Canine bordetellosis: chemotherapy using a sulphadiazine-trimethoprim combination.

Respiratory disease was induced in young dogs by exposure to an aerosol of Bordetella bronchiseptica. The affected dogs were then treated with a sulphadiazine-trimethoprim combination by daily subcutaneous injection for five days. There was marked improvement in the clinical, bacteriological and pathological features of the respiratory disease during and immediately after the treatment period but treated dogs relapsed a few days after chemotherapy was stopped. The use of a sulphadiazine-trimethoprim combination over a longer period of time may be of value in the treatment of dogs with respiratory disease associated with B bronchiseptica.