🛡️ Why Prevention Matters

Bordetella infections—whether kennel cough in dogs or whooping cough in humans—are highly contagious. Prevention is more effective (and cheaper) than treatment.

This post outlines high-impact, low-friction strategies you can implement immediately in homes, shelters, clinics, or boarding facilities.

🧼 Disinfection Protocols That Actually Work

Bordetella bronchiseptica can survive on surfaces for days. Fortunately, it’s sensitive to most disinfectants—if used correctly.

✅ Top Effective Agents:

• Accelerated hydrogen peroxide (AHP)
  
• Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats)
  
• Sodium hypochlorite (bleach)
  

🕒 Contact Times Matter:

Always clean visibly dirty surfaces first — organic matter shields bacteria from chemical attack.

🚫 Avoid These Mistakes:

• Spraying and wiping immediately
  
• Not rotating disinfectants (resistance risk)
  
• Using expired or diluted solutions
  

🌬️ Airflow: The Silent Ally

Poor ventilation amplifies transmission, especially in indoor shelters, vet clinics, or barns.

Tips for Optimized Ventilation:

• Achieve 10–12 air changes per hour (ACH)
  
• Use HEPA filtration in isolation rooms
  
• Position intakes/exhausts to prevent stale air pooling
  

For boarding facilities, consider a smoke test to visualize air currents and dead zones.

🚷 Isolation Protocols That Contain Outbreaks

Intake Flow Plan:

1. New arrivals → Pre-screen (check vax, symptoms)
   
2. Quarantine for 7–14 days (separate staff and airflow)
   
3. Monitor and chart daily symptoms
   

Active Cases:

• Move to a separate isolation zone
  
• Use dedicated staff, gowns, gloves
  
• Treat last during daily rounds
  

Equipment Hygiene:

• Color-code bowls, leashes, mops per zone
  
• Sanitize all shared surfaces between patients
  

14-day separation with symptom-free exit criteria = gold standard.

🏠 Home Tips for Pet Owners

Even at home, smart practices reduce your dog’s risk:
- Avoid dog parks if coughing is heard
- Wipe paws after vet visits or boarding
- Don’t share water bowls at public events

Vaccinate annually if your dog is boarded, groomed, or social.

📋 Quick Checklist for Biosecure Kennels

✅ Daily symptom checks on all animals
✅ Vaccine records verified at intake
✅ Airflow mapped and monitored
✅ Disinfectants rotated monthly
✅ Isolation zone fully separated
✅ Dedicated cleaning equipment by zone

🔚 Conclusion

Prevention isn’t about fear—it’s about empowerment. Whether you’re a dog parent or a shelter director, these simple steps can prevent widespread outbreaks.

Coming next: “How to Design a 7-Day Isolation Protocol for Shelters”