Can Bordetella Vaccines Cause Coughing?
On may 31st 2008 both of my dogs were updated on
their shots, including Bordetella. Now weeks
after, they both have a cough and some sneezing.
Could it be the shot or
something else? Maybe just a cold, and if so..
what can I give them?
Sandra
Lake Elsinore, CA
The Bordetella vaccine is designed to protect against a disease called kennel cough. Kennel cough is a contagious, non-lethal disease of dogs. In my experience, young dogs (less than two years old) are most often affected. The disease causes a tickle in the throat that leads to coughing. The coughing may persist for as long as three weeks.
Veterinarians have not reached a consensus of opinion regarding the efficacy of the Bordetella vaccine. Some vets think it needs to be given at least twice annually to be effective. Others think that one time per year is adequate. And another group of vets thinks that the vaccine is completely worthless. They recommend that it never be administered.
There is, however, one feature of the vaccine that is not disputed. The Bordetella vaccine definitely does not confer absolute immunity against kennel cough. In this regard, it is like the human influenza vaccine. Dogs that receive the Bordetella vaccine can still contract kennel cough.
There is a chance that your dogs have, despite vaccination, caught kennel cough. As well, there is a chance that they have contracted one of the many thousands of other respiratory ailments that can affect dogs of all ages and breeds. The best way to diagnose and treat your dogs is to have a veterinarian evaluate them.
In very rare instances, I have seen dogs develop mild coughing and sneezing as a result of vaccination against Bordetella. This syndrome, called reversion to virulence, occurs only with certain types of vaccines. It is extremely rare, and symptoms usually develop within a week of vaccination. Based on your description, it is unlikely (but not impossible) that reversion to virulence has occurred in your dogs.
You have questions. 
[...] Dr. Eric Barchas, DVM released a breaking post on Can Bordetella Vaccines Cause Coughing?. See below for a quick excerpt: [...]
My dog definitely had a case of coughing and runny nose after his bordatella vaccine. He seemed healthy before the injection. He recovered two days later.
My dog Mia received the bordatella vaccination as a puppy (about 4 months old) and ten days later (after not being around any other dogs) came down with a severe case of kennel cough that required two vet visits and almost required breathing treatments. I’m sorry but that pretty much convinces me.
My dog, Maximus, had bordatella vaccine three weeks ago and for a week now has been coughing. A week after the vaccine he was groomed at the same vet hospital. So we don’t know if it was the vaccine or the grooming…but it was one or the other or both!
My terrier mix ran away and was picked up by the SPCA. They had had him for a total of four hours..within that time frame, they had given him the Bordetella vaccine. Exactly six days later, he presented with kennel cough symptoms. Now, a week after that, my other two dogs have the same symptoms. The vets of teh world should decide on teh course of this vaccination, because all three of my dogs are suffering due to this highly disputed, possibly worthless, “vaccination”.
My 4-yr-old samoyed got the bordetella vaccination a couple weeks ago when she was at the vet for her rabies shot. The vet suggested getting the bordetella vaccine, figuring it “couldn’t hurt”… Now, she has a hacking cough. She has never had kennel cough before! I am very suspicious that it has something to do with the vaccination.
I brought home a new kitten from the shelter 2 weeks ago. She began sneezing about 10 days ago, and since then has given the illness to my other cat and my dog, a rat terrier.
There is new research that shows cats can carry and react to a strain of bordatella, and pass it to dogs and cats.
Just like the flu shot, there’s a chance the virus mutates in dramatic ways, leaving the shot worthless to all pets in a house.
A few days ago my 8 week year old bosyen terier got the bordetella shot and now he kepps throwing up.It has only been 2 or 3 dyas since he has got th eshot.
My Dachsund received the Bordetella vaccine on Tuesday 2-17-09 at about 9:30 that morning by that evening he was sneezing and today has a cough. This convinces me that the vaccine definately causes a reaction.
My 3 month old puppy had the Bortadella Vaccine and 1 week later, he had severe coughing and almost no vocal sounds then started to get a runny nose and severe sneezing.. either the timing at the same vet for those vaccines or the day care center is hard to determine, but it definitely seems like the effects from the shots… he is on antibiotics by another vet who dtermined that he caught Kennel Cough…
In 2008 I took my dog to get his yearly vaccines. Three days later he started choking, spitting up foam & honking like a goose uncontrollably. I rushed him to the
vet and it had stopped. In 2009 I took him for his annual vaccines and THREE days later the same thing happend only WORSE. I rushed him to the vet and they heard him choking & honking. After numerous questions she finally said that it was Kennel Cough as a result of the Bordetella vaccine. I will never put my dog through that again! She had the nerve to charge me $48 for the visit and pills after spending $168 three days prior! Also, my dog is never around other dogs!