VACCINATIONS - CANINE
DHLPP - Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza are widespread, contagious, and deadly
diseases. Nearly every dog will be exposed during its lifetime, making vaccination a must.
Canine distemper is a viral disease that may cause intestinal, respiratory, and neurological symptoms. Distemper is
relatively uncommon but is often fatal.
Hepatitis is a viral disease affecting the liver, kidneys, spleen, and lungs. Infected dogs typically develop a fever and
abnormal bleeding. A “blue eye” can occur in some cases.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection carried in the urine of infected wildlife, contaminated water or food. The bacteria
affect the liver and kidneys and can result in failure of both those organs. There are several types of Leptospira bacteria
and our vaccine covers the four most common types. This is now routinely used in combination with our DHPP vaccine.
Parvovirus is an intestinal infection resulting in diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and depression. Transmitted through direct
contact with an infected dog’s feces, it is highly contagious and life-threatening. Coronavirus has similar symptoms.
Parainfluenza, along with Bordetella and Canine Influenza, causes respiratory disease.
Bordetella (Infectious Tracheobranchitis or “Kennel Cough”) is an upper respiratory infection that causes a persistent, dry
hacking cough. The disease may last several weeks and is highly contagious. Vaccination does not prevent the infection,
but does lessen the severity of signs and length of illness. The vaccine is recommended for dogs that are routinely
boarded, groomed, or exposed to other dogs. Most boarding facilities require a booster every 6 months.
Rabies is an acute viral infection of the nervous system that attacks all warm-blooded animals including humans. The
disease is almost always caused by the bite of an infected animal that has rabies virus in its saliva. Infected animals often
show anxiety, aggression, restlessness and erratic behavior. Rabies is always fatal once clinical signs appear. It is a
public health hazard and a risk to all pet owners. There is no cure for rabies; vaccination is your pet’s only protection. If
your pet has been bitten by or exposed to a wild or potentially rabid animal, let us know immediately even if your pet has a
current vaccination.
Lyme- Borreliosis disease is an infection your dog can get if bitten by a deer tick carrying the Lyme bacteria. If left
untreated, Lyme disease can cause a number of symptoms that can become very serious, including fever, joint swelling,
lameness, kidney failure, and heart problems. These symptoms may be hidden in early stages of the disease, so it’s very
important to have your dog tested and vaccinated annually.
Canine Influenza is a newly-emerging infectious disease caused by a “flu” virus. It only affects dogs and, like human “flu”,
it is very contagious. The symptoms are usually mild but can become quite serious in some dogs. It is a difficult disease
to diagnose and treatment is aimed at supportive care as the virus runs its course. Many dogs are treated with antibiotics
because of complicating secondary bacterial infections. A vaccine is now available for dogs to reduce the severity of the
disease and the length of time that the dog is sick. The vaccine is recommended for dogs that are routinely boarded,
groomed, or exposed to other dogs. Many boarding facilities are requiring this annual vaccine as well.
Heartworm Disease (Dirofilaria immitis) is a life-threatening disease wherever mosquitoes are present. The mosquito
transfers microfilaria into the bloodstream which results in adult worms living in the heart and sometimes lungs. Signs
include coughing, a heart murmur and eventually heart failure. Your pet must be tested prior to starting on preventive
medication as the use of preventive medication on an infected dog could result in death. Annual testing is required even
when there is year-round use of medication. Puppies are not tested until they have reached one year of age due to the
life cycle of the heartworm.
Intestinal Parasites live and grow inside the intestine of your pet. Examples include roundworms, hookworms and
tapeworms. Most pets show no signs of infection; however, some may show vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or
weight loss. Heavy infections may be fatal in puppies. Many parasites can infect people as well. As a puppy, 2
dewormings and fecals are recommended. As an adult, testing is recommended yearly and deworming is recommended
every 3 months. Deworming is still recommended even if a fecal examination is negative (parasites may not be shedding
eggs at that time resulting in a “false” negative). Using a monthly heartworm preventative also helps to control and treat
the 2 most common intestinal parasites, roundworms and hookworms. Deworming is also recommended if your pet is
exposed to fleas because they can carry tapeworms.
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Updated: January 2012
Heartgard Plus (Ivermectin/Pyrantel) is a monthly chewable heartworm preventative. It also treats and controls
roundworm and hookworm infections in dogs. It is recommended monthly year-round.
Frontline Plus (Fipronyl and (S)-methoprene) is a topical product that kills fleas, flea eggs, ticks and chewing lice. It
has been shown to kill adult fleas, flea eggs and flea larvae for up to three months; however, tick and lice protection lasts
only 4 weeks. Frontline Plus is recommended monthly year-round in this region.
Risks of Vaccination:
In general, vaccines may cause localized pain or swelling, low-grade transient fever, allergic reactions such as swelling of
lips and eyelids, and mild lethargy. With any vaccine, anaphylaxis (a potential fatal hypersensitivity reaction) may occur.
This is generally seen as severe vomiting and diarrhea or wheezing, usually within half an hour of receiving the vaccine.
If this occurs, let us know immediately. While there is no direct cause and effect relationship between vaccinations and
certain immune-mediated diseases, this continues to be investigated. It is normal to feel a small lump where the vaccine
was given, but it should disappear; let us know if it is still there a month after vaccination.
Updated: January 2012