What is a Bordetella vaccine?
A vaccine that protects dogs against Bordetella bronchiseptica, a bacterium that causes kennel cough, commonly required by boarding facilities and doggy daycares.
The Bordetella vaccine guards against Bordetella bronchiseptica, a bacterium responsible for kennel cough, an upper respiratory infection that spreads rapidly among dogs in close quarters. The illness causes a persistent, dry cough and can lead to secondary infections or more serious pneumonia in vulnerable animals.
In Denver and across Colorado, boarding kennels, doggy daycares, and grooming facilities typically require proof of this vaccination before accepting dogs. The vaccine comes in two forms: an intranasal spray administered through the nose (the most common choice because it builds local immunity) and an injectable version. Most facilities ask that the vaccine be current within the past year, though some require it within six months of arrival.
Bordetella spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact, making it nearly inevitable in environments where unvaccinated dogs interact. Even a short stay at a kennel or daycare can expose a dog to the bacteria, which is why these facilities maintain the requirement as a health standard. The vaccine does not guarantee complete immunity but significantly reduces infection risk and typically lessens symptom severity if exposure occurs. Dogs may show mild sneezing or nasal discharge for a few days after intranasal vaccination, which is normal.
Veterinarians in Denver often administer the Bordetella vaccine during routine wellness visits, and many low-cost vaccine clinics offer it as part of core preventive care packages for dogs that use boarding or daycare services regularly.