Vet gave my dog kennel cough...

[Dancemom03]

EDITED TO UPDATE 7/31 -- She's been hospitalized for four days now, she's stable but nowhere near out of the woods and each call seems to bring a new worry - there's no longer a question of money or who's responsible so please disregard that initial question.

We just want our dog healthy and home. It doesn't matter what it costs anymore - just that she survives. If you're boarding a dog for a vacation please explore all other possible options first. If I'd only used a pet sitter she'd still be here driving us crazy with that energetic, annoyingly high pitched collie bark that I miss so much right now...

We got home from wdw last Wed and immediately picked up DD19's collie from our vet's office where she'd boarding. I am so upset. When DD19 went in to pick her up she looked too subdued (collies are anything BUT subdued, especially ours) so she asked if her baby was okay. The girl checked the chart, said "she's just fine, I don't see anything written here to indicate any problems" and we gave them a $400+ check for her care and the vaccines they'd updated at the beginning of her stay. Over the next 72 hours it was obvious that something was definitely wrong. She was just laying around and her breathing was a constant heavy pant.

Sunday morning, we took her for an exam, she had a fever, and the vet "something" had been going around their kennels and any dog that came into contact with another was getting it. After questioning, the "something" turned out to be kennel cough. They drew blood, said they didn't see anything else, charged me $140 and sent us home, telling us she'd be better within five days.

She didn't get better though, just more quiet and uncomfortable. Today I called again and took her back for another appt. The fever isn't really high but it's still there. Now she's developed pnuemonia. They hospitalized her and started IVs three hours ago. The DD's and I have spent each of the those minutes since we left her in tears. We're worried sick.

As we left the vet's office a tech that knows our dog and cared for her while we were away approached us in the parking lot. She told DD that another area kennel asked them to take in some dogs after a kennel cough outbreak at that other kennel and they made room. So they must have known my dog was exposed. They also knew kennel cough was a worry for me.

I'd specifically asked about kennel cough before leaving her there b/c she'd never been boarded anywhere before and would just be vacinnated that day instead of having time to build up an immunity. The kennel manager I spoke with assured me that it wouldn't be a problem. When I pushed the issue she said that, even worst case scenerio, kennel cough was like the flu and she'd be in the best possible place because they were doctors. We've used this vet for years and their reputation is excellent. I actually left town feeling reassured and confident that I'm made an even better choice than having DSIL come feed/walk/water because she'd have 24 hr supervision.

Anyway, I made a horrible mistake, I should have cancelled our trip when DSIL backed out at the last minute that morning we were scheduled to leave.

I really resent the fact that we've paid them nearly $600 in the past six days when they've made my dog so ill and now we'll owe even more when she's finally well enough to come home. The office policy changed this year so they no longer let you break the big expenses into payments, but require payment immediately before you leave the office each time. That'll be a budget buster this month for sure.

It's not that I'm not willing to pay whatever it takes to see her back home and healthy like she was only two weeks ago. I just can't believe that I have to pay for extra care due a disease they spread and neglected to inform owners of. Am I being petty and vindictive to think like this? Would you say anything to them about the money or just write them another check without comment?

 

[4mickey2]

i would definitely push the issue. you asked and were persistant about the information you wanted.

a dog being boarded or taken to dog parks should always have kc vaccination. i have heard that it should be done about a week prior to the exposure. i also thought i heard that the nasal dosage is suppose to work faster than the injection. not positive on this.

but, i would definitely make a stink about this with your vet. talk directly to the vet and tell that vet who said what and that they need to help you out on this. personally i don't think any place should allow an animal to be boarded without the dog being totally up to date with vaccines (and not the day they are dropped off).

when i hold my bash i always post that all the bichons need to be up to date on vaccines (incl kennel cough). if they are not and they get sick it is in the owners hands. good luck and i hope the pup feels better soon.

 

[java]

Did she have a bortadella shot(or however it's spelled) the kennel cough one?

We once left our new puppy at the vet thinking she would be better there than at our kennel- well the other dog at the kennel was fine- we pick up the puppy and same thing happens- I am trying to figure out if we paid. I think we just had to give her antibiotic that they paid for. But honestly I am not sure.

I don't blame you for being upset.

 

[Dancemom03]

I feel so guilty. We've never boarded our collie before. Never needed to, and we live in the country on a large lot so her exposure to other strange dogs is almost non existant here. They gave her the bordatella shot and her other boosters the day we dropped her off. They said that would be fine and I thought it odd b/c the kennel near us said they'd only accept her if the shot was given more than ten days prior. That's why I questioned them about it like I did before deciding to drop her off. They made it sound like the kennel was just being cautious and that KC wasn't a big deal anyway.

