 Get Twitter buttons |
Vaccination of dogs
Why do we vaccinate?
Where there are a number of dogs lacking in immunity and the presence of a pathogen (an organism causing disease), dogs are at risk of infection. Vaccination gives protection to dogs against debilitating and potentially fatal diseases and is one of the most contributory factors to improving the health and longevity of our pets.
How does vaccination work?
Vaccination is achieved by injecting a small but harmless part of the causal organism, known as the antigen. The presence of the antigen stimulates an animal’s immune system to form antibodies against a particular disease without causing the effects of the illness. When puppies are born they inherit their mother’s antibodies but after a few weeks these diminish therefore it is important for all puppies to be vaccinated in order for them to develop their own form of defence against disease.
Why are puppies vaccinated twice?
An injected vaccination is only totally successful once the mother’s antibodies have waned. Puppies are vaccinated twice as it is impossible to predict the exact time when maternal immunity is no longer effective. The first injection will prime the system and the second injection boosts the system into providing optimum protection.
What diseases are dogs vaccinated against?
Canine distemper (CDV)
Distemper is a viral disease that is characterised by respiratory signs such as runny eyes and nose. In later stages, areas of the skin may become hard and thickened, which is why this disease is sometime referred to as ‘hardpad’. The results of infection can lead to acute or chronic neurological disease and often result in death.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis can cause severe liver and kidney damage and may be fatal. Sources of infection are usually environmental and are commonly associated with slow moving water, therefore it is important to have your pet vaccinated against this disease if he is a keen swimmer or enjoys going in water. Rodents are often a source of infection and the disease can be transmitted by bite wounds, infected meat and even placental transferral. Infectious agents are excreted in the urine of infected animals for months, sometimes years after infection and can cause severe and sometimes fatal illness in humans in the form of Weil’s disease.
Leptospirosis can cause severe liver and kidney damage and may be fatal. Sources of infection are usually environmental and are commonly associated with slow moving water, therefore it is important to have your pet vaccinated against this disease if he is a keen swimmer or enjoys going in water. Rodents are often a source of infection and the disease can be transmitted by bite wounds, infected meat and even placental transferral. Infectious agents are excreted in the urine of infected animals for months, sometimes years after infection and can cause severe and sometimes fatal illness in humans in the form of Weil’s disease.
Infectious canine hepatitis (ICH)
ICH is caused by an adenovirus that can affect all canines although some species, including the domestic dog, are more sensitive. It is extremely contagious amongst dogs and causes high fever, vomiting and diarrhoea that may result in jaundice and kidney disease. Death can occur within the first 24 hours and infected dogs can shed the virus for up to 6 months.
ICH is caused by an adenovirus that can affect all canines although some species, including the domestic dog, are more sensitive. It is extremely contagious amongst dogs and causes high fever, vomiting and diarrhoea that may result in jaundice and kidney disease. Death can occur within the first 24 hours and infected dogs can shed the virus for up to 6 months.
Canine parvovirus (CPV)
This is a distressing illness that causes vomiting and diarrhoea and possible death in dogs of all ages and can be the cause of sudden heart failure in young puppies. CPV was first introduced into the UK in 1978 causing an epidemic to occur. The similarity of the parvovirus to that of the feline panleucopenia virus has led to the theory that it evolved as a mutation from the latter. The main source of infection is faeces from infected dogs. It is an extremely hardy virus and can survive in the environment for months. An effective vaccine was quickly developed but cases of parvovirus infection are still seen occasionally in unvaccinated dogs.
Rabies
Rabies was eradicated from the UK through quarantine but vaccination is a legal requirement for dogs travelling abroad under the Pet Passport Scheme. Rabies virus is excreted in the saliva and infection is transmitted usually through a bite wound. It may be weeks or even months before an infected animal shows any sign of disease. The course of disease is described in three phases. The prodomal stage where an animal may show changes of behaviour, the excitative or “furious” stage when the animal is most likely to attack and will suffer muscular spasm causing salivation, and the paralytic or “dumb” phase when convulsions lead to eventual paralysis and death. Rabies is contagious to humans and is a notifiable disease.
Rabies was eradicated from the UK through quarantine but vaccination is a legal requirement for dogs travelling abroad under the Pet Passport Scheme. Rabies virus is excreted in the saliva and infection is transmitted usually through a bite wound. It may be weeks or even months before an infected animal shows any sign of disease. The course of disease is described in three phases. The prodomal stage where an animal may show changes of behaviour, the excitative or “furious” stage when the animal is most likely to attack and will suffer muscular spasm causing salivation, and the paralytic or “dumb” phase when convulsions lead to eventual paralysis and death. Rabies is contagious to humans and is a notifiable disease.
Bordatella bronchiseptica
These bacteria are considered to be the major cause of the disease known as ‘kennel cough’, although other bacteria and viruses can be involved. Kennel cough is a disease that affects the respiratory system and causes a harsh and persistent cough lasting from 1-3 weeks, although dogs my still be infective up to three months after they have stopped coughing. It is highly contagious in dogs and tends to occur where large numbers are kept together, hence the reason that the kennel cough vaccine is often a requirement to enter many boarding kennels. To avoid infection dogs must be vaccinated every six months.
These bacteria are considered to be the major cause of the disease known as ‘kennel cough’, although other bacteria and viruses can be involved. Kennel cough is a disease that affects the respiratory system and causes a harsh and persistent cough lasting from 1-3 weeks, although dogs my still be infective up to three months after they have stopped coughing. It is highly contagious in dogs and tends to occur where large numbers are kept together, hence the reason that the kennel cough vaccine is often a requirement to enter many boarding kennels. To avoid infection dogs must be vaccinated every six months.
Canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV)
This virus is identified as an important cause of Kennel Cough in the USA and has been associated with cases of the disease in Britain. It causes a mild respiratory disease in dogs, but Bordatella bronchiseptica is considered to be the more prevalent cause of ‘kennel cough’ in this country.
This virus is identified as an important cause of Kennel Cough in the USA and has been associated with cases of the disease in Britain. It causes a mild respiratory disease in dogs, but Bordatella bronchiseptica is considered to be the more prevalent cause of ‘kennel cough’ in this country.
How often is it necessary to vaccinate our dogs?
No vaccine will give life-time immunity so it is necessary for dogs to be revaccinated at certain intervals to ensure maximum protection against these diseases. Each vaccine has a Summary of Product Characteristics and the indications for use are provided with each make of vaccine. According to current data most products indicate the duration of immunity as being three to four years for canine distemper, parvovirus and adenovirus (ICH) after completion of the puppy’s first vaccination course. Some vets may also heed the guidelines provided by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association and will take the precaution of a full annual booster before applying the extended duration of immunity as advised on the indications for use.
In any case, the veterinary surgeon will weigh up the risks and benefits based on the individual dog’s age, health status, home and travel environment and lifestyle before making a clinical judgment on how frequently it should be revaccinated.
| Debbie Connolly Bites Back |
| Jane Common - Getting Around With The Hound |
| Kate Bendix - Taking Itch Out Of Your Bitch |
| Subscribe to our newsletter and you'll receive regular emails keeping you up to date on our latest news, special offers and exclusive member only deals! |
