The kennel cough is actually caused by different common canine viruses such as the adenovirus, the distemper, the corona virus or the parvovirus. However, the name of kennel cough has been given as the disease is often transmitted in kennels. The kennel cough may be prevented through the administration of a vaccine. The kennel cough vaccine is known as the DA2PP-C.
The Kennel Cough Vaccine
The vaccine that will prevent the occurrence of kennel cough is the DA2PP-C vaccine. This is a vaccine that is administered to prevent several infections with common canine viruses and diseases such as the canine distemper, the adenovirus (type 2), the parainfluenza, the canine parvovirus or the corona virus. These viruses cause the kennel cough, so getting a vaccine that prevents the transmission of these viruses will prevent the transmission of the kennel cough.
There are a series of vaccines that should be administered to the puppy as early as when the puppy is 6 weeks old.
Kennel Cough Vaccine Frequency
The kennel cough vaccine should be administered as early as possible, as puppies need protection and they have a weak immune system that needs to be trained. The typical vaccination times for the DA2PP-C vaccine are as follows:
- The first shot should be administered when the puppy is between 6 and 8 weeks old
- The next vaccine should be scheduled at a 3 week distance from the first shot
- At 12 weeks that puppy should receive the third shot and this will be in addition to the Bordetella vaccine
- When the puppy is 4 months old (16 weeks) the first Rabies shot should be administered; in addition the puppy should also receive the 4th shot of DA2PP-C vaccine
This series of 4 shots should be administered to every puppy; if the puppy hasn’t been vaccinated at the times indicated, the shots may also be administered retroactively; the vet will determine the best times to do so. If the DA2PP-C vaccines are administered when the dog is older, it is important to test the dog for the presence of these viruses before administering the vaccines. If the dog has a virus and receives the vaccine against the virus, there may be severe health complications.
The DA2PP-C vaccinations will protect the dog from the kennel cough, but will also work in preventing the occurrence of more severe illnesses such as the canine distemper, which is a disease that will affect the nervous system of the dog and can be deadly. After the first year of DA2PP-C vaccine shots, the dog should get an annual booster shot.
The booster shots are meant to strengthen the dog’s organism and make him immune to the kennel cough.
It is also important to avoid kennels and dogs that are suspected to have the kennel cough or may be carriers of viruses that cause the kennel cough.