BORDETELLA

THE BACTERIA

• Bordetella is a genus of small, Gram-negative coccobacilli of the phylum Proteobacteria.
• Bordetella species, with the exception of B. petrii, are obligate aerobes
• as well as highly fastidious, or difficult to culture.
• B. bronchiseptica rarely infects healthy humans
• causes several diseases in other mammals, including kennel cough in dogs

A LITTLE HISTORY

• The Bordetella genus is named after Jules Bordet.
• First infection study preformed on rabbits in the yearl 1990s
• Found to be extreamly infectious when animals are exposed to those already sick
• Younger animal are more likely to get sick

THE SYMPTOMS

• hacking cough is the most common symptom
• Cough may sound like honking
• Watery nasal discharge
• In severe cases, symptoms progress and can include pneumonia, inappetence, fever, lethargy and even death
• In mild cases, dogs would likely be active and eating normally

KENNEL COUGH

• By its common name it is easy to guess how it is contracted most commonly
• Exposure to an infected animal most commonly leads to infection
• Contact with infected animals nasal or oral discharge can lead to infection
• Bacteria can be arisalized and spread through inhalation
• Contact with uncleaned kennels that housed infected can lead to contraction

TREATMENT

• Most commonly does little harm
• Offten left to run its corse and let the body fight it
• Cough suppressants some times given (Antitussive medications)
• Anti-inflammatory drug my be give to help with coughing episodes
• An anti-biotic may be given if the animal is not eating or running a fever

PREVENTION

• Reducing exposure to kennels with large population of dogs mixed together
• Proper vaccination of animal as soon as they are old enough
• Continued yearly vaccination of animal to maintain animals defensive immunity
• Being vaccinated dose not guaranty animal will not contract the infection
• Its only lessens the chance, ask your vet about the vaccine

REFERENCES

• Petmed, 2013
• B J Deeb, 1990
• B L Bernard, 1990
• S M Silbernagel, 1990
• Pets Best Insurance, 2014