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HOW TO KEEP YOUR DOG HEALTHY

VACCINATIONS:

Canine Parvovirus:  This virus affects the intestines in dogs of all ages, primarily young or nonvaccinated animals.  Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea (bloody), depression, and anorexia.  This is a highly contagious and sometimes fatal disease.  Your dog does not necessarily need to be in contact with other dogs to become infected.  Rottweillers and Dobermans are extremely susceptible.

Canine Distemper (DHLPP):  This virus affects the neurologic and respiratory systems.  Puppies and unvaccinated dogs are most susceptible to this highly contagious and fatal disease.  Symptoms include oculonasal discharges, sneezing, depression, anorexia, +/-fever, +/-diarrhea, and eventually neurological signs such as muscle spasms, seizures, etc.

Infectious Canine Hepatitis Virus (DHLPP):  This is a multisystemic viral disease that primarily affects the liver.  It is spread primarily through contact with infected urine.  Young dogs are most at risk.  Symptoms are varied, with the disease ranging anywhere from mild to fatal. 

Canine Adenovirus Type 2 (DHLPP): This causes an upper respiratory tract disease, primarily tracheobronchitis. Vaccination against Infectious Canine Hepatitis also protects against this virus.

Canine Leptospirosis (DHLPP): This is an acute infection caused by the Leptospira spirochete bacteria. This can be a mild to fatal disease with clinical signs ranging from fever and anorexia to signs resulting from liver and kidney failure. Transmission is through infected urine of dogs and rats. This is also a zoonotic disease, meaning that people can be infected with this organism. This vaccine is recommended for dogs that go camping/hunting and for those dogs exposed to ponds, drainage ditches, etc…

Canine Parainfluenza virus (DHLPP):  This virus causes a mild respiratory tract infection in dogs.

Canine Coronavirus:  This virus causes a gastroenteritis similar to the parvovirus.  Although this virus usually causes a milder infection,  it can be fatal.  Again, Rottweillers and Dobermans are at a higher risk than other dogs.

Canine Rabies Virus:  This is a 100% fatal disease that affects the nervous system of All warm-blooded animals (that means PEOPLE too.)  State law requires that all dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies on an annual or triennial basis.  Transmission is usually from bite wounds.  Some wild animals, such as skunks, foxes, raccoons, and bats;  can serve as reservoirs of the virus.

Canine Lyme Disease:  This is a spirochete (Borrelia) that is transmitted by ticks.  Young, outdoor dogs are most at risk.  Clinical signs occur 1 month after exposure and include:  arthritis, fever, lethargy, anorexia, acute pain, and lameness.  People can also get this disease. Prevention of this disease can be provided by vaccination and by prevention of exposure to ticks.

Canine Kennel Cough Vaccine:  The bacterium Bordetella is one of the main causes of tracheobronchitis (kennel cough).  All dogs are at risk, especially those dogs that get groomed frequently, are boarded at kennels, or that are shown at dog shows.  This vaccine is administered every six months.

HEARTWORM PREVENTION:  Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease in dogs.  It is caused by Dirofilaria immitus.  These worms live in the heart and adjacent blood vessels of infected dogs.  The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes.  In Texas, ALL dogs (even those that spend all of their time indoors) need to be on heartworm preventive YEAR-ROUND.  Do not stop giving preventive in the winter months.  Dogs need to be started on heartworm prevention as puppies and kept on preventive for the rest of their lives.  We recommend yearly heartworm checks so that if a dog is found to be infected, we can treat the heartworms before they cause damage to the heart and other internal organs.  The most common clinical signs of heartworms include chronic coughing, tires easily, unwillingness to exercise, difficulty breathing, lethargy, and enlarging abdomen.  Dogs who have heartworms should not be put on heartworm preventive unless you have talked to a veterinarian first.  Prevention is safer and less costly than treatment.

STOOL CHECKS:  Veterinarians check your dog’s fecal material for different parasites that may cause illness in your pet.  This is especially important for puppies and strays.  Fecal checks are recommended yearly. Some intestinal parasites can be harmful to people.

HEALTH EXAM:  It is very important to have your dog examined every six months.  This is to help detect hidden health problems (such as a heart murmur, dental tartar, masses or ear infection) so that they may be treated and controlled before your pet develops a serious condition.

SPAYING AND NEUTERING:   This operation will help to make your dog a better pet and also prevent potential future health problems.  Research shows that females should be spayed at 6 months of age.  Each heat cycle that your pet has increases the risk of her getting breast cancer.  It is also common for middle-aged and elderly female dogs to get uterine infections (which can be fatal).  Male dogs can get cancer in the testicles and around the rear end.  They can also get inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis).  These conditions occur because of the hormone testosterone, which is produced in the testicles.  Most people think that neutering their pet is unnecessary and cruel or that their dog needs to have one litter or go through a heat cycle.  Please realize that these are old wives tales.  Neutering does not alter the pet’s personality (it does help with certain types of aggression) or cause your dog to become fat.  Decreased exercise and overfeeding cause obesity.

Note: This article is provided by Claws & Paws Veterinary Hospital® for informational purposes only.