If you are going on vacation and need to board your dog at a facility, then you will need to make sure that your canine is properly vaccinated. This is a requirement of most facilities and an immunization against Bordetella is necessary. Keep reading to learn about this ailment and the vaccine that helps to protect your dog.

What Is Bordetella?

Some people confuse parvo with bordetella, and individuals will often times make sure that their canines are provided with a parvo immunization and forget the bordetella one. Both parvo and bordetella are caused by microorganisms, but parvo is an intestinal viral ailment while bordetella is a bacterial respiratory illness. Specifically, bordetella is commonly referred to as kennel cough and it is highly contagious bacterial infection that can be easily transferred from dog to dog. The bacterium is spread through the small droplets of saliva that are released when an infected dog coughs.

The aggressive bacterium that causes the kennel cough can be killed with a strong coarse of antibiotics. However, treatment does not always work and the ailment can linger for weeks or months. In some cases, canines can die. This often happens when a canine is extremely young or old or has another illness that affects the immune system. 

What Is The Bordetella Vaccine?

There are several types of vaccines that your canine can be given to protect him from kennel cough. The immunization for the ailment can be provided alone or it can be provided with several other immunizations. If you have not taken your dog for his immunizations yet, then speak with your veterinarian about a combination vaccine and a bordetella one. There are several variants, but the most complete combination vaccine will protect your dog from distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and adenovirus. However, it does not protect against bordetella specifically. You will need a separate vaccine for this, but all of the immunizations can be provided at one time.

Keep in mind that it does take about two weeks for the bordetella vaccine to start protecting your canine, so schedule your trip to the veterinarian accordingly. Also, you should know that a booster is suggested every six to twelve months if your dog is in contact with other canines on a regular basis.

Make sure to bring your immunization records to the boarding facility after meeting with the animal doctor. While the shots are meant to protect your dog from an illness, most canines return from boarding services as happy and healthy pups. For more information, contact companies like All Pets Hospital Ltd.

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