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Schedule OnlineKennel cough spreads fast in dog parks, daycares, and boarding facilities. The Bordetella vaccine for dogs targets one bacterial cause of that cough. Not every dog needs it.
Adult dogs that spend time around other dogs get boosters every 6 to 12 months. Puppies start as early as 3-8 weeks. At The Pet Advocate in Tracy the shot we give is an injection. It costs $30 as a walk-in, Monday through Friday from 12 to 3, with no exam fee.
Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium that infects a dog's respiratory tract. It is the bacterium most often involved in kennel cough, the broader syndrome also called canine infectious respiratory disease complex.
Kennel cough is a group of infections. Viruses such as parainfluenza and adenovirus-2, plus other bacteria, can produce the same honking cough, sneezing, and nasal discharge. The Bordetella vaccine protects only against that bacterium. Vaccinated dogs can still catch mild viral forms.
Bordetella spreads through airborne droplets, shared water bowls, toys, or nose-to-nose contact. Puppies, seniors, and dogs with chronic respiratory issues are more likely to get a worse cough or pneumonia.
No. The American Animal Hospital Association lists Bordetella as a non-core vaccine. Give it when your dog spends time around other dogs or when a boarding place requires it. See the 2022 AAHA canine vaccination guidelines.
Dogs that benefit most:
Homebody dogs that rarely meet other dogs have low risk. A fence-line chat or an occasional neighborhood walk still carries some exposure, so some owners still choose the vaccine.
The Bordetella vaccine can be given three ways. Vaccines given in the nose or mouth build protection in the nose and throat faster than an injectable.
| Type | How Given | Onset of Protection | Typical Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intranasal | Drops or spray into the nose | About 72 hours to 5 days | 12 months | Rapid protection before boarding |
| Oral | Liquid squirted into the mouth | About 7 days | 12 months | Dogs that resist nasal drops |
| Injectableunder the skin | Shot under the skin | First series: two doses 2–4 weeks apart; a current booster takes about 5 days | 6–12 months | Dogs that cannot tolerate a nose or mouth vaccine; the shot we give |
We offer the injectable Bordetella vaccine as a walk-in shot.
The shot usually makes a Bordetella infection shorter and milder, and it lowers the chance the infection turns into pneumonia.
Adult dogs receive Bordetella boosters every 6 to 12 months depending on risk. High-exposure dogs that board, go to daycare, or spend time at parks often need every 6 months because that is what the facility asks for. Low-risk dogs can stay on annual boosters. Puppies start as early as 3-8 weeks with a second dose if using injectable.
Intranasal vaccines can start at 3-4 weeks of age, though most puppies get them after 6 weeks. Injectable usually begins at 6-8 weeks, then a booster 2-4 weeks later. That timing fits the puppy vaccine schedule we use for first-year shots.
For adults, match the schedule to real risk and to the facility. Many boarding and daycare centers in California want proof from the last 6 months. The kennel chooses that six-month cutoff.
If your dog is already current on the injectable vaccine, give the booster at least 5–7 days before boarding. A dog starting the injectable vaccine for the first time needs two doses, 2 to 4 weeks apart, and is not fully protected until after the second dose.
Most dogs tolerate the vaccine well. Common mild reactions last 1-2 days:
A 2023 JAVMA study of more than 4.6 million vaccinated dogs found adverse events after fewer than 0.2% of vaccine visits. Bordetella was one of the better-tolerated shots in that study. Serious reactions such as facial swelling, hives, or collapse are rare. Call your vet if signs worsen after 48 hours.
Safety data for pregnant dogs is limited. Discuss timing with your veterinarian if your dog is expecting.
The injectable Bordetella vaccine is $30 as a walk-in, with no exam fee. Hours are Monday through Friday, 12 to 3, on our walk-in vaccine hours page.
Current prices and rates list the same $30. Other clinics often add an office exam on top of the same shot.
Most facilities require the Bordetella vaccine for boarding and daycare. A dog that almost never meets other dogs can skip it.
Yes. People call the Bordetella vaccine the kennel cough vaccine. Kennel cough is a group of infections. The shot covers Bordetella bronchiseptica. Other viruses can still cause the same honking cough.
No. The Bordetella vaccine is necessary only if your dog has regular contact with other dogs or if a boarding facility requires it. Many low-risk dogs skip it without problems.
Every 6-12 months. High-risk dogs that board or go to daycare often need every 6 months to satisfy facility rules. Low-risk dogs can do annual boosters.
If your dog is already current on the injectable vaccine, give the booster at least 5–7 days before boarding. A dog starting the injectable vaccine for the first time needs two doses, 2 to 4 weeks apart, and should finish that series before the stay. Confirm the facility's 6-month or 12-month rule.
Yes. You can skip the Bordetella vaccine if your dog has minimal exposure to other dogs. Confirm any boarding or daycare requirements first, then decide with your veterinarian.
A dog that skips the Bordetella vaccine stays susceptible to Bordetella bronchiseptica and may get a worse or longer cough if exposed. Mild cases often clear with rest at home. Severe cases can progress to pneumonia, especially in puppies and seniors.
Bordetella bronchiseptica is not a significant risk for healthy people under normal circumstances.
No. The Bordetella vaccine does not prevent all kennel cough. Kennel cough is a group of infections. The vaccine targets Bordetella and usually makes that infection milder. Vaccinated dogs can still get a milder cough from other viruses.
Check our prices and rates or review walk-in vaccine hours.
