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A Word About Kennel Cough (Bordetella)...

What is Kennel Cough?
Kennel Cough is an infectious bronchitis characterized by a harsh, hacking or gagging cough that most people describe as sounding like "something stuck in my dog's throat."


How Infection Occurs:
An infected dog sheds infectious bacteria and/or viruses in respiratory secretions.  These secretions become airborne, float in the air and then can be inhaled by a healthy dog.  Classically, dogs get infected when they are kept in a crowded situation with poor air circulation but lots of warm air (i.e., a boarding kennel, vaccination clinic, obedience classes, local park, animal shelter or grooming parlor).


How Contagious Is It?

Among dogs kennel cough is fairly contagious depending on stress level, vaccination status and exposure to minor viruses.  Dogs shed Bordetella organisms for up to 3 months after infection.


Vaccination Options:

There are basically 2 options for kennel cough vaccination: 1) Injectable and 2) Intranasal.

Injectable Vaccine: Injectable vaccination is a good choice for aggressive or 'head shy' dogs who may bite if their muzzle is approached.  This vaccine is generally boostered every 6 or 12 months.

Intranasal vaccine:  This vaccines can be given as early as 3 weeks of age and immunity generally lasts 10-12 months.  This vaccine is also boostered every 6-12 months.  The advantage here is that the local immunity is stimulated right at the site where the natural infection would be trying to take hold.  It takes 4 days to generate a solid immune response after intranasal vaccination, so it is best vaccination is given at least 4 days prior to exposure.

Some dogs will have some sneezing or nasal discharge in the week following intranasal vaccination.  As a general rule, nasal vaccination provides faster immunity then injectable vaccination.


Our Doctors recommend keeping all dogs current on Bordetella vaccinations as you never know when they will be in an unexpected situation.

If boarding is planned and there has been more than 6 months that have passed since the last booster shot, ideally the vaccine should be boosted 5 days or more before the start of boarding.