[doganjo]

There has been a spate of kennel cough recently, and it seems still ongoing.

KC is a bit like flu in that it changes from time to time, so one vaccine may not cover all varieties of the virus.  However, it is still worth doing - even if it is just the homeopathic version as mine are on all year.

It has spread rapidly through the Show fraternity - out of 47 dogs at our recent Club Championship Show I know of at least 10 who have shown symptoms.

Obviously it can be spread through any group of dogs meeting up - shows, classes, agility etc - so just be aware.  Older dogs and youngsters are particularly susceptible, and it is a distressing disease for both dog and owner.

If a dog shows symptoms it can carry the virus for as much as 10 weeks afterwards.

[Bionic]

Annie, is it just nasty or can it be fatal?

[darkbrowneggs]

What homoeopathic remedy do you use 

[kaz]

I know my Step Fathers dog has had it fairly recently and she picked it up from somewhere that he takes her for a walk as quite a few other dogs have come down with it.
Not nice, she was kept indoors for a couple of weeks after as advised by the vet.

[in the hills]

Not usually fatal, Bionic . Not sure about complications for vulnerable dogs though.


My pup was vaccinated recently and vet said that there were no cases being reported locally, if it started "going around" to get her done then. Same for my older dog. A spray up their noses! If you use kennels, walk in busy parks, shows, agility etc. then probably best done routinely.


What do you use Annie?

[Alistair]

Th symptoms are hacking cough and sometimes foamy spit arn't they?

Think I've got it, best isolate myself from my dogs

[doganjo]

It can be fatal in older dogs and puppies under 6 months, especially those with underlying health issues.

There are a number of homeopathic remedies - http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/homeopathic-remedies-for-kennel-cough/

My dogs have been on Drosera for a number of years.

KC was reported at the following dog shows - Darlington, Driffield, our show in the Midlands(all September), and South Wales(last week) - so quite widespread.  I have only been to Darlington and mine have been fine.

A case of Parvo Virus was also reported after Darlington, but I never saw ANY warnings prior to that.

[doganjo]

What homoeopathic remedy do you use 

Drosera but Bryonia is good too

[darkbrowneggs]

how often do you give it and what potency?

[ladyK]

Thanks for the link with the remedy suggestion Doganjo, good to have that filed away just in case!

For those who asked about 'what to use and which potency' you should remember that homeopathy is all about treating the individual, not the disease. Every dog will show different symptoms if infected with KC and the individual symptoms should guide you in selecting the remedy. The link above should help in that: it lists a number of remedies that will match a cough that can be dry, or deep, or worse at night, or when lying down, or with flecks of blood, etc... You need to look at your dog and decide what he needs for 'his' KC.

In my understanding the potency is of secondary importance, use whatever is to hand but spend some time trying to choose the correct, i.e. symptom matching remedy. Generally thugh the more acute the symptoms the higher the potency selected - I have been advised to use 30C or 200C as good 'general use' potencies.

[doganjo]

My dogs are on what seems to be a maintenance dose - but from memory  i think it's for a  year then dosage is readjusted

[Ina]

Th symptoms are hacking cough and sometimes foamy spit arn't they?

Think I've got it, best isolate myself from my dogs

Me too - and I don't even have a dog!

[happygolucky]

I often think we pass on certain things to dogs more than vica versa......I think Alister and Ina need one of those collars to stop them spreading the germs!

[doganjo]

This is a serious topic, not a comedy programme 

[doganjo]

There are other threads for keeping you amused.