How Is Bordetella Passed?

Dogs affected with bordetella have an unmistakable cough. Commonly referred to as "kennel cough," bordetella can also affect cats, rabbits, pigs, guinea pigs and a few other animals. Extremely contagious, bordetella passes through saliva and respiratory secretions and can pass from species to species. Bordetella is manageable through vaccinations and minimizing exposure to infected animals. Prevalent worldwide, bordetella is the most common upper respiratory condition in dogs and cats in the United States.

  1. How Pets Contract Kennel Cough

    • Animals are vulnerable to bordetella in places where they live in close confines. As its common nickname implies, kennels are a major source of passing kennel cough. Dogs and cats boarded in a kennel eat, play and sleep in close quarters, and a facility may foster an outbreak. Other places where bordetella spreads easily include dog parks, doggie day cares and catteries, grooming facilities, animal rescue shelters, animal shows and even your veterinarian̵7;s office. If you suspect your pet may have kennel cough, isolate the pet until it is no longer contagious.

    Symptoms

    • The primary symptom of bordetella is a deep, dry cough. The cough is a form of hacking in nature; in most cases it sounds as if your pet is honking or gagging. This symptom typically appears two to four days after exposure. Additional symptoms may include nasal discharge, sneezing, watery eyes and retching. If the cough is accompanied by influenza, the animal may also have fever and diminished appetite and activity levels; however, with just bordetella, most animals maintain normal eating habits.

    Treatment

    • Treatment options depend on the severity of the condition. Always seek veterinary care if you suspect bordetella. The vet will determine the best course of treatment -- often antibiotics for mild cases, but sometimes steroids, cough suppressants, anti-inflammatory drugs and stronger antibiotics for severe cases. Medication is not always used to treat bordetella, as doing so does not lessen the time frame for contagion. If your pet becomes infected, minimize the pet̵7;s exposure to other animals until your vet recommends resuming normal activity. Vets also recommend removing a dog̵7;s collar until the cough has diminished.

    Prevention

    • The best method of prevention is to avoid places where animals congregate. However, if you cannot do that, take measures such as not allowing your pets to share water, food or toys with other animals; moving away from coughing animals; and discouraging nose-to-nose contact. Additionally, if you board your pet, consider getting your pet the bordetella vaccination. It is not a core vaccine, but it is considered safe and effective, and your veterinarian can administer the injection or intranasal vaccine to help reduce illness, if exposed. Be extra cautious with puppies, kittens and older pets, which have increased vulnerability to bordetella.