Distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis), parvovirus, and rabies are common, deadly dog diseases. It is essential to protect all dogs, and particularly puppies, against these diseases because they are all at risk. In addition, Lyme disease, kennel cough, leptospirosis, and coronavirus pose disease threats to some dogs based on geographic area, lifestyle, and environment. This is why it’s important to make sure your dog is protected by a customized vaccination program.
| Essential for All Dogs | For Dogs At Risk |
Distemper is a disease that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. It is highly contagious and spreads when bodily fluids such as saliva, urine, or tears from an infected dog become airborne. Signs of distemper include fever, runny nose and eyes, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and seizures. Distemper is often fatal and may cause irreparable nervous system damage in dogs that do survive infection, so early disease protection in young puppies is important.
Infectious hepatitis in the dog can affect the liver, kidneys, eyes, and other organs. It is very contagious and is spread when healthy dogs ingest the urine, feces, or saliva of an infected dog. Signs range from slight fever, congestion, and temporary clouding of the eye (a condition called “blue eye”) to prolonged bleeding, severe depression, and death. CAV-2 vaccines provide safe, effective protection against hepatitis.
Parvovirus is a serious, highly contagious disease that attacks the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. The virus can survive in the environment for long periods of time and is easily transmitted via trace amounts of contaminated feces on shoes, cages, or dogs’ hair or feet. The disease can cause lethargy, fever, and loss of appetite, as well as vomiting and severe, bloody diarrhea that can quickly lead to dehydration. In severe cases, dehydration can cause death within just 48 to 72 hours. Vaccination and 3-year booster shots protect against this common disease.
Rabies virus attacks the brain and can be fatal to infected dogs. The virus is secreted in the saliva of infected dogs and is most often transmitted through bite wounds. Infected dogs may exhibit fearfulness, aggression, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, staggering, and/or seizures. After noticeable disease signs appear, the disease is almost always fatal. Fortunately, rabies vaccines are very effective in preventing disease.
Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria and is transmitted to animals and humans via tick bites. Dogs infected with Lyme disease may exhibit flu-like symptoms including fever and loss of appetite or experience sudden, unexplained, or recurrent lameness. If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to joint damage, heart complications, and kidney problems. Vaccination is not routinely recommended. However, studies have shown Lyme vaccines to be effective. Your veterinarian may recommend vaccination if your dog spends time outdoors and lives in or travels to areas where Lyme disease is common.
The kennel cough disease complex may also be referred to as bordetellosis or infectious tracheobronchitis and is caused by one or more of the following respiratory disease agents:
• Bordetella bronchiseptica
• Canine adenovirus type-2
• Canine parainfluenza virus
Transmission most often occurs via contact with the nasal secretions of infected dogs. Infected dogs develop a severe, hacking cough, which may be accompanied by nasal discharge. This disease most often appears in crowded environments such as kennels or boarding facilities, so your veterinarian may recommend vaccination prior to exposure to these environments. Combination respiratory vaccines provide broad, convenient protection against kennel cough.
Caused by various types of Leptospira bacteria, this disease impairs kidney function and ultimately may result in kidney failure. The disease is transmitted by contact with the urine of infected animals either directly or via contaminated objects. Disease signs include vomiting, impaired vision, and convulsions. The disease is not common in all geographic areas, but if you live in or travel to an infected area, it’s important to vaccinate your pet.
Coronavirus is an infectious agent that can cause mild diarrhea, particularly in puppies. Infection can occur in conjunction with parvovirus infection, producing more severe diarrhea. Vaccination may be suggested by your veterinarian in areas where coronavirus is prevalent, because diarrhea can cause dangerous, even fatal, dehydration in young puppies.