Canine Diseases Requiring Vaccination:

What are vaccines?

Vaccines contain viruses, bacteria or other disease-causing organisms that have been killed or altered so that they can no longer cause disease. When given to an animal, vaccines will stimulate the body's immune system to form disease fighting cells and proteins (known as antibodies) to protect against the disease. Although the protection afforded by vaccines can be reduced by poor health and poor nutrition, most vaccinated animals will be resistant to the disease for which they are vaccinated.

Why is there a need to vaccinate?

The current low incidence of diseases such as distemper is principally due to dog owners having their pets routinely vaccinated. Vaccination is necessary in order to provide protection against life-threatening diseases such as distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis. Vaccination is the only proven method of protecting against these diseases. Apart from perhaps leptospirosis, there is no specific cure for them, and in all cases - including leptospirosis - treatment may not only be unsuccessful but also extremely expensive.

From what diseases can vaccines protect my pet?

Most veterinarians agree that all dogs and cats should be vaccinated against those diseases that are widespread, cause serious illness, and/or are highly contagious (core vaccines). In addition, other vaccines may be recommended based on the risk they pose to individual cats or dogs (non-core vaccines).

Core vaccines for dogs:

Canine Distemper - This disease causes respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurologic signs in affected dogs and can be fatal. Recovered dogs may have permanent damage to their nervous systems. Unvaccinated dogs are at high risk of contracting this highly contagious disease which is spread by discharges from the nose and eyes of infected dogs.

Infectious Hepatitis - This virus is caused by a viral agent, the canine adenovirus, and is spread through infected urine. The virus may cause liver failure, eye damage and respiratory problems which can be fatal. Commonly encountered clinical signs are vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and occasionally coughing.

Canine Parvovirus - The disease caused by parvovirus is both serious and widespread in dogs. Signs, which include severe vomiting and diarrhea with blood, result from the virus damaging the gastrointestinal tract. The disease is spread through infected feces and can lead to death in 48 to 72 hours. Parvovirus infection may also cause bone marrow and heart disease in dogs.

Canine Parainfluenza Virus - One of the causes of kennel cough, this respiratory disease is most commonly caused by a virus. Characteristic features of kennel cough are a hacking cough, discharge from the nose, and occasional fever.

Non-core vaccines for dogs:

Vaccines are also available to protect individual dogs deemed to be at risk of developing Bordetellosis, another cause of kennel cough, Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, giardiasis, and coronavirus infection.

Rabies - All mammals, including humans, are at risk of contracting rabies, which is almost invariably fatal. Rabid pets may display a "dumb" form which is characterized by listlessness, weakness and paralysis, or the "furious" form of rabies characterized by abnormal aggression. In some parts of Canada, where risk is high, vaccination of dogs and cats is mandatory.

How are vaccines given?

Most vaccines are given by injection, either into the fat under the skin, or into the muscle. Some vaccines may be administered as drops into the nose.

Breeders usually give initial vaccines at five to six weeks of age. Then vaccinations are typically repeated at eight, 12 and 16 weeks to protect against distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus.

A rabies vaccine is also given at 16 weeks. Other vaccines may be given against bordatella, leptospirosis, Lyme disease and coronavirus - whether or not these vaccines are administered depends upon the area in which you live and the puppy's potential risk of exposure. Occasionally a fifth parvovirus vaccine is given at 18 to 24 weeks of age, especially for Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers, which are particularly susceptible to this disease. After the initial series of vaccines, your dog will receive annual boosters to continue his protection against these potentially deadly diseases.

Heartworm, another internal parasite, is currently present in most parts of the country, and the best treatment is prevention. During the first six months, no heartworm test is required to start your puppy on any heartworm medication; however, it is usually necessary thereafter. Because heartworm is spread by mosquito bites, no dog can remain completely unexposed to this deadly disease. Prevention is very simple with a once-a-month pill that provides virtually 100-per-cent protection. Your veterinarian will tell you during which months you must give the preventive for your region.

Another major concern is external parasites - primarily fleas and ticks - which not only cause significant irritation to your puppy but may also have the potential for spreading disease. Your veterinarian will discuss the seasons in which these parasites are major problems, as well as an appropriate means of control for your specific area. These parasites are easily controllable when the correct products are used on an appropriate schedule of prevention. It is much more difficult to deal with an established infestation than to prevent one from occurring in the first place.

Your veterinarian will educate you in the care of your puppy to maintain his good health. Most owners are aware of the need to trim their puppy's nails but do not do it frequently enough. Nails should be trimmed at least once a month, and even more often for some dogs. Many owners do not do their dog's nails this frequently because of an understandable fear of "making them bleed." This happens to everyone, even veterinarians, and is not a disaster. Most veterinarians are more than happy to teach you how to trim your puppy's nails - just ask.

Another important area that should receive daily attention is your puppy's teeth. In the last 20 years, veterinarians have become aware of how important good dental hygiene is in relation to the overall health of the dog. Currently, veterinary dental specialists recommend daily brushing for dogs, as well as other types of preventive and therapeutic dental care. It is easier to teach a puppy to accept brushing and minimize dental problems than to try to train an adult with dental problems to allow treatment. For teeth brushing to have any beneficial effect, it must be performed at least weekly; however, more frequently is certainly better.