Vaccination is the only proven method of protecting dogs against a range of potentially life-threatening disease.
Additional vaccines may be recommended for dogs at risk of other specific infections such as kennel cough.
The common vaccinations that are administered to protect your dog include:
Canine Parovirus
This highly resistant virus is spread through infected faeces and can remain in the environment for many months. Symptoms include high fever, listlessness, vomiting and blood-stained diarrhoea. Vaccination is the only certain method of preventing this potentially fatal disease, which is most severe in young puppies and elderly dogs.
Find out more about Parovirus vaccines for dogs
Canine Distemper
This highly contagious disease is spread through discharges from the nose and eyes of other dogs. Symptoms can include listlessness, fever, coughing, diarrhoea, and vomiting. At later stages of the disease, convulsions and even paralysis are common. The canine distemper virus attacks many major organs – including the nervous system – and may cause permanent damage, even if your dog recovers.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis
This disease is transmitted among dogs by contact with secretions such as saliva, infected urine, and faeces, resulting in similar symptoms to those of canine distemper. If left untreated, canine hepatitis can result in liver failure, eye damage, and breathing problems, while the course of the disease can range from mild to fatal. Again, vaccination remains your best line of defence.
Leptospirosis
Dogs infected with this disease can suffer liver and kidney damage, and they’ll need a long course of treatment if they’re to fully recover. And as if you needed a further reason to get your dog vaccinated, this disease can also affect humans.
Find out more about leptospirosis for dogs
Infectious Tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough)
This vaccination is an optional extra. It’s not part of our standard course, but it’s recommended for all dog owners nonetheless. Infectious tracheobronchitis is like the canine equivalent of the human common cold. It’s a respiratory tract infection that’s easily transmitted from one dog to an owner. It results in a dry, hacking cough – hence the name “kennel cough”.
So, if your dog’s going to come into contact with other dogs, whether it’s through obedience training, through the use of boarding kennels, or even through simply playing with other dogs in the park, we strongly recommend that you get them vaccinated.
Rabies
Rabies is an incurable and fatal viral disease that can affect the central nervous system of almost all mammals, even humans. It’s spread through contact with the saliva of infected animals through bites or breaks in the skin. This disease is prevalent throughout many countries across the world. But as it’s not currently found in the UK, vaccination isn’t a priority.
Find out more about rabies vaccines for dogs
Other Vaccinations
After evaluating your dog’s lifestyle and risk factors, your vet may recommend vaccinating against other infectious diseases. For more information, or if you’ve any questions about any of the above, get in touch today.
Your vet will be able to advise you on vaccination and will also carry out a health check to ensure your dog is in tip top condition.
