Bordetella Vaccine by Elanco Animal Health has earned approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for TruCan™ Ultra B (Oral). It is the first USDA-licensed 0.5 mL oral Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccine for dogs. Elanco shared the news on January 16, 2026.
This new option updates Elanco’s current oral Bordetella lineup. It offers the same strong protection against kennel cough, but uses half the volume of the earlier formula.
For many clinics and pet parents, that smaller dose can mean a more comfortable, lower-stress vaccine visit, plus easier handling for veterinary teams.
Bordetella bronchiseptica: Why Dogs Need Protection
Bordetella bronchiseptica is a contagious bacterium and a leading cause of canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), commonly called kennel cough.
Dogs with kennel cough often have a dry, harsh, honking cough. Some also get sneezing, nasal discharge, fever, or low energy. Many healthy dogs improve in 1 to 3 weeks, but the illness can hit harder in puppies, older dogs, and dogs with weaker immune systems. In those cases, it can lead to pneumonia or other problems.
Kennel cough spreads fast through close contact, shared water bowls, airborne droplets, and contaminated surfaces. Risk goes up anywhere dogs spend time together, including:
- Boarding kennels
- Daycare facilities
- Grooming salons
- Dog parks
- Training classes
Because it spreads so easily, boarding and daycare sites often ask for proof of a current Bordetella vaccine. Many veterinarians recommend it for social dogs, too.
Bordetella vaccines are commonly given in three ways:
- Intranasal, sprayed into the nose
- Oral, given into the cheek pouch or mouth
- Injectable, given under the skin (used less often for Bordetella alone)
Many clinics like oral Bordetella vaccines because they’re needle-free, quick to give, and most dogs tolerate them well.
TruCan Ultra B (Oral): Half the Volume, Strong Results
TruCan Ultra B (Oral) builds on Elanco’s earlier TruCan B Oral, known as the first oral Bordetella vaccine introduced to the market.
The main change is the dose size. The volume drops from 1 mL to 0.5 mL, making it the first USDA-licensed oral Bordetella vaccine with this smaller dose.
Elanco reports the protection remains strong. In controlled challenge studies, TruCan Ultra B (Oral) showed a 93% preventable fraction against cough linked to Bordetella bronchiseptica.
The vaccine also uses Elanco’s PureFil™ Technology, a process designed to remove extra proteins and debris. The goal is to:
- Lower the chance of unwanted reactions
- Improve comfort for the patient
- Support a cleaner vaccination experience
In field safety studies, client-owned dogs from 4 weeks to 15 years old received the vaccine, supporting a broad safety profile across age groups.
Focus on Comfort in the Clinic
Elanco tied the USDA approval to growing interest in vaccines that may be easier on pets. The company points to research showing 99% of pet owners say it matters that veterinarians use highly purified, lower-volume vaccines designed with comfort in mind.
Bobby Modi, Executive Vice President of U.S. Pet Health and Global Digital Transformation at Elanco, said:
“We are committed to improving the in-clinic vaccination experience for pets. USDA approval of TruCan Ultra B (Oral) strengthens our respiratory vaccine portfolio and demonstrates how Elanco is going beyond to develop innovative solutions that support better experiences for dogs and the veterinary teams who care for them.”
The vaccine also has support from Fear Free, an organization focused on reducing fear, anxiety, and stress in pets. Elanco says the full Tru vaccine line is the first portfolio recommended by Fear Free.
Dr. Marty Becker, founder of Fear Free, added:
“Reducing fear and anxiety during the pet vaccination experience is a critical part of our goal at Fear Free. I look forward to seeing the positive impact TruCan Ultra B (Oral) has on the in-clinic vaccination experience for dogs.”
When Will the Bordetella Vaccine Be Available
Elanco expects TruCan Ultra B (Oral) to reach veterinary clinics in the first quarter of 2026.
The release follows another recent Tru product update, TruCan Ultra CIV H3N2/H3N8, which received USDA approval in July 2025.
Kennel cough remains one of the most common respiratory concerns seen in practice. A smaller-dose, highly purified oral Bordetella vaccine gives clinics and dog owners another way to protect dogs while keeping vaccine visits as calm as possible.
With boarding, grooming, and group dog activities continuing to bounce back, this timing may help more dogs stay healthy, social, and cough-free.
