Three Common Diseases Dogs Should Be Vaccinated Against

Protecting your canine companions can be quite a task, especially if you have the type of dog that gets into just about everything they can smell.

From garbage to catching rodents to eating questionable things, dogs are exposed regularly to disease and danger.  It’s your job as an owner to protect it against the worst of the worst.   There are worse things out there for your dog than chicken bones, and most of the denizens are microscopic.

Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease affecting warm-blooded animals.   Rabies is carried by skunks, foxes, raccoons, rats, bats and many other outdoor animals can contract the disease.

Typically, contraction of Rabies happens from a bite, but infected skunk’s spray has been known to carry the virus.

Once an animal starts showing clinical signs of rabies, the virus is uniformly fatal.

Proper Treatment – Dogs should receive their first Rabies vaccine around 4 months, again at a year old, and then every two to three years for the rest of their lives. 

Even indoor dogs should be vaccinated for Rabies—you never know when your dog could be bitten by another dog, a wild animal, or an infected rodent in your house.  Rabies vaccines can easily save an animal’s life, and dogs are no exception.

Canine Distemper Virus

Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is a potentially fatal viral infection passed through the air from coughing, sneezing, etc.  The disease is considered highly contagious.

Because of the debilitating nature of this disease, secondary bacterial infections can occur as well. 

CDV affects many animals other than dogs and common symptoms include watery discharges from the eyes and nose, vomiting, diarrhea, footpad/nose hardening and neurological issues such as ataxia (muscular incoordination) and/or seizures.

The virus infects the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of the victim as well as the spinal cord.  This is a serious virus that should be vaccinated for as soon as possible.

Proper Treatment – Puppies should receive a CDV vaccination starting at 6 weeks of age and then receive boosters every 3 weeks until they have reached 12 weeks of age.   After that, the dog should be vaccinated every 3 years.

There is no specific treatment for CDV and it is often fatal; this disease definitely calls for vaccination..

Parvo Virus

Parvo Virus is a virus that can live for years outside of the body.  For this reason, puppies should be vaccinated fully before being brought to areas where dogs frequent, such as dog parks and kennels.

The disease infects the gastrointestinal systems of the dog.  This is characterized by bloody diarrhea and vomiting, and in some rare cases, heart disease.  The incubation period of Parvo Virus can take up to 6 days before outward symptoms arise.

Proper Treatment – Dogs suffering from Parvo Virus can be successfully treated through intensive treatment and care, including diet control and medication.  If properly treated the disease is not fatal. However, this is an important virus to vaccinate against due to its hardy nature and long life-span. 

Puppies should be treated immediately upon reaching 6 weeks of age and then receive two three-week booster shots.  After that, they should be vaccinated once every three years.

This virus is extremely hardy and common, and dog owners can only benefit from shielding their furry friends from it.

These are just three diseases to look out for.  There are also other menaces out there like Infectious Canine Heptatitis and Leptospirosis, which can be contracted back into humans.  Both of those diseases have vaccinations available as well.

By knowing which vaccinations your pet needs, as well as those required through your local laws, you are saving yourself money, timely vet visits and tons of time worrying about your canine companions. Search A to Z Vet Supply today for a wide selection of dog vaccines for sale.