Saint Mary Animal Hospital



Saint Mary Animal Hospital

628 O'Brien Street, Windsor, NS

Phone:472-3037 Fax:472-3139 

E-mail:saintmaryanimalhospital@

I- Rabies

Rabies is a fatal virus that affects the central nervous system of almost all mammals, including humans. The virus is most common in dogs, bats, cats, raccoons, and skunk. It is spread by contact with saliva on an open wound of the skin. The virus causes behavior changes, seizures and death. There is no cure for the disease once the symptoms occur. Rabies vaccinations should be given at 16 weeks, boostered in 1 year, then boostered every 1 or 3 years depending on the vaccine used.

II. DA2PP

 

Commonly referred to as the “Distemper Combination”, the DA2PP vaccination provides protection from Distemper, Hepatitis (Adenovirus type 2), Parainfluenza, & Parvovirus. This vaccination is the most important vaccination for the health and wellness of your pet and should be started at 6-8 weeks of age. This vaccine should then be boostered every 3-4 weeks until 4 months old. After the puppy reaches 4 months of age, this vaccine should be repeated yearly. Below are descriptions of the diseases from which the Distemper Combination vaccination protects puppies & dogs.

 

A. Distemper

This is the most important of all the vaccines for your dog and puppy.  This virus is part of what the DA2PP vaccine fights; this is the "D" in DA2PP. Distemper is widespread, serious, often deadly, and can affect many carnivore, wild or domestic. Canine distemper is a contagious viral disease, seen most frequently in puppies 3 to 6 months old, but dogs of all ages are at risk. Early signs of the disease are fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, conjunctivitis (runny eyes), and sometimes nasal discharge.

As the disease progresses, symptoms include diarrhea, pneumonia, convulsions, and paralysis. Most of the dogs that become infected will die. Thus, vaccination is essential.

Prevention by vaccination is recommended as the essential means of controlling canine distemper. Start vaccinating ideally at 6-8 weeks old, then re-vaccinate every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks, then booster annually.  

B. Hepatitis (Adenovirus)

Another component of the DA2PP vaccine. Infectious Canine Hepatitis is a contagious viral disease that affects the dog's liver, primarily. Early signs are similar to those seen in Distemper. The disease is transmitted by direct contact with urine from an infected dog. The canine strain of hepatitis does not cause hepatitis in humans.

This disease can cause fever, enlarged liver, pain, and even death. It can also cause respiratory tract illness. Vaccination with the Adenovirus Type 2 vaccine (CAV-2) is very effective in preventing this disease. We recommend starting vaccination as early as 6- 8 weeks old, vaccinating every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks old, and then booster annually.

C. Parvovirus

Another part of the DA2PP vaccines. This virus causes bloody diarrhea and vomiting, and mainly infects puppies. Parvo is highly contagious with high mortality– dogs must be hospitalized to live. The bill can easily reach over $1,000 and the dog may still die. Vaccination is the only preventative course of action. Therefore, vaccination is recommended – ideally starting at 5-8 weeks old, vaccinating every 2-4 weeks until at least 16 week of age, then booster annually.  

D. Parainfluenza

Another part of the DA2PP vaccines. Parainfluenza is a common, highly contagious, viral, upper respiratory disease. The signs may be very mild, but may progress if other conditions exist. Since signs are mild, the disease can be spread to other unprotected dogs without being readily noticed. It is transmitted by sneezing or coughing (nasal secretions of infected dogs). Parainfluenza contributes to upper respiratory disease and infectious tracheobronchitis. We recommend starting vaccination as early as 8 weeks old, vaccinating every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks old, and then booster annually.

III. Bordetella

Bordetella Bronchiseptica is a bacterial agent that causes the respiratory disease, kennel cough. The kennel cough disease can also be caused by a lot of other viruses & bacteria. It is like the different strains of the flu. Specific types of infectious agents causing this disease are the viral agents Canine Adenovirus Type 2, and Canine Parainfluenza. These highly contagious airborne agents cause mild to severe inflammation of the trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Kennel cough is characterized by a harsh, chronic cough, as well as possible nasal discharge and sneezing. It is usually considered to be a self-limiting disease, unless pneumonia develops from secondary bacterial complications. The dry, non-productive cough may last for weeks to months after the resolution of the clinical disease due to the damage done to the trachea. Most boarding facilities require this vaccine; and dogs that live in shelters, pounds, or kennels should receive protection through vaccination.

Please note: This vaccine does not prevent a dog from acquiring Kennel Cough (the lay term for Bordetella-type respiratory syndromes); however, it does help prevent a dog from developing pneumonia from a case of Kennel Cough.

Related Canine Diagnostic Disease Testing

1- Parvo Fecal-ELISA

dogs particularly puppies suffering from repeated vomiting, bloody diarrhea, dehydration should be tested by parvo fecal ELISA to rule/ confirm Parvo-virus infection. The test is crucial to to assess the health status of the dog and to determine treatment plan. The test is done in-house on fecal sample and results can be obtained in 20 minutes

 

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