Canine Vaccinations

DOG IMMUNIZATION

Many canine diseases can now be prevented through vaccination. A vaccination schedule prepared by your veterinarian can thus greatly contribute to good health and a longer life span for your dog. Below are the most important diseases for which vaccines are currently available:

Core Vaccines ( Recommended for Every Dog) :

Rabies - Minnesota state law requires vaccination for Rabies. Rabies virus attacks the nervous system and can cause clinical signs that include erratic behavior such as episodic aggression, irritability, restlessness and unexplained roaming. Other signs may include uncoordinated movement and seizures. Rabies is transmitted by a bite wound through the saliva. Wild animals that can spread this virus include bats, skunks, foxes, and raccoons. In humans, this disease is highly fatal if not treated.

Distemper Combo:

Canine Distemper - A virus that is a multi-systemic disease. It most commonly causes neurological signs such as seizures or an uncoordinated gate. It can also cause respiratory signs such as nasal and ocular discharge or digestive signs such as diarrhea and vomiting. More serious forms of this disease are most commonly seen in young unvaccinated puppies but dogs of all ages can be affected. This disease can be spread in urine, feces, nasal and ocular discharge.

Canine Adenovirus Type ( CAV ) Type-1 and Type-2 - This vaccination protects against CAV-1 and CAV-2. CAV-1 can cause severe liver disease and liver inflammation. Clinical signs of this disease are fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, and enlarged lymph nodes. CAV-2 infection causes respiratory disease. The virus is shed in all body secretions and can be shed in the urine for 6-9 months after recovery.

Canine Parvovirus - Parvovirus causes fever, depression, anorexia, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and rapidly progressive dehydration. It is spread in the feces. Severe cases may lead to death in young puppies. CPV is an extremely contagious disease and the virus can survive for long periods in the environment.

Recommended for Special Circumstances:

Canine Coronavirus - Signs of Coronavirus infection include, anorexia, depression and vomiting, but the most common sign is diarrhea. Coronavirus is transmitted in the feces. This vaccination is recommended for dogs that are exposed to high density boarding kennels and dogs that ingest other dogs' feces.

Lyme Disease - Clinical signs associated with Lyme disease are shifting leg lameness, arthiritis, fever and enlarged lymph nodes. In rare casess it can cause kidney disease or heart disease. The causative agent is transmitted by the Deer tick. Can be prevented by using a tick preventative.

Leptospirosis - Leptospirosis infection can cause liver damage or kidney disease in dogs. It is spread in the urine and can sometimes be found in standing water. Dogs can get an infection oral, nasal, or skin exposure. This vaccination is recommeded for farm dogs, breeding dogs and dogs that hunt in water. Leptospirosis can cause flu-like symptoms in people and can also cause abortion in pregnant women.

Bordetella - Bordetella is part of the Kennel Cough Complex and, as the name implies, the most common sign is a loud, hacking dry cough. This disease is usually self-limiting and will go away without treatment in about 2 weeks. However, some dogs can get inflammation of the trachea and require treatment for this condition. This vaccination is recommended for dogs that are exposed to a large number of other dogs in enclosed spaces, i.e. dogs that are boarded, dogs in breeding kennels etc.

Back