Bordetella Vaccine: Why Your Pet May Need It Story Date: 11/27/2013
Bordetella…The Misunderstood Vaccine
Whether you refer to it as “kennel cough” or more properly,
“infectious tracheobronchitis”, many people are unaware of how common
this illness really is. In fact, many pet owners often refuse to
vaccinate their dogs for this disease. So, how can a Bordetella vaccine
be helpful even if your pet is never boarded?
By: Dr. Jim Humphries, Veterinary News Network
It’s
a common comment heard in many veterinary hospitals…”we don’t need the
kennel cough vaccination…we never board or kennel our dog”. Despite the
owner’s insistence that their pet isn’t at risk, most people would be
surprised to find out that this disease can be found in a wide variety
of places.
Infectious tracheobronchitis, more commonly known as “kennel cough”, is a
communicable bronchitis in dogs that is often found anywhere dogs
congregate. Naturally, boarding kennels come to mind, but quite often,
people will forget that grooming salons, dog parks, pet superstores or
even their favorite veterinary hospital can also be potential sources of
infection.
Dogs who contract tracheobronchitis will produce a rough, hacking cough
that many owners will describe as the pet trying to cough something up
or even retch. Spasms, or coughing fits, are not uncommon and some
people relate that their pets seem worse at night.
Kennel cough can be caused by a wide variety of organisms, including
canine adenoviruses, canine distemper virus and a bacterial species that
goes by the name of Bordetella bronchiseptica. Other viruses, such as
canine herpesviruses or reoviruses are also thought to contribute to the
disease and it is not uncommon to see more than one pathogen involved.
Infected dogs will spread viruses or bacteria through airborne particles
where healthy dogs can inhale them. In some cases, the germs can also
spread via toys or food dishes. Dogs that are exposed will generally
show signs of illness within two to fourteen days and may act sick for
an additional two weeks. In many cases, the disease is very mild and
your pup may never run a fever or act as if anything is wrong. However,
this is a disease that can progress to pneumonia and be
life-threatening.
What’s even worse is that a pet who has recovered from this illness
could potentially infect other dogs for up to two or three months! So,
that normal looking dog at the busy city dog park could, in fact, be
sharing some nasty germs as he plays with his doggie pals!
Like many diseases we see in pets, proactive prevention is the key to
stopping kennel cough. Most dogs will receive vaccinations against
canine adenoviruses and parainfluenza when they receive their canine
distemper and canine parvovirus vaccines. In addition, Bordetella
vaccination is available and can help limit the severity of the illness
if your pet is ever exposed to this bacterium.
The Bordetella vaccine is considered to be a “non-core” vaccine by the
American Animal Hospital Association. This means that not all pets need
this vaccination, but the choice to vaccinate should be based on the
pet’s risk factors. As mentioned above, if your pet is routinely
groomed, enjoys trips to the local dog park or even gets to go shopping
with you at the big box pet food store, he is likely being exposed to
the agents that cause kennel cough.
Vaccination against the Bordetella bacterium will generally provide
immunity for about one year. So, pets at risk will need annual boosters
and some pets who board frequently or visit grooming salons regularly
may actually benefit from re-vaccination every 6 months. Experts also
recommend getting your pet a booster vaccination five days or more prior
to possible exposure, if more than six months have passed since the
last vaccination.
If your pet is dealing with any sort of cough, the best advice on
treatment will come from your veterinarian. Although antibiotics may or
may not be prescribed, your pet could receive a cough suppressant or
even a recommendation to let the dog stand in the bathroom while you
shower! Just like with kids, the warm, humid air in the bathroom can
loosen congestion and help your pet to breath more easily.
To learn more about how veterinarians are working hard to keep your pets
healthy, visit your veterinarian’s website.
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