Vaccinating your Dog

Canine Parvovirus is a small but extremely hardy virus that can survive in the environment for long periods. The disease first emerged in the 1970s as an epidemic, killing many thousands of dogs before effective vaccination became available. The main source of infection is the faeces of infected dogs; the virus can also be spread on shoes and clothing and on the coat and pads of dogs.

Originally two forms of the disease were seen: heart disease (in young puppies) and enteritis. Now, heart disease is rarely seen, as most young puppies are protected by virtue of immunity passed in their mother’s first milk. Enteritis is seen in any age of dog from about four weeks of age, but most commonly in dogs less than one-year-old. Signs appear quickly and usually consist of depression, severe vomiting, refusal of food and water, abdominal pain and profuse smelly, bloody diarrhoea. This can result in rapid and severe dehydration leading to death.

Although no longer present in epidemic proportions due to successful vaccination “Parvo” is still commonly seen in unvaccinated dogs.

Vaccination and follow up boosters are vital to protecting against this disease.

Whilst vaccination has resulted in a decrease in the incidence of this disease in recent years, many pockets of infection still exist, especially in large cities, which result in regular local outbreaks. The main source of infection is by inhalation during close dog to dog contact: signs may take up to three weeks to appear. Dogs less than one year of age are most commonly affected.

Typically, the first signs are runny nose and eyes with coughing and vomiting, followed by unusual tiredness, lack of appetite and diarrhoea. After several weeks there may also be a thickening of the pads, and nervous signs, including twitching, paralysis, or even fits. Dogs that survive may suffer from deformed teeth or even develop nervous signs later in life.

Treatment of canine distemper is often unsuccessful – vaccination is the best form of protection.

Including Canine Adenovirus & Canine Viral Hepatitis

Canine Hepatitis, which mainly attacks the liver, can rapidly be fatal. Transmission is by close dog to dog contact; dogs recovering from the disease may be a source of infection for more than 6 months. Dogs are most commonly affected in the first year of life, but all ages are susceptible.

Early signs include general discomfort and lack of appetite, very high temperature, pale gums and conjunctiva, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Subsequently, the dog may develop jaundice. In some dogs that recover, a clouding of the cornea, known as “blue eye” occurs, which will usually resolve.

Canine Adenovirus type 2 vaccines provide good immunity against Infectious Canine Hepatitis and one of the components of “Kennel Cough” syndrome.

Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria that are spread in the urine of infected animals. It can spread to humans by skin contact with infected urine. Two forms of disease are seen:

Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae (Weil’s disease)

This is contracted from rats, most commonly via contact with infected urine or rat-infested water. The liver is the main organ affected, although the kidneys may be involved. Signs are usually a high temperature, severe thirst, lethargy, increased urination, abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea and jaundice. Death can occur in a few hours in severe cases.

Leptospira canicola

This is contracted from the infected urine of other dogs. Milder signs are often seen with the kidneys being the main organs affected; jaundice is seen less often and is less severe.

However, damage to the kidneys may cause problems later in life. Dogs that recover can excrete the bacteria in their urine for up to a year and thus, be a source of infection.

Annual vaccinations against leptospirosis are vital to protect your dog and prevent it becoming a source of infection to humans.

Infectious Canine Tracheobronchitis or Kennel Cough

This is an infectious disease that, as the name implies, can be picked up when dogs are brought together, especially in numbers and especially in an indoor environment, such as a training class, agility session or boarding kennels. Kennel Cough represents a serious problem for kennels and, as a result, more and more are insisting on full vaccination cover for all dogs in their care. It can mean coming home to a distressed dog, whose coughing will undo all the good of your relaxing holiday.

Although there are other organisms which can cause an infectious cough, infection with Bordetella bronchiseptica can lead to a persistent hacking cough that can last for up to several weeks and infected dogs can remain infectious for up to 3 months. Dogs can pick up Bordetella anywhere; it doesn’t have to be in kennels. The infection spreads from dog to dog through the air and dogs are just as likely to catch an infectious cough at shows, training classes or wherever dogs mix.

Fortunately your dog can be given a vaccine which provides solid protection against Bordetella infection and Parainfluenza virus (the next most common cause of infectious coughs).

This can be given on its own or at the same time as your dog’s annual booster against Distemper, Viral Hepatitis, Leptospirosis and Parvovirus.

The vaccine is given as nose drops and is effective in as little as three days, although the best time to have this vaccination is two weeks before your dog goes into kennels or to a show. The protection lasts for 12 months.