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Our canine buddies are always there for us, so let's not forget their annual vaccinations. Dogs do not follow our rules. They roam, romp
and dig in the dirt and grass. Their mobility and exploratory nature bring them into contact with other dogs (often unvaccinated),
raccoons and other sources of disease. Because they do not follow our rules of cleanliness and public health they are much more
susceptible to the variety of diseases in the environment. Regular vaccinations are an inexpensive and effective way of preventing most
of these diseases. It is possible for an adult dog to get any of the diseases we vaccinate for even if vaccinated before. Vaccines do not
produce lifelong immunity. The longer a dog remains unvaccinated past one year (for most diseases) the more likely they will become
infected if exposed to the disease. This period varies depending on the dogs health, breed, and the amount of viral or bacterial load
they are exposed to. Other disease (especially the upper respiratory type have a much shorter duration of immunity and may require
vaccination every six to twelve months. If you regularly board your pet or have them groomed , twice yearly vaccination is recommeded.
Rabies
Rabies is a viral infection which is spread through the saliva. It may be found in virtually any warm blooded animal, so vaccination of your pet is even more important since you could become infected. The virus attacks the nerve tissue over a period of about 10 days (occassionally longer). Death is a almost always a certainty. Rabies usually take two forms. Dumb rabies is characterized by hypersalivation, a drooping lower jaw, and contact avoidance by the effected animal. Furious rabies is characterized by extremely unnatural aggressiveness.
Rabies is a viral infection which is spread through the saliva. It may be found in virtually any warm blooded animal, so vaccination of your pet is even more important since you could become infected. The virus attacks the nerve tissue over a period of about 10 days (occassionally longer). Death is a almost always a certainty. Rabies usually take two forms. Dumb rabies is characterized by hypersalivation, a drooping lower jaw, and contact avoidance by the effected animal. Furious rabies is characterized by extremely unnatural aggressiveness.
Distemper Hepatitis and Leptospirosis
Veterinarians usually combine these vaccines into one syringe. Canine distemper is quite common and a large percentage of unvaccinated dogs will become ill if exposed. An overwhelming percentage of the infected dogs will die. This virus initially invades the respiratory tract and causes a mucoid discharge from the eyes and nose. As the virus invades the nerve tissue, twitching or seizures may be seen.
Hepatitis involves the spread of a virus into the liver, however the damaged liver often cause widespread problems because of the malfunctioning liver. Fever, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and innappetance may be seen.
Leptospirosis is caused by a bacteria which can invade the liver, kidney, and other organs.
Signs in the pet can often be subtle initially but progress to fever, innappetance, vomiting, etc.. Humans can contract this disease from contact with the infected animals urine. It may also be contracted through stagnant or slow moving contaminated water.
Veterinarians usually combine these vaccines into one syringe. Canine distemper is quite common and a large percentage of unvaccinated dogs will become ill if exposed. An overwhelming percentage of the infected dogs will die. This virus initially invades the respiratory tract and causes a mucoid discharge from the eyes and nose. As the virus invades the nerve tissue, twitching or seizures may be seen.
Hepatitis involves the spread of a virus into the liver, however the damaged liver often cause widespread problems because of the malfunctioning liver. Fever, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and innappetance may be seen.
Leptospirosis is caused by a bacteria which can invade the liver, kidney, and other organs.
Signs in the pet can often be subtle initially but progress to fever, innappetance, vomiting, etc.. Humans can contract this disease from contact with the infected animals urine. It may also be contracted through stagnant or slow moving contaminated water.
Viral Diarrhea
Is most commonly caused by coronavirus or parvovirus either by themselves or as a coinfection between these two viruses.
Generally speaking coronavirus infection by it self is less likely to be fatal. Parvovirus infection by itself is more likely to be fatal. Infection with both is most likely to cause fatalities. Some breeds seem to be more likely to become infected or die if exposed. These include Doberman Pinschers, American Pit bull Terriers, Greyhounds, and Rotweillers.
hile the disease is less likely to be fatal in adult dogs it can still infect them and cause problems and occasionally death. Clinical signs include lethargy, depression, dehydration, vomiting, and a fetid profuse bloody diarrhea as the disease progresses.
Is most commonly caused by coronavirus or parvovirus either by themselves or as a coinfection between these two viruses.
Generally speaking coronavirus infection by it self is less likely to be fatal. Parvovirus infection by itself is more likely to be fatal. Infection with both is most likely to cause fatalities. Some breeds seem to be more likely to become infected or die if exposed. These include Doberman Pinschers, American Pit bull Terriers, Greyhounds, and Rotweillers.
hile the disease is less likely to be fatal in adult dogs it can still infect them and cause problems and occasionally death. Clinical signs include lethargy, depression, dehydration, vomiting, and a fetid profuse bloody diarrhea as the disease progresses.
Respiratory Disease
Tracheobronchitis is the most common disease to infect the upper respiratory tract of dogs. It is preventable by once or twice yearly vaccination depending on the circumstances. If your pet is groomed or boarded regularly we recommend twice yearly vacinnation. Since it is cause by multiple agents, (canine Influenza virus, Adenovirus,Bordetella bacteria) it is more difficult vaccinate against. That is to say, a small percentage of dogs vaccinated could still show mild clinical signs if exposed . **** However the length and severity of the disease would be much less severe than in an unvaccinated dog. Get this ..... an unvaccinated dog if infected could have severe coughing and illness for weeks or months in some cases. The disease can progress to pneumonia.
Tracheobronchitis is the most common disease to infect the upper respiratory tract of dogs. It is preventable by once or twice yearly vaccination depending on the circumstances. If your pet is groomed or boarded regularly we recommend twice yearly vacinnation. Since it is cause by multiple agents, (canine Influenza virus, Adenovirus,Bordetella bacteria) it is more difficult vaccinate against. That is to say, a small percentage of dogs vaccinated could still show mild clinical signs if exposed . **** However the length and severity of the disease would be much less severe than in an unvaccinated dog. Get this ..... an unvaccinated dog if infected could have severe coughing and illness for weeks or months in some cases. The disease can progress to pneumonia.