Canine Vaccinations
Because of their outgoing nature, at some time in their lives almost all dogs come in contact with other animals, increasing their potential exposure to a variety of diseases. Fortunately, vaccinations are available to prevent many of these diseases. Immunization through vaccination is the best and least costly means of prevention and assures the best quality of life for your pet.
The following is an outline of the primary diseases that affect dogs and the vaccination protocol associated with each:
Rabies
All warm-blooded animals can be infected with the rabies virus. That means dogs, cats, wildlife, farm animals, bats, etc. People can also become infected with rabies and that is why preventive vaccination of pets is required by law. There were 7000 animal rabies cases in the U.S. in 2007 and on average one to three human cases are reported annually. Worldwide, about 55,000 people, mostly in Africa and Asia, die from rabies each year. Rabies virus is most commonly spread through the saliva of an infected animal via a bite wound. Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It can take between 10 days to several months to develop. Once clinical signs of the disease develop, death always occurs. Rabies vaccination is mandatory.
In New Hampshire, all dogs and cats over 12 weeks of age must have an up to date rabies vaccination. Pets that have never been vaccinated receive a one year vaccination that must be repeated no later that one year from the date of the initial vaccination. All subsequent vaccinations must be repeated within 3 years.
Don't be late!
Because it is one of the few diseases that affects both animals and humans, New Hampshire law is very strict about the way potential rabies exposure is handled. Any unvaccinated pet or any pet not up to date on it's rabies vaccination, that bites and breaks the skin of a person, either has to be quarantined under the guidance of local authorities for not less than 10 days (very expensive), or Euthanized (put to death) and submitted to the state lab for tissue testing (very sad and expensive). State law mandates all expenses incurred are the responsibility of the pet owner. We have seen this issue come up time and again over the years and encourage everyone to keep your pet's rabies vaccination up to date!
Distemper
Canine Distemper virus is spread by contact with infected dogs or their environment. Distemper is still a significant problem in many areas of the state. Symptoms are flu like and include diarrhea, fever, respiratory disease, discharge from the eyes and nose and later stages the virus attacks the nervous system. Distemper is potentially fatal, especially in puppies. Puppies receive a series of vaccinations 4 weeks apart until the age of 16 weeks, then annualy until the age of 2 and then every three years for the rest of their lives
Parvovirus
Canine Parvovirus is a serious viral disease that affects the intestines, white blood cells, and heart. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, and severe diarrhea that can lead to dehydration. Hospitalization of infected animals is usually required. Dogs can be protected from Parvovirus through vaccination, which is given at the same time as the distemper vaccination
Respiratory Diseases
A wide variety of viruses and bacteria can be involved in canine respiratory diseases. These diseases usually aren't fatal unless pneumonia develops. Symptoms can include loss of appetite, lack of energy and persistent coughing. Coughing by infected dogs is the primary means of transmission. Vaccines are available for the three most common respiratory diseases in dogs, which are are:
Parainfluenza
Parainfluenza is a highly contagious viral infectious bronchitis also know as kennel cough. It is easily transmitted from infected dogs, or the environment where infected dogs have recently been. This vaccine is given with the distemper vaccination and follows the same protocol.
Canine Adenovirus - type 2 (A2)
Symptoms generally respiratory, including bronchitis and pneumonia. This virus is spread in the bodily secretions of infected dogs and a wide variety of carnivorous wildlife. Infectious Canine Hepatitis is rare in dogs today due to the efficacy of the vaccine. This vaccine is also given with the distemper vaccination and follows the same protocol.
Bordatella Bronchiseptica Bacteria
Symptoms include a harsh, dry cough, aggravated by activity or excitement. The cough is followed by retching or gagging in an attempt to clear small amounts of mucous from the throat. Body temperatures may be elevated as secondary bacterial infection takes place. This disease is highly contagious and is readily transmitted to susceptible dogs. This vaccine is given in a two part series, 4 weeks apart and then annually
Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease is caused by a bacterial organism known as Borrelia Bugdorferi. It is transmitted by the bite of an infected tick. Exposure to Lyme Disease seems to be increasing in our area. Since January of 2004 over 120 dogs have tested positive for exposure to Lyme Disease at our hospital. Symptoms of Lyme Disease in pets are similar to the symptoms in humans. Although you will not see a rash on your pet's skin, they can experience a range of symptoms. While some pets do not experience any symptoms at all, others experience lethargy, arthritis (often displayed as joint pain and lameness), loss of appetite, fever, kidney damage, heart disorders and neurological disorders. Treatment includes antibiotic therapy, but often symptoms become chronic and those infected will experience repeated flair-ups of symptoms. If you pet goes outdoors it is potentially at risk for Lyme Disease Our doctors recommend vaccination for most dogs and application of topical flea and tick preventative to all at-risk pets. This vaccination is initially given as a 2 part series and then annually thereafter.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can be carried by cattle, horses, rodents such as field mice and common wildlife like racoons. This disease causes high fever, jaundice, vomiting and in severe cases, fatal liver and kidney damage. The number of cases of leptospirosis in New Hampshire has increased dramatically in recent years and we recommend annual vaccination for most dogs. This vaccine is initially given in a two part series, four weeks apart, and then annually.
