Instead of
vaccinating every pet, every year, against every disease, it is thought
best to minimise the number of vaccines given - while at the same time
ensuring that each pet is adequately protected against disease. This
approach is likely to be extended in future as new vaccines become
available. Vaccinations for both cats and dogs can be categorized
into two groups:
Core
vaccines These are
high priority vaccines recommended for all cats and dogs with an
unknown vaccination history world wide. They are vaccines that
every pet should receive, regardless of circumstance. These protect
against diseases that are too dangerous to risk any absence of
immunity. Core vaccinations for puppies and dogs that UK vets
recommend include Distemper (hard pad), Parvovirus, Hepatitis and
Leptospirosis. There may be other vaccinations that are
appropriate for your dog and you should discuss the individual
vaccination programme with your vet. Core vaccines do not need to
be given boosters on an annual basis, but more likely at 3 year
intervals.
Canine
distemper (hard pad) Canine distemper
is a serious disease of dogs caused by a virus. Affected dogs are often
very ill and many die from the disease. Symptoms include coughing, a
snotty nose, vomiting, diarrhoea and convulsions. Animals which recover
may have ongoing illnesses for the rest of their lives. The vaccine is
very effective and if given every 2-3 years will produce full
protection against the disease.
Canine parvovirus ('parvo')
Canine parvovirus a disease due to a virus which causes severe vomiting
and diarrhoea, usually in young puppies. Many puppies affected by the
disease will die. The disease is often less severe in older dogs but if
bitches are infected while they are pregnant the puppies may be born
with deformities. Vaccine protection is generally very good although in
some breeds, eg Rottweilers, there have been reports of young puppies
catching the disease despite having been vaccinated. If this happens,
it is usually because the immunity from the mother had not worn off
when the vaccine was given and so the vaccine did not work properly.
However, giving the final injection when the puppy is older should
overcome this problem.
Canine Infectious Hepatitis
(adenovirus 1)
Canine Infectious Hepatitis is a disease caused by a virus which
attacks the liver and can cause liver failure. Many animals who succumb
to this disease will die. Less severely affected dogs may have a cough
and high temperature and may also develop a white layer on the front of
the eye. There is no specific treatment for the disease but vaccination
gives good protection.
Leptospirosis (Weil's disease) The is a most important vaccine as this infection can
cause mild to severe illness and it is a zoonosis. Leptospirosis is an
infection caused by a bacterium. The disease is usually spread by rats
which pass the bacteria out in their urine. The bacteria only survives
well in moist conditions outside the rat, so dogs which spend a lot of
time in water are most at risk. The disease is very serious and can
cause jaundice and liver failure and can be spread to people as well as
infecting dogs. Vaccination gives very good protection that usually
lasts for a year (although dogs at high risk may need to be vaccinated
more often). Non-core
vaccines These are
optional vaccines that should be considered depending on your animal’s
risk and should be used when an animal’s particular lifestyle puts it
at greatly increased risk ie. used on an as needed basis. These
vaccines can either be administered prior to the risk period (in much
the same way as humans have jabs when travelling to certain countries);
or regularly, in those animals whose lifestyle puts them permanently at
risk. Non-core vaccines include: Kennel Cough (canine
parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica-both of which cause kennel
cough ), Canine Herpes virus, Corona virus and Rabies. Non core
vaccines, because of the way most of them are manufactured still need
to be given annually. However, the interval may be shorter for some
vaccines (i.e.
Bordetella) due to increased exposure risk and the possibility of
protection not lasting a full year. Some "non-core" vaccines also
may be considered "core" because they are designed to prevent a disease
that is a potential public health threat.
Kennel
cough (infectious tracheobronchitis) Kennel cough is
not a serious disease in most otherwise healthy dogs. However, it is
very infectious and can rapidly spread through the dog
population. As its name suggests, it causes coughing which can go
on for a month in some cases. Good kennels will insist that your dog is
vaccinated against this disease before agreeing to take them for
boarding. The protection given by the vaccination only lasts for about
6 months so most dogs are
only vaccinated just before going into kennels. Kennel cough is caused
by a combination of viruses and bacteria including: Canine
parainfluenzavirus, Canine adenovirus 2 and Bordetella. Ask your vet
for details of which of these your dog is protected against before
putting your dog in kennels.
Rabies Vaccination
against rabies is compulsory in many countries because of the risk of
passing this horrible fatal disease to humans. Vaccination is
unnecessary for dogs in those countries which are free of rabies - the
UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Japan - except in those animals
which are going to be exported abroad. Dogs in the UK may now be
vaccinated against rabies for travel to some European countries or
Rabies-free islands and can return to the UK without having to go
through the 6 month quarantine period. Rabies vaccination has to
be repeated every 2 years to maintain protection, but more frequent
vaccination may be needed to comply with travelling regulations.
Contact your vet for details if you plan to travel abroad with your dog.
Lymes
Disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) This vaccine
should be used only in areas where Lyme disease is known to occur, and
where it may pose a serious threat to the health of the dog. Even in
areas where Lyme disease has been shown to be endemic, and where
infection with Borrelia burgdorferi is common, clinical illness is
rare. When seen, it is often mild and readily treated with
antibiotics. In certain highly endemic areas where infection of
the natural vectors (mice and deer) is almost 100%, disease in dogs may
be more common, and sometimes severe, but cases are responsive to
antibiotic treatment.
