Canine vaccination protocols are modified on an annual basis according to the latest research on infectious disease as well as the development of new products that improve safety & efficacy. There is no such thing as a “standard set of shots” for any one dog as lifestyle, history of adverse reactions, and disease risk all come into play when we decide which vaccines to give a patient.
Vaccinating your puppy and adult dog against common infectious diseases for both their own health and the general public’s health is the key to preventative medicine both in human and veterinary medicine. For questions regarding the effectiveness of vaccinating in general, you can find a multitude of staggering statistics demonstrating the severity of disease outbreaks in under vaccinated populations not only in underdeveloped countries, but also within the United States itself!
The following descriptions of the diseases that vaccines are available for are not comprehensive, but are an overview aimed at answering any basic questions you may have.
Core Vaccines (All Dogs):
- Rabies: A virus that all warm blooded animals are susceptible to, but in our area, bats and skunks are the primary source for infection of dogs and humans. In other countries, dogs account for 97% of human infection, whereas wildlife accounts for 85% in the U.S. Infection results in rapid changes in behavior (unusually aggressive, sensitive to touch & sound), progressive paralysis, excessive salivation, and leads to coma and death within 14 days. The vaccine is an inactivated (killed) virus formulation. This vaccine is required by law, in Contra Costa County, in all dogs over 16 weeks.
- DHPP (Distemper/Hepatitis/Parvo/Parainfluenza):
- Distemper Virus: Infection occurs through mucous membranes leading to ocular and nasal discharge, fever, inappetence, and a cough. This is mostly eradicated due to diligent vaccination; however, it is still prevalent in dogs brought into animal shelters.
- Hepatitis (Adenovirus): Infection occurs through oral or nasal contact as well as external parasites. Disease manifests as fever, inappetence, excessive heart rate & panting, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Parvovirus: Infection occurs through oral contact with soil (infected), feces, or other surfaces. The virus infects the bone marrow and destroys white blood cells allowing it to infect other areas of the body more readily. Disease causes intractable vomiting and diarrhea with blood and fetid odor. Still prevalent in all areas and it is highly contagious.
- Parainfluenza Virus: Infection occurs via inhalation of aerosolized excretions from infected dogs. Along with Bordetella, this virus causes the “kennel cough” condition. Alone, it may cause ocular and nasal inflammation along with a cough caused by infection of the trachea. This virus is highly contagious. It is typically spread in boarding facilities, grooming facilities, dog parks and other areas with high dog-to-dog contact.
Elective Vaccines (Based on Lifestyle):
- Bordetella Bronchiseptica: A bacteria transmitted through inhalation of respiratory secretions or contaminated particles/objects. Disease is characterized by a loud honking cough that may be productive (patient swallows after each cough), occasional fever, ocular and/or nasal discharge may also be noted. It is the main agent involved in “kennel cough” and often involves one or more other bugs (including Parainfluenza virus). Two vaccines are available – an intranasal and an injectable, one modified-live and the other killed bacterial preparations respectively (see Parainfluenza above).
- Leptospirosis: A bacteria transmitted via oral ingestion, from mother to offspring, or broken skin (wounds). Infected animals pass it to others (including humans) through their urine; this occurs more often after periods of wet weather. Infection causes damage to the kidneys and often the liver. The vaccine contains four different variants (serovars) of the bacteria (killed). Urban wildlife can transmit these diseases (i.e. raccoons, rats, etc…).
Other Elective Vaccines (Rarely Recommended – Our Area):
- Coronavirus
- Giardia: A killed virus vaccine recently pulled off of the market.
- Influenza (H3N8)
- Lyme (Borrelia burgdorferi)
- Rattlesnake
For any further details or questions regarding why we choose the vaccine protocols used at Diablo View Veterinary Hospital, splease call or visit us any time. Our staff would be happy to share more information with you.
CANINE VACCINES
By Dr. Zach Anderson, DVM
JANUARY, 2012
