Vet gave my dog kennel cough...

[horseshowmom]

Hi, I'm the poster whose DH is a vet, and I just wanted to chime in as well. First, so sorry your dog is not showing faster improvement! Personally, if you feel like the dog is getting good care NOW (obviously separate from the issue of how she got sick in the first place), I would leave her. It can be traumatic to move someone who's sick, and a new vet would not know her history as well as the clinic that's been treating her since day 1 of the illness.

Secondly, if you want more time speaking to the vet, ask very specifically for it. I think talking to him/her one-two times a day is reasonable, but I know my DH has some very "involved" clients who talk to him all the time when their pet has a complicated case. From my experience watching him, the vets at his clinic (all 7!) are all unbelievably devoted to getting pets better, and want their clients to be as in the loop as possible.

Lastly, when they say they are not that experienced in dealing with the canine influenza (and I know nothing about that)...you may want to ask if they subscribe (they have to pay for a subscription) to VIN (Veterinary Information Network, I believe). It's a message board for vets, and my DH uses it anytime he has a case he's not too sure on or wants extra feedback. Vets specializing in all kinds of medicine are on there, and he has always gotten the info he wanted. They could post your pet's situation and specifics (even attach the x-rays), and get lots of answers from vets around the country who DO have experience with it.

Good luck; hope that helps a little!

Wonderful post!

I agree about not moving her at this point. Also, I commend jana616's husband (and any other vet) who reaches out for additional assistance to better serve their patients!

Just wondering - have you or your daughter been by to see her (maybe try feeding her and walking her yourself)? I know that some vets will let you do that, and it might help her spirits (just a thought).

Best wishes for your dog...

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Wow OP, I would be nervous. Especially after the last conversation your DD had with the tech.

Do you have a specialty vet office nearby, you can call maybe just to get some further advice? Especially since this office admitted to you they don't have alot of experience with this sort of thing.

We have an office of specialty vets here in Pittsburgh, called Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialists. They are there for the more complicated and involved types of things pets can get.

They will take calls just to ask questions. I would ask around, maybe you have a place around like that near you. Good Luck!

 

[MomiTo2SwtGuys]

I just want you to know I hope you dog gets better soon. They are like family to us as well!

 

[TupperMom7]

The nasal spray vaccine for kennel cough takes 4 days to take effect. The injection takes from 7 - 14 days to take effect. So if your dog got the vaccine the day she arrived to be boarded, there is no way she was protected against kennel cough.

I would calm approach the vet and explain the situation. Tell them that you do not mind paying them for the boarding and the vaccines that she received when she arrived, but you would like to be reimbursed for the kennel cough vaccine and you would like the office to absorb the cost of getting the dog well since it was their responsibility that she got kennel cough in the first place.

Depending on their attitude, you may have to threaten them with taking them to small claims court. You could even suggest to them that the local newspaper or newschannel might be interested to know that they took in dogs from another kennel that had an outbreak of kennel cough during your dogs stay with them. Don't pull out the big guns unless you have to.

 

[ceecee]

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.

Our kennel requires this shot be admistered by the vet and faxed to them 30 days prior to boarding or he will not take the dog. My sister forgot to get it for her dog and they said sorry, take the dog home. I can't believe a vet would not require this. My rescued lab had kennel cough when we got her ( we waited 3 weeks for her to be better before bringing her home from rescue) she had gotten it at a shelter that called the rescue since she was a full breeded dog. She almost died, she was so sick. Persue this, I think it's terrible that it happened while being boarded at a vet, all kennels should require this.

 

[Dancemom03]

I edited the OP to add... "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..."

Maybe my post will help someone else getting ready to go away. The addidition of this new canine influenza threat which I'm hearing is becoming more prevalent on the east cost right now would definitely have stopped me from boarding her if I'd known about it.

It really isn't a question of who pays or how much anymore. It's just a question of survival. I'm still really bothered that they wouldn't tell us she was sick when we picked her up but mostly now b/c, not only would she have received care sooner, but I would have known and left DD8's papillion puppy with DB so she wasn't exposed to it too. So far, the puppy's okay and we're watching her very carefully for any signs of illness.

 

[horseshowmom]

I edited the OP to add... "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..."

Maybe my post will help someone else getting ready to go away. The addidition of this new canine influenza threat which I'm hearing is becoming more prevalent on the east cost right now would definitely have stopped me from boarding her if I'd known about it.

It really isn't a question of who pays or how much anymore. It's just a question of survival. I'm still really bothered that they wouldn't tell us she was sick when we picked her up but mostly now b/c, not only would she have received care sooner, but I would have known and left DD8's papillion puppy with DB so she wasn't exposed to it too. So far, the puppy's okay and we're watching her very carefully for any signs of illness.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I have not heard of this flu until reading all of these posts the other day. From reading this, I really hope he doen's have that.. and as you said.. now it only matters that he get strong and pull thru.. never mind where fault lay... focus needs to be on him getting better. If you have faith in your vet, then by all means just leave him as is there.. but do call and speak to the vet, not the tech's.. sometimes tech's mean well, but they are not the vet.. and don't have the vet's knowledge... hugs to all of you.... especially your DD19 and her baby...

