Ask the Vet: Are kennel cough shots every 6 months really needed and safe?

Guest post by Dr. Scott Sanderson

Q. I've been seeing on the websites of many doggie daycares and boarding/kennel locations that a Bordetella vaccine is recommended or required every six months in order for a dog to attend. This is an annual vaccination according to veterinary charts I've been seeing, and especially with the advent of "super bugs" in humans I was wondering if there are any risks associated with a more frequent vaccination schedule. Are there any potential side effects related to a six-month schedule? Is there a particular frequency veterinarians tend to argue in favor of?--Ingrid

A. At the Animal Wellness Center our philosohphy is Do No Harm! This means being very careful about overly stressing your dog's immune system with un-needed vaccines.

Of all the vaccines on the market, the intra-nasal Bordetella vaccine is the least problematic. But never get it in combination with other vaccines like rabies or distemper, and NEVER vaccinate a sick animal. Once yearly is enough. So if the kennel demands it, talk to them about your concerns. If your dog is healthy, you don't want to put his/her health at risk because of an infexible kennel owner. Ask them why their requirements are so strict and you may discover that they have outbreaks of kennel cough--yet another reason to avoid that establishment!

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Got a pet-related health question? Use this form to Ask the Vet. Scott Sanderson DVM runs the Animal Wellness Center in Columbia, MD and is a sponsor of Columbia Dogs on the Go. He is a certified Veterinary Acupuncturist and has completed training in the Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique (NAET). Dr. Sanderson is a member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncturists, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association. He is a local resident of Howard County, and a past president of the Howard County Veterinary Medical Association.