Zoetis has introduced Vanguard® Recombishield™, a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-licensed injectable vaccine designed to protect dogs against Bordetella bronchiseptica, the primary cause of kennel cough. As the first canine Bordetella vaccine to include pertactin protein, it aims to offer veterinarians a novel tool to help generate a more targeted immune response while reducing discomfort for patients. The recombinant, non-adjuvanted vaccine is intended to simplify administration for veterinary teams—especially when treating dogs that are head-shy, immunocompromised, or poor candidates for intranasal or oral vaccines. According to a statement by Zoetis, clinical data show that the new drug significantly reduces coughing duration and nasal shedding, and reports of injection-site reactions were minimal in a study involving more than 600 dogs. For clinics, the product expands Zoetis’ suite of Bordetella vaccination options and replaces the company’s previous injectable formulation. With kennel cough spreading easily in social environments and often before symptoms appear, the new vaccine is positioned as an important tool for preventive care.
