Bordetella Vaccine Cost

The Bordetella vaccine will prevent Kennel cough, one of the most common viral canine infections that typically leads to pneumonia. It is a routine vaccination for dogs, that can be administered when they come into your local veterinarian’s office and it helps release antibodies in order to counteract the Bordetella bacteria within the dog’s body.

The Bordetella vaccination for dogs is considered a non-core vaccine. It basically means that it won’t be necessary for all dogs and your vet will recommend this vaccine individually, based on the general lifestyle of the pet. It will be useful for most dogs that might come in contact with the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica as this is one of the most common reasons behind the kennel cough disease.

Just how much does the Bordetella vaccine cost?

On average, a bundle of vaccinations (including Bordetella) that is commonly administered ranges anywhere from $20 to close to $150 within the first year of the dog’s life – and anywhere between $10 and $20 thereafter. The price will fluctuate based on your dog’s weight because bigger dogs will require higher dosages than smaller ones. Getting the Bordetella vaccine individually and not part of a bigger vaccine bundle will mean a higher price per vaccine, but a smaller price overall, of course.

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

You should know that the Bordetella vaccination is pretty cheap. The average cost of this vaccination by itself is $19 to $45. You will also spend around $29 to $60 for two vaccinations against Bordetella.

Vets also charge an additional examination fee each time you go in for a vaccine or a vaccine bundle, so it does make sense to get as many vaccines as possible in one go if you want to spend less.

PetCareRX says the average cost for this non-core vaccine can range between $10 to $17, but it’s best to double that if administered professionally.

Canine College did a study and talked with several local vets, who found vaccination prices could be anywhere from as low as $10-$40, depending on what office examination fee is charged. At Doctors Foster and Smith, 10 doses of injection retail at about 40 dollars each. This means that if you chose to administer the vaccine yourself, then the final price could be as low as $4-$6.

We managed to get in touch with a few private clinics that gave us the prices that you will find in the list below:

Who We Contacted	Price Quoted
Vet Clinic #1	$58 office visit + $25 for vaccination
Vet Clinic #2	$55 office visit + $38 for vaccination
Vet Clinic #3	$38 office visit + $39 for vaccination
Vet Clinic #4	$60 office visit + $32 for vaccination
Vet Clinic #5	$35 for vaccination + NO office visit
Rescue Group #1	$17 for ANY vaccination
Rescue Group #2	$22 for ANY vaccination
Tractor Supply	$5 for the vaccine only (you would have to administer it yourself)

The main factors that will influence the final price

The vet clinic and geographical location

The cost of the bordetella vaccine for dogs can vary from one clinic to another, and according to geographical location. If the vet clinics are in different areas, then that means that prices will be higher for some locations than others depending on how much it costs them to provide the service.

The vaccination package

There is also a difference in price between different vaccination bundles, depending on the vaccines offered in the package. Although some packages might seem more expensive, they might have some very important vaccines, so be sure not to look at the price alone.

Bordetella vaccine information

Veterinarians will usually recommend the Bordetella vaccine for puppies, but it is up to you if your dog should receive this optional vaccination.

The kennel cough vaccine is made of a bacterial culture known as Bordetella Bronchiseptica. Once administered, the dog’s body will become immune to this particular bacterium; however, it does not fully protect against contracting kennel cough in dogs due to other factors and conditions.

Bordetella vs. Kennel Cough

Although Bordetella is used interchangeably with kennel cough by most people, the two aren’t exactly the same thing.

When you say Bordetella, you’re actually talking about a bacteria called Bordetella bronchiseptica, which will cause inflammation in the upper respiratory tract of the pet. The dog will be more prone to developing a hacking, dry cough, illness, and infection once the tract is inflamed. The vet will then diagnose these symptoms as kennel cough, which is infectious tracheobronchitis, a respiratory disease.

Kennel cough in dogs will usually cause the following symptoms:

Low fever
Sneezing
Lethargy
Nasal discharge and congestion
Gagging
Reduced appetite
Wheezing
Distinctive honking cough
Retching
Dry, hacking cough

Any extra costs to know about?

The Bordetella dog vaccination cost will vary depending on the vet’s office where you choose to take your dog if you don’t want to administer the vaccine yourself.

The vet fees are typically around $45-$65 but can also be lower or higher, depending on where you live and the clinic you go to. Depending on the dog’s exposure risk, you might have to administer the vaccine every six to twelve months.

Here are some tips you should know about

Bordetella vaccine has a variety of side effects. Some experts say that these can include soreness at the injection site, hives, nausea, and diarrhea, or in extreme circumstances even death. Being vaccinated is only a preventive measure for your dog and not a cure; however, it will greatly improve their immune system if administered correctly. But beware as your dog may need separate medication should their immunity have been weakened beforehand.

How Often Do Dogs Need the Bordetella Vaccine?

When is the perfect time for a dog to receive a Bordetella shot? How frequently should it be administered?

The answer isn’t as straightforward as it might seem and it will ultimately come down to the facility that is requiring the vaccine and the dog that will take it. There are dogs that are given Bordetella boosters yearly. The actual schedule and time between the vaccine and the booster will also differ based on how the dog takes it and how well the body reacts to the medicine. This also means that this particular medication can either be taken in injectable form, as an intranasal vaccine or orally.

Does Your Pup Actually Need the Bordetella Vaccine?

A lot of dog owners are asking themselves whether they should really vaccinate their pets with the Bordetella vaccine.

I consider the first dose very much necessary, although it isn’t part of the core vaccination bundle. As for the boosters, although no study has been able to prove the actual benefits of frequent Bordetella boosters, a lot of kennel operators and vets will still recommend this vaccine once or twice per year.

Keep in mind that kennel cough is very contagious, so your dog should get the vaccine if he visits dog parks, boarding facilities, kennels, or daycare centers often.

Is the Bordetella Vaccine Considered Safe for Dogs?

There are some people that still believe that the Bordetella vaccine isn’t 100% safe for their pets. The general consensus, however, all throughout the medical world, is that this particular vaccination is not only safe but any mild side effects it might cause are outweighed by the protection it offers.

Keep in mind that although generally safe, the vaccination, as any other vaccination for that matter, can cause some very mild side effects. The most common side effects are doneness around the vaccination place, sneezing, and a low-grade fever. Some more serious side effects are, of course, very rare.

When it comes to vaccinations, it is always a good idea to talk with your veterinarian and figure out the best course of action. The Bordetella vaccine can pose higher risks if your dog is either pregnant, sick, or immunocompromised.

Is there any way to save some money?

One way to reduce the cost of veterinary bills is by going through your area’s humane society or rescue group. There are some that offer low-cost vet clinics, which can be much cheaper than what you would pay at a local vet’s office. Most veterinarian offices will provide an estimate over the phone for regular services, so it’ll save time and money.

If you’re looking to adopt a new puppy, it’s important that the breeder will include their vaccines with adoption. If they are not included in the price, then think about administering the vaccine yourself. Tractor Supply sells vaccinations for $6 and administering them on your own is easy.

If you’re still on the fence about whether your dog should get a Bordetella vaccine, then check out this YouTube video:

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Alec Pow

Alec Pow is a thorough and methodical Financial and Business Analyst with over 15 years of experience in financial statement analysis, Foreign exchange derivative hedging instruments analysis, modeling, and risk management, with a long history of writing for big news publications like Forbes, MSN.com, Washington Post, and many more.