Vaccinate Your Puppy On Time to Prevent this Deadly Infection
Parvovirus can affect dogs of any age, but parvo in puppies is of especial concern. This virus is highly contagious and significantly fatal, especially in younger animals with immature immune systems.
However, with vaccination, parvo in puppies is almost completely preventable. Veterinarians typically give the first shot at six to eight weeks old, and additional vaccinations are given every three weeks, for a total of four vaccinations.
Learning More about Parvo in Puppies
It’s estimated that 900 US dogs each day are diagnosed with parvovirus. The disease attacks the lining of the digestive tract and young immune cells. Symptoms are distressing and painful to the dog:
Lethargy
GI bleeding
Bloody diarrhea
Vomiting
Dehydration
Shock
Sepsis
Puppies are more at-risk from the dangers of this GI virus, because of their small size and weaker immune system. Dehydration happens more rapidly and leads to the more severe symptoms.
Unvaccinated Dogs and Puppies Can Easily Catch Parvo
This virus is spread through contact with fecal matter of an infected dog. Some strains of parvovirus have the ability to live outside an animal for over a year.
Dr. Kathleen Aicher, assistant professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, provides details on why parvovirus is highly contagious:
“Parvovirus is very easily transmitted between dogs because it takes very little exposure to cause infection, and dogs who are infected can shed the virus for a few days before they exhibit symptoms, unknowingly exposing other dogs to the virus. The virus is also very resistant to extreme temperatures and cleaning, so it can remain in the environment for a long time, putting dogs at further risk.”
Dangers of Canine Parvovirus– And Expense of Treatment
Once a dog contracts parvovirus, treatment is critical for survival. Shwntel F. Wilson of Westminster University in Salt Lake City writes:
“Mortality rates of canines with untreated parvovirus remain at 90 percent, while aggressively treated parvovirus has a significantly smaller mortality rate window of 5- 20 percent.”
Treatment usually includes hospitalization, which can last two to seven days. Patients require round-the-clock care, so the treatment of parvo in puppies is very costly. Sadly, even with early and aggressive treatment, there is still a significant chance of death.
Save the Puppies from Parvo!
There’s no need for puppies to endure parvovirus and face this tragic end. Vaccination builds your puppy’s immune system to fight off the virus.
Until your puppy has received its full round of parvovirus vaccinations, avoid public exposure to other dogs, like dog parks and kennels.
It’s very important to keep your pets up-to-date on their vaccinations. The greatest form of protection against many illnesses your pet can get is by vaccinating them. We strongly recommend vaccinating your pets yearly to keep them protected.
Immunization vs. Vaccination:
What’s the Difference?
We often hear the words “immunization” and “vaccination” used interchangeably. But there is a difference between the two.
Vaccination is the act of receiving the vaccine, either by shot or orally. So, it’s accurate to say, “I’m taking my cat for her vaccines tomorrow.”
Immunization occurs once your pet has received their vaccine and their immune system has worked to become immune from the disease. After your veterinary vaccination appointment, you could say, “My dog has been immunized against Parvo.”
Common Vaccinations for Cats
There are three typical vaccinations that cats receive, and these protect against 5 different diseases.
FVRCP: This combination vaccine protects against Feline rhinotracheitis virus/herpesvirus 1 (FVR/FHV-1), Feline Calicivirus (FCV), Feline Panleukopenia (FPV). FVR/FHV-1 causes severe upper respiratory infection, and the virus stays with the cat for life. During stressful times, the virus can reactivate. FCV also causes signs of upper respiratory infection and can be deadly in some cases. FPV is also known as feline parvovirus. It’s very contagious and often deadly for kittens.
Rabies: Immunization against rabies has been very successful in the US. The CDC reports that there are only one to three human cases in the country each year. Unfortunately, over 250 cats contract rabies each year, usually from wildlife bites. It continues to be important (and legal) to vaccinate your cat.