DSIL was scheduled to come several times a day to feed/walk/water but mixed up her weeks and only realized it the morning the girls and I were scheduled to leave. I seriously considered just cancelling but DH has been having serious medical issues and we were all looking forward to a little family time away to relax. Plus DD8 had been begging for years to tent camp and I'd manged to get a site at FW for us after DH flew back home. After cancelling last year's wdw trip I just didn't have the heart to disappoint them again. Now I really wish we'd stayed home.
I know we're not likely to ever board a dog again...

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I wouldn't pay another dime to the vet. I would tell them they have to pay for her treatment. Good luck

 

[nrsldy]

We kenneled our 2 boxers during 1 trip. they had all the shot prior to being left there. They became sick with kennel cough after we got back. The place they stayed was a doggie resort / vet office. They treated the dogs at no charge.
It would be the responsible thing for them to treat at thier expence, esp if your pet became sick in thier care. If you signed a contract with them you might check it.
Hope your dog gets better.

 

[Dancemom03]

I'm probably ranting but another thing that really ticks me off is that they know we have a new puppy in the house. DD8 got a papillion in May. My brother kept her while we were away to be sure she'd have company all day and wasn't traumatized or exposed to anything.

If I had known the collie was contagious, I'd have left the little dog at DB's this week. We've tried to keep them segregated but of course now we're watching and worrying about her too...

 

[pixiewings71]

Oh no!!! KC is not fun, your poor doggie!! I would definitely make the vet office pay for any further treatment and IMO they should refund you what you've already paid!! If your pup gets sick I would make them treat her as well. I'm so sorry, we've boarded our dogs many times and we've never had a problem with kennel cough!

 

[java]

I feel so guilty. We've never boarded our collie before. Never needed to, and we live in the country on a large lot so her exposure to other strange dogs is almost non existant here. They gave her the bordatella shot and her other boosters the day we dropped her off. They said that would be fine and I thought it odd b/c the kennel near us said they'd only accept her if the shot was given more than ten days prior. That's why I questioned them about it like I did before deciding to drop her off. They made it sound like the kennel was just being cautious and that KC wasn't a big deal anyway.

DSIL was scheduled to come several times a day to feed/walk/water but mixed up her weeks and only realized it the morning the girls and I were scheduled to leave. I seriously considered just cancelling but DH has been having serious medical issues and we were all looking forward to a little family time away to relax. Plus DD8 had been begging for years to tent camp and I'd manged to get a site at FW for us after DH flew back home. After cancelling last year's wdw trip I just didn't have the heart to disappoint them again. Now I really wish we'd stayed home.
I know we're not likely to ever board a dog again...

Our kennel needed you have the shot for a week at least before you could drop off- so I would ? them on that as well. Doesn't seem safe to me but I'm not a vet. Good luck and hope doggie is feeling better.

 

[nancycg56]

I've had dogs with kc (my dog caught it from a new puppy we adopted from the pound) and had to give them antibiotics and they were fine ~ they had a really nasty sounding cough but after 10 days of antibiotics, it was gone.

I would push it with your vet to have them at least reimburse you and to continue your dog's care at their expense.

 

[Dancemom03]

That's just it... I took her in Sunday but they refused to give her antibiotics b/c the blood test didn't show an infection so she just had to wait out the KC and hope it didn't turn into pnemonia. Two days later, there's "a crackle" in her lungs as the vet put it, she doesn't want to get up or move, and is dehydrated. I called just a little while ago to see how she was and they said they'd get back to me. Still waiting... I know they have other patients - probably others with KC too - but that doesn't make waiting any easier. When we left the vet who's been treating her wouldn't say she'd recover, just that they'd isolate her and start IVs. When we stop crying, I'm gonna be livid...

 

[nancycg56]

I'm sorry ~ it sounds like the vet dropped the ball. I don't understand why they didn't start the antibiotics right away ~ they could have always had you stop them if they weren't needed.

I don't blame you one bit for being livid ~ I would rip my vet a new one!

Please post when you hear something!

 

[IDoDis]

I'm sorry to hear about your baby girl. I would ask if they could waive any additional fees. It wouldn't hurt to ask. Make sure to talk to someone who is in charge (not just a receptionist).

