speaking of kennel cough...

[Kylie_L]

My vet pushes the idea for a vacination of kennel cough we always get it but i was wondering..what happens if we don't board him anywhere...does he still need it?

 

[JulieM]

The entities I mentioned in the other thread state that kennel cough vaccination is only needed for dogs at risk - basically those being kenneled or shown. Some vets will push the KC vaccine to all dogs, since it can be airborne - but the "powers that be" quite clearly state that it is not a core vaccination, it is not something that all dogs need.

As an aside, since I see you're in Texas - there is a vet who has filed a complaint with the Attorney General against all veterinarians in the state:

I assert that the present practice of marketing of vaccinations by Veterinarians for companion animals without informed consent and where there is no benefit to the pet constitutes fraud by misrepresentation, fraud by silence, theft by deception, and undue influence. I allege this is a common practice on the part of all Veterinarians engaged in companion animal practice in this state.

http://critterfixer.com/pages/atty_gen_complaint.asp

And with his explanation:
http://www.geocities.com/kineticdobies/TexasVet.pdf

 

[Thomas Liggin]

Kennel cough is the equivalent of the common cold in humans. Actually common colds would be a more appropriate term. There are thousands of strains or varieties of the common cold. The same is true of kennel cough.

The vaccine might protect against one strain, but unlike rabies, parvo and distemper (ok, I know they aren't 100% effective) if your dog has regular contact with other dogs, chances are that he will at some point contract a strain other than the one for which he was vaccinated.

Our vet does not routinely innoculate or inject for kennel cough. I requested it because the local training, day care, boarding facilities require it.

As far as needing it, since it won't protect against all the varieties, what's the use?


Tom

 

[ljnash]

I only get my girls vaccinated for it if I'll have to board them at a kennel because the kennel requires it.