FeLV: Protects kittens and cats against feline leukemia virus. While this disease is not always fatal, it is highly contagious. It’s best to control the spread and prevent your cat from contracting it.
Depending on your cat’s age and risk factors, your veterinarian may recommend vaccination annually or less often.
Common Vaccinations for Dogs
The list of common vaccinations for dogs is longer than that for cats.
DA2PP: This five-way vaccine protects against Distemper, Adenovirus I and II, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza. Sometimes called DHPP or DAPP. All of these diseases are dangerous and contagious, making this a critical core vaccination for dogs.
Rabies: Just like for cats, preventing rabies is very important, and it’s the law.
Bordetella: Bordetella causes kennel cough, which is a common and contagious disease, especially common in dogs that board.
Parainfluenza: Another agent that causes kennel cough.
Leptospirosis: This bacterial disease is spread via the urine of infected animals. It can cause kidney or liver failure.
Lyme: Spread through ticks, Lyme disease causes several symptoms such as fever, lethargy or even kidney failure.
Canine influenza: This highly-contagious disease causes cough, nasal discharge and low-grade fever.
If it’s been awhile since your pet’s last wellness visit, make an appointment to get up-to-date on vaccinations. Prevention is so much better than trying to cure one of these diseases once they take hold.
Regular Check-Ups Catch Small Problems Before They Become Big Problems
Animals can’t tell us when something is wrong. Sometimes, we can tell they might be in pain or feeling discomfort, but cats and dogs both instinctually try to hide when they aren’t in peak condition. In the wild, there are no veterinarians to care for you, and showing weakness can prove fatal in a competitive environment.
In domestic life, of course, preventive care is vitally important to help cats and dogs live long, happy and healthy lives.
All Pets Should See the Vet Yearly. Some Should Visit More Often
Dr. Jennifer Jones Shults, an experienced emergency veterinarian, says:
“All pets should see their veterinarian once a year for a physical exam. The exam includes looking at the entire animal including evaluating for eye, ear, or dental problems; listening to the heart and lungs; palpating the abdomen; looking for skin problems; evaluating for lameness or neurologic issues; evaluating your pet’s diet and weight. It’s a great opportunity to ask any questions you have. The veterinarian will also make recommendations for vaccinations, though many of the core vaccines are now given every 3 years. If a pet has a medical condition, they may need to be seen every 3-6 months for an exam and testing.”
Pets with a chronic illness or who are older benefit from more regular check-ups and might require further lab work or testing.
What Happens at a Check-Up?
Your veterinarian will assess all aspects of your pet’s health and well-being, including these 10 steps:
Take the animal’s temperature: An elevated temperature is an indicator of health issues
Inspect skin and coat: A good indicator of overall health and nutrition
Examine ears: Can indicate infections or allergies
Listen to the lungs and heart with a stethoscope: To determine if further testing may be indicated
Examine the abdomen: To assess state of the organs and find problems, like bladder stones or tumors
Inspect mouth and teeth: To assess the health of the teeth and gums and discover infection, loose teeth or other problem areas
Assess the eyes: Track eye health as a pet ages, including cataracts
Examine paws and toenails: Make sure nothing is lodged between the toes, and trim the nails
Check weight: Being over- or under-weight affects your pet’s health and life expectancy
When You Bring Home a New Pet, Making a Vet Appointment Should Be Top Priority
Whether you’re adding a puppy, kitten or adult pet to your family, you should try to get them in to see your veterinarian within their first week of being in your home. You want your new pet to start their life with you in the best possible health and to receive any needed immunizations as soon as possible.
Has it been awhile since your pet has been in for a check-up? Then, there’s no time like now to make an appointment. Contact us.
Around the world, more than 59,000 humans die from rabies each year, reports the CDC. It’s important to know that once symptoms show up, rabies is practically 100% fatal. It is also 100% preventable.
