Monday 1 October 2018

Ok Confess ...

Who sent this to Ross? I think I know, but I'm just not sure. Long story, but briefly he had one delivered to him at Pwllheli show, but it was too small and I had my money back and the Kong was returned. Last night I ordered him on from e.bay ... but this morning this has arrived from amazon. Of course I was totally confused, but something I ordered from e.bay last night simply could not be here today .. and of course delivered by Amazon. I really do think I know, and I have sent them a PM, but I'll wait and have a confession before I make it public.
During the day at Pwllheli show a number of us heard a dog coughing within the hall. After it had been going on for a while I went searching and discovered it was an Irish Red and White Setter. As I was talking to a friend about it the show secretary went over and asked the exhibitors to leave. Bit like shutting the door after the horse has bolted  but what else could she do?
Anyway this morning I'm suspicious of Ross, I've not heard him cough, just clearing his throat a little so I'm going to take extra precautions and keep him away from other dogs for this week. Neither Ross nor Kaiah have had kennel cough but most of the others have. My experience of it with these is that it's very something and nothing, more of an annoyance than anything. I've never taken a dog to the vets with it and I hope I never need to.  It's only around the young and old that we need to take extra care, I don't mean Asha type old, I mean old and frail.
I will now keep an eye on everyone here, if he has it, it can easily spread from dog to dog. Though again we have found like colds and flu in humans some in close proximity get it, others don't! The virus needs to be inhaled to spread, the viral and bacterial causes are spread through airborne droplets produced by sneezing and coughing, so there is only a very small risk that a human could spread the disease from one dog to another via clothing or shoes or skin. To be honest a dog would need to sneeze or cough on your clothes and another would need to inhale in the same spot, basic hygiene is therefore all that's needed. The risk of us carrying it is so minimal that there is no need for over reaction or putting yourself in quarantine, other than it give others who are prone to over react peace of mind of course! Anyway I've heard nothing since so hopefully there is nothing wrong with Ross, but for the sake of friends with puppies I'll keep an close eye on him this week.