Viral Diseases: A Regular Immunization Program Can Help Protect Your Puppy
There's no way around it - potentially dangerous, disease-causing organisms are part of your new puppy's environment. And because puppies are curious and like to explore everything, they're good candidates for exposure to infection. But your veterinarian can help protect puppies and adult dogs against a number of infectious organisms through a regular vaccination program. A puppy typically receives its first vaccination at 6 to 8 weeks of age, and vaccinations will continue throughout the dog's life. Your veterinarian will set up your puppy's vaccination schedule - it's important that you follow your veterinarian's recommendations.
In fact, taking your dog to "get its shots" on a regular basis is one of the easiest, most important ways you can protect your pet's good health, because it also ensures that your veterinarian has the chance to examine your dog regularly to detect any problems before they become serious threats.
Some of the most important diseases to understand are rabies, parvovirus, lyme disease, leptospirosis, distemper and canine coronavirus. Vaccines are available against all these diseases.
Rabies
Rabies is a generally fatal viral disease that affects the central nervous system and can infect all warm-blooded animals. The disease is zoonotic, which means it can be transmitted to humans bitten by an infected animal. People exposed to rabies must undergo an immunization regimen.
* Vaccination begins between 14 and 16 weeks of age, than again a year from the first vaccine than revaccinated every 3 years.
Canine Parvovirus (Parvo)
Parvo is an acute, potentially fatal disease of the gastrointestinal tract and, less commonly, the heart muscle. Although dogs of all ages are susceptible, puppies are more at risk. Signs include vomiting, bloody diarrhea, fever and dehydration. Since these symptoms can indicate other diseases as well, the veterinarian will confirm a diagnosis of parvoviral infection by examining the feces.
* Typical puppy vaccine protocol; Given in the DA2PP combo vaccine starting at about 6 weeks and than repeated every 3 to 4 weeks two more times. This is then repeated about 1 year from last puppy vaccine than every 3 years.
Distemper (Hardpad Disease): The "Canine Plague"
Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that affects a puppy's skin, respiratory system, intestines, and brain and can cause transient fever, discharge from the nose and eyes, loss of appetite, hardening of footpads, nervous disorders and even death. It is not transmitted to people. Distemper is spread via tiny droplets in a dog's breath and is so contagious among dogs that the disease is sometimes called the "Canine Plague." Young puppies are at greatest risk of contracting distemper, though all unvaccinated dogs and dogs with suppressed immune systems are at risk.
* Typical puppy vaccine protocol; Given in the DA2PP combo vaccine starting at about 6 weeks and than repeated every 3 to 4 weeks two more times. This is then repeated about 1 year from last puppy vaccine than every 3 years.
Canine Coronavirus (CCV)
In most cases, canine coronavirus is transmitted when dogs or puppies ingest the disease-causing organism following direct contact with infected animals or their feces. Dogs of all ages and breeds are susceptible. CCV infection can range from very mild and barely noticeable to serious. Dogs infected with CCV may refuse food, seem lethargic, become dehydrated, and suffer from sudden-onset diarrhea that can last from ten days to several weeks. CCV can occur at the same time as canine parvovirus, intensifying the dog's illness and even causing death in puppies.
* Vaccination begins at 6 weeks and is usually given by breeder or pet store and is not given again.
Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
Kennel cough is an infectious bronchitis characterized by a harsh, hacking cough that most people describe as sounding like "something stuck in my dog's throat." It is analogous to a chest cold for humans and is only a serious condition in special circumstances (see below); in general, it resolves on its own. A dog with kennel cough generally feels active and maintains a normal appetite despite frequent fits of coughing. There is usually no fever or listlessness, just lots of coughing.
* Vaccination begins at 8 weeks old and is repeated every 6 to 12 months depending on boarding and lifestyle requirements.
Leptospirosis
Dogs become infected by leptospires when abraded skin comes into contact with infected urine or with water contaminated with infected urine. Bite wounds, reproductive secretions, and even consumption of infected tissues can transmit this infection. The organisms quickly spread through the bloodstream leading to fever, joint pain, and general malaise that can last up to a week. The organism settles in the kidneys and begins to reproduce, leading to further inflammation and then kidney failure. Depending on the type of leptospire involved, other organ failure (especially liver) can be expected as well. Make no mistake, leptospirosis is a life-threatening disease with worldwide significance. People can be infected, too.
* Vaccination begins at 12 weeks of age and than again 2 to 4 weeks later, revaccinated yearly.
Lyme
Lyme disease is caused by a group of Borrelia species, called Borrelia burgdorferi. They are transmitted to the dog by nymph and adult ticks of the Ixodes genus: Ixodes scapularis (formerly Ixodes dammini) on the east coast, and Ixodes pacificus on the west coast. Lyme disease can cause an inflammatory condition of the joints, heart, central nervous system and other tissues. Recurrent episodes can result in chronic disease and arthritis. While a "bull's eye" lesion often occurs at the site of the tick bite in humans, it is not often found in dogs.
* Vaccination begins at about 9 weeks of age. It is repeated 2 to 4 weeks later than revaccinated yearly.
