Kennel Cough Vaccine and Boarding
Guidelines for When, How Often and What Type of Vaccine to Give
Nov 14, 2008
If your dog has ever come home from the boarding kennel and about a week later developed a dry, hacking cough, you may have experienced your dog having kennel cough, also called Infectious Tracheobronchitis (ITB). While kennel cough is seldom life-threatening, it can be a nuisance to hear your dog coughing for up to three weeks. Prior to your next trip without your dog, consult with your veterinarian to vaccinate for kennel cough in advance.
What Causes Kennel Cough?
When there are a number of dogs in close living quarters, such as in a boarding facility, one infected dog can pass the infective organisms that cause kennel cough, Bordetella bronchiceptica (bacteria) and Parainfluenza and Adenovirus (viruses) and sometimes Mycoplasma. Any susceptible dog can inhale the airborne organisms and develop a kennel cough infection, much like a human cold. Other dogs have a natural immunity and don't get sick. Typically, most dogs get a dry, hacking cough but don't have a fever or loss of appetite. Some dogs recover on their own with no medication. However the persisting cough can irritate the dog and its owners during the infective stage. It is important for the veterinarian to perform an exam for a coughing dog to rule out more serious causes that need to be addressed.
Should My Dog Be Vaccinated For Kennel Cough and When?
The decision to vaccinate for kennel cough or not should be discussed with your veterinarian. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) republished guidelines in 2006 for all canine vaccine administration. One must consider the dog's risk of exposure due to its lifestyle. AAHA considers Kennel Cough a "non-core" vaccine that is not required routinely as are others that must be given on schedule to prevent more serous diseases. The risk of exposure increases when a group of dogs are placed together in close proximity to one another.
Dogs That Should be Vaccinated for Kennel Cough:
- Show Dogs
- Dogs to be boarded at a Kennel, Veterinary Clinic or other boarding facility
- Some Hospitalized Pets at Veterinary Discretion
- Any other time your dog is visiting a group of other dogs with unknown vaccine history
- Senior Dogs or those with heart disease, respiratory problems or who are immunocompromised
Many pet owners ask "When and how often should my dog get the kennel cough shot?" It is important to note that dogs will not receive full protective immunity from the vaccine for anywhere from 72 hours to 2 weeks, depending on the vaccine type. Studies show that the intranasal type has the quickest immunity in dogs that have never been vaccinated before and for puppies. Some of these vaccines require a second booster when given for the first time for full immunity. The injectable type may establish quicker immunity as a booster in those dogs who already have been vaccinated. Consider scheduling your kennel cough shot at the same time you are calling about boarding or making plans to travel to a show at least one to two weeks in advance.
As to the type of vaccine, there are some that only have Bordetella bronchiseptica and others that also contain Parainfluenza and Adenovirus which are also involved in causing the infection. The last two may also be given as a part of a routine 5-way vaccine. The duration of immunity of the Bordetella or Bordetella combination vaccines varies from six months to one year. Each boarding facility and veterinarian will determine the how often to give the vaccine based on their requirements and what is best for your pet.
Taking time in advance to talk to your veterinarian and schedule your dog's kennel cough vaccine administration correctly can save you time and money later.
Sources:
"Kennel Cough in Dogs," The Pet Center
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