Emergency advice needed: We have kennel cough

[Bradshaw Piggies]

So just when I think I'm getting things back on track and all my animals are well, something else happens!

Koda started coughing and reverse sneezing yesterday (he had a few fits of them), so I took him to the vet first thing this morning who has confirmed kennel cough due to inflammation in the throat. The vet said it is not life threatening to him and that he should clear up on 6 days of antibiotics. I asked about the vaccination for it (as Koda loves to socialise with groups of dogs) and he said they can do it, but it only protects against a single strain and there are 100s of strains around at the moment (he said there is a lot of kennel cough in the area at the moment). He likened it to children regularly picking up coughs and colds at school/nursery (so he most likely caught it at day care). I know how highly contagious kennel cough is and the vet said that every time Koda coughs, it is spread via the air. But is also spread via contact, contaminated objects etc.

Now I'm panicking as I know it is lethal to guinea pigs. As you all know, the guinea pigs have their own room upstairs and I can keep the door shut and their window propped open slightly for increased ventilation. I can be the only one who enters, I have hand sanitiser and I can change my clothes. I can also stay downstairs with Koda at night so he isn't sleeping upstairs. He never comes into contact with any objects that the guinea pigs have contact with. What I wanted to ask is, is this enough?

My other option is I take Koda and go stay at my mum's for a week or so, so that we are not even in the house? The hubby can look after the piggies. Would this be a better idea?

My other worry is Koda first had a coughing fit last weekend (we presumed it was from drinking too quickly as it then settled down again). The incubation period for kennel cough can be 14 days. So I worry that the guinea pigs have already been exposed? But this is something that obviously we can't know for sure. He doesn't ever enter their room, but I am around him and the pigs daily.

Very much panicking now, really didn't need all of this stress again!
It makes me wonder if I'm going to have to make a choice between keeping piggies and my dogs? As apparently they can pick up kennel cough multiple times due to the different strains around. I don't want to be constantly putting my guinea pigs at risk. I love them too much.

I'm very much in meltdown mode at the moment!
Any advice appreciated!

 

[T-Rex]

What I will say is don’t panic. My dogs had kennel cough a few years ago and I think just do what you said about avoiding cross contamination and being careful. I really don’t think there’s any need to move out with koda or to think about not being able to have dogs and pigs.
Big hugs. I know our minds can go into overdrive, I’m exactly the same.
I’m sure someone with more knowledge will come along but that’s just my thoughts and experiences x

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

What I will say is don’t panic. My dogs had kennel cough a few years ago and I think just do what you said about avoiding cross contamination and being careful. I really don’t think there’s any need to move out with koda or to think about not being able to have dogs and pigs.
Big hugs. I know our minds can go into overdrive, I’m exactly the same.
I’m sure someone with more knowledge will come along but that’s just my thoughts and experiences x

Thank you for the advice. I think my mind is just in overdrive at the moment. I just want the best for my animals and to protect my piggies! Koda has started his antibiotics today. I think it would be a shame not to let him (and our new pup) go to daycare one day a week as Koda really really loves it. The socialisation is brilliant and the people there are fantastic. I think there is always going to be a risk of kennel cough wherever he meets other dogs. He will be fine and get over his cough, my main concern is the piggies.
Thanks so much for your support

 

[T-Rex]

I think it prob would be best not to have them interact with other dogs until better? That was always my impression as it’s very contagious.
Just done a quick google and it’s says to isolate from other dogs for 7days after symptoms stop. So as rubbish as it is they shouldn’t go to doggy daycare for a while to avoid passing it to the other pups there.

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

I think it prob would be best not to have them interact with other dogs until better? That was always my impression as it’s very contagious.
Just done a quick google and it’s says to isolate from other dogs for 7days after symptoms stop. So as rubbish as it is they shouldn’t go to doggy daycare for a while to avoid passing it to the other pups there.

Sorry if that came across wrong. I have isolated him. he isn't going to day care for at least another couple of weeks. I've had the discussion with the vet. I just meant, it would be a shame to stop him going in the future just to avoid kennel cough again. I probably should have worded that better.

 

[T-Rex]

I wondered that haha. No worries. Big hugs.

 

[Wiebke]

As long as Koda has not been in direct contact with your piggies, there should be no risk. Just wash your hands thoroughly before and after you interact with Koda and before and after you go into the piggy room - the usual good hygiene.

You may find this thread here interesting: Dogs, Kennel Cough And Guinea Pigs - An Important Consideration.

Fingers firmly crossed! Keep in mind that the vaccination only covers one variety of bordetella but that kennel cough can be caused by a number of different bugs which are not all as lethal to guinea pigs.

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

As long as Koda has not been in direct contact with your piggies, there should be no risk. Just wash your hands thoroughly before and after you interact with Koda and before and after you go into the piggy room - the usual good hygiene.

You may find this thread here interesting: Dogs, Kennel Cough And Guinea Pigs - An Important Consideration.

Fingers firmly crossed! Keep in mind that the vaccination only covers one variety of bordetella but that kennel cough can be caused by a number of different bugs which are not all as lethal to guinea pigs.

Thank you so much Wiebke. That puts my mind at ease. I will continue with the usual good hygiene measures and wont be needing to pack some bags to move back to mum's just yet!