We always do the bordetella intra-nasal spray just a few days before our Shelties are boarded, even if they just had one 6 months ago. The vet said the nasal injection should be given a few days prior to boarding. If you were behind on getting your dog shots, she wouldn't have a good protection/immunity built up to have the shots and be boarded the same day. You were given wrong information.

Since you were mislead by the vet about the amount of time between the shots and immunity, you might want to print this article and take it with you when you ask for the rest of the vet bills to be taken care of. Highlight this paragraph:

For the injectable vaccine, 2 doses must be given 3-4 weeks apart, and protection does not occur until 1-2 weeks after the second injection.

Do not give an intranasal vaccine as an injection, as an abscess may occur. More commonly, for best protection, an intranasal vaccine containing both parainfluenza and Bordetella is used. Intranasal vaccines create localized immunity that greatly reduces the incidence of clinical signs and illness. The vaccine may be used in puppies as young as 3 weeks of age, only one dose is necessary to provide protection, and protection occurs as early as 3-4 days following vaccination. There are several precautions and warnings that need to be observed pertaining to this vaccine. Some dogs will develop mild signs similar to tracheobronchitis when given this vaccine. Very often, the symptoms will last for several days and the dog will recover without treatment. Dogs that are vaccinated can also shed the virus and cause other dogs to become mildly infected and show mild signs. This shedding usually lasts less than 72 hours. In addition, it takes up to 4 days after vaccination for dogs to develop protection. When you combine these facts, you will see why it is strongly recommend that a dog not be given intranasal vaccine within 72 hours of coming into contact with other susceptible dogs. Do not give the vaccine the day before a dog show, boarding, etc. Try to give at least four days before contact with other dogs and preferably 7 days. This way you will protect your dog from becoming infected by other dogs, and protect those dogs from becoming infected by yours.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2102&aid=452

Not only was your vet wrong about the wait time after being immunized, but as you've read, the dog also sheds the virus after the immunization which a healthy dog can also catch which is another reason boarders should require a waiting period before boarding pets that have just had vaccines.

Hopefully your girl will be barking and running around again real soon.

 

[delilah]

Whatever happened to the concept of personal responsibility? It is your dog. It is a requirement of most kennels to have kennel cough vaccine prior to boarding the dog (your dog, remember?). Generally, vaccines need to be given prior to exposure to give the immune system an opportunity to work. It is like a parent upset because their child gets chicken pox or (Heaven Forbid) meningitis or cervical cancer because the parent didn't want to bring their child in for the recommended shot. The immunization for kennel cough has been available for years. You didn't get it for your dog. You took your chance, and unfortunately, you lost this time. Learn your lesson and move on. Personally, I would be greatly offended if I offered a patient a vaccine, they opted not to get it, and they later came down with the illness and blamed me for the exposure. It's like playing with matches in a fireworks warehouse. Common sense would tell you that isn't a good idea, but, common sense, unfortunately, is uncommon.

 

[msmayor]

Whatever happened to the concept of personal responsibility? It is your dog. It is a requirement of most kennels to have kennel cough vaccine prior to boarding the dog (your dog, remember?). Generally, vaccines need to be given prior to exposure to give the immune system an opportunity to work. It is like a parent upset because their child gets chicken pox or (Heaven Forbid) meningitis or cervical cancer because the parent didn't want to bring their child in for the recommended shot. The immunization for kennel cough has been available for years. You didn't get it for your dog. You took your chance, and unfortunately, you lost this time. Learn your lesson and move on. Personally, I would be greatly offended if I offered a patient a vaccine, they opted not to get it, and they later came down with the illness and blamed me for the exposure. It's like playing with matches in a fireworks warehouse. Common sense would tell you that isn't a good idea, but, common sense, unfortunately, is uncommon.

I completely agree with this.

 

[wheelcap]

I picked up my dog from a kennel once, at the end of a vacation, and she was acting happy to see us but just a bit strangely. Just after pulling out of their driveway, my wife noticed blood on her hand -- they had trapped her long beautiful tail in a door and didn't tell us at all. I went back and explained that I would be sending the vet bill to them, and if it wasn't paid I would have my lawyer contact them. The vet said the bones in the tail were crushed, and after a month of a cast and no progress, half the tail had to be cut off!?!?! I sent the bill to the kennel with a reminder about my threat of a lawyer, and I got a check in the mail 2 days later. Don't give up - just push them to take responsibility for their neglect.

 

[wheelcap]

Just typing that upset me about it, again!!!

