About dogs
Dog Vaccinations
What is vaccination?
Vaccination is the process by which we can protect your dog against some of the most serious dog diseases, by giving injections as a puppy and by "topping up" the cover with the all important annual boosters.
In addition, dogs can be protected from most forms of "kennel cough", a distressing but not usually fatal disease, contracted during boarding, at dog shows or classes, or simply from exercising your dog in the park.
What is in the vaccine?
(1) Parvovirus
This is an extremely unpleasant dysentery type of disease. Affected dogs are profoundly depressed, vomit, have abdominal pain and pass large amounts of foul smelling, bloody diarrhoea.
When we see cases, prompt and aggressive treatment is the only hope of a cure and most estimates give only a 50% chance of survival. The mainstay of treatment is replacing the fluid loss by intravenous drip, whilst the infection runs its course. It is not uncommon to give more fluids than the whole body weight of the patient during treatment. Those dogs, lucky enough to survive, take a long time to recover, as they lose a tremendous amount of weight.
(2) Distemper
This is one of the oldest dog diseases known and is still to be found everywhere in the UK. Usually, dogs start with a runny nose and eyes and have a cough. Later on they develop vomiting and diarrhoea. If they survive, they can go on to develop thickening of the foot pads (this is why distemper is sometimes called hard pad), and damage to the teeth, which become yellowed and are lost, prematurely. The most sinister long term consequence of distemper, in those dogs who survive, is the damage to the nervous system which can lead to fits in later life. In my experience, most of the older dogs presenting with fits are those who have not been vaccinated or where the annual boosters have been neglected.
(3) Canine Infectious Hepatitis
This disease attacks the liver and can be rapidly fatal. Even prompt and aggressive treatment often fails to save an affected dog. This part of the vaccine protects against adenovirus 2, which is also involved in "kennel cough".
(4) Leptospirosis
This is a bacterial disease spread by the urine of affected animals and carrier animals such as rats. The disease affects and can be spread to people and is extremely unpleasant. It is often called Weil's disease.
The disease attacks both the liver and kidneys and in some cases dogs die within a few hours of going down with leptospirosis. Dogs who survive often have kidney scarring, leading eventually to premature death through kidney failure.
(5) Parainfluenza
This virus accounts for some dogs affected with "Kennel cough" syndrome. The hepatitis part of the vaccine protects against adenovirus 2, another virus involved in "kennel cough".
"Kennel cough" vaccine
In addition to the partial cover included in the normal injection vaccine, there is a specific Bordetella vaccine, the organism thought to be the main culprit in the "kennel cough" disease.
We use ????? vaccine and it is given as drops up the nose and gives 1 years' protection. It is often done before boarding or before the dog show season. Ideally the vaccine is given at least 14 days before the anticipated risk but even three days before will give good protection.
This is given, in addition to the normal injections, sometimes at the time of a booster but it can be given alone.
When should I vaccinate my dog?
We can start vaccinations from 6 weeks of age, although many dogs are nor re-homed until 8 weeks. Please check if your breeder has already given any vaccinations.
Puppies receive two vaccinations, the second one being two weeks after the first, or at ten weeks old, whichever is the later.
Adult dogs who have had no vaccines or where the boosters have been neglected receive what we call an "adult starter" This comprises two injections, three weeks apart and this will bring the protection up to scratch.
Boosters are given twelve months after the initial course and every twelve months thereafter.
Why should I vaccinate my dog?
As you will have read, vaccination is the only way to protect your pet from these serious or fatal diseases.
Your dog depends upon you and only you for all their needs and this is not limited to feeding, exercise and companionship.
Part of being a responsible guardian is arranging preventative measures such as vaccination and worming as well as seeking help when accident or illness strikes.
Even if you choose not to vaccinate your dog, we shall support you and offer prompt and conscientious treatment should your dog suffer from any of these serious diseases. The most pain the owners feel comes from the fact that the illness or loss of their pet could have been so easily avoided.
Are there any side effects?
On rare occasions, side effects such as a raised temperature, lameness or lethargy can be noted for the first 24-48 hours. There may also be a soft, painless swelling at the vaccination site, which can last for up to 21 days, changing into small, hard nodules. Vomiting or diarrhoea may also occur as a side effect, but is usually self resolving.
On extremely rare occasions, an anaphylactic reaction may occur, which would require urgent treatment.
Pregnant bitches should not vaccinated until after the birth & weaning of the puppies, as there have been no clinical trials to evaluate the safety of the vaccine during this time.
