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Vaccinations - Dogs -Vaccinations begin at 6-8 weeks of age.
Distemper
Distemper vaccination is important for all puppies. Vaccinations should begin at 6-8 weeks of age and continue every 3-4 weeks through 4 months of age. This disease is still present in most areas and it is still hard to treat successfully. Even when a puppy is nursed through the acute phase of the disease there can be long term health problems. The most common of these is a tendency to develop seizures.
Adenovirus Type 2
This virus causes a form of kennel cough and also protects against hepatitis in dogs. While viral hepatitis is not as common as it once was in dogs, it has not been eliminated as a threat and is considered a standard vaccine annually.
Leptospirosis
This is actually a bacterial disease, so the protective "vaccination" is actually a "bacterin". This disease can cause serious illness and is spread by direct or indirect contact with an infected host, urine or other body excretions. Hosts include rats, raccoons, dogs and common farm animals. Lepto is a zoonotic infection that can be seen worldwide. Ask our staff for details about this vaccination.
Parainfluenza
Parainfluenza is a minor contributor to the problem of tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) in dogs. Vaccine reactions to this virus seem rare. Annual vaccination is recommended.
Parvovirus
Parvovirus is one of the most common and deadly viral illnesses of dogs at the present time. It causes severe gastrointestinal distress which can lead to dehydration and death. It is much more common in puppies than it is in adult dogs. It is important to vaccinate puppies every three to four weeks for this virus starting at 6 weeks of age and continuing until they are at least 16 weeks of age. Veterinarians continue to recommend yearly vaccination for it.
Coronavirus
Coronavirus may cause viral diarrhea and may make fatality from parvovirus more likely if the infections occur concurrently. On the other hand, this virus causes minimal damage to the intestines and may not cause clinical illness on its own. We recommend vaccinating all puppies and young dogs and annual revaccination.
Bordetella
Bordetella is the most common cause of tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) in dogs. It is a bacterial illness that is most common among dogs that congregate at things like shows, kennels or other places frequented by large numbers of dogs at once. For dogs that are often exposed to situations in which the infection is likely probably should be vaccinated twice a year. Typically annual vaccination is recommended.
Lyme disease (Borrelia)
Lyme disease is caused by a bacterial organism, Borrelia burgdorferi . It is carried by various tick species not uncommon to our area. Lyme can cause fever, lethargy, lameness and potential life threatening illness. Efficacious vaccines for Lyme exist and our office staff can help you decide if this vaccine is indicated for your pet. Good tick control (Frontline) is always indicated.
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