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

I hope your dog feels better soon. I am so sorry you are going through this and I hope you are able to work something out with your vet. Is there a way they will let you spend some time at the office with your dog? He may also be missing you too and that little time together may be the boost he needs to come around.

 

[Eeyore18]

Thinking of you and your dog. I feel your pain, although our situation was much different. We boarded our 14 year old lab for our Disney Cruise last week. This was not our first choice, but my m-in-law also pulled out within the last month. He never boarded before. We placed him in a very well- recommended animal inn.
When we went to pick him up- he was having a hard time getting up on his back legs. He was having some issues before-but not like this. Throughout the day-he became worse-until he finally couldn't get up at all.
Needless to say- we had to put him down the next day. It was the hardest thing to do, but we didn't want him to suffer. We were blessed with 14 years, but it is still sad. Did something happen there-or was it his time? We'll really never know. Sending prayers your way-they are sooo much part of the family! Keep us updated!

 

[Donna]

I'm so sorry to hear about your collie! What is her name?
I agree that you should go visit her; just seeing you and smelling your scent may lift her spirits.
in 2005, my golden caught this flu, there was an outbreak around here. She apparently sniffed a light pole that an infected dog had urinated on. She developed a high fever from it, was treated with antibiotics and finally recovered. Although she recovered, we always wondered if that high fever damaged her heart since she died of cardiac arrest suddenly at the age of 7, just 4 years later.
Now we have an RV and take our dogs (have 2) with us and stay at fort wilderness. It is so nice to not worry about them anymore.
i will be worried about your pup and praying for a full recovery for her. I think it will do you all good, including your dog, to stop by for a visit. She needs to know you're there and who knows, it might give her the will to fight harder!

 

[Dancemom03]

10th day back/Day 5 of hospitalization --
Well, we went to visit today. Not a good idea. We left to a loud symphony of those ear-splitting collie barks I've been missing this week. I thought they'd be a welcome sound, but today they were just heartbreaking. She barked for at least 20 minutes after we left the isolation room - it wasn't her happy bark, it was her pleading bark. I know b/c we hung around in the front to ask questions and wash very well before driving home to strip and shower. I looked up from the sink at one point to see DD19 laughing thru her tears. I fleetingly wondered if she'd lost it but then she said "listen, she's got every dog in here barking now" with a sort of motherly pride. Yup, my kids are the leader type and apparently so is my dog even when stuck in isolation.

Anyway, as the cage door opened there was no doubt that our doggie is more than anxious to come home. She's in isolation, a small storage room by herself in a cage with a pillow, and was laying comfortably when we opened the door. The vet accompanied us so we had a chance to talk. The news wasn't any different though - she's stable, no fever, but basically unchanged. No better, no worse up to that point. I'm hoping all the barking/excitement didn't exhaust her and make it any worse. That's been my biggest fear all day and, since the vet never called back tonight, I'm assuming all is well but I'd sure like to hear it from them.

So... we stayed for about a half hour before taking DD19 to work in tears. We all really broke down crying looking at her there with IV bandages on both legs. As soon as she saw us, she got up and pulled the IV out. She's comfortable there, and has never balked at going to the vets, or with the techs, so that's a blessing at any rate. At the end of the visit, I told her she had to go back into the crate, to be a good girl, we'd be back - just like I do at home when I run out to the store - and she went in on her own. She's a good dog - incredibly friendly, outgoing, and happy to meet & explore all life has to offer. Unfortunately right now, that isn't a lot...

It was really cramped with four humans in that small isolation room but she had to stay inside to be sure she doesn't infect anybody else's beloved pet. I don't mean this in a nasty way, but I really wish they'd extended that courtesy/precaution to us when our dog was boarding. I'm sure if they had, she be at home, healthy & happy right now...

Oh well... they'd had a visit from a rep that makes the new vaccine for the influenza in the past few days. Now it appears they believe that we're dealing with the canine influeneza instead of kennel cough. I guess that makes sense after learning that they lost a dog last week from this but it just makes it all the more frightening.

The vet recommended that we get the puppy vaccinated with the new vaccine for canine influenza. She said it just came out this month and could be given with a kennel cough shot too. The new puppy would probably shed the virus, but shouldn't catch it, and it could lessen symptoms if she's already been infected. I don't why but that worries me almost as much as the possibility of her being already infected. I'm going to do some research, then call for a few second opinions Monday before deciding.

Listening to her barking in the distance as we left the office, I realized that, even though technically she's DD19's dog, I'd be perfectly happy to just quietly sit there on the floor beside her isolation cage all day & night like you would with a baby in the hospital.
Darn summer vacation anyway, I'm thinking a long daily visit will be too hard on both dog and girls, yet I'd camp out alone around the clock in a heartbeat if I thought it'd help her, instead of just me.

