Hey Everybody,
A
lot of folks are curious as to what diseases our vaccines help to
prevent. So... Why should I vaccinate my pet every year? Many diseases
can be prevented through yearly vaccinations
of your cat and dog. We will discuss each type of disease and the
appropriate time you should vaccinate for these nasty bugs. I'm gonna
discuss dog vaccines first and cat vaccines in our next blog.
Yearly vaccines which should be given to every dog yearly include: "DHPP" and Rabies.
DHPP: Also known as “Distemper/Parvo” or “Parvo shot”
includes antibodies against a bunch of common viruses in the canine
population. Distemper, Adenovirus (types 1 and 2), Parvo virus, and
Parainfluenza virus will be described below. We recommend vaccinating adult
dogs yearly. Puppies should be vaccinated with this vaccine starting at 6 weeks
of age, with 3 booster shots 3 weeks apart (6 weeks, 9 weeks, and 12 weeks).
Distemper virus: Often fatal to your dog, causes problems
with the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, skin and nervous system of
dogs. This virus can be spread from dog to dog or through “fomites” such as dog
bowls, leashes, toys, etc that have been used by infected dogs.
Symptoms include: sneezing, coughing, and thick mucous
discharge from the nose and eyes. Other signs include depression, lack of
appetite, and can eventually progress to neurologic diseases (like seizures,
incoordination, etc).
Adenovirus:
This virus can cause liver problems and lung problems. The virus can be
spread from dog to dog or contaminated feces or urine.
Parvo virus:
this virus is very prevalent in the dog
population. This virus can cause severe dehydration, which is usually
the cause
of death in dogs with this virus. This virus affects the lining of the
intestine, causing severe vomiting and diarrhea. This disease affects
puppies(pup to 1 year) so vaccination is recommended
starting at 6 weeks.
Parainfluenza virus: this is a type of respiratory virus
which can affect dogs of any age. This disease is spread through respiratory
secretions of an infected dog and can be spread as airborne.
Rabies: a virus that can affect you and your dog. This virus
is always fatal and attacks the nervous system. This disease is transmitted
through the bite of an infected animal (ie: skunk, bat, raccoon, or
unvaccinated rabies positive dog). Every domesticated pet should have a yearly
rabies vaccination (Arkansas State Law). If any unvaccinated animal bites a
person, a mandatory 10 day quarantine is required at a veterinarian hospital.
If the animal is suspect to have rabies it must be euthanized and tested for
rabies. Rabies testing requires testing the brain tissue of the suspect animal.
Yearly vaccination is required for adult dogs, puppies shall
be vaccinated at 4 months of age.
Bordatella: Also known as “kennel cough”, a respiratory
infection and inflammation of the trachea (windpipe). This disease frequently
is found in kennels, grooming facilities or other areas where dogs congregate.
If you plan on having your dog boarded or groomed then these vaccines are often
recommended.
Leptospirosis: “Lepto” a bacterial infection that occurs in
dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors near or in water. This bacteria invades
the liver and/or kidneys and urine and can cause kidney damage if left
untreated. This disease can also be spread to humans through urine of infected
animals so appropriate measures should be taken around dogs testing positive
for lepto. A yearly vaccination is recommended if your dog is in or
around ponds, streams, and lakes.
So,
these are the basic vaccine components that we worry about with our dog
vaccines... We have been seeing less and less of these diseases with
the widespread vaccination of our furry friends. But, I always worry
that if we stop discussing the importance, we may see more and more of
them. If at any time, y'all have any questions about vaccines or
anything else, dont be afraid to contact us!
Thanks for reading and hope to see you soon!
Jonathan Bradshaw, DVM
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