Everything You Need to Know About the Bordetella Vaccine

Is Bordetella the same as kennel cough?

No. Bordetella is a specific bacteria, and kennel cough is a general name for a group of respiratory infections in dogs. Bordetella is one of the most common causes of kennel cough, but it is not the only one.

"Bordetella is a type of bacteria that is often involved in respiratory infections in dogs, and respiratory infections are very infectious between dogs," Dr. Long said. "Sometimes people equate Bordetella with kennel cough, and it's not quite the same thing."

What kennel cough actually is. "Kennel cough is just a familiar name that we use to refer to a general complex of respiratory infections," she explains. "Some are viral, some are bacterial." Veterinarians often call this group canine infectious respiratory disease complex, or CIRDC. The full name of the bacteria in question is Bordetella bronchiseptica. Other organisms that can be involved include canine parainfluenza virus, canine adenovirus type 2, canine respiratory coronavirus, canine influenza virus, and Mycoplasma. In many sick dogs, more than one of these is present at once, and a virus can irritate the airways in a way that lets Bordetella settle in more easily.

Why the distinction matters for the vaccine. Because kennel cough has more than one cause, a vaccine against one cause cannot prevent every case. "The Bordetella vaccine is effective against the bacterial component of that complex of diseases, but not the viral," Dr. Long said. "So that's an easy way to say that it's not going to be effective in all cases. And some dogs that are vaccinated against Bordetella can still get mild respiratory disease." That is not a shortcoming of the vaccine. It reflects what the vaccine is designed to do, which is reduce the risk and severity of one major piece of the problem.

To see how this vaccine fits alongside your dog's other shots, our guide to core vaccines for dogs walks through the full schedule.

How does kennel cough spread, and what are the symptoms?

Kennel cough spreads through the air and through direct contact, and it moves quickly wherever dogs gather. The most recognizable sign is a dry, forceful cough that many owners describe as honking, sometimes followed by retching or gagging as if something is stuck in the throat.

How it spreads. When an infected dog coughs, sneezes, or barks, it releases droplets that nearby dogs can breathe in. Nose-to-nose greetings, shared water bowls and toys, and contaminated surfaces all contribute. Dogs can shed the bacteria before they look sick, and sometimes for weeks after symptoms resolve, which is one reason outbreaks are hard to contain. Boarding kennels, doggy daycare, grooming salons, dog parks, training classes, and shelters carry the highest risk.

Signs to watch for. Along with the cough, dogs may sneeze, have a runny nose or watery eyes, seem tired, or eat less than usual. The cough often gets worse with excitement, exercise, or pressure on the collar. Signs typically appear within a few days to about two weeks after exposure.

How serious it is. For most healthy adult dogs, kennel cough is uncomfortable but mild, and it clears within one to three weeks with rest and sometimes supportive care. Puppies, senior dogs, dogs with weakened immune systems, and flat-faced breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and French Bulldogs have less margin, and in these dogs the infection can progress to pneumonia. A cough paired with lethargy, refusing food, labored breathing, or thick colored nasal discharge should be seen promptly. Modern Animal All Access and Essential members can reach our team through 24/7 Virtual Care to talk through symptoms and decide whether a visit is needed.

How does the Bordetella vaccine work?

The Bordetella vaccine exposes your dog's immune system to a weakened form of the bacteria so the body learns to recognize it. If your dog later encounters Bordetella, the immune system can respond faster, which lowers the chance of infection and tends to make any illness milder and shorter.

Protection at the point of entry. At Modern Animal, the vaccine is given by mouth. Oral and intranasal Bordetella vaccines work partly by stimulating immunity in the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and throat, which are the surfaces Bordetella contacts first. This local immunity is a real advantage against a respiratory germ. An injectable form also exists, and your veterinarian can explain if there is a reason to choose it for a particular dog.

What it does not do. As Dr. Long noted, the vaccine does not cover the viral causes of kennel cough. If canine parainfluenza or canine influenza is circulating in your area, a Bordetella vaccine alone will not address it. Parainfluenza is often included in your dog's combination core vaccine, and canine influenza has a separate vaccine of its own. Our post on the canine influenza vaccine explains when that one makes sense.

How quickly it starts working. Mucosal vaccines are generally considered to begin producing protection within several days, and many boarding and daycare facilities ask that the vaccine be given at least a week or so before a stay. If your dog has a boarding reservation coming up, build in some lead time rather than vaccinating the day before.

Does every dog need the Bordetella vaccine?

No. The Bordetella vaccine is what veterinarians call a non-core, or lifestyle, vaccine. Core vaccines such as rabies and distemper are recommended for every dog, while non-core vaccines are recommended based on an individual dog's risk. For Bordetella, that risk comes down to how much time your dog spends around other dogs.

"It's important to know that we don't recommend the Bordetella vaccine in every dog," Dr. Long said. "We usually talk about lifestyle and how much contact your dog has with other dogs, and what the risk of the disease is. And then you and your veterinarian together will make the decision whether to use Bordetella in your dog."

