The following is a listing of the diseases that we vaccinate for. Brief facts are given in an effort to present this material in a form that is easily remembered and used.
Parvovirus
Parvo causes severe bloody diarrhea and high fever in young dogs which are usually four to six months of age. The initial sign is, loss of appetite, followed by vomiting and pain, then, by bloody diarrhea. The mother’s immunity tends to last until the puppy is four months old, therefore, if not vaccinated after four months, most pups will be susceptible. Parvo also suppresses the white blood cells that help fight disease, the neutrophil count decreases to zero in some dogs. This opens the dog to bacterial infections of the blood (septicemia). Septicemia can be a major cause of death in puppies infected with parvovirus. Parvo is spread by urine and feces. The virus will live for over 1 year in the environment. Therefore, new puppies placed into an environment which was previously inhabited by a “Parvo-puppy” will be likely to contract the disease. Bleach is one of the only cleansing agents effective at killing parvovirus and should be diluted to 1:32 dilution. Newer cleaners are available that kill Parvo but Nolvasan® and Rocal® do not kill parvovirus. Vaccination usually prevents the disease. First Dose Parvo vaccine is recommended.
Parvovirus vaccine bypasses the mothers immunity and causes the puppies immune system to become active earlier. Treatment is possible but is very time consuming and expensive. We recommend all dogs be treated for parvovirus once it is diagnosed. See the section on Parvovirus infection for more information.
Parainfluenza
Parainfluenza is a virus that causes flu-like symptoms. The symptoms are coughing, sneezing, runny eyes and nose. Pets usually have a mild elevation in body temperature. The intranasal Bordetella vaccine has parainfluenza vaccine for dogs in it. Parainfluenza virus may be one of the causes of “kennel cough”.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease of puppies which affects the kidneys and the blood causing bloody urine and yellow membranes (jaundice). Lepto is an uncommon disease except in rural farming communities. Puppies catch it from contaminated water supply (water that has been soiled by feces or urine, usually of farm animals). Rats are also a source of infection to dogs. Leptospirosis vaccine for dogs usually prevents the disease but it is not 100% effective. Vaccination of lepto in the past to very young puppies resulted in an adverse reaction associated with fever and lethargy which may be the result of immunosuppression (reduced immune function). Many breeders do not want their puppies vaccinated for this disease prior to twelve weeks of age.
Distemper
Distemper is a serious disease of dogs which kills almost every dog that contracts it. It causes high fever, pneumonia, runny eyes, runny nose and diarrhea. Distemper usually strikes young puppies up to four months of age. “Chewing gum fits” are common in puppies with distemper. Distemper also causes seizures in older dogs. The Distemper vaccine for dogs usually prevents the disease but it is not 100% effective.
Bordetella
Bordetella is a bacterial disease of the trachea and the bronchi of the lungs, and is the cause of “Kennel Cough”. Animals are usually vaccinated against Bordetella prior to boarding, grooming, dog shows, or hospitalization. The bordetella vaccine for dogs should be given 10 days to two weeks prior to boarding if possible. The intranasal vaccination gives some immunity within twenty-four to thirty-six hours and is recommended.
Lyme’s Disease
Lyme’s disease is a syndrome of fever and arthritis which can be passed to humans and can be fatal which is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia Burgdorferi that is transmitted by ticks. Animals are vaccinated if they have contact with large numbers of ticks. Hunting dogs are most likely to contract this. Lyme vaccine for dogs is repeated in three weeks for a booster then annually. Tick control with the Preventic® collar (amitraz) will also help. Recently some researchers have questioned the efficacy of vaccination for this disease.
