Bad Bordetella Reaction for 3 months-Help
 

I regret so much being talked into (by the vet) to give Darcy the Bordetella shot. Ever since I got him the Bordetella shot (nasal) he has been sick. That was 3 months ago. I've done 10 days of antibotics and it did nothing except give him stomach problems.

He still has a bad cough that is getting worse, sneezing, hard time breathing and honking.

I'm so reluctant to put him on more antibiotics and was hoping this would start to pass but after 3 months it seems to be getting worse.

Any ideas? Has anything worked for you to cure a bad cough from the Bordetella shot? Will this get better on its own?

Any advice is appreciated!

Usually the nasal Bordetella vaccine causes (if at all) only mild cold-like symptoms for a short time. You will find that people don't agree on this particular vaccine. Most places that board dogs require it, and the conventional wisdom is that if you take your dog to a groomer, board, or other places where they are exposed to other dogs, they should have the vaccine. Although bordetella (kennel cough) is usually a self-limiting disease, it can lead to pneumonia. I personally think the risk from the vaccine is much lower than the risk of getting kennel cough, but there are several people on this forum whose opinions I respect and who choose not to give the vaccine.

I don't want to frighten you, but the hard time breathing and honking could be related to trachea problems. Have you had your dog examined by a vet since the first series of antibiotics was prescribed?

The sneezing and coughing could also be allergies -- Yorkies can be prone to them and may need an antihistamine to control the symptoms. I had an older dog who developed allergies a few years ago, and the first time she had an "attack" I thought she was having a heart attack - gasping for breath, making awful noises, etc. My vet put her on some tablets and she lived quite comfortably for several more years - to age 17.

Either way, I would take Darcy to the vet to have it checked out. .

Did it start immediately after the vaccine?

What's done is done. Can't change it now.

Antibiotics don't really cure the problem. They just guard against pneumonia. I'd go back to the vet and consider a second opinion. That's really all you can do at this point. Maybe it's not related to the vaccine at all. Have they given anything for the cough?

It sounds like he had a reaction to the vaccination. The bordatella given through the nose can cause chronic rhinitis and can't be cured , only treated. I spent over $3000.00 on my dog after the bordatella vac ruined him and tried every med known to mankind. I now have him on Ester-C only and so far this had been the Only thing that has helped him. He is about %70 percent better but does still have boogs and it's worse in the spring & fall but I can see a huge diff since we stopped all allergy meds and antibiotics. In the beginning he was very sick for about 6 months & developed pneumonia 2 times in one lung & 1 time in the other. I will NeVer put Anything in my dogs noses again.

Teddy had a cough from the bordatella vaccine for about a month and a half. The first antibiotic did not work for him, but he is now on his second and he has not coughed in the past couple of days. The coughing might have subsided on its own or may be as a result of the second round of (different) antibiotics. Either way, you need to go back to the vet because if its a bacterial infection it needs to be treated so it doesn't escalate to pneumonia. I know others will have better advice here than I can give but either way I think everyone will universally tell you that you should go to the vet again.

Bordetella in the nose I have never heard of that :confused:...my vet gives it in a shot up by the shoulders.

Learn something new everyday

anti-biotics
 

Remember to give probiotics if the little ones take antibiotics. Otherwise poo doos may start next.:eek:

I think you should get a 2nd opinion. Its been long enough for kennel cough to run its course and it shouldnt be getting worse

I'm sorry you're going thru this. I agree -- get a second opinion. That just sounds like too long.

Jackson has had kennel cough 2x now and it's a pain in the butt. I never got the vaccine for him due to reading it was unnecessary, etc, but we're constantly around other dogs, be it dog parks, pet stores, parks, etc, so he must have caught it from somewhere. So after he was put on antibiotics the cough cleared up in less than a week. Then we got the bordatella (up the nose). Well, I never updated the bordatella vaccine due to simply forgetting... and he got kennel cough again! :rolleyes: So from now on, I'm staying on top of it, as when he's had the shot it does seem to prevent it.

Trachea
 

When I read the post I also thought Trachea.

Having gone through Collapsed Trachea with my precious Mariposa, it rang a familiar bell. I pray it is not that. My little Mari, did pass away in June 10. She was 5 years old and lived 4 years with a severe case and it was hell for her and us. It was a horrible death and I am so paranoyd now, having a new little girl. Everything frightens me!:eek:

I would get that little one to the vet right away.

I feel your pain!
 

I had a similar experience with my Jules exactly a year ago. Went thru the antibotics with no relief. Also tried allergy meds and steroids. In April I saw a big improvement, I think it was because it was warmer outside and the furnance was off. The vet confirmed that she now has a weakened trachea. She started coughing/honking again last November, when the furnance again kicked on. She has been on antibotics twice so far this winter. I run a humidifer at night and it seems to help her. I guess time will tell if this is going to be a problem every winter or if it will subside with time. She never had this problem before the nasal version of the Bortella was given. I also said - no more up the nose! If you find a solution, please post it! I am still working on a solution too!

I am so sorry about the weakened trachea. As I said before, I went through this, a severe case for over 4 years. If you have any questions about it I can help. One thing that really triggered her was heat. She would love to lay in the sun but then any panting can trigger it. Getting excited can do it too. Trying to keep them calm can be hard but necessary. I hope all goes well with you and your baby. :thumbup:

I'm sorry your little one is going through this. I can sympathize with what is going on. My little girl has had a cough for well over a month now and has been on three rounds of antibiotics. We are going through what you are going through. I have to bring my little one back to he vet this week and then possibly to the University of Penn as the vet does not know what else to do for her. Three rounds of antibiotics and its still not gone. Not sure if shots caused it to hang on or not, but whatever is the cause it just is not going away. I have read from others on here that Kennel Cough could take months before it clears up. My others are fine (Luckily) I guess because they have a stronger immune system. Anyway, I hope your baby clears up soon. I know how upsetting it is to see them sick and not be able to do anything for them. :( Elaine

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

I agree.

If a young puppy gets kennel cough from the the bordetella vaccine, the main concern is preventing pneumonia and suppressing some of the coughing so that they get the proper rest.

Sadly, it really can take several weeks for a puppy (vs adult) to recover fully.

If you feel she is getting worse and worse...my advice would be to go back to the vet asap, or see a different vet.

Is she on a cough suppressant along with the antibiotic?