Canine Vaccinations

DISTEMPER / PARVO COMBINATION VACCINE

Distemper / Hepatitis / Leptospirosis/ Parainfluenza / Parvo/ Corona

Abbreviation: DHLPP-Cvk (1 year)

CANINE DISTEMPER

Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic dogs. Some other species, including ferrets, skunks, wolves, coyotes, mink and raccoons, are also affected by this disease.

The virus is spread primarily by direct contact to a susceptible dog from a dog with the disease. Coughing can spread the virus over short distances. The discharge from the nose is heavily laden with the virus.

As with many infections, the clinical signs can vary from one dog to the next. The main signs are fever, loss of appetite, a thick yellow discharge from the nose and eyes, coughing, and seizures.

As with most viral infections, there is no drug that will kill the virus. Antibiotics are used because many secondary bacterial infections occur. Intravenous fluids, cough suppressants, and drugs to control seizures may be used. Intensive nursing care is essential. This is best accomplished with the dog in the hospital.

Many dogs will survive canine distemper infection, but not always. Some may be left with persistent nervous twitches (chorea) and recurrent seizures.

The best treatment is prevention. We have excellent vaccines against canine distemper. It is given to puppies, as young as 5 weeks of age, in a series of 3-5 injections. Annual revaccination is strongly recommended.

Distemper is a world-wide disease. Fortunately, vaccines have been very effective in reducing its incidence to very low levels in well cared-for dogs. However, stray dogs can be a source of the virus, as can skunks, ferrets, and raccoons.

INFECTIOUS CANINE HEPATITIS (ICH)

Infectious canine hepatitis (ICH) is a serious viral disease that affects the liver, kidneys, lymph nodes, eyes and other organs.

Nearly all dogs are exposed to ICH virus at some point during their lives, but not all dogs become gravely ill. The disease may be so mild that it passes unnoticed or may be so severe that death occurs within a few hours of the first signs of illness.

Signs of ICH develop about a week after exposure to the virus. High fever, loss of appetite, increased thirst, tonsillitis and reddening of the lining of the mouth, throat and eyelids may occur. In some cases, there is bloody diarrhea. The virus may be present in the body secretion and may be present in the urine for up to 6-9 months after apparent recovery. A bluish cast to the eye may occur during recovery period.

A highly effective vaccine is available to prevent ICH. Treatment consists of supportive care depending on clinical signs. Yearly vaccination is recommended.

CANINE LEPTOSPIROSIS

Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease that infects dogs, people and several other types of animals. There are numerous types (called serotypes) of leptospires. Mainly carried by rats and other rodents, Leptospira can affect any mammalian species, including people. Ingestion of infected urine or rodent contaminated garbage is the most important means of transmission, but some forms can penetrate damaged or thin skin. For instance a dog may become infected by swimming in infected water.

Many infections go undetected, but other cases can be life threatening. Certain strains (serovars) of Leptospira are likely to be associated with disease then other strains. There are three main forms of the disease: hemorrhagic (bleeding), icteric or jaundice (liver), and renal (kidney). Symptoms include loss of appetite, yellowing of the mouth and whites of the eyes, bloody diarrhea, lethargy and loss of appetite. Laboratory tests of blood and urine are necessary to diagnose and monitor the response to treatment of leptospirosis. Hospitalization is necessary and the disease is often fatal. Recovered animals may shed the organism in their urine for up to 1 year.

Vaccination is the best prevention for leptospirosis although it is not always part of the routine vaccination program for many veterinarians due to low number of cases in their area. Also, of the components of the vaccination program, the portion for leptospiros has been likely cause a reaction. This includes lethargy for a few days and possible loss of appetite. Some dogs (Miniature Dachshunds and West Highland Terriers) seem to have an increased risk and have a more general shock-like reaction may occur shortly after vaccination. Unless requested otherwise by the owner or the pet is a known vaccine reactor, we vaccinate yearly for this disease.

CANINE PARAINFLUENZA

Canine Para influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease causing a dry, hacking cough. The infection can be severe in puppies. (See bordetella vaccination below for more information regarding Para influenza.)

