Preventing Canine Respiratory Illness: Why We’re Recommending the Intranasal Bordetella Vaccine

Preventing Canine Respiratory Illness: Why We’re Recommending the Intranasal Bordetella Vaccine

If your dog attends daycare, visits the dog park, or even accompanies you to the vet or pet store, they’re part of a vibrant social world. Unfortunately, just like kids in kindergarten, this social life can come with the occasional cough or cold. At Canine To Five, we’ve noticed an increase in canine respiratory illness this year, and we’re taking every step possible to keep your dog healthy while they enjoy their time with us.

We hear your concerns, and we’re committed to minimizing the spread of respiratory illnesses in our buildings. That’s why we’ve partnered with the Shelter Medicine team at Michigan Humane to improve our protocols and ensure your dog has the best protection available.

Why Is Respiratory Illness More Common Now?

Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD)—commonly referred to as “canine cough”—is similar to a cold or flu in humans. It’s highly contagious, spreads easily in social environments, and has been unusually widespread this year. Dogs can catch it at daycare, the dog park, vet lobbies, pet stores, or any other space where they encounter other dogs.

Much like a kindergarten teacher can’t completely prevent colds in their classroom, we can’t eliminate the risk of respiratory illness in social settings. However, we can reduce the chances of illness through proactive measures—and vaccination is a key part of that.

Our Updated Vaccine Recommendation

After consulting with the Michigan Humane team, we are strongly recommending the intranasal Bordetella vaccine every 6 months for social dogs. While we will continue to accept all Bordetella vaccines (oral, injectable, and intranasal), we believe the intranasal option is the safest and most effective choice for dogs who regularly interact with other dogs.

Here’s why:

• Broad Protection: The intranasal vaccine protects against Bordetella and canine parainfluenza, which is not covered by injectable or oral options.
• Faster Immunity: Unlike the injectable vaccine, which takes 2–3 weeks to fully protect and requires two doses, the intranasal option starts working within 5 days.
• Localized Defense: It targets the respiratory tract directly, offering stronger immunity where your dog needs it most.

What We’re Doing to Keep Your Dog Safe

In addition to updating our vaccine recommendations, we’ve taken several steps to prevent the spread of respiratory illness:

• Enhanced Cleaning Protocols: We’ve increased the frequency and thoroughness of our cleaning procedures throughout our facilities.
• Collaboration with Experts: Our partnership with Michigan Humane ensures we’re following the latest science to protect your dog.
• Transparent Communication: We’ll continue to keep you informed about illnesses we’re seeing and what you can do to help.

How You Can Help

• Update Your Dog’s Vaccines: Talk to your veterinarian about switching to the intranasal Bordetella vaccine and scheduling it every 6 months.
• Keep Sick Dogs Home: If your dog shows signs of illness, such as coughing, sneezing, or nasal discharge, please keep them home until cleared by a vet.
• Be Aware of Risks: Remember, your dog can encounter respiratory illnesses at parks, pet stores, and even the vet’s office. Staying up-to-date on vaccines is the best defense.

We know transitioning to this updated protocol will take time, but we’re confident it’s the best way to keep your dog—and all their friends—safe and healthy. If you have any questions about these changes or your dog’s vaccination status, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Together, we can help your dog thrive in their social world while staying as healthy as possible.