Bats are the Main Culprit in the US
In the US, just one or two people die each year from rabies. The CDC writes:
In the United States today, human fatalities are rare but typically occur in people who do not seek prompt medical care. While the exact reason for not seeking care is often unclear, lack of awareness of the risk of rabies is thought to be an important factor. This is of particular concern for bat bites, since bats can have small teeth and leave bite marks that are the size of the tip of a pencil…. Of the infections acquired in the United States, 70% were attributed to bat exposures.
While today bats are of most concern in the US, that wasn’t always the case. Before 1960, most reported cases of rabies were in dogs. During that time, 100 people per year might die of rabies. The CDC attributes this change to:
“This decline can be attributed to successful pet vaccination and animal control programs, public health surveillance and testing, and availability of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for rabies.”
It should be noted that the vast majority of bats don’t have rabies. Among sick or injured bats that have been captured for rabies testing, only 6% of them are infected. When left alone in their wild environment, bats are an important part of our ecosystem.
Worldwide, Dogs Still Need Rabies Protection
A global coalition of health organizations “are working together to eliminate human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030.” The CDC describes examples of its work in Ethiopia, Vietnam and Haiti, where public health workers promote and distribute rabies vaccinations to dogs.
What Can You Do to Prevent Rabies?
The spread of rabies has become less severe in the US because we have taken steps as a society to prevent this fatal disease. Here’s how you can help:
Most importantly, keep your cat or dog’s rabies vaccination up-to-date. (Yes, even indoor cats. Believe it or not, bats can enter a home and bite people or animals sleeping inside).
Keep your pets away from wildlife.
If you work in a field where you have a higher than normal risk of contracting rabies, you may personally benefit from a pre-exposure rabies vaccine. Occupations include veterinarians, animal handlers and veterinary students.
Know the signs of rabies and report any sightings to animal control or your local health department.
Cats and Dogs Can’t Get COVID, but Their Vaccines Can Be Just as Life-Saving for Them
In the last year, it’s been tempting to delay pet wellness visits and get off schedule with your cat or dog’s vaccinations. Veterinarians around the country understand that. During Immunization Awareness Month, we are taking the time to remind pet owners of the importance of keeping your pet’s shots up to date.
Preventative Medicine is Safer and Less Expensive
Vaccinations are a critical part of your pet’s health and wellness because they prevent dangerous conditions. Vaccinations are given to stimulate the immune system against infection before exposure to disease ever occurs.
How Vaccinations Protect Your Cat
There are serious diseases for cats that can be prevented entirely with immunization. Side effects are generally mild, especially compared with the importance of prevention.
These are standard vaccinations for cats:
Feline leukemia (FIV)
Feline viral rhinotracheitis
Feline Panleukopenia
Rabies
Feline Calieivirus
In addition, you may also want to consider these vaccinations for your cat:
Chlamydophila
Bordetella
To grow into a healthy cat, kittens should be vaccinated for the first time between 6-8 weeks of age. Second booster doses are generally given at 10-12 weeks, and again at 14-16 weeks. Adult cats who have been fully vaccinated receive boosters every 1-3 years.
How Vaccinations Protect Your Dog
Unvaccinated dogs are typically at even greater risk for contracting disease, because they are more likely to go outside and come in contact with others than an indoor cat.
These are standard vaccinations for dogs:
Canine distemper
Canine parvovirus
Infectious canine hepatitis
Rabies
Canine influenza (dog flu)
Canine Tracheobronchitis (canine cough)
In addition, you may also want to consider these vaccinations for your dog:
Leptospirosis
Lyme disease
Puppies also start a vaccination schedule around 6-8 weeks, and receive boosters at 10-12 weeks and 16-18 weeks. As adult dogs, they receive boosters every 1-3 years, depending on the type of vaccine. It should be noted that the rabies vaccine is required by law every 3 years.
Have questions about your pet’s immunization or want to know if they are up-to-date? Contact us.
August is National Immunization Awareness month, and immunizations are just as important for pets as for people!
Puppy and Kitten Vaccinations
We recommend starting vaccination with puppies and kittens as early as six to eight weeks of age.
