The Diseases Vaccines Protect Against
It's important to know about all the diseases for which there are vaccinations available. As mentioned earlier, some of them are considered core and should absolutely be vaccinated against. Others, however, can be more specific to a living condition (such as a Lyme disease vaccine for those who live in areas of high infestation), and may not be necessary for your dog. Understanding the diseases will help you discuss the necessity of the vaccination with your veterinarian.
Adenovirus (Canine Hepatitis)
Another viral disease, hepatitis attacks body tissue, particularly the kidneys and liver, and most often strikes dogs under one year of age. Symptoms include increased thirst, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, high fever, and lack of energy. Eyes may appear to have a blue tint. The disease is spread through contact with an infected dog or his urine or feces. It is a core disease against which to be vaccinated.
Especially for those who spend a lot of time at the local dog run, letting their dogs socialize with others, kennel cough is almost a certainty. Make sure your puppy and mature dog are always up-to-date on their vaccinations. Socialization is very important, so make sure you do it.
Distemper
This is a viral disease that attacks a dog's nervous system and progresses to affect every tissue in the body. It is an airborne disease that can strike at any age, but is most deadly if acquired young, which is why it's one of the first shots a pup receives. A dog with distemper will secrete a thick, yellowish discharge from his nose and eyes. He'll run a fever and he will not want to eat. The pneumonia, encephalitis, and dehydration that can result can be deadly. This is a core disease against which to be vaccinated.
Parvovirus
This viral infection manifests itself as an inflammation of the intestinal lining, causing sudden vomiting, bloody diarrhea, a high fever, and rapid weight loss. It is transmitted through the feces and can survive outside a dog's body for three to six months. The disease is extremely debilitating and rapidly lethal; treatment is intensive and often unsuccessful. It is a core disease against which to be vaccinated.
Rabies
The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system, causing unpredictable and often aggressive behavior. This erratic behavior is what, in turn, can cause the virus to spread, because it is through the bite of an infected animal that another animal is infected. Rabies can be transmitted from species to species, too, making it a health hazard to domesticated animals and people. This is why it is a core disease, and in fact all states require that dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies. Rabies is common in the northeastern United States, where there are large populations of skunks, raccoons, foxes, bats, and groundhogs. If you observe erratic behavior in any of these animals, call your local animal warden immediately.
What happens if my pet is bitten by a wild animal?
First, contact your veterinarian immediately. Any animal bitten or scratched by either a wild, carnivorous mammal or a bat that is not available for testing should be regarded as having been exposed to rabies. Dogs and cats that are currently vaccinated are kept under observation for forty-five days.
Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
Kennel cough is the common name given to the respiratory condition that results in a harsh, dry cough in a dog that sounds like a case of bronchitis in a person. It is caused by the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica, though the bacteria doesn't always act alone. Dogs who live in kennels, or who will be boarded with other strange dogs, or who visit strange dogs frequently should be vaccinated against the disease. It's highly contagious, though it can be treated with antibiotics, rest, and the proper environment. Affected dogs must be isolated from other dogs, and especially from puppies, who are more severely stricken than older dogs.
Kennel cough is the most common sickness passed on from dog to dog at dog runs and dog parks. It is the equivalent of a cold passed from one first grader to another. It is annoying, but if properly treated, it disappears in ten days to two weeks. And then it's like chicken pox — luckily, dogs tend to only get it once.
Leptospirosis
Lepto strikes the liver and also the kidneys, but this disease is caused by bacteria. Severe infections cause shock and death, but if it's caught early, aggressive treatment with antibiotics can fight it off. Symptoms include vomiting, excessive thirst with decreased urination and dehydration, and abdominal pain. Lepto is highly contagious, and an infected dog can also pass the bacteria through his urine for some time, even after treatment. Dogs who spend a great deal of time outdoors seem most affected. The disease is also contagious to people. It is a noncore disease against which a vaccine should be given if the dog or his environment is susceptible.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a tick-borne viral disease that causes often debilitating joint pain. While once a disease predominantly of the eastern United States, it is now documented in the northern Midwest and Pacific Coast areas of the United States. It is a noncore disease, but dogs living in areas of high possible infestation should be vaccinated.
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, and is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. Preventive measures should be followed when spending any time in potentially tick-infested areas.
Other Vaccines
Some potentially life-threatening conditions for which vaccines currently exist are periodontal disease and rattlesnake venom. Both are fairly new to the market and are still being clinically evaluated for their overall benefits. If you worry about the potential for your dog to be bitten by a rattlesnake, or if you are concerned that poor dental health will affect your dog's teeth, gums, and other body systems, discuss these with your veterinarian.
