Behaviour change after Bordetella Vaccine in dogs

The FDA has received 355 reports of behaviour change in dogs after Bordetella Vaccine. That is 3.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.5% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

355Reports
57%Marked serious
29%Recovered
14%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
106 36%
1–2 days
56 19%
3–7 days
44 15%
1–4 weeks
36 12%
Over a month
52 18%

How the animals did

Recovered
92 26%
Recovered with lasting effects
12 3.4%
Still unwell when reported
134 38%
Died
20 5.6%
Euthanised
29 8.2%
Not known
68 19%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
42
1–3 years
102
4–7 years
99
8–11 years
79
12+ years
27

About this medicine

Type: vaccine.

Mild, short-lived lethargy, soreness or a small lump at the injection site are the most commonly reported vaccine reactions.

Questions owners ask

Can Bordetella Vaccine cause behaviour change in dogs?
355 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?
In half of the reports with dates, it started within 2 days of the first dose.
What should I do?
Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Behaviour change with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Bordetella Vaccine in dogs · Medicines most reported with behaviour change