Okay, folks, let’s talk about kennel cough vaccine side effects, and how long they might stick around. I’ve been through this with my own pup, so I figured I’d share my experience.
So, my dog, Buster, he’s a real social butterfly. Loves the dog park, loves daycare, the whole nine yards. Because of that, the vet strongly recommended the kennel cough vaccine (Bordetella, they call it). I was all for it, anything to keep my buddy healthy, right?
I booked the appointment, and off we went. The vet gave him the vaccine – it was the intranasal one, you know, the one they squirt up the nose. Buster wasn’t thrilled, gave me that “why are you doing this to me?” look, but it was over quick.
The Aftermath
Right after, he was fine. A little sneezy, maybe, but nothing major. I was feeling pretty good, like, “Okay, that wasn’t so bad!”
- Day 1: A little bit of sneezing, a bit like a mild cold. He was still eating and playing, though maybe a tad less energetic than usual.
- Day 2: The sneezing ramped up a bit. He also developed a slight cough, just a little “huff” here and there. I started to get a little worried, I’ll admit. I was watching him like a hawk.
- Day 3: Okay, the cough was definitely more noticeable. Not constant, but enough to make me reach for the phone and call the vet. They reassured me that mild coughing and sneezing were pretty normal, and to keep an eye on him. They told me to call back If he has a fever, lethargy, or loss of appetite.
- Day 4-7: Slowly but surely, things started to improve. The coughing became less frequent, the sneezing subsided, and his energy levels perked back up. By the end of the week, he was pretty much back to his old self.
From what happened to me, the side effects, mainly that little cough and some sneezing, only lasted for a week. The worst of it was around days 2 and 3.
One thing that kept me sane with checking in with my vet. Your dog might be different, so be sure to follow what your vet says.
All in all, was the vaccine worth it? Absolutely. Kennel cough itself can be way worse than a few days of sniffles. Protecting Buster from that nasty cough is definitely worth a little temporary discomfort. And, seeing how my dog loves playing with others, it is no doubt it was the best course of action.