Dogs that usually benefit. Dogs that board, attend daycare, visit groomers, take group training classes, go to dog parks, or share a home with dogs that do any of these things are at higher risk. So are dogs recently adopted from a shelter or rescue. Many boarding facilities, daycares, and groomers also require proof of a current Bordetella vaccine before they will accept a dog, so for these dogs the vaccine is often required in practice as well as recommended.

Dogs that may not need it. A dog that lives mostly at home, walks on leash, and rarely meets other dogs has much lower exposure. For these dogs, the vaccine may be reasonable to skip, with the decision revisited if your dog's routine changes, for example before a first boarding stay.

Puppies, seniors, and breed considerations. Puppies can typically start the Bordetella vaccine at around eight weeks of age, and it is often given during the puppy visit series if classes or daycare are planned. Older dogs and flat-faced breeds are not more likely to catch Bordetella, but they are more likely to have complications if they do, which can tip the decision toward vaccinating even with moderate exposure. If you are not sure where your dog falls, book an appointment and we will talk it through.

How is the Bordetella vaccine given, and what are the side effects?

At Modern Animal, the Bordetella vaccine is given by mouth, not by injection. It takes a few seconds, and most dogs barely notice.

"The Bordetella vaccine is unique from most of the vaccinations we do in that it's an oral vaccine," Dr. Long explains. "In other words, we just squirt the liquid inside of your dog's mouth, so it's really easily tolerated."

What the appointment looks like. A member of the medical team gently opens your dog's mouth and squirts a small amount of liquid into the cheek pouch. There is no needle and no sore spot afterward, and for dogs that are anxious about injections it is one of the easiest vaccines to get through. It is often given during a wellness exam or alongside other vaccines in the same visit.

Common side effects. Side effects from the oral Bordetella vaccine are uncommon and usually mild. Some dogs sneeze, cough lightly, or have a little nasal discharge for a day or two, and mild tiredness or a reduced appetite for a day can also happen. Injectable versions can cause soreness or a small lump at the injection site.

When to call. Serious reactions to any vaccine are rare but possible. Facial swelling, hives, repeated vomiting, trouble breathing, or collapse within a few hours of a vaccine are emergencies and warrant a call or visit right away. If your dog seems off for more than a couple of days, or develops a persistent cough, check in with your vet.

How often does my dog need the Bordetella vaccine?

Once a year for most dogs. Immunity from the Bordetella vaccine does not last as long as immunity from some core vaccines, so annual boosters keep protection current for dogs that continue to have regular contact with other dogs.

"Bordetella is a vaccination that we typically booster every year," Dr. Long said.

Facility requirements. Some boarding facilities, daycares, and groomers set their own rules and may ask for a booster every six months. If your dog spends a lot of time in one of these settings, check their policy, and your veterinarian can help you decide whether a more frequent schedule makes sense.

If your dog is behind. If your dog has never had the vaccine, or it has been well over a year since the last dose, ask your vet whether a catch-up schedule applies. With the oral vaccine, a single dose is generally considered enough to establish protection, and annual boosters follow from there.

Keeping track. Boarding and grooming reservations often hinge on a vaccine record. Modern Animal members can view their dog's vaccination history in the Modern Animal app and share it as needed. Pairing the Bordetella booster with your dog's annual wellness exam is an easy way to keep it from slipping. That visit is also a good moment to revisit whether the vaccine still fits, since a dog's routine can change from year to year.

What does the Bordetella vaccine cost?

The Bordetella vaccine is one of the less expensive vaccines your dog will receive, and costs vary by location. "But don't worry, the cost is relatively low," Dr. Long said. "Like all of our prices, you can find a complete listing at modernanimal.com/pricing."

What can affect the total. The price of the vaccine itself is only one part of the bill. The type of visit matters: a vaccine given during a wellness exam is billed along with that exam, while a vaccine-only visit is structured differently. Your dog's age and health history can shape what your vet recommends at the same appointment, any additional diagnostics are priced separately, and the city your clinic is in affects pricing as well.

Weighing it against the cost of illness. Mild kennel cough often needs only rest, but a visit to diagnose it, any prescribed medication, and follow-up care add up, and pneumonia in a vulnerable dog can mean hospitalization. For a dog with regular exposure, the vaccine is an inexpensive way to lower both the odds and the severity.

For a full breakdown of service and test pricing at Modern Animal, visit modernanimal.com/pricing. Everything is listed transparently so you know what to expect before you come in.

The bottom line. The Bordetella vaccine is a quick, oral, low-cost way to reduce your dog's risk of the most common bacterial cause of kennel cough. It will not stop every respiratory infection, because kennel cough has viral causes the vaccine does not cover, but for dogs that board, go to daycare, visit the groomer, or spend time at the park, it is worth keeping current with a yearly booster. Dogs that rarely meet other dogs may not need it at all, and that is a decision you and your veterinarian make together.

If you are not sure whether your dog needs the Bordetella vaccine, book an appointment and we will look at your dog's lifestyle and health together. For more on vaccines and preventive care, visit the Modern Animal blog.