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Dog Vaccines
Vaccines are a controversial topic- How many?? How Often?? Will they harm my pet?? These are important questions for you want to give your dog the best pet care. My approach to vaccines is to give only what is necessary as infrequently as possible for the best pet health. New research has suggested that following the series of puppy boosters, and booster at 1 year, individual vaccines will give protection for longer than 1 year. Meaning you DON'T need combination vaccine boosters every year!! Vaccines have been linked to the occasional auto-immune disease ( where the body attacks part of itself) and allergies. That being said, Vaccines are important in preventing some of the serious infectious diseases that still occur today. The 3 most common ones are Canine Parvovirus ( causes severe bloody diarrhea), Canine Distemper (cause nervous system signs ) and Rabies. When puppies are born, their immune systems are not mature enough to make antibodies until approximately 8 to 12 weeks of age. Nature provides for temporary immunity in the form of colostrum, which is very rich in antibodies. Babies who fail to suckle colostrum in the first few days of life will be extremely susceptible to disease until their own immune system matures and makes their own antibodies. We as pet owners assume that our healthy puppy did get its mother's colostrum. After weaning around the age of 8 weeks, it is now your responsibility to protect your new pet by putting him on a vaccination schedule. VACCINATION SCHEDULE
Second visit - 12 weeks: Distemper + Parvovirus + Parainfluenza + Hepatitis Third visit - 16 weeks: Parvovirus + Rabies + Parainfluenza + Distemper + Hepatitis Year 1 - Parvovirus , Parainfluenza, Distemper, Hepatitis and Rabies. Year 2 - Parvovirus Year 3 - Distemper Year 4- Rabies This cycle is repeated until your pet reaches the age of 12. At that age we stop vaccinating all together. It is still important that your pet has yearly checkups. Canine Distemper
Vaccination against this often fatal, hard-to-treat disease is absolutely essential. Highly contagious, it is spread by discharges from the noses and eyes of infected dogs. Symptoms can include listlessness, fever, coughing, diarrhea and vomiting; convulsions and paralysis may occur in the disease's final stages. The distemper virus attacks many organs, including the nervous system, which may be permanently damaged, even if the dog recovers.
Canine Tracheobronchitis (CANINE COUGH) Just as with the human common cold, this respiratory-tract infection is easily transmitted from one dog to another, so vaccination is imperative if your pet will come in contact with many other dogs in such situations as obedience training or boarding at a kennel. Caused by various airborne bacteria and viruses, including Canine Parainfluenza virus, Canine Adenovirus Type II and Bordetella Bronchiseptica, you'll first notice its onset by your dog's dry, hacking cough.
Canine Parvovirus Very contagious, debilitating and widespread, the disease caused by this virus emerged in many parts of the world only in 1978. Spread through infected feces, the highly resistant virus can remain in the environment for many months. Symptoms include high fever, listlessness, vomiting and diarrhea. Vaccination is the only certain method of preventing this potentially fatal disease, which is most severe in young pups and elderly dogs.
Rabies This incurable viral disease affects the central nervous system of almost all mammals, including humans. It is spread through contact with the saliva of infected animals (which can include skunks, foxes, raccoons and bats) through bites or any break in the skin. Vaccination will provide your pet with much greater resistance to rabies if he is exposed to the disease, but you must be aware that there is no cure once it occurs. For this reason, many municipalities absolutely require that all dogs receive rabies vaccinations on a regular basis. Plus, you will definitely have to prove that your dog is vaccinated if you travel with him - whether across the province, to the United States or around the world.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis Caused by Canine Adenovirus Type I, this disease is transmitted among dogs by contact with secretions, such as saliva, infected urine or feces. Its symptoms are similar to those of the early stages of distemper. Causing liver failure, eye damage and breathing problems, the course of this disease can range from mild to fatal. Vaccination remains the best protection.
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