Important Vaccinations for Dogs

To prevent health conditions, all dogs should follow a routine vaccination schedule administered by a veterinarian. Your veterinarian may provide routine vaccinations for canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, coronavirus, parainfluenza, Bordetella, Lyme disease and rabies. Remember, most vaccines must be given over a period of time and require multiple veterinary visits.

Vaccine Schedule

Once your new puppy is brought home, it is imperative a visit to your veterinarian is made within the first 24 hours. At this visit, you will be inundated with puppy raising information, but also a vaccine schedule. At which time come the confusing questions and answers: What does this vaccine prevent? Is this or that one necessary? Is this vaccine annual or every few years?

Vaccine Types

There are two types of vaccinations – modified-live and killed, both of which have pros and cons.

Modified-live vaccines provide stronger, longer-lasting and more rapid protection, including local immunity. They are generally less expensive and require only one dose to be effective. On the negative side, they have the potential to become active and cause the very disease they are intended to prevent, especially in a dog that has a weakened immune system.

Killed vaccines cannot become virulent or produce local immunity. However, they are more likely to cause allergic reactions and require more initial and frequent doses.

Distemper

A highly contagious, often fatal virus that affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous system. Generally this virus spreads as an airborne infection, so vaccination is the only effective control.

Adenovirus

Also know as infectious hepatitis, a viral condition that affects the liver and cells lining the blood vessels and can cause high fever, thirst, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, liver damage and hemorrhage.

Coronavirus

A highly contagious viral infection of the gastrointestinal tract. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, high fever and dehydration.

Leptospirosis

An extremely contagious condition that spreads through contact with nasal secretions, urine or saliva of infected animals, and can affect humans as well. The ailment causes inflamed kidneys, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Liver damage can also occur.

Parvovirus

A common and potentially fatal viral infection, symptoms of which include loss of appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, fever and vomiting. If left untreated, parvovirus can kill puppies very quickly.

Parainfluenza

This virus is one of a number of infectious agents that cause what is often called “kennel cough.” This health condition is highly contagious and affects the respiratory system.

Rabies

Rabies is a fatal infection of the central nervous system that can affect all mammals, especially raccoons, bats, skunks, foxes, domestic dogs and cats, and humans. Since rabies poses a serious public health threat, most states require dogs to receive this vaccination.

Bordetella

Bordetella is the most common cause of kennel cough (tracheobronchitis). The bacterial illness occurs mostly in dogs that congregate together at daycares, kennels or parks.

Canine Hepatitis

Canine Hepatitis is a viral disease most commonly found in young (9-12 weeks) and unvaccinated puppies. The disease is spread by contact with urine from an infected dog. Symptoms include discharge from the nose or eyes, coughing or the evidence of liver and/or kidney disease, which is detected by jaundice, appetite loss, vomiting, as well as a change in drinking and urinating behaviour.

Giardia

Giardia is a rather new vaccine and deemed optional at this time. Giardia is a parasite that can cause chronic gastro-intestinal upset – mostly diarrhea – and can also be spread to humans.

Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease is caused by a bacterial organism carried by certain species of ticks. The necessity of this vaccine is determined by your location, as this is not prevalent in all areas.

Reactions to vaccines are also possible – more so in young puppies and toy breed dogs. Adverse reactions, which, if they do occur, will happen within the first 24-48 hours, and usually consist of a low-grade fever or muscle pain/ache, loss of appetite and increased sleep. Severe reactions include hives, face swelling or vomiting.

Links:

http://www.saferpets.co.uk/VaccinationsForDogs.html

http://www.purina.com/dogs/health/vaccinations.aspx