These are standard vaccinations for cats:
Feline leukemia (FIV)
Feline viral rhinotracheitis
Feline Panleukopenia
Rabies
Feline Calieivirus
In addition, you may also want to consider these vaccinations for your cat:
Chlamydophila
Bordetella
These are standard vaccinations for dogs:
Canine distemper
Canine parvovirus
Infectious canine hepatitis
Rabies
Canine influenza (dog flu)
Canine Tracheobronchitis (canine cough)
In addition, you may also want to consider these vaccinations for your dog:
Leptospirosis
Lyme disease
Canine coronavirus
Vaccinations for Adult Dogs and Cats
Immunization in pets doesn’t last for life. For dogs, receiving a DAPP booster annually protects against distemper virus, adenovirus type 1 and type 2, canine parainfluenza virus and parvovirus. A rabies vaccination needs a booster after the first year then on a regular schedule after that. A bordetella vaccination is administered every year or six months. Dogs are also recommended to receive a canine influenza vaccine annually.
Cats receive an annual FVRCP booster to prevent rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and Panleukopenia (distemper). Cats may also be required to receive rabies vaccines every one to three years, as well.
If it’s been awhile since your pet’s last check-up, it’s probably time to ask about vaccine boosters. Let’s keep our cats and dogs healthy!
Vaccinations are a Critical Part of Your Pet’s Health and Wellness
Preventative medicine is always better for your pet (and less expensive, too!). Vaccinations are given to stimulate the immune system against infection before exposure to disease ever occurs.
What to Expect After Your Pet’s Vaccination
We recommend every pet owner monitor their pet for several hours after vaccines are administered. It is common for pets to experience some or all of the following mild side effects after receiving a vaccine, usually starting within hours of vaccination:
Discomfort and local swelling at the vaccine site
Mild fever
Decreased appetite and inactivity
More Serious, but Less Common Side Effects
Uncommon but serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, may occur within minutes to hours after vaccination. These reactions can be life-threatening and are medical emergencies. Watch for these signs:
Collapse
Severe coughing or difficulty breathing
Swelling of the muzzle and around face, neck or eyes
Itchy skin that may seem bumpy (hives)
Vomiting or diarrhea
If you have any questions about your pet’s health, please give us a call at (513) 829-8989.
World Rabies Day is September 28. The CDC identifies rabies as the deadliest virus in the world, annually killing 59,000 across the globe. In the US, most instances of rabies are reported from raccoons, bats, skunks, foxes and other wild animals.
Keeping your pets away from wild animals is an important part of preventing rabies. Some of the symptoms of the disease are unexpected. Here’s what the CDC recommends:
If you see an animal acting strangely, report it to animal control or your local health department. Some things to look for are:
General sickness
Problems swallowing
Lots of drool or saliva
An animal that appears more tame than you would expect
An animal that bites at everything
An animal that’s having trouble moving or may even be paralyzed
Sometimes, people may come across a dead animal. Never pick up or touch dead animals. The rabies virus may still be present in the saliva or nervous tissue, especially if they have only been dead for a short time. If you see a dead animal, call animal control to take care of the animal’s body.
Immunization is just as important for your pet as for humans. Many vaccines can be given to a puppy or kitten as young as six weeks old and will protect against potentially deadly bacteria and viruses found in your pet’s everyday environment.
Take a look at these suggested vaccination schedules presented by WebMD, and please give us a call if you have any questions about your dog or cat’s immunization status.
Puppy and Kitten Vaccinations
In addition, you may also want to consider these vaccinations for your dog:
Preventative medicine is always better for your pet (and less expensive, too!). Vaccinations are given to stimulate the immune system against infection before exposure to disease ever occurs.
More Serious, but Less Common Side Effects
World Rabies Day is September 28. The CDC identifies rabies as the deadliest virus in the world, annually killing 59,000 across the globe. In the US, most instances of rabies are reported from raccoons, bats, skunks, foxes and other wild animals.