 

[IDoDis]

Whatever happened to the concept of personal responsibility? It is your dog. It is a requirement of most kennels to have kennel cough vaccine prior to boarding the dog (your dog, remember?). Generally, vaccines need to be given prior to exposure to give the immune system an opportunity to work. It is like a parent upset because their child gets chicken pox or (Heaven Forbid) meningitis or cervical cancer because the parent didn't want to bring their child in for the recommended shot. The immunization for kennel cough has been available for years. You didn't get it for your dog. You took your chance, and unfortunately, you lost this time. Learn your lesson and move on. Personally, I would be greatly offended if I offered a patient a vaccine, they opted not to get it, and they later came down with the illness and blamed me for the exposure. It's like playing with matches in a fireworks warehouse. Common sense would tell you that isn't a good idea, but, common sense, unfortunately, is uncommon.

The OP never said she refused an offered vaccine. From what I read in her OP, she said she was concerned that there wasn't enough time between the vaccine being given and immunity being built up. The vet reassured her that it would be fine. She was mislead and given wrong information.

 

[OceanAnnie]

We got home from wdw last Wed and immediately picked up DD19's collie from our vet's office where she'd boarding. I am so upset. When DD19 went in to pick her up she looked too subdued (collies are anything BUT subdued, especially ours) so she asked if her baby was okay. The girl checked the chart, said "she's just fine, I don't see anything written here to indicate any problems" and we gave them a $400+ check for her care and the vaccines they'd updated at the beginning of her stay. Over the next 72 hours it was obvious that something was definitely wrong. She was just laying around and her breathing was a constant heavy pant.

Sunday morning, we took her for an exam, she had a fever, and the vet "something" had been going around their kennels and any dog that came into contact with another was getting it. After questioning, the "something" turned out to be kennel cough. They drew blood, said they didn't see anything else, charged me $140 and sent us home, telling us she'd be better within five days.

She didn't get better though, just more quiet and uncomfortable. Today I called again and took her back for another appt. The fever isn't really high but it's still there. Now she's developed pnuemonia. They hospitalized her and started IVs three hours ago. The DD's and I have spent each of the those minutes since we left her in tears. We're worried sick.

As we left the vet's office a tech that knows our dog and cared for her while we were away approached us in the parking lot. She told DD that another area kennel asked them to take in some dogs after a kennel cough outbreak at that other kennel and they made room. So they must have known my dog was exposed. They also knew kennel cough was a worry for me.

I'd specifically asked about kennel cough before leaving her there b/c she'd never been boarded anywhere before and would just be vacinnated that day instead of having time to build up an immunity. The kennel manager I spoke with assured me that it wouldn't be a problem. When I pushed the issue she said that, even worst case scenerio, kennel cough was like the flu and she'd be in the best possible place because they were doctors. We've used this vet for years and their reputation is excellent. I actually left town feeling reassured and confident that I'm made an even better choice than having DSIL come feed/walk/water because she'd have 24 hr supervision.

Anyway, I made a horrible mistake, I should have cancelled our trip when DSIL backed out at the last minute that morning we were scheduled to leave.

I really resent the fact that we've paid them nearly $600 in the past six days when they've made my dog so ill and now we'll owe even more when she's finally well enough to come home. The office policy changed this year so they no longer let you break the big expenses into payments, but require payment immediately before you leave the office each time. That'll be a budget buster this month for sure.

It's not that I'm not willing to pay whatever it takes to see her back home and healthy like she was only two weeks ago. I just can't believe that I have to pay for extra care due a disease they spread and neglected to inform owners of. Am I being petty and vindictive to think like this? Would you say anything to them about the money or just write them another check without comment?

I would definitely say something to the one of the vets about the experience and the bill. I would mention exactly what you stated (in bold). I would tell them you are not satisfied with what you were told or having to pay for the illness that your dog caught at the kennel. I would tell the vet I expect them to reimburse you for what you have paid thus far for treatment and also to pay for any remaining treatment.

Bottom line is you took a healthy dog to their facility. Inquired about vaccinations and your concerns were dismissed. I'm sure you had the kennel booked in advance. Don't they have a policy for vaccinations to prevent this type of thing? You would think so, especially for first time customers. I think it's insult to injury to pay for an illness that was picked up at their facility!

 

[terri01p]

I wouldn't pay another dime to the vet. I would tell them they have to pay for her treatment. Good luck

I AGREE WITH THIS....They made your doggie sick....not something you did. Call them and ask for the vet and get it straighten out...ASAP