How Much Does Bordetella Vaccine Cost?

Last Updated on January 31, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

The Bordetella vaccine is an important part of preventative healthcare for dogs. But how much does this vaccine cost pet owners? Read on to learn about the average price range, what the vaccine protects against, and tips for budgeting the cost into your pet’s routine veterinary care.

How Much Does Bordetella Vaccine Cost?

The average cost of the Bordetella vaccine ranges from $15 to $35, depending on factors like geographic location and veterinary clinic. Most dog owners can expect to budget around $25 per Bordetella vaccination.

Some clinics or low-cost vaccination events may offer the vaccine for as low as $10 to $15. While other veterinarian offices, especially in higher-cost-of-living areas, may charge as much as $30 to $50 per dose.

Additional fees are usually charged for the vaccine administration or office visit, which can range from $15 to $75. This makes the total cost for vaccination range from $30 up to $100 or more when combined with the vaccine itself and office visit charges.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Bordetella vaccine costs $15 to $45.

TLC Pet Services notes that the Bordetella (Intranasal) costs $24.00.

Forbes lists Bordetella vaccine prices in different states:

• California: $33.38
• Florida: $29.87
• Michigan: $29.83
• New York: $32.16

Direct Benefits writes that the average cost of the Bordetella vaccine is $19 to $45.

What is the Bordetella Vaccine?

The Bordetella vaccine helps protect dogs against Bordetella bronchiseptica, the bacteria that causes “kennel cough.” Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection in dogs that causes coughing fits and related respiratory illnesses.

This vaccination is an injectable or nasal spray that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against Bordetella. It is recommended annually for dogs who are frequently boarded, groomed, or interact with other dogs in places like dog parks or daycares.

Annual vaccination helps reduce the risk of developing kennel cough and spreading it to other pets. It also protects vulnerable puppies who have not completed their full vaccination series. So the Bordetella vaccine maintains canine health and prevents infectious outbreaks.

Factors Influencing the Vaccine Cost

Several factors account for the range in bordetella vaccine pricing:

• Geographic location – The cost of living and veterinary services in different regions leads to variation. Urban areas tend to have higher prices.
• Veterinary clinic pricing – Each clinic establishes vaccine costs based on operating expenses and profit margins. Prices range from low-cost clinics to premium veterinary services.
• Vaccine type – The injectable form tends to cost less than nasal spray options. Purevax recombinant nasal spray is on the higher end around $30-$60.
• Individual veterinarian – Experienced specialists or emergency vets may charge more than standard vet practices.
• Dog’s weight – Larger dogs may require an additional dose, incurring extra cost.
• Combination vaccines – Some clinics offer convenient combination vaccines like kennel cough plus rabies, which cost more.

You might also like our articles about the cost of dog vaccinations in general, DHLPP vaccines, and Cytopoint injections.

Vaccination Process and Administration

The vet or a technician will administer the Bordetella vaccine either by injection or nasal mist. The process only takes a few minutes.

Dogs receive an initial vaccine around 12 weeks old, with a booster 2-4 weeks later. Afterward, annual boosters maintain immunity.

Additional fees range from $15-$75 based on the clinic’s rate for an office visit. This covers costs like staff time, supplies, record-keeping, and overhead. Some offices include the first booster or office fee with initial puppy appointments.

Importance of Regular Puppy Vaccinations

Along with rabies, core vaccines, and optional vaccines like Lyme disease, the Bordetella vaccine is part of a complete preventative care plan for dogs.

Routine vaccination maintains dogs’ health by preventing dangerous infectious diseases. It also reduces risks to other pets and people in the community when fewer dogs carry and spread contagious illnesses.

Annual vet checkups catch potential health issues early. Vets also examine dogs during vaccination visits to ensure their general wellness and keep immunizations current.

So regular veterinary care is essential for protecting dogs’ health and lifespans. Pet owners must budget vaccination costs as part of responsible pet ownership. Shopping around, making payment plans, or using pet insurance can help manage the investment.

Pet Insurance Coverage for Vaccinations

Pet insurance plans often cover a portion of vaccination costs by reimbursing vet bills.

Policies with higher premiums tend to include more extensive coverage for preventative care like vaccines and annual exams. More budget-friendly options may have caps or only cover illness/injury.

Reading the fine print is important to understand exactly which services and what percentage of the cost will be covered. This allows owners to plan their budget accordingly.

Wellness packages or preventative care add-ons are also available from some pet insurance providers. These can be a good value to cover predictable routine care costs.

