Vaccinations for your Dog

Vaccination schedules vary slightly depending on the type of vaccine being used and the test research being done. Most veterinarians would agree with the following:

Puppies should be vaccinated at approximately 8, 12 and sixteen weeks of age for distemper, hepatitis, adenvirus, leptospirosis, parainfluenza and parvovirus.

Annual boosters are recommended and more frequent boosters if you intend to board your pet or have it groomed on a regular basis. Vaccinations and the appropriate boosters are probably the single most important component of your dog’s health care. As with humans, boosters do not guarantee total immunity against disease. Most diseases are preventable if the pet is kept current on their vaccinations.

Rabies

The rabies virus attacks the brain and is always fatal. Most pets are exposed to rabies by bites from wild animals. This disease may be transmitted through the bite of an infected pet. Vaccination of all dogs and cats is required by law and is the most effective means of control.

Canine Parvovirus (CPV)

Parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease, which can affect dogs of all ages, but is especially deadly in puppies. Parvo is contracted through contact with the feces of an infected dog. The first signs are often depression, loss of appetite and energy, and vomiting followed by diarrhea and dehydration.

Canine Distemper

Once this viral disease has attacked an unprotected animal, there is no specific or uniformly effective treatment that can assure a full recovery. Young puppies most often do not recover from this disease while older puppies and adults stand a better chance. Today’s methods and vaccines are so effective at prevention that a properly immunized dog stands little chance of contracting distemper.

Most often the dog will display cold-like symptoms including any of the following:

In some cases, distemper may attack the dog’s central nervous system causing seizures and convulsions about 30 days after exposure. Dogs rarely recover from this stage. Those that do have muscle twitches and/or mental impairment. Since distemper has many different symptoms and each dog responds differently, distemper is difficult to diagnose.

Distemper is an airborne virus. Animals transmit this virus to one another through close or nearby contact. Direct contact is not always necessary. Distemper is more prevalent in

warm weather when numerous animals are outdoors, and in urban areas where there is a large number of dogs. Rural dogs can also contract distemper through contact with foxes, wolves, coyotes, skunks, raccoons and similar animals. Cats cannot contract or transmit canine distemper.

Canine Bordetella = Kennel Cough

Kennel Cough in dogs is similar to the common cold in humans. Although this disease is rarely fatal, it can lead to other diseases such as pneumonia, which can shorten your dog’s life. Kennel cough occurs more commonly in puppies and young adult dogs and in dogs that have recently been in shelters or exposed to many other dogs. Since an airborne virus causes kennel cough, normal cleaning and surface disinfecting cannot eliminate the cause.

Kennel Cough can occur with Distemper, Adenovirus Type Two, Parainfluenza and other respiratory infections. It is characterized by a dry, hacking cough or bouts of deep, harsh coughing often followed by gagging motions. This gagging sometimes produces a foamy mucus. When external pressure is applied to the infected dog’s throat, the dog usually coughs. Most infected dogs do NOT have a fever, usually eat well and are alert. Like the common cold, Kennel Cough cannot be cured but has to run its course. Antibiotics can prevent or cure a secondary infection.

To help prevent pneumonia or other diseases, dogs with Kennel Cough should be kept in a warm environment. Keep infected dogs away from other dogs to prevent further transmission of any disease.

Don’t assume that any cough is Kennel Cough. Most dogs bark while sheltered. This can lead to a sore throat or upper respiratory disease. If your dog has a fever, is less active than normal, has a decreased appetite, has a discharge from the eyes or nose, has difficulty breathing or is older than three years, the above-named symptoms are signs of a more serious problem.

Canine Coronavirus (CCV)

Coronavirus and Parvovirus have many of the same symptoms and it is difficult to discern which is the culprit without a laboratory test. Dogs can come down with both diseases at once, which sharply reduces their chances for recovery.

Canine Adenovirus Types

Canine Adenovirus Type One infection causes infectious hepatitis which can lead to severe kidney damage. Type Two can be a complicating factor in kennel cough. Vaccines are typically found in the distemper vaccination.

Canine Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease carried by many wild animals. A dog can contract the disease from an infected animal or by drinking contaminated water.

HeartWorms

Canine heartworm disease is caused by the bite of an infected mosquito. Larvae travel through the dog’s blood vessels until they arrive in the right side of the ventricle of the heart and arteries of the lungs. Worms in the heart and lungs interfere with the proper blood flow. Have your dog tested annually for heartworms and talk to your veterinarian about the appropriate preventive medication.

Intestinal Parasites

Veterinarians typically agree that testing for worms and following a good deworming program is essential for puppies. After your veterinarian has dewormed your puppy or dog, do not be alarmed at the stool immediately following the medication. The worms are expelled over a 24 to 48 hour basis and the stool may be full of worms. Do not be alarmed --- this is normal.