Protecting Your Furry Friend: A Guide to Vaccinations and Wellness

This combination vaccine is a core vaccine for all dogs. DA2PP stands for Distemper, Adenovirus Type-2, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza virus. Canine Distemper is a contagious airborne viral disease. It initially attacks the tonsils and lymph nodes, and then goes on to attack the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and nervous systems in the body. Although some dogs may be able to make a full recovery with treatment and intensive care, the disease can be fatal. Symptoms include high fever, red eyes or discharge from the eyes, runny nose, lack of appetite, lethargy, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and/or paralysis. Adenovirus Type-2 is a relative of the herpes virus, and receiving the vaccination for Adenovirus Type-2 protects against Canine Infectious Hepatitis. This can be contracted through the feces and urine of infected dogs. Symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, dry cough, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Parvovirus is a highly contagious viral infection that attacks the cells in the bone marrow and intestinal tract. This virus is contracted through the feces of an infected dog and can live in the environment for months to years. Unfortunately, most Parvo cases result in death as it is most often puppies with weak immune systems that contract this virus. Symptoms include dehydration, lethargy, vomiting and/or diarrhea (often bloody). Parainfluenza is a highly contagious infection that affects the respiratory system. This virus can be contracted through airborne particles or contact with contaminated items from infected dogs. Symptoms include wheezing, dry cough, sneezing, difficulty breathing, inflammation of the eyes and/or nasal discharge.

Leptospirosis is a non-core vaccine. However, we strongly recommend this vaccine due to the wildlife and deer in our area. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection passed from infected wildlife, commonly deer, raccoons, mice, and other small mammals, to dogs. Dogs contract this infection by drinking from puddles contaminated with infected urine. This bacterial infection is spread through the bloodstream and primarily affects the kidneys and liver, possibly becoming fatal. A compromised skin barrier can even transfer leptospirosis from dogs to humans. Symptoms in dogs include loss of appetite, fever, general pain, vomiting, lethargy, dehydration, and a change in urination.

Bordetella, also known as kennel cough, is considered a non-core vaccine; however, most training, boarding, and daycare facilities require dogs to have their Bordetella vaccine to use their services. The bacteria causing kennel cough is airborne and can be spread through contaminated objects like water dishes. Symptoms include persistent coughing, gaging, fever, nasal discharge, loss of appetite and lethargy. Bordetella can be treated with antibiotics and a cough suppressant.

Rabies is a core vaccine recommended in all dogs at 16 weeks of age. Rabies is a viral disease that can be transferred from pets to humans. It is commonly transmitted through a bite of an affected animal. The rabies virus attacks the nervous system, and the disease becomes fatal once symptoms occur. Symptoms include excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, difficulty walking, paralysis, seizures and can cause behaviour changes like fearfulness or aggression.