Bordetella...For or Against???

[MinMuf1]

Tomorrow I am taking two of my furbabies to the Vet. One is getting a whole bout of teeth removed. The other is getting her last puppy shot which is to also include Bordetella. Although my other two have already had this vaccination (which were received BEFORE I was their Mommy) and I know that as with all shots, it is to build up the immune system - But, I'm wondering is it really necessary? My three NEVER are boarded or even have exposure to puppy parks or anything of the sorts. So, my Vet is leaving the decision up to me. In trying to be the best Mommy that I can be and with the big to do lately regarding over vaccinating, I'm really having second thoughts. So, I'm asking your thoughts on should I authorize this one vaccination that is optional, or shouldn't I? I thank you in advance for ANY and ALL responses.

[DaisyMaesMom]

Personally, I don't give those. Mine are never boarded or groomed outside of my home. If you ever take yours to the groomer you might consider it, but even then. I don't know that I would do it.

[yorkieusa]

I give it to mine. You can simply pick it up at a casual encounter with another dog. As it states below, it is airborne, therefore, you can expose your dog by simply going to the vet's office. All you need is another dog with the disease.

Bordetella is the most common cause of tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) in dogs. It is a bacterial illness that is most common among dogs that congregate at things like shows, kennels or other places frequented by large numbers of dogs at once. It does not appear that this bacterin gives a full year of immunity in many instances. For dogs that are often exposed to situations in which the infection is likely probably should be vaccinated twice a year. There are intra-nasal as well as subcutaneous bacterins available for this disease. The intra-nasal bacterin confers immunity more quickly but the injectable version may last longer.
http://www.vetinfo.com/dencyclopedia/debort.html

What is Canine Cough?
Canine infectious tracheobronchitis (Canine cough) is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in dogs. Fortunately, the majority of cases are not serious resolving on their own in 1 to 2 weeks. The main cause of canine cough is the airborne bacteria, Bordetella bronchiseptica. A dog with Canine Cough will develop a coarse, dry, hacking cough about five to ten days after being infected. It sounds as if the dog needs to "clear it's throat" and the cough will be triggered by any extra activity, drinking water, exposed to change of temperature or exercise. Many dogs that acquire Canine Cough will cough every few minutes, all day long. They will wretch and sometimes vomit a white foamy looking matter. Their general state of health and alertness are usually not affected, they usually have no rise in temperature, and do not loose their appetite.

Even in the most hygienic, well ventilated, spacious dog facilities, the possibility of a dog acquiring Canine Cough exists. Canine Cough can be acquired from your neighbor's dog, from a Champion show dog at a dog show, from the animal hospital where your dog just came in for treatment of a cut paw, from the sidewalk where an infected dog walked earlier. Try not to blame anyone or any place if your dog develops Canine Cough. There may have been an infected dog, unknown to anyone, that acted as a source for other dogs. The signs of Canine Cough usually will last from 7 to 21 days and can be very annoying for the dog and the dog's owners. If you suspect your dog has canine cough, isolate your dog and visit your veterinarian for medical advice. Do not take your dog to public places in order to prevent the spread of infection. If your dog has recently been to daycare, training, boarding or any other place where your dog was exposed to other dogs, notify the appropriate individuals to advise that your dog is coughing.

http://www.petopia.ca/faq.asp

[veguroev]

I go for it b/c like yorkieusa said just a casual encounter with another dog and that is all you need. So I don't take chances. Just my opinion.

[Lacy's Mom]

If you never board then absolutely, positively, NO, NO, NO! Can you tell I really dislike this particular vaccine??? Many dogs come down with kennel cough after receiving the vaccine.

[gypsyqueen]

Im the what if chick if for some reason they catch it I would have to much guilt

[Lacy's Mom]

From www.peteducation.com to support my opinion of NO.

Vaccination and prevention

The best prevention is to not expose your dog to other dogs, especially young puppies. If this cannot be avoided, then proper vaccination is the next best option. Chances are that if your dog is regularly vaccinated with a standard 5-way or 7-way vaccine, he is already being protected against several of the agents causing tracheobronchitis, mainly parainfluenza and adenovirus. However, these vaccines alone rarely provide protection against contracting the disease, although they will help reduce the severity of the disease if the animal becomes infected.

