Bordatella Vaccines Bad?

[pugmantis]

I just noticed in the Foster documents that the Rescue doesn't like the Bordatella vaccine. I totally agree with the no-Lepto vaccine policy, but I'm not aware of the Bordatella risks. More info, please!

[blanche]

It's not so much we think it's bad as much as it's not effective and for us, a waste of money that's needed for other things.  If you go to this link, you'll read some info on kennel cough and the vaccine.  this article is from a magazine I subscribe to called Dogs Naturally.  I think they are at the opposite end of the "vaccinate for everything all the time" spectrum.  For me, some of their opinions are a bit extreme, but it's a nice counter balance to the "vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate" line that I hear a lot.

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/bordatella-vaccination-dogs/

Here's some links from this forum that might be helpful:

http://pugalug.com/forums/index.php/topic,8672.0.html

Here's an example of how ineffective the vaccine is.  Sam was vaccinated for bordetella at the shelter, yet still got it.  The only time I vaccinated my dogs for it (over 10 years ago) everyone got it. Seems like a waste of money to me so I don't do it and we don't give it to our fosters, but it's a personal choice.

Bordetella is a generic name for the illnesses that cause the hacking, coughing, etc.  And there are many bacteria and viruses that can cause it.  the vaccine only covers some and is the best guess as to which "bugs" will be most prevalent in any given year.

[pugmantis]

Excellent. Thank you for the clarification. I liken it to the flu shot for people, and I don't get that for myself. I've always been a bit scared of Kennel Cough, pugs being pugs, and all. I do make sure to space out Lola's vaccinations by a few weeks, though, and I sit in the vet's office for 30 minutes after ANY shot. Too many little ones I've known who have been lost to bad reactions.

Thanks, Blanche!

...and kisses to the little ones. An extra one for Crazel!

[blanche]

Excellent. Thank you for the clarification. I liken it to the flu shot for people, and I don't get that for myself. I've always been a bit scared of Kennel Cough, pugs being pugs, and all. I do make sure to space out Lola's vaccinations by a few weeks, though, and I sit in the vet's office for 30 minutes after ANY shot. Too many little ones I've known who have been lost to bad reactions.

Thanks, Blanche!

...and kisses to the little ones. An extra one for Crazel!

Spacing out vaccines is very sensible.  We see vaccine reactions in the rescue and it's one of the reasons we split up vaccs by several weeks--also if you give all the vaccines at the same time it's impossible to know which one the dog reacted to, plus it's a huge immune system slam to have them all at the same time.

The flu shot analogy is an accurate one, I think.  My dogs get exposed to kennel cough all the time due to fosters, the dog park and generally living in the city.  I think they've built up an immunity.  Usually whoever is the newest permanent dog gets it in the first year and I rarely see it again after that.

And yes, given the structure of pug faces, you do have to be more alert for the problems that can arise with kennel cough that are less likely to occur to a dog with a nose.