Hello again... just wanted to follow up. Your vial label and receipt attached to your vaccination record booklet should be your proof of administration. Most of us believe our clients actually gave it to the dog if they bothered to buy it, so I've not experienced a kennel or daycare turning an owner down because a vet didn't administer it. Some kennels require it be given every 6 months, some every 12 months. In my state, Washington, it is not a series. I've not heard of that. It is also not immediately effective and unfortunately is no guarantee your dog won't contract a "cold virus" even if it has a Bordetella, as summer roit said she'd observed at shows. (some sick dogs, some showing no symptoms) That's because the manufacturers come out with a new vaccine yearly. By the time they have it on the market, there are 2 or 3 new virusues out there. No telling which one your dog will get. Some dogs show no symptoms after being exposed to another dog with it, but they are then possible carriers. It's a live viral drop, so your dog may also come down with symptoms after administering. That's why most vets will tell you to it give a week to ten days before the dogs stressed, in a boarding situation or it's immune system may be comprimised, as in a daycare setting. I require my boarders to have it updated every 12 months, and 10 days prior to boarding or coming in for training. Daycares are different than boarding kennels. A boarding kennel may see a dog only two or three times a year when the families on vacation. The rest of the year that dog is a stay at home pet. Daycares usually solicit younger dogs that need more exercize. Those dogs are often more active with their owners, may travel with them, go to public parks on the weekends., ect. You'll find a much higher rate of viral infections in that group activity, than you will in a dog being boarded in an individual kennel run. As for giving it yourself, again, this is not a vaccine. No reason to spend money unnessecarily. It is very easy and common place where I'm from, to do this yourself. The reason I sound "preachy", (my apologies) is we just had a very big outbreak of kennel cough in my area. I was lucky it did not hit my kennel. But I heard that some dogs developed secondary infections (pnuemonia) and then you're looking at big vet bills. Important to give it when your dogs' had plenty of time afterward to rest and relax in his own environment at home, before being thrown into a germ fest. Spend the extra money saved on the $50.00 vet office call, on a nice winter coat for your pup! O.K, I'm off my soapbox. lol Have a nice evening.
