Canine Preventative and Wellness Healthcare
Dogs and puppies need to be vaccinated for rabies, distemper, adenovirus 1 and 2, parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, bordetella and canine influenza, but the type of vaccines given will be dependent on your dog’s lifestyle. Our veterinarians at AWVH will consult with you about your dog and make vaccine decisions based on their lifestyle. Because your dog ages 7 years for every year, it is important to bring your dog in at least once a year for a wellness exam to detect any early onset of disease. Below is a list and description of the various canine diseases that your dog may be vaccinated against.
Rabies – (Canine and Feline)
Rabies is a viral disease that can affect all warm-blooded mammals, including dogs, cats, wildlife and humans. The virus infects cells of the nervous system, producing loss of muscle function and behavioral abnormalities such as unusual aggression or withdrawal. Once signs of rabies appear, the disease is always fatal. Rabies is usually transmitted by bite wounds, often from infected wildlife, which represent the largest reservoir of the disease in the United States. Vaccines are very effective in preventing rabies. Most states in the U.S. require rabies vaccination of dogs at one to three year intervals.
Distemper - (Canine)
Canine distemper is a widespread virus that causes high mortality in dogs. Exposure is considered inevitable during a dog’s lifetime, so a canine distemper vaccination is always recommended. Puppies and young dogs without an immunity response are at greatest risk. Canine distemper virus infects various tissues in the dog’s body, which produces diarrhea, fever, nasal and ocular discharge, respiratory disease, appetite loss and neurologic signs such as muscular spasms and paralysis. The disease is easily transmitted and often fatal.
Adenovirus Type 1 and Type 2 – (Included with Canine Distemper Vaccine)
Adenovirus causes infectious hepatitis and respiratory infection, respectively. Hepatitis caused by adenovirus type 1 may cause severe kidney damage or death. Adenovirus type 2 is an important factor that may cause kennel cough.
Parainfluenza – (Included with Canine Distemper Vaccine)
Parainfluenza is another cause of kennel cough. Although parainfluenza is often a mild respiratory infection, in otherwise healthy dogs, it can be severe in puppies or debilitated dogs.
Canine Parvovirus – (Included with Canine Distemper Vaccine)
Parvovirus is a disease of widespread distribution which may cause severe dehydrating diarrhea in dogs of varying ages. Parvovirus infection is especially dangerous for puppies.
Leptospirosis- (Canine Only)
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can be found in most animals including livestock (cattle, pigs and sheep) and wildlife (deer, raccoons, opossums, skunks, rats and other rodents). The bacteria are passed via the urine from the above-mentioned animals into water sources, where they reside and reproduce. The bacterial infection may lead to permanent kidney or liver damage, but can be treated and cured if caught early enough.
Bordetella – (Canine)
Bordetella is an infectious respiratory disease, which is a troublesome problem in dogs because it is easily transmitted through the air or by direct contact, especially in kennels or among dogs that live together.
Canine Influenza – (Canine)
Canine influenza is a newly emerging infectious disease caused by a “flu” virus. In dogs, a highly contagious strain of the Influenza A Virus, known as H3N8, is able to cause respiratory illness. The influenza virus only attacks dogs. (Credit to Intervet Schering Plough)
*Information taken from Pfizer Animal Health: www.pfizerah.com
