So you’ve added a furry friend to your family, now what? Included in this newsletter is information about the diseases that your animal is protected from when they are properly and regularly vaccinated. When you bring your animal in, it is examined to ensure that it is healthy and able to be vaccinated and which vaccinations it should be given. There are no vaccines that are required by law but it is good ownership and a common courtesy to other owners to vaccinate your animal. Nowadays, with doggy daycare facilities on the rise, proof of vaccination is required but not just at daycares; kennels, groomers, training facilities, and pet stores require proof too. If you are planning on traveling with your pet it is a good idea to discuss with your veterinarian what precautions should be taken to ensure your pet will be fully protected as there are areas with different diseases that we may specifically not have in Alberta or Canada. De-worming is also an important part of your pet’s health as worms are commonly picked up and often not noticed until an adult worm appears in the feces. When adult worms are visible, multiple de-wormings are usually needed to manage the parasitic load. Worms, depending on the type, are transmissible to humans and can affect your animal’s immune system, gastrointestinal tract, nutritional status, skin and coat quality, heart and more. It is recommended to de-worm animals at least twice a year but each animal is different and may require less or more. De-wormers need to be prescribed and come in pill, liquid, and topical forms and are administered to best fit your pets needs.
Below is some information on dog and cat vaccines commonly given as well as ages they should first be administered and when boosters are required.

Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)
This is a highly contagious disease, spread by inhaled body secretions. The virus first sets in the respiratory tract , moving to the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system.
Infections can be mild , mimicking kennel cough with fever and ocular discharge, to severe resulting in seizures, blindness, and death. Mild cases that are caught on time can be successfully treated although surviving animals develop dry/hard nose and foot pads.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis (ICH)
This disease is caused by canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) however, the CAV-2 antigen is put in the vaccine as it still protects from CAV-1 but is less irritating. Infected dogs can shed this virus for up to 9 months in urine, meaning they can still infect other animals. Once the virus enters the body, the liver cells are the main target but it can also affect the kidneys and eyes. Animals with poor immunity can develop hepatits which may lead to a fatal necrosis of the liver cells.
DA2PP
Distemper, Adenovirus-2,
Parainfluenza, Parvo.
Infectious Tracheobronchitis (ITB)
The causes of ITB are parainfluenza, Bordatella bronchiseptica, and canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2). Animals can become infected through direct/ indirect contact or through the air.
Simple cases can result in a cough and other symptoms, which may resolve on its own. More involved cases are due to a secondary infection causing a harsher cough and discharge and the animal becoming feverish, lethargic and possibly anorexic.
Vaccination offers the best means of protection and higher amount of immunity.
Canine Parvovirus (CPV)
CPV is a serious disease that severely affects the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. Unvaccinated puppies are at a higher risk, although any unvaccinated dog can contract the disease. It is transmitted via contact with fecal material/bowel secretions, with the smallest amount being infective. CPV is life threatening and needs immediate and aggressive treatment to combat the effects it has on the animal and in unfortunate cases, animals still die with treatment. Most clinics will be able to test for parvo "in-house" without having to send samples away. An animals best defense is proper and regular vaccination.

Kennel cough is the generic term for the above mentioned,
Infectious Tracheobronchitis that causes bronchial irritation. It is often contracted at kennels or anywhere that is host to high numbers of dogs that are in contact with eachother.
ITB again is caused by Parainfluenza, CAV-2, and Bordatella
brochiseptica. Parainfluenza and CAV-2 are included in the DA2PP combination vaccine but are also included in the Kennel Cough vaccine along with Bordatella bronchiseptica. There are 2 types of kennel cough vaccine with one form being injectable and only containing
Bordatella bronchiseptica, or an intranasal form, meaning it is administered in the nose, containing all 3 antigens in it. The intranasal form of the vaccine offers a slightly different immunity in that it gears up the immune response quicker. It is an annual vaccine, however, dogs that are going to the kennel, groomer, or any high populated area, are recommended to get vaccinated every 6 months.
Visit 1
6-8 Weeks Old
• Physical Exam
• DA2PP
• Deworm
Visit 2
10-12 Weeks Old
• Physical Exam
• DA2PP Booster
• Deworm
• Based on Risk:
• Kennel Cough
• Heartworm
Preventative
Visit 3
14-16 Weeks Old
• Physical Exam
• DA2PP Booster
• Rabies
• Deworm
• Based on Risk:
• Kennel Cough
• Heartworm
Preventative
Visit 4
4-6 Months Old
• Physical Exam
• Spay or
• Neuter
• Microchip
Wellness Exam
Yearly
• Physical Exam
• Vaccines as needed:
• DA2PP is yearly
• Rabies is yearly for 1st year then every 3 years
• Deworm as needed

Changes in behaviour
Infection at bite site
+/- fever
Paralysis
Jaw drop
Respiratory paralysis, coma, death
This is a provincially reportable disease affecting animals and humans. It is excreted in saliva and the virus spreads to peripheral nerves, brain, and spinal cord. There is no treatment for animals, however, humans can be treated.
"Furious" phase
Irritable
Fights invisible objects
Incoordination, seizure, death

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calici, Panleukopenia
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
This disease is caused by Feline Herpes
Virus (FHV), which is part of many causes of the Feline Upper Respiratory
Disease Complex. It is found in many multi-cat homes and is shed in nose, eye, and mouth secretions. Cats that are infected with FHV are lifelong carriers and outbreaks usually occur in times of stress. Some carriers will even show no symptoms of the disease but still be able to spread it. Cats with chronic infections tend to get the "snuffles" and acute infections produce many symptoms that would mimick a human cold but could worsen to being life threatening if not treated appropriatly.
Feline Calicivirus (FCV)
FCV is another causeof the Feline Upper
Respiratory Disease Complex. It is similar to FHV except that cats that are infected with FCV always shed the virus as compared to FHV carriers, who only shed the virus after stress or something else triggers it. FCV is contracted through the same way FHV is however, oral ulcers and dental disease is more common with FCV infections. Some cats can resolve infections on their own but majority need treatment.
Feline Panleukopenia (FPV)
FPV is also referred to as Feline
Parvovirus as it is caused by a parvo virus , which is often fatal. It is spread through direct and indirect contact or in utero. Virus spreads to lymph nodes, bone marrow, and the gastrointestinal tract, eventually spreading throughout the rest of the body, producing a severe infection. Aggressive and immediate treatment is required for cats that are suspected of being infected and recovery times are quite long, with the virus being shed through urine and feces for many weeks after infection.

Spread through all secretions and can cross placenta. Very contagious with high fatality rates.
Most veterinary clinics will have tests they can do "in house" that can detect FeLV. Infected cats are more at risk of developing other diseases and/or infections due to a poor immune system.
Feline Leukemia
Virus (FeLV)
Majority of infected cats become carriers and some can build up immunity to the virus.
Chronically infected cats do not survive more than a couple years after infection.

Visit 1
8-10 Weeks Old
• Physical Exam
• FVRCP
• Deworm
• FeLV
Visit 2
11-13 Weeks Old
• Physical Exam
• FVRCP Booster
• FeLV Booster
• Deworm
Visit 3
14-17
• Physical Exam
• Dewormer
• Rabies
Visit 3
4-6 Months Old
• Physical Exam
• Spay or
• Neuter
• Microchip
Wellness Exam
Yearly
• Physical Exam
• Vaccines as needed:
• FVRCP and
FeLV are yearly
• Rabies is yearly for 1st year then every 3 years
• Deworm as needed