What is Bordetella? How is it different from Kennel Cough?
“Kennel Cough” is a broad term covering infectious or contagious condition of dogs (and rarely cats) where coughing is one of the major clinical signs. The term “tracheobronchitis” describes the location of the infection in the “windpipe” or trachea and bronchial tubes. Several viruses and bacteria can cause kennel cough, and often more than one is present at the same time.

Bordetella is the most common cause of kennel cough. It is a bacterial illness spread from dog to dog through the air or through respiratory secretions (much like the human cold). Because it is a contagious respiratory disease, it is most commonly contracted in areas where dogs congregate together, such as at dog parks, groomers, and kennels. While dogs that have not been to these areas are at lower risk, they can still contract the disease in other environments.

What are the clinical signs of kennel cough other than coughing?
Clinical signs may be variable. It is often a mild disease, but the cough may be chronic, lasting for several weeks in some cases. Common clinical signs include a loud cough (often described as a “goose honk”), runny eyes and nose, swollen tonsils, wheezing, lack of appetite, and depressed behavior. Most cases of infectious tracheobronchitis have a demonstrable or elicitable cough that occurs when the throat is rubbed.

What is the treatment for infectious tracheobronchitis?
There is no specific treatment for viral infections, but many of the more severe signs are due to bacterial involvement, particularly from Bordetella. Antibiotics are useful against this bacterium, although some antibiotic resistance has been reported. Some cases require prolonged treatment, but most infections resolve within one to three weeks. Mild clinical signs may linger even when the bacteria have been eliminated.

What about vaccination against Bordetella?
It is important to realize that not all members of the kennel cough complex have a vaccine. Also, because kennel cough is a localized infection (meaning it is local to the respiratory tract), it is an infection that does not easily lend itself to prevention by vaccination. Vaccines must be regularly boosted, and often vaccination simply decreases the severity of infection without completely preventing it.

Bordetella vaccination is recommended (and sometimes required) for dogs that are boarded, groomed, or that frequent dog parks. It takes 4 days to generate a solid immune response after vaccination so it is best if vaccination is given at least 4 days prior to the exposure. Some dogs will have some sneezing or nasal discharge in the week following intranasal vaccination. Vaccination is not useful in a dog already incubating kennel cough.

How is the Bordetella vaccine administered?
Bordetella vaccination is given either by injection or as drops in the nose. Giving the vaccine in the nose allows local immunity to develop on the mucous membranes of the nose, throat and windpipe where the infectious agents first attack.

Injectable vaccination is a good choice for dogs who may resist having their muzzle restrained while nasal drops are instilled.