• The vaccine currently available against B. bronchiseptica is an avirulent strain, given intranasally.
• It induces a good local IgA immune response and is reasonably effective.
• The vaccine colonises the respiratory mucosa for several weeks post vaccination, but at a much lower level than the virulent organism.
• Probably because of the low level of shedding of the avirulent strain, it does not seem to be readily transmitted to in-contact dogs and does not pose any problems.
• There are few side effects after administration although some dogs may experience transient coughing a few days later.
• Puppies over 2 weeks of age may be vaccinated since there is no interference with the vaccine by maternally derived antibody.
• Complete immunity takes 5 days or more to develop after inoculation, and thus dogs should not be exposed before this time: some partial immunity may be present earlier than this.
• Booster vaccination every 6-10 months is recommended, depending on potential exposure.
• Dogs being given antibiotics should not be vaccinated.
• Originally, systemic vaccination against B. bronchiseptica was not found to be consistently satisfactory, with adverse reactions at the injection site being common. However, subunit vaccines are now being developed.

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