CANINE PARVOVIRUS (CPV)

Canine parvovirus (CPV) infection is a relatively new disease that struck the canine population in the 1970’s. Because of the severity of the disease and its rapid spread through the canine population, CPV has aroused a great deal of public interest. The virus that causes it is very similar to feline distemper, and the two diseases are almost identical. Therefore, it has been speculated that the canine virus is a mutation of the feline virus. It has not, however been proven.

The causative agent of CPV disease, as the name infers, is a virus. The main source of the virus is the feces of infected dogs. The stool of an infected dog can have a high concentration of viral particles. Susceptible animals become infected by ingesting the virus. Subsequently, the virus is carried to the intestine where it invades the intestinal wall and causes inflammation.

Unlike most other viruses, CPV is stable in the environment and is resistant to the effects of heat, detergents, and alcohol. CPV has been recovered from dog feces even after three months at room temperature. Due to its stability, the virus is easily transmitted via the hair or feet of infected dogs, contaminated shoes, clothes, and other objects. Direct contact between dogs is not required to spread the virus. Dogs that become infected with the virus and show clinical signs will usually become ill within 7-10 days of the initial infection.

The stability of the CPV in the environment makes it important to properly disinfect contaminated areas. This is best accomplished by cleaning food bowls, water bowls, and other contaminated items with a solution of one-half cup of chlorine bleach in a gallon of water. It is important that chlorine bleach be used because most "virucidal" disinfectants will not kill the canine parvovirus.

The clinical signs of CPV disease are somewhat variable, but generally take the form of severe vomiting and diarrhea. The diarrhea may or may not contain blood. Additionally, affected dogs often exhibit a lack of appetite, depression, and fever. It is important to note that many dogs may not show every clinical sign, but vomiting and diarrhea are the most common signs; vomiting usually begins first. Parvo may affect dogs of all ages, but is most common in dogs less than one year of age. Young puppies less than five months of age are often the most severely affected and the most difficult to treat.

The clinical signs of CPV infection can mimic other diseases causing vomiting and diarrhea; consequently, the diagnosis of CPV is often a challenge for the veterinarian. The positive confirmation of CPV infection requires the demonstration of the virus in the stool or the detection of anti-CPV antibodies in the blood serum. Occasionally, a dog will have parvovirus but test negative for virus in the stool particularly in the early stages of the disease; fortunately, this is not a common occurrence.

Treatment of CPV disease is primarily supportive and symptomatic. There is no treatment to kill the virus once it infects the dog. However, the virus does not directly cause death; rather, it causes loss of the lining of the intestinal tract. This results in severe dehydration, electrolyte (sodium and potassium) imbalances, and infection in the bloodstream (septicemia). When the bacteria that normally live in the intestinal tract are able to get into the blood stream, it becomes more likely that the animal will die.

Most dogs with CPV infection recover if aggressive treatment is used and if therapy is begun before severe septicemia and dehydration occur. For reasons not fully understood, some breeds, notably the Rottweiler, have a much higher fatality rate than other breeds.

The best method of protecting a dog against CPV infection is proper vaccination.

CANINE CORONAVIRUS (CCV)

Canine corona virus (CCV) affects the intestinal tract of dogs. The length of time between swallowing the virus and showing signs of illness is 1-5 days. Signs include depression, vomiting and diarrhea. Illness may continue for 2-10 days. CCV is transmitted through feces, and dogs may shed the virus for 2 weeks after signs of infection have ended. Dogs that have recovered develop some immunity, but duration of immunity is unknown.

A vaccination is available for prevention of CCV infection. Annual booster vaccinations are recommended.

BORDETELLA INTRANASAL VACCINATION

Bordetella is respiratory infection with clinical signs including "goose-honk" cough, nasal discharge and flu-like illness. Other symptoms include discharge from the eyes and nose, swollen tonsils, wheezing, lack of appetite, and lethargy. Although coughing is usually mild, it may persist for several weeks.

"Kennel Cough" is more technically known as Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis. This term localizes the most common clinical sign, coughing, to the trachea (wind pipe) and bronchi (within the lungs). Several viruses and bacteria may cause it. These include the adenovirus type-2 virus, the Para influenza virus, and the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica. The infection spreads rapidly from dog to dog in close quarters, such as a boarding kennel. This is the origin of its name.

