Dog Vaccinations Be Informed

DHLPPC:

This is a combo vaccination that covers numerous diseases with one injection. What do all those letters stand for?

• D = Distemper:
Distemper is a nasty virus that is highly contagious, occurs world wide, and at one time was the leading cause of death in puppies. Young puppies are more susceptible to the virus then adult dogs. You may see signs of an upper respiratory infection with a high fever, the dog may also have neurological signs. This disease is often fatal.


• H = Hepatitis or Adenovirus-2:
This is spread by contact with the urine and feces of infected animals. The virus causes liver and kidney damage, animals that survive may have chronic illness. Symptoms include but are not limited to: fever, lethargy, anorexia, abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhea.


• L = Leptospirosis:
This disease affects the liver and kidneys and is deadly. Animals with this disease are contagious to other animals and humans. A positive dog should be isolated and the caregiver should wear protective clothing and gloves. The disease is spread through contact with urine of infected animals. Dogs with leptospirosis may show signs of lethargy, dehydration, jaundice, and fever.
Most Leptospirosis strains (there are about 200) do not cause the Leptospirosis disease
and of the seven clinically important strains
only four ~ L. icterohaemorrhagiae, L. canicola, L. grippotyphosa, and L. pomona serovars ~
are found in today's vaccines.
So, exposure risk, depends upon which serovars of Lepto have been documented
to cause clinical leptospirosis in the area where you live.
You can call the county health department or local animal control and ask.




• P = Parainfluenza:
This is a virus that causes an upper respiratory infection. Dogs usually contract the disease through contact with nasal secretions of infected dogs.


• P = Parvovirus:
This virus attacks the intestinal tract and causes severe vomiting and diarrhea. Parvo is highly contagious, dogs contract the virus through contact with an infected animals stools. Without treatment dogs become dehydrated and weak and often die. This virus is very common and puppies who are not properly vaccinated are often afflicted. Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers seem to be at greater risk for parvo.


• C = Corona virus:
This virus attacks the intestinal system similar to parvovirus. Infected dogs suffer from vomiting and diarrhea and dehydration. Keep your pet vaccinated and your yard clean to protect your pet.


• L = Lyme Disease:
Some of the symptoms and pathological changes associated with Lyme disease are very similar to those found in autoimmune disease. a small portion of infected dogs do develop sore, painful joints weeks or months after infection. Some of these dogs run low-grade fevers. The signs you read about in humans with Lyme almost never occur in pets.

Simple arthritis is usually constant in the joints it affects. But lameness due to Lyme disease often shifts from leg to leg. These swollen joints are usually hot and painful and occasionally the lymph nodes at the base of the legs may be slightly enlarged as well.

The front leg are most commonly affected. When they are, it is the lymph node on the shoulder of that leg that may be enlarged. Many of the sick dogs are depressed. They may yelp when these joints are pressed and be quite reluctant to walk. When they do walk, they walk with a stiff shuffling gait and an arched back because of the pain.
Prevention is key Flea and Tick prevention options and if your dog is exposed to ticks then perhaps yearly testing might also be an option for you to consider.




RABIES 3 year protection:

...
Phizer Defensor 1 (one year protection) and Defensor 3 (3 year protection)



Rabies :

Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system and is always fatal.
There is no known cure for rabies, to confirm a case the brain tissue must be examined.
The latest Rabies vaccination protocol is that after a series of two vaccinations the dog will only need to be revaccinated every 3 years
Depending on the Rabies Brand of Vaccination. Ask your vet if you can read the label if you are unsure.
In adult dogs, rabies vaccinations are valid for either one or three years.
If an expiry date is not indicated on the certificate, the vaccination is assumed to be valid
for only one year after administration. So make sure your Vet indicates the next booster is not due for 3 years !

Bordetella:

This is an upper respiratory infection also known as kennel cough. This infection is usually not fatal but is a pain to get rid of.
In an otherwise healthy dog will clear up all on it's own, just like the human cold
and just like the human flu virus there are strains of bordetella.
If you are bording your dog they usually do require this vaccination.


Leptospirosis, There is a vaccine for leptospirosis, but I absolutely don't recommend it.
Leptospirosis symptoms are pretty easy for owners to spot and receive treatment for.
Most common antibiotics will kill leptospira such as ordinary penicillin,
tetracycline and erythromycin all work well.
So owners have to consider if the 1/1000 chance
(please confirm stats for your area) of their dog catching Lepto,
is worth the risk of yearly exposing their dog to life threatening toxins
being injected into their dogs, causing lifelong health problems.