Going to the vet with your dog can be just as stressful as going to the doctor for yourself. It’s easy to forget what your vet said about the Bordetella vaccine by the time they’re done checking your dog’s health and going over the list of shots they need to give them. To make sure your dog has all of their shots when they need them most, here is what you need to know about the Bordetellashot.
What Is Bordetella?
The Bordetella vaccine is not a core vaccine. It is usually given to dogs that spend a lot of time with other dogs at boarding facilities or in social settings. Dog daycares, boarding houses, dog parks, shows, and training classes are just a few of the places that often require dogs to have the vaccine. In dogs, kennel cough is usually caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica, which is why this is the case.
Bordetella bronchiseptica makes the upper respiratory system of your dog swell up. This inflammation makes your dog cough and get sick, and it can also make him vulnerable to getting other infections. There won’t be anyone telling you, though, that your dog has Bordetella bronchiseptica. Most vets and people who work with dogs call it “kennel cough,” which can make it hard to understand what the Bordetella vaccine is for.
What Is Kennel Cough?
There are a lot of different lung illnesses that are highly infectious that are called “kennel cough.” The name of the disease comes from the fact that it is often spread in places where a lot of dogs are kept together, like kennels. Kitty cough doesn’t kill itself, but it can cause bronchopneumonia in puppies, which is deadly, and chronic bronchitis in older dogs or dogs with weak immune systems. That’s why you should think about whether your dog is likely to get the disease before you decide to vaccine it.
Kennel cough, which is actually called canine infectious tracheobronchitis, is very easy to pass from one dog to another through air drops, direct contact, or touching dirty objects like food and water bowls, toys, or kennel runs. This is similar to how kids get the common cold in school. Your dog is most likely to get it from a place where a lot of other dogs are, but they can get it from anywhere that is dirty. If you spend a lot of time with dogs at work or when you help, you may also bring it home to them.
The loud, clear hacking cough that dogs get when they have kennel cough is the most obvious sign of the disease. Dogs with kennel cough may also sneeze, have a wet nose, lose their appetite, feel tired, and have a low fever. Also, these signs are similar to those seen in dogs with canine distemper and the canine influenza virus. These are much worse than kennel cough, so make sure you call your vet and describe your dog’s symptoms. Your vet can also stop the spread of kennel cough in their office by calling ahead, so make sure you do what they say when you bring your dog in for a visit.
Even though kennel cough is very common, the good news is that it is generally very easy to treat. Your vet may tell you to give your dog a few weeks of rest, cough medicine, and maybe even drugs to keep any secondary illnesses from getting worse. Keep in mind that if your dog is a baby, an older dog, or one that doesn’t have a strong immune system, your vet may suggest more active treatments. Talk to your vet about how to keep kennel cough from spreading from one dog in the house or area to other dogs.
Is The Bordetella Vaccine Necessary?
Kennel cough spreads very easily. That means that if your dog goes to dog parks, boarding facilities, dog daycare, training classes, or dog shows, they might get kennel cough. For your dog’s safety, many of these places require proof that they have been vaccinated against Bordetella before they will let them in. Get your dog the vaccine today. If your dog stays inside and doesn’t spend much time with other dogs, you should ask your vet if they think your dog is likely to get kennel cough.
When Should My Dog Get a Bordetella Vaccine?
Talking to your vet is the best way to find out when or if your dog needs the Bordetella vaccine. Adult dogs that are healthy and hang out with a lot of other dogs should get a Bordetella shot every year. Boarding schools might need an extra shot from the last six months. Talk to your vet about getting your puppy vaccinated at the right age to keep it safe.
Are There Risks Associated With The Bordetella Vaccine?
Getting a vaccine is usually a very safe medical process, but any risks must be weighed against the benefits of getting a vaccine. Your vet may tell you not to get the Bordetella vaccine for your dog if it is sick, vulnerable, or pregnant. They will also talk to you about the risks and benefits of the vaccine for dogs that have had bad responses to vaccines in the past.
Dogs often get kennel cough from Bordetella, but it’s not the only thing that can cause it. Kennel cough can also be caused by other germs and viruses, such as the parainfluenza virus. This means that even dogs that have been protected can get it from somewhere else. Because of this, dog owners should know the signs of kennel cough, even if their dogs have had the Bordetella shot.
Get in touch with your doctor to learn more about the Bordetella vaccine and kennel cough.
This piece is only meant to give you general information. It is not meant to be medical or other expert help. Individual cases and the rules that apply change from place to place, so you should get the right help from professionals who are licensed to practice in those places. This article contains information that can be used to help people make decisions. If someone follows these suggestions or uses the information in any other way, we are not responsible for any damages that happen as a result. These damages can be direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or otherwise. They could include but are not limited to financial loss, injury, illness, or death.