There is no specific treatment for the viruses involved. No drug will kill them, so they must run their course, which may take 2-3 weeks. Antibiotics are useful against the bacteria (Bordetella) involved, although some resistance to some antibiotics has occurred. Cough suppressants are used to break the self-perpetuating cycle of coughing that occurs.

Most canine vaccination programs include a vaccine against the Para influenza virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica. These should be administered to puppies and boostered in adults.

Immunity after natural infection with respiratory viruses, like Para influenza or bacteria like Bordetella, is neither solid nor long-lasting. We cannot expect vaccines to be much better. Therefore, a booster just before placing a dog in a boarding kennel is good insurance against disease; however it will take at least 3-5 days following vaccination for immunity to occur!

Bordetella vaccination is performed either by injection or, more commonly at our hospital, via the "intranasal" route. The latter means that the vaccine is dropped into the nostrils. This permits immunity to develop in the membranes of the nose and throat where the viruses and bacteria enter. This is like setting up a roadblock to stop infection as a means of protecting your dog. Vaccinations requirements for bordetella for our hospital are yearly however some facilities, especially boarding, grooming, and pet shows, require it be boostered every 6 months.

LYME VACCINATION

Lyme disease (not Lyme's Disease) is caused by a type of bacterium (spirochete) called Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted to dogs through the bite of a tick. Once in the blood stream, it is carried to many parts of the body. It is especially likely to localize in joints.

It was first thought that only a few types of ticks could transmit this disease, but now it appears that several common species may be involved. The most common type of tick to carry the disease is the deer tick which is found in this area.

Humans can get Lyme disease, but not directly from dogs. They get it from being bitten by the same ticks that transmit it to dogs. Therefore, preventing exposure to ticks is important for you and your dog.

Many people having the disease develop a characteristic "bull’s eye lesion" rash at the site of the tick bite within 3 to 30 days. For these people, the disease can be easily diagnosed at an early stage. However, symptoms of Lyme disease are more difficult to detect in animals than in people.

This characteristic rash does not develop in dogs or cats. Because the other symptoms of the disease may be delayed or not recognized, and because the symptoms are similar to those of many other diseases, Lyme disease in animals is often not considered until other diseases have been eliminated.

Many dogs affected with Lyme disease are taken to a veterinarian because they seem to be experiencing generalized pain and have stopped eating. Affected dogs have been described as if they were "walking on eggshells." Often these dogs have high fevers.

Dogs may also become lame because of the disease. This painful lameness often appears suddenly and may shift from one leg to another. If untreated, it may eventually disappear, only to recur weeks or months later.

Some pets are affected with the Lyme disease organism for over a year before they finally show symptoms. By this time, the disease may be quite widespread in the body.

Because the Lyme spirochete is a bacterium, antibiotics can control it. However, a lengthy course of treatment is necessary to completely eradicate the organism.

The key to prevention is keeping a dog from being exposed to ticks. Ticks are found in grassy, wooded, and sandy areas. They find their way onto an animal by climbing to the top of a leaf, blade of grass, or short tree. Here they wait until their sensors detect a close-by animal on which to crawl or drop.

Keeping animals from thick underbrush reduces their exposure to ticks. Dogs should be kept on trails when walked near wooded or tall grass areas.

A pet should be checked immediately after it has been in a tick-infected area. If you find a tick moving on a pet, the tick has not fed. Remove the tick promptly and place it in rubbing alcohol or crush it between two solid surfaces.

If you find a tick attached to a pet, grasp the tick with fine tweezers near the dog's skin and firmly pull it straight out. You may need another person to help restrain your dog. Removing the tick quickly is important since the disease is not transmitted until the tick has fed for approximately 12 hours. If you crush the tick, do not get the tick's contents, including blood, on your skin. The spirochete that causes Lyme disease can pass through a wound or cut in your skin.

A vaccine is available for protecting dogs against Lyme disease. This vaccine is initially given twice, at three week intervals. Annual revaccination is also necessary to maintain immunity. The vaccine has been shown to be safe and very effective. We recommend it for any dog that has high risk exposure to ticks or will be moving to an andemic area (Northeast).