Puppy Vaccination Principles
The vaccination course is usually composed of 2- 3 vaccines but will be dependant on the type used by your vet. Puppies should have their primary vaccine between 6 and 9 weeks (dependant on the type of vaccine used). Current veterinary recommendation (compulsory for most kennels) requires vaccination against Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis and Leptospirosis. Optional vaccinations are against one or more of the agents that cause Kennel Cough (useful if showing or staying in kennels) and Rabies (required if travelling abroad). Puppies must not be exposed to other dogs or allowed into public areas until 1- 2 weeks after the second vaccine. Annual boosters are also required to provide continued immunity. Puppies should be healthy at the time of vaccination. Discuss any questions you might have regarding vaccination with your vet.
Infectious diseases of the dog:
Canine Parvovirus
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, clothing and on the coat and pads of dogs. The disease can result in rapid and severe dehydration leading to death. The clinical signs of Canine Parvovirus are:
- Depression
- Severe vomiting
- Refusal of food and water
- Abdominal pain
- Profuse smelly, bloody diarrhoea
Canine Distemper (Hard Pad)
Whilst vaccination has reduced the incidence of this disease significantly, some pockets of infections still exist amongst unvaccinated dogs 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. Dogs that survive may suffer from deformed teeth or even develop nervous signs later in life. Clinical signs of Canine Distemper are:
- Runny nose and eyes
- Coughing and vomiting
- Unusual tiredness/ lethargy
- Lack of appetite and diarrhoea
- After several weeks there may be thickening of the pads
- After several weeks to years there may be nervous signs including twitching or even seizures
Infectious Canine Hepatitis (Canine Adenovirus type I)
Canine hepatitis which mainly attacks the liver can be rapidly fatal. Transmission is by close dog to dog contact. The infectious virus particles are excreted in all body fluids (urine, faeces, blood, saliva and nasal discharge). Dogs recovering from the disease may be a source of infection for up to a year. Dogs are most commonly affected in the first year of life but all ages are susceptible. Clinical signs of Infectious Canine Hepatitis are:
- Lack of appetite
- Very high temperature
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Pale gums
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Jaundice (late on in the disease)
- Some dogs that recover may develop a clouding of the cornea (blue eye)
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria that spread in the urine of infected animals. It can spread to humans by skin contact with infected urine.
There are 2 main forms of this disease in dogs:
a) Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae (Weil’s disease)
This is usually 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. Death can occur in a few hours in severe cases. Clinical signs include:
- High temperature
- Increased thirst and urination
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Bloody diarrhoea and vomiting
- Jaundice
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. Dogs that recover can excrete the bacteria in their urine for up to a year and therefore remain a source of infection for other dogs.
Kennel Cough Syndrome (Infectious Canine Tracheobronchitis)
Kennel cough is a contagious upper respiratory disease which usually occurs where dogs are in close contact- boarding kennels, rescue centres, shows etc. A variety of infectious agents may be involved- vaccination is usually only against one or two of these agents. Most commonly the vaccine is administered in the form of nasal drops. Clinical signs of Kennel Cough Syndrome include:
- Dry cough possibly resulting in retching
- Mild tiredness and loss of appetite
- Slightly raised temperature
Rabies
Rabies is a virus that can affect any warm- blooded animal. For both humans and domestic animals, the primary source of rabies is the bite of a rabid wild animal. The incubation period prior to clinical signs is extremely variable, but is usually two to eight weeks. The virus will begin shedding in saliva a short time before clinical signs develop, usually less than 10 days. Clinical signs usually occur in three stages:
- Prodromal stage- Lasts 2- 3 days and consists of behavioural changes, fever, slow eye reflexes, and chewing at the bite site
- Furious stage- Lasts 2- 4 days and consists of irritability, restlessness, barking, aggression, attacks on animate and inanimate objects, unexplained roaming, disorientation and seizures.
- Paralytic stage- Lasts 2- 4 days and consists of paralysis starting in the area that was bitten. Paralysis of the throat and face cause a dropped jaw, drooling, foaming at the mouth and a change in bark. These signs are followed by depression, coma and death from respiratory failure.
