|
Return to Pet Guides Page
Vaccinating your Dog
There are a number of highly infectious and potentially fatal diseases, which can affect your dog. There is no treatment for many of these diseases and young puppies that catch them often die. However, a vaccination is a simple protection for many of these conditions. Ensuring that your dog completes an initial course of vaccinations and then receives regular booster vaccinations is important if you want to keep your dog fit and healthy.
How do vaccinations work?
Most vaccinations are given by injection under the skin although some may be given as a spray up your dog's nose. All vaccinations work by training the white blood cells in your dog's body to recognize and attack the viruses or bacteria contained in the vaccine. This should prevent infection with that particular bug if your dog is in contact with it again. Current vaccines fall into two main categories: "modified-live" which contain a strain of the bug which has been altered so that it cannot cause disease but does stimulate immunity, and "modified-dead" in which the bug has been killed by heat or chemicals. Each type has their pros and cons. Modified-live vaccines generally give better and longer lasting protection but can sometimes cause more side effects. Modified-live vaccines are not recommended for certain groups of dogs, such as pregnant females.
What diseases can my dog be vaccinated against?
Canine distemper (hard pad)
Canine distemper is a serious disease of dogs caused by a virus. Affected dogs are often very ill and many die from the disease. Symptoms include coughing, a running nose, vomiting, diarrhea, and convulsion. Animals that recover may have ongoing illnesses for the rest of their lives. The vaccine is very effective, and if given as a puppy, then one year later and then every two years, will produce full protection against the disease.
Canine Infectious Hepatitis (adenovirus I)
Canine infectious hepatitis is caused by a virus, which attacks the liver and can cause liver failure. Many animals that succumb to this disease will die. Less severely affected dogs may have a cough and high temperature and may also develop a white color in the layer on the front of the eye. There is no specific treatment for the disease but vaccination gives good protection.
Canine parvoirus (parvo)
Parvo is a disease caused by a virus infection. The disease causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, usually in young puppies. Many puppies affected by the disease will die. The disease is often less severe in older dogs, but if females are infected while they are pregnant, the puppies may be born with deformities. Vaccine protection is generally very good although in some breeds, e.g. Rottweilers; there have been reports of young puppies catching the disease despite having been vaccinated. If this happens, it is usually because the immunity from the mother had not worn off when the vaccine was given and so the vaccine did not work properly. However, giving the final injection when the puppy is older should help with this problem.
Leptospirosis
This is an infection caused by a bacterium. The disease is usually spread by rats, which pass the bacteria out in their urine. The bacteria only survives well in moist conditions outside the rat, so dogs which spend a lot of time in water are most at risk. The disease is very serious and can cause jaundice and kidney failure. The disease can be spread to people as well as infecting dogs. Vaccination gives very good protection, which usually lasts for a year (although dogs at high risk may be vaccinated more often).
Kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis or Bordetella)
Kennel cough is not a serious disease in most otherwise healthy dogs. However, it is very infectious and will rapidly spread around the dog population. As its name suggests, it causes coughing, which can go on for a month in some cases. Good kennels will insist that your dog is vaccinated against this disease before agreeing to take them for boarding. The protection given by the vaccination only lasts for about 12 months. Kennel cough is caused by a combination of viruses and bacteria including: Canine parainfluenzavirus, Canine adenovirus 2 and bordetella. Ask your veterinarian for details about which of these your dog is protected against before putting your dog in kennels.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a multi systemic inflammatory disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, which is usually transmitted by tiny deer ticks. Dogs that are exposed to ticks are at the highest risk of contracting Lyme disease. The disease causes acute tameness, pain and fever. If left untreated, dogs develop heart disease, neurological signs, and possible death. Dogs exposed to ticks should be vaccinated against Lyme disease.
Rabies
Vaccination against rabies is mandatory in many countries because of the risk of passing this horrible, fatal disease to humans. Vaccination is unnecessary for dogs in those countries that are free of rabies - the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan-except in those animals, which are going to be exported abroad. Rabies vaccination has to be repeated every one to three years to maintain protection, but more frequent vaccination may be needed to comply with traveling regulations. Contact your veterinarian for details if you plan to travel abroad with your dog.
When should my dog be vaccinated?
Puppies are protected again many infectious diseases through compounds called antibodies, which they receive in the first few hours from their mother's milk (colostrum). Early vaccination is pointless because these antibodies prevent vaccines from working properly. However, by about seven weeks the immunity provided by the mother begins to wear off. For most of the above diseases, puppies should given their first vaccination at about eight weeks and then given a second vaccination at ten to twelve weeks, and then given a third vaccination at 16 weeks of age. Until your puppy has received all its injections (and for a few days afterward), it should not mix with other dogs unless you can be certain that they are fully vaccinated and free of disease.
Why is it necessary to have repeat vaccinations?
Most vaccination courses start with two separate injections about three weeks apart. This course must be completed before your puppy is fully protected by the vaccine. The protection given by most vaccines wears off in time and at different rates for each particular vaccine. If your dog has not been given a booster for more than two or three years, your veterinarian may think it is safer to start from scratch with a new course of injections. Most kennels will insist on seeing proof of regular vaccinations before looking after your dog.
Do vaccines always work?
The quality of vaccines available today is very high but occasionally an individual dog may not get the full protection from the vaccine. This may be because the dog was already ill or was stressed when it was vaccinated and its immune system wasn't working properly. Your veterinarian will examine your dog before vaccination and if any signs of illness are detected, will delay vaccination until your dog is well again.
Can vaccinations be dangerous?
Often your dog will seem lethargic for a day or two after its vaccination and the injection site may also become tender and swollen. If these effects do not wear off, it is worth taking your dog back to see your veterinarian. If you are concerned about any symptoms in your dog, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian for reassurance or advice.
Infectious disease may not seem very common in dogs because most dogs are protected by vaccination. Your dog must receive regular vaccinations to be fully protected against these diseases.
For additional information, please contact:
Riverside Animal Hospital
3233 Riverside Drive
336-5090
Click here to download a personal copy of this guide.
Return to Pet Guides Page |
