right 12.5mg maths not my strong point THanks for the info

[nomoreheels]

I take it it's 12.5mg?! Anyway it's neither here nor there. Why don't you ask for the vaccine to be injected? Solves the problem.

[helixhelix in reply to nomoreheels]

Don't think that it exists in that form?

[nomoreheels in reply to helixhelix]

Apparently there are 3 forms of vaccine for kennel cough, the nasal mist, one that can be given by mouth & an injection. Ours have always had the injection.

Your vet can also provide a vaccination against the main bacterial cause, Bordetella – this can be a nasal spray or an injection. purina.co.uk/dogs/health-an...

[helixhelix in reply to nomoreheels]

Good to know, thanks.

[hawker955]

Yes. The bacteria in the kennel cough vaccine is live and is infectious to people but the risks are extremely low. I have administered the vaccine many, many times and never had a problem nor worried about it too much. Dogs sometime e sneeze the vaccine out immediately after it is given to keep your face away from that.

I hope this answers your question?

hawker 955. MRCVS, (retired.)

[helixhelix]

There was a question on this recently, and not ignoring our resident expert Hawker, the concensus was that you shouldn't be in the room when the dog is vaccinated, the dog's muzzle should be wiped afterwards in case of stray droplets, and you shouldn't cuddle your dog for 24 hours.

12.5 mg of MTX is also a low dose and the immune suppressant effect is small. I was on 20 & 25mg and for last few years I have had to hold our dog to get his kennel cough. He hates it, and will bite OH or the vet so I have to be the evil person. No bad effects...

Now I'm on a biologic I might ask that one of the female assistants to stand in for me...(dog prefers women to men).

Here's previous post

healthunlocked.com/nras/pos...

[Hidden]

Blimey, of all the things to consider re RA, I’d never have thought of this one. I didn’t know that Kennel Cough can actually be caught by humans, so I’d have to praise your Vet for being on the ball. In OZ, the vaccination is injectable, I think we’ve got nasal for puppies. Thanks for posting, although the risk is low, it’s good to know, cheers Deb