I finally found what I thought would be a decent obedience class for my 7 month although a bit far away, and I see they want proof of rabies and bordatella(kennel cough). Since I wasn't planning on kenneling my dog, he doesn't have the bordatella. There could be a time in the future when I had to kennel in an emergency, but have no plans to do so. Is it really necessary for obedience? How long does it last.

Typcially, the kennel cough vaccine lasts 3/4 months. It only covers appros. 4 or strains of it and there are over 100 of them. I think this vaccine is ONE Of the stupidiest vaccines to require. First, MANY dogs get it from the vaccine. (I know this first hand!!). Second, it is a not a serious illness IF the dog does get it(unless it develops into something more than kennel cough which is rare but does happen in some cases).

My one pup caught it from her brother who was vaccinated for it and then came down with it 10 days later. NONE of my other dogs came down with it and none of them have been vaccinated for it.

Having said all that, you don't always have a choice if they require it. Personally, I would talk to them. If they still require it, I would want IN WRITING that they will reimburse my money (for the obedience class) if my dog comes down with kennel cough from the vaccine. That would be a real bummer. You decide to get the vaccine, then your dog comes down with it and now you can't go to your obedience class!

Out of all the vaccines you 'can' give....this one does not have a lot of 'reactions' attributed to it (other than getting the disease from the vaccine), so it is not that harmful......depending on how you look at it.

Rabies, you won't have a choice with. I personally do not give my dogs the rabies vaccine until they are over a year of age and preferrably 2 years of age (not required where I live, but is required to go to the U.S.).

I think Shelley's advice about talking to them is a good one.

I'm considering taking my dog to a class to "proof" his OB. The "requirements" are Rabies and Bordetella. I talked to the staff and they understood my feelings about minimal vaccines and waived the Bordetella requirement.

It's certainly worth a shot.

 Quote: Sarah Morris

It's certainly worth a shot.

I agree..... pun or no pun. :>

I don't know the answer myself, but isn't the intranasal version safer than the injection?

Just in case the OP decides to go to the class if they won't let her skip it.

It is usually spread to animals who are confined in close quarters (kenneled). I think it would be unlikely for your dog to catch it in an obedience class if you aren't letting him sniff noses and lick other dogs mouths, or sharing water bowls.
Also if he gets the vaccination there is a good chance that he will get some symptoms.
If you feel you have to put your dog in this class you can call them and tell them your views on Bordatella vaccines, and vaccines in general, if you don't agree with them. Maybe they will make an exception for you.
If you haven't researched vaccinosis do so before you talk to them so you will be well informed.
I like the idea of asking for a guarantee to reimburse you for classes if your dog gets sick.

It is very contagious, I am reading, and a dog can still spread the illness weeks after the affected dog is better.

Just some info:


From Columbia Animal Hospital at http://www.petshealth.com/dr_library/kennekcough.html

"... since the illness is caused by multiple organisms - making effective immunization difficult - you should focus on minimizing your dog's exposure to the disease-causing organisms themselves."


From http://www.thepetcenter.com

"Be aware that vaccinating with just the commercial Kennel Cough vaccine alone (contains only the Bordetella agent) may not be fully protective because of the other infectious agents that are involved with producing the disease...... The intra-nasal Bordetella vaccine may produce immunity slightly faster than the injectible vaccine."

From http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1556&articleid=452

"... these vaccines alone rarely provide protection against contracting the disease, although they will help reduce the severity of the disease if the animal becomes infected.

More commonly, for best protection, an intranasal vaccine containing both parainfluenza and Bordetella is used. Intranasal vaccines create localized immunity that greatly reduces the incidence of clinical signs and illness. There are several precautions and warnings that need to be observed pertaining to this vaccine. Some dogs will develop mild signs similar to tracheobronchitis when given this vaccine. Very often, the symptoms will last for several days and the dog will recover without treatment. "