More commonly, for best protection, an intranasal vaccine containing both parainfluenza and Bordetella is used. Intranasal vaccines create localized immunity that greatly reduces the incidence of clinical signs and illness. There are several precautions and warnings that need to be observed pertaining to this vaccine. Some dogs will develop mild signs similar to tracheobronchitis when given this vaccine. Very often, the symptoms will last for several days and the dog will recover without treatment. Dogs that are vaccinated can also shed the virus and cause other dogs to become mildly infected and show mild signs. This shedding usually lasts less than 72 hours. In addition, it takes up to 4 days after vaccination for dogs to develop protection. When you combine these facts, you will see why I strongly recommend that a dog not be given intranasal vaccine within 72 hours of coming into contact with other susceptible dogs. Do not give the vaccine the day before a dog show, boarding, etc. Try to give at least four days before contact with other dogs, and preferably 7 days. This way you will protect your dog from becoming infected by other dogs, and protect those dogs from becoming infected by yours.

This vaccine is not without its problems. It is a very effective vaccine, but it must be used carefully and is generally only recommended for dogs that are at high risk. If your dog is not shown, boarded, or comes into contact with stray dogs, your dog is considered low risk.

In kennels where tracheobronchitis is a problem, strict hygiene with thorough cleaning and disinfection of cages and food and water containers is essential. In addition, kennels that are indoors should have good ventilation with an air turnover rate of at least 12 times an hour. Agents causing tracheobronchitis can be transmitted on hands and clothing as well as through the air, so infected animals must be isolated and handlers should wear gloves and use proper handwashing to help prevent spread. Vaccination of all animals, especially puppies is indicated in problem kennels. After initial vaccination as puppies, a yearly booster is recommended. However, some dogs that are at very high risk are vaccinated every six months.

[Sunnyd]

to any of my six dogs. Three of which go to the groomer. I know this may sound horrible but kennel cough can be cured with antibiotics and really isn't much danger to the dog provided it's treated. So I don't do it.

[tmatherly]

Scout got all his shots yesterday and is very ill today. I don't think it's from the bordetella, though. I think Lepto is what's making him sick. He is feverish, vomiting, and can't even bear weight on his legs with out crying. I took him in a healthy dog, and have a very sick dog today. I have researched it this morning and found alot of small breed dogs don't tolerate Lepto very well. Pippa never has any reactions, thank goodness. It's just a personal decision what you do, but I know I will never allow him to have Lepto again.

[ARCHIE]

I do give it to Buddy each year. He is around other dogs when walking because I keep him socialized which is very important. However I stopped
taking him to daycare because they said he has to have it every 6mo per law to come to daycare. Giving it once a year is bad enough I will not do it 2x per year.

[OLIVIA_KARHIS]

My girls get it but there around a lot of dogs and scent I have to ship them if I go back home on vacation and when I come back.. I might as well get the shot.

My Vet told me he didnt recommend it, unless I had my girls are around other dogs.

[RLC12345678]

I've never even given a second thought to vaccinating my dogs. I have always done just what the vet recommends. Everyone I know has always done it, too, with no problems. There is a risk with EVERYTHING you do. When you walk out of the house you are taking a risk. Likewise, you are taking a risk whether or not you decide to give the shot. If you DO give it, there is a risk of reaction. If you DON'T give it, there is a risk of catching Bordatella. So, I think you should decide for yourself since none of us here know you or your day-to-day habits. You need to weigh the risks and the benefits and see which side wins out.

Bordatella is the same thing as Whooping Cough in humans. It can be VERY serious, especially if it gets into the lungs. It can cause pneumonia, and antibiotics cannot always clear it up. I have seen many people on here who have said their yorkie has had Kennel Cough for several months and has gone through several several rounds of antibiotics to no avail. Just something to consider.

Something else to consider...out of ALL the dogs you know, how many have had an adverse reaction to the Bordatella vaccine?

[BamaFan121s]

I wouldn't get it if you don't plan to board. If the case ever prevents itself that you have to, you can always have them vaccinated for it then.

[rosesmom]

My breeder has me not do that one so I don't.

[Pipersmommy]

Originally Posted by Lacy's Mom

If you never board then absolutely, positively, NO, NO, NO! Can you tell I really dislike this particular vaccine??? Many dogs come down with kennel cough after receiving the vaccine.

My vet gave Misha hers today. He advises twice a year. He said a yearly doesn't last. I take her to the groomer every 5 weeks. I asked him if she could come down with kennel cough after receiving the vaccine, he said not from the vaccine. But it boost their immunity, & yes they could still get it from another dog. It's like people getting the flu shot, and I get mine every year.