Kennel Cough at the park

I'm going to ask my vet about this tomorrow or Tuesday (whenever I get chance really) but thought I'd get your opinions.

There have been a few cases of Kennel Cough at the park I often walk Takara in and I'm just wondering...

I'm not worried about Takara. If she picks it up, she's young and fit enough to fight it (she's not that sociable anyway to be honest but a couple of the dogs who have got it are dogs she would usually socialise with)

Eddy doesn't walk up there as he doesn't like to be so close to other dogs (it's a busy dog walking area) so he's not going to get it from any dogs up there.

However, if Takara picks it up and brings it home... it could really impact on Eddy who is 14.5 years old.

Now... I don't want to vaccinate Eddy because I think he's too old to be given a mild dose of it just in case.
However, if I vaccinate Takara, can she still carry it home or could she pass onto Eddy the mild dose they give them?

Would I be better off...

a) Not worrying about it
b) Vaccinating Takara (if this stops her giving it to Eddy)
c) Not walking Takara in that area for now

What do you think?

I know of dogs that have got it off dogs who have been Vacinated. Id just hope he has a natural immunity by now & hope for the best. Its a worry

Ah ok thanks, that's what I was concerned about.

I may try and keep T away for a little while til it dies down and walk her somewhere different. I just don't want her bringing it home to him.

Not worried about her as I'm certain she'd be ok to fight it, but Eddy's getting on bless him.

hi lottie
my avice as a vn.....c.dont walk her there for now
kennel cough is very hit and miss,years ago i had an adult dog of 5years that caught it but didnt give it to my 6 week old puppy.whilst my dogs at work come in contact with it,i try to minimise the risks.
the vaccine covers one common strain 'bordatella' but like flu it has many strains.
hope that helps

I would advise you to walk elsewhere. There is no guarantee that your dogs wont get it even if they are vaccinated. As Tupac says there are many strains. fingers crossed they are ok.

Thanks,

I'll take heed and not walk her there for a while. There are plenty more places we can walk and it's not idea for me anyway due to the steep paths!

I know a few people who do walk up there so will ask them to keep an eye on the situation and let me know when it's dying down.

there are so many different strains of kennel cough that vaccination is not that likely to help if it is another strain to the vaccine