Additional Veterinary Services During Vaccination

Annual Bordetella vaccine appointments are a chance for complete preventative care for your adult dog. Many clinics provide or recommend additional services during vaccination visits:

• Physical exam – A wellness check monitors your dog’s growth and development, especially for puppies. Vets examine eyes, teeth, ears, skin, joints, and internal organs.
• Parasite screening – A fecal exam checks for intestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, giardia, or coccidia. Prevention keeps intestinal parasites from spreading.
• Heartworm test – An annual heartworm antigen test ensures your dog is protected and not infected by heartworms, which are spread by mosquitoes.
• Nail trim – Overgrown nails can curl, split, or become painful. Vets can neatly trim nails during the appointment.
• Vaccine titer – For older pets, a vaccine titer blood test determines if antibody levels are still adequate before boosters. This may help avoid unnecessary vaccines.

Bundling these services together is convenient for pet owners and allows thorough preventative care during vaccination visits.

Saving on Vaccination Costs

Here are some tips to manage the cost of the Bordetella vaccine and make routine veterinary care affordable:

• Compare pricing between clinics. Vet offices vary widely in pricing. Shopping around could yield 10-25% savings.
• Ask about vaccine clinics or specials. Some clinics offer periodic low-cost vaccination days or coupons. Rescues or shelters also host affordable vaccine clinics.
• Ask about payment plans. Vets may allow owners to split costs across multiple payments. This helps ease financial strain.
• Consider pet insurance. Policies can offset costs by reimbursing vet bills, including preventative vaccines. Compare plans to choose appropriate coverage.
• Use pre-tax savings accounts. Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or health savings accounts (HSAs) allow pre-tax allocation for pet healthcare costs.
• Only get essential vaccines. Discuss risks and benefits to determine the vaccines your dog truly requires based on lifestyle factors. Decline unnecessary options.

With some savvy shopping and financial planning, pet owners can keep dogs vaccinated against infectious diseases without breaking the bank.

Final Words

The Bordetella vaccine provides vital protection for a dog’s health by preventing kennel cough. While the average cost is around $25 per dose, prices range from $15 to $50 depending on the veterinary clinic and services included. Annual vaccination maintains immunity and reduces the risk of spreading illness between pets.

Pet owners should budget for this essential vaccine as part of a comprehensive wellness plan. With some cost comparison and insurance coverage, owners can manage this important investment in their dog’s health. Keeping up with recommended Bordetella boosters each year promotes canine well-being and public health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bordetella vaccine worth it?

Yes, the Bordetella vaccine is highly recommended and worth the investment for dogs at risk of exposure to kennel cough. While no vaccine is 100% effective, the Bordetella vaccine significantly reduces the risk of dogs contracting and spreading this highly contagious respiratory illness.

It provides important protection from a disease that causes coughing fits, pneumonia, and breathing difficulty.

For very social dogs who board, and go to daycare, grooming, parks, shows, or training classes, the vaccine helps prevent outbreaks that could force closure of facilities.

It also keeps individual dogs safer in public settings. The vaccine may reduce severity of illness if a dog still contracts an infection. So for the modest cost, the Bordetella vaccine delivers valuable protection and peace of mind.

Is the Bordetella dog vaccination 100% effective?

No vaccine is 100% effective for every dog. The Bordetella vaccine effectiveness is estimated to be 70-75% effective in preventing infection if exposed. Some dogs may still contract kennel cough even when vaccinated, but symptoms are often milder.

Immunity also declines over time, so annual boosters are important to refresh antibodies. Proper handling and administration also impacts effectiveness.

But given imperfect real-world conditions, the Bordetella vaccine still provides dogs with significant protection against this highly infectious respiratory disease. It improves the odds but cannot guarantee complete immunity for every canine patient.

Is there a 3-year Bordetella vaccine?

Most Bordetella vaccines provide immunity for 6 to 12 months before requiring annual booster shots to maintain protective antibody levels.

However, Merck does make a veterinary-only Bordetella vaccine called Bronchi-Shield Oral that provides longer 3-year immunization after the initial doses. Annual boosters can then be replaced with just a single shot every three years.

Discuss options with your vet, as the 3-year vaccine may not be suitable for all dogs. More frequent annual boosters may still be recommended for some patients or high-risk situations like boarding kennels.

But for most dogs, the convenience of a vaccine lasting 3 years offers longer protection between vet visits. Ask your vet if the 3-year oral Bronchi-Shield vaccine is appropriate for your dog’s situation.