Dog vaccinations are a major part of preventing disease and keeping our pets happy and healthy. Many of these diseases are very common in Australia. The vast array of vaccine types, brands and vaccine information out there can make it confusing to work out what vaccination schedule your dog needs.
Tèarmannair puppies will have had their 6 weeks Distemper, Adenvirus (infectious hepatitis), Parvovirus and Parainfluenza vaccinations prior to leaving. A second vaccination will be required at the age of 9 weeks or age and a third and final vaccination at twelve weeks of age. These vaccinations will maintain protection against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza for up to twelve months.
After completion of the puppy vaccinations, vaccinations are required ANNUALLY to maintain effective protection against these diseases.
A vaccine stimulates your pet’s immune system to be able to recognise and destroy certain viruses that cause disease. By using a small portion of a virus, a vaccine triggers your pet’s body to produce antibodies against that virus. When the real virus tries to invade your pet, these antibodies bind to and neutralise the virus before it can take hold.
Vaccines are classified as either core vaccines or non-core vaccines depending on the diseases they protect against. Core vaccines are considered essential for all dogs no matter where they live. Non-core vaccines are required depending on where your pet lives and the prevalence of the disease in that location.
Parvovirus is a common virus that attaches to the lining of the intestinal wall causing it to slough and bleed. Parvovirus in dogs is highly contagious and can live in the environment for up to 7 months. Infection is via direct contact with areas where infected dogs have defecated. Once infected, clinical symptoms can take 7-14 days to appear. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, pale gums, blood in the stool and loss of appetite. When infected, most will die without treatment. Because most pets have to be in quarantined intensive care for 5-10 days, this is an expensive condition to treat.
Distemper is a virus that attacks the nervous system of affected dogs. Spread via contact with urine, blood or saliva. Symptoms can include sneezing, coughing, thick mucous from the nose or eyes, lethargy, depression, paralysis and death. Puppies and young dogs are particularly susceptible. Thankfully because of vaccination, distemper is not as common as it once was. However cases do still emerge, especially in low vaccination areas, so it is important to stay vaccinated.
Adenovirus (infectious hepatitis) causes an acute liver infection in affected pets. Spread by faeces, urine, saliva, blood and nasal discharge. Progresses to also affect the eyes and kidneys. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, cloudy eyes, jaundice (yellow discolouration of skin and eyes) and vomiting. Severe cases can also have nervous system symptoms as well as spontaneous bleeding.
Parainfluenza is similar to the human cold, this is a virus that usually causes short term respiratory symptoms. Not usually life threatening itself, but can make your pet feel very unwell. However, it is possible for a pet to develop secondary pneumonia from this disease which itself can be life threatening.
Bordatella bronchispetica is not a virus, but is actually a type of bacteria. Combined with parainfluenza this grouping is what is collectively known as canine cough (kennel cough). It invades the upper respiratory tract of dogs and causes a harsh dry cough.
Leptosporosis is a fatal bacteria penetrates the skin or gut and spreads through the bloodstream. It replicates inside organs and can cause permanent organ damage. It is zoonotic, meaning it can be passed on to humans. Symptoms include fever, reluctance to move, stiff muscles, lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea and jaundice mucous membranes(yellow gums and eyes). This condition mainly occurs in tropical areas where dogs come into contact with water contaminated by urine from rodents and other infected wild marsupials. Therefore, it is mainly animals living in these areas that are vaccinated. This is not a standard vaccine for all dogs. If in doubt, ask your local veterinarian about whether lepto is present where you live.
Coronavirus is a contagious virus that affects the gastrointestinal system, mainly of puppies. It is often a mild disease that can cause lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea. Most dogs recover with treatment, but if other diseases such as parvovirus are also present, it can be fatal. The use of coronavirus in standard vaccination protocols is currently questioned. The Australian Veterinary Association does not currently recommend vaccinating against Coronavirus since there is apparently insufficient evidence to justify its use.
