Pet Article

DOGS AND VACCINATIONS

During the first few hours of your puppys life, it receives a natural immunity against most diseases from it's mothers milk. Eventually your puppies immune system will have to fend for itself. Vaccinations provide your pup good protection against some life threatening disease. Below is an explanation about what vaccines your may need and what ones you may only want to consider.

DISTEMPER: Distemper can be fatal in puppies. It involves gastrointestinal, nervous system and respiratory complications. The vaccine for this world wide disease, which is also related to measles, was developed in the 1960's. Your puppy can get distemper via airborne distemper particles, from exposure to wildlife and other distemper infected pets. Puppies should be vaccinated against this disease at around 9 weeks old. Your veterinarian may recommend earlier vaccinations, especially if your pup did not receive colostrum (mothers milk). Two more shots 2 weeks apart are needed to protect your puppy. The last shot should occur after 15 weeks, then annual boosters are recommended.

ADENOVIRUS: Adenovirus is sometimes called dog hepatitis because it tends to target the liver. This disease can though, also affect the kidneys, eyes and vasculature. Us humans can live with the hepatitis virus for a long time, but many dogs with an acute onset of Adenovirus have a very poor prognosis and could die within hours. Dogs who survive secrete Adenovirus for around 6 to 9 months in their urine and could infect other non-vaccinated puppies. Dog hepatitis is not transmissible to humans and vice versa. This vaccination also occurs at the same time as distemper.

LEPTOSPIROSIS: Leptospirosis is a bacterium found in infected mannals urine or urine contaminated bodies of water. It can penetrate skin or mucous membrances and invade you or your pet's bloodstream. Its effects range from diarrhea, abortion to chronic renal failue. The current vaccine can be given at the same time as distemper and adenovirus, but some pets are allergic tot he lepto vaccine and therefore, lepto is available separately. Unfortunately the lepto vaccine does not protect against all strains of leptospirosis and it lasts for only 6 to 8 months. If you have a dog that is exposed to marshy areas, ponds or heavily irrigated pastures, your veterinarian may recommend a twice a year schedule. You should always remember, even though your dog is protected against some of the common strains of lepto via the vaccine, it could still become infected with a different form.

PARVOVIRUS: Parvovirus can devastate any puppy, but rottweilers, dobermans and springer spaniels are especially susceptible. Parvo causes bloody diarrhea, vomiting and anorexia which can be fatal in puppies. In any place where dogs congregate are high risk areas for parvo exposure. The parvo vaccination protocol is determined on the basis of your puppies risk. It is often recommended that parvo vaccinations be given every 3 to 4 weeks from around 3 to 20 weeks of age. Depending upon the level of your pets risk, annual revaccinations are recommended.

CORONAVIRUS: Older dogs can recover from a corona virus infection, but in younger puppies it can cause death. Corona virus has an incidence in kennels of up to 30 per cent. It often occurs at the same time as parvovirus. You should discuss with your veterinarian whether the corona vaccine is necessary for your puppy. You puppy will be ready for this vaccine at 6 weeks old, followed by boosters every 2 to 3 weeks until the dog is 12 weeks of age.

RABIES: Most of us associate rabies with the "mad dog", frothing at the mouth, eager to bit anything that comes near it. This is a common presentation in countries where there is a very high population of unvaccinated stray dogs. In the United States rabies usually appears in wild animals. By law you must vaccinate your dog for rabies, your pet will be ready for this shot at 12 weeks old. After they have received their first shot, you will need to get periodic vaccinations according to your states regulations. Your veterinarian may recommend a shot that lasts one year, or three years. All warm blooded animals, including you, can get rabies. The prognosis is fatal.

LYME: If you live in an area where lyme disease is endemic, then a vaccine should be considered. Lyme is the most common tick transmitted disease in the world. With proper tick repellent the vaccine is not always a necessity. Your local veterinarian or public health authority will know if your area is endemic for lyme disease.

BORDETELLA: Bordetella vaccines prevent a very contagious disease called kennel cough. To be effective, this vaccine needs to be given at least once a year. It can be given more frequently if your pet is boarded or habitually exposed to areas where many dogs are concentrated. If you decide to board your dog in a kennel or even in a veterinary clinic, your should consider this vaccine 7 to 10 days before exposure to the other boarding dogs.

Most puppies do not have a reaction to vaccines, but there is always a chance. The leptospirosis vaccine is most commonly the problem one. Even without an allergic reaction, vaccination day is probably not the time to take your dog on a long run because they may feel rather sluggish. Your local veterinarian can provide information on all vaccinations for your pet. What vaccinations are given depends on the risk of specific diseases in your geographic area, your pets life style and whether your pet received it's mothers first milk. Protect your pets and yourself by paying a visit to your local veterinarian and following the suggested vacciantion protocol.

Mark Woodcock
1 Flea Control