Bordetella

Bordetella bronchiseptica

  • Bordetella is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory disease of dogs. It is common anywhere there are large numbers of dogs or puppies present thus giving it the common name of “Kennel Cough.”
  • Most often noticed is a cough lasting anywhere from a few days to weeks. Other symptoms can include mild fever, loss of appetite, and mild lethargy.
  • Bordetella can be found as a single infectious agent or can accompany viral respiratory infections such as Adenovirus 2 or Parainfluenza virus in dogs that are not up to date on their vaccines.
  • Prognosis is very good with proper treatment including antibiotics, and lots of rest. Dogs with bordetella infection should be kept away from other dogs to prevent spread of the disease.

Is my dog at risk of this disease?

  • These bacteria are very easy to transmit. It is as easy to transmit as the common cold. All dogs are at risk for bordetella.
  • Indoor dogs can come into contact with the bacteria through screens, by getting loose, coming into even distant contact with infected dogs.

Can we prevent this disease?

  • Vaccination is very effective in preventing this disease and also very safe.

At minimum, dogs should have an initial intranasal vaccination that lasts 6 months, especially puppies because of all the socialization and training that is going on at that time of their lives.

Most dogs will go to an annual subcutaneous vaccination after the initial vaccine.

Any dog that is not current for bordetella and is going to be at risk for exposure very soon may need to receive the intranasal vaccine as a booster.

Current status for bordetella vaccination is required for all grooming, obedience and boarding dogs.