While I'm wishing school was back in already so I could spend more time at the vets, I still have to wonder... Where in the world did my summer go? There's only three weeks left and those will be filled with the county 4H fair, vacation bible school, lending a hand during the fire dept's carnival, then the state fair and school shopping. Right now I guess I'll just focus on both dogs accompanying me to the bus stop for first day of school...

 

[Donna]

Thanks for the update. i still think visiting did her good. just the fact that she has the energy to bark like that is a good sign i think. i think this flu just takes time to get out of their system. can't blame you for wanting to camp out there. when my 4 yr old cocker had spinal surgery and came home, my son slept downstairs in her cage with her.
Looking forward to your post that she is coming home!

 

[Dancemom03]

Looking forward to your post that she is coming home!

Thanks, me too. From your keyboard to God's ears...

 

[betsywdw]

I just read your post and had to offer a

My dog has so many health issues it would take too long to type and I know the feeling of leaving them at the hospital, not fun at all.

Will be checking to see when she gets home! I'll keep her in my prayers.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Poor doggie!

But now I have a question--can Kennel Cough lead to influenza.

I'm a bit confused as to how all this happened and how it can be for certain blamed on the vet.

I.e. I have had pets get sick just before leaving town and they had no option but to go to an animal hospital.

I can't believe kennels are all that bad. But perhaps vets should remain "hospitals" and not be kennelling well pets.

 

[Dancemom03]

Poor doggie!

But now I have a question--can Kennel Cough lead to influenza.

I'm a bit confused as to how all this happened and how it can be for certain blamed on the vet.

I.e. I have had pets get sick just before leaving town and they had no option but to go to an animal hospital.

I can't believe kennels are all that bad. But perhaps vets should remain "hospitals" and not be kennelling well pets.

I don't know if kennel cough can lead to influenza or not. I'm not that familiar with this new influenza and apparently neither was my vet - at least that's what they're telling us - that they "have very little experience with it" so far.

In my case, I know that it was an area kennel that called my vet to ask them to take in extra dogs specifically b/c they had a KC outbreak. My vet has accepted responsibility. They told us this weekend not to worry about the bill - we won't be charged. Ironically, after all the debate, I didn't ask. At this point, I just want our baby home healthy whatever the cost - the vet brought up the subject when I asked how much longer she might be hopsitalized.

They still can't say for certain whether it is kennel cough or influenza - they're leaning towards influenza b/c of the pnuemonia and the length of time it's taking her to recover but, from what I've read, the symptoms are very similar. The vet recently told us that they had kennel cough "going around" while my dog was boarding, without providing additional details, and also that they had a dog boarding who had influenza, and has since died. They still can't say that our dog will fully recover but we're all very optimistic.

I don't believe that kennels are all that bad, I do know - now - that there are a lot of healthy - and yes, vaccinated dogs too - who wind up sick, for whatever reason, after being boarded - so, IMO if you can arrange for any other option, that seems vastly preferrable to me after what we're going thru.

Quite a few of the larger, more established veterinary practices in our state are opening their own boarding kennels. I still tend to think that a kennel with vets and vet techs on staff 24 hours to monitor health/treat if neccessary sounds like a better solution than a boarding kennel where the animals are just housed, fed, and checked on a few times a day by kennel help who, around here, may be area teens willing to clean runs and shampoo dogs for minimum wage. Obviously, somewhere along the line, somebody at our vet's dropped the ball by not telling us she was sick when we picked her up, but I still think she was better off than if at the un-named kennel who inadvertantly sent exposed animals to be boarded with our dog. I also believe that she would not have gotten ill in the first place had we found a pet sitter to some feed/water/walk in our home as we have in the past, but I am very grateful for the dedicated care she is receiving in the fight to get well.

 

[ceecee]

I used to think a vet would be better than a kennel, but we found a wonderful kennel. The vet's office closed and the dogs were there alone all night in a small cage! I checked five different places before finding the one we use. It's a little of a drive but worth it. He insists on updated shot records including bordella (? K.C.) and they have large runs with beds and they give them walks, treats, etc. The guy lives next door to the kennel, it's really large and clean...no smells even though there are a lot of dogs there. They clean out the runs daily. Just check anywhere you leave your furbabies! Hopefully your's will be home and well very soon!!!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

sometimes no news is good news.. and one way to look at it is that your baby hasn't gotten worse.. that is really good news...

 

[mickeyluvr004]

Sorry to hear your dog is sick I hope she gets better soon. I also treat ours like they are my kids so I know what you are saying. We do kennel our dogs but I have to say it took us awhile to find this place they came very well recommended and its an hour drive one way but soo worth it they live on property and she is a breeder and they truely love going there I am soo happy bringing them there (they only go there once a year) but get excited when we pull up the driveway its soo cute. Please keep us updated as you can see we are all pulling for your baby and want to hear those words SHES HOME