JSPCA VACCINATIONS FACT SHEET - DOGS

Immunity to disease simply means that an animal (or a person) is highly resistant to that particular disease and that there is little or no risk of falling ill to that disease. A fully vaccinated cat or dog, provided that it has responded to vaccination, should be capable of withstanding normal exposure to those diseases against which it has been vaccinated.

During its first few weeks of life, a puppy is usually protected by antibodies from its mother’s milk (colostrums), provided that the mother is immune.  However, this immunity falls rapidly with time, leaving the puppies susceptible to disease after a few weeks.  Vaccination at this point simply takes over the mother’s role in providing protection.

A course of two vaccinations is usually given as a primary course.  This is because the maternal immunity falls at different times in different puppies, leaving them susceptible to disease at different ages.  Also, for successful vaccination against Leptospirosis, the immune system needs to be primed by a first dose of vaccine so that the second dose can produce full protective levels of immunity.  Puppies may start their primary vaccination course as early as 6 weeks of age.   However, most puppies do not leave the breeder until they are eight or nine weeks of age and this is the age at which the majority of puppies receive their first vaccination.  The protective effects of vaccination are not immediate however and your veterinary surgeon will be able to advise on how to correctly socialise your new puppy.  (Socialisation of puppies with other dogs and people early is very important to avoid encountering possible behavioural problems later in the puppy’s life.)

If you acquire an older puppy or an adult dog of unknown vaccination history, contact your veterinary surgeon as soon as possible for advice regarding vaccination.  This will also allow your new pet to undergo a general health check up.

The vaccines that are used today are very effective, but regular booster vaccinations are required in order to ensure the continued protection of your dog against disease.  Booster vaccinations also offer the opportunity for your dog to undergo a routine health check.  If you forget to take your dog to your veterinary surgery for a booster, seek advice from your veterinary surgery on how to provide and maintain adequate immunity for your pet from diseases through restarting the vaccinations and what vaccination schedule would be appropriate for your dog.  

On completion of your dog’s primary course, you will be given a certificate providing a record of vaccination and advising when the next booster is due.  Boarding kennels will almost certainly require this before accepting your dog for boarding.  Remember to take this certificate to the surgery when your dog has any vaccinations, so that it can be kept up to date. The record of vaccination is an important document, so please keep it in a safe place.  

Protection against disease:

A number of modern vaccines are available to offer protection against the diseases listed below:

Canine Distemper (Hard Pad) – Whilst vaccination has resulted in a decrease in the incidence of this disease in recent years, infection does still exist in some areas.  The main source of infection is by inhalation during close dog to dog contact, although signs may take up to three weeks to appear.  Generally, dogs less than one year of age are most commonly affected.

Initial symptoms are usually a catarrhal discharge from the nose and eyes with an accompanying cough, vomiting and diarrhoea.  Loss of appetite and lethargy often follow.  Nervous symptoms may also develop, including nervous twitching or even fits.  After several weeks there may also be a thickening of the pads.  Dogs that survive may develop serious nervous signs later in life.  There is no specific cure for canine distemper and the condition is often fatal.  

Canine Viral Hepatitis (Infectious Canine Hepatitis) – This contagious disease is caused by an Adenovirus, which mainly targets the liver for attack. Transmission is by close dog to dog contact, and dogs recovering from the disease can spread the infection for more than six months.  Dogs are most commonly affected in the first year of life, but all ages of dogs are susceptible.

Early signs often include general discomfort and a lack of appetite, very high temperature, pale gums, vomiting and diarrhoea.  The dog may go on to develop jaundice.  Sometimes the virus affects the eyes, leading to a cloudiness of the cornea, often referred to as ‘blue eye’, which can resolve if the dog survives. There is no specific cure and the virus often proves fatal.

Canine Parvo Virus - The disease first emerged in the 1970’s as an epidemic that killed many thousands of dogs before an effective vaccine became available.  Although no longer present in epidemic proportions, ‘parvo’ is still relatively common in unvaccinated dogs.  Primary vaccination and regular boosters are vital to protect against the disease.

The main source of infection is the faeces of infected dogs; the virus can also be spread on shoes and clothing and on the coat and pads of dogs. An infection with canine parvo virus usually results in enteritis.  It can occur in any age of dog about from four weeks of age, but most commonly in those under one year old.  Signs appear quickly and can include depression, severe vomiting, loss of appetite and water, discomfort and profuse smelly, bloody diarrhoea.  This can result in rapid and severe dehydration, leading to death.  In acute cases, it can cause sudden death without symptoms.  There is no specific cure and the condition often proves fatal.

Leptospirosis - Specific bacteria that are spread in the urine of infected animals cause leptospirosis.  Humans can also be infected by contact with infected urine.  Two forms of disease are seen; both are contagious and can infect humans:

Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae (Weil’s Disease)

This is commonly contracted from rats, often via contact with infected rat urine or water contaminated with rats, for example canals and some rivers.  The liver is the main organ affected, although the kidneys may also be affected.  Signs are usually a high temperature, severe thirst, lethargy, increased urination, discomfort, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea and jaundice.  In very severe cases, death can occur in a few hours.

Leptospira canicola

This is contracted from the infected urine of other dogs.  Milder signs are often seen in comparison to Weil’s Disease, with the kidneys being the main organs affected; jaundice is seen less often and is less severe.  However, damage to the kidneys may cause kidney problems in later life.  Dogs that recover can excrete the bacteria in their urine for up to a year and are therefore a potential source of infection.

Regular vaccinations are vital to protect your dog against Leptospirosis and prevent it spreading the infection to humans.

Kennel Cough/Infectious Bronchitis (Infectious canine tracheobronchitis) - Infectious bronchitis, commonly referred to as ‘Kennel Cough’, is a highly contagious canine upper respiratory disease which usually occurs where dogs are in close contact, such as in boarding establishments, rescue centres, shows, etc.  A variety of infectious agents, both bacterial and viral, may be involved that cause inflammation of the voice box and windpipe.  These inclcude Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine parainfluenza virus, canine adenovirus, herpes virus and reovirus.  The disease can be passed from dog to dog via airbourne droplets, such as via sneezing and coughing, and by direct contact, such as nose to nose.  Dogs of all ages can be affected and signs include a dry, harsh, raspy cough, rather like whooping cough in humans. Occasionally, a severe case of kennel cough can result in pneumonia.  Treatment is usually successful and recovery uneventful, but it may take up to three weeks.  If your dog has kennel cough, try to avoid exposing him to cigarette smoke or other noxious fumes, as this will further irritate the airways.  If you suspect that your dog has kennel cough, isolate him from other dogs and call your vet.

Vaccination is possible against the common components of this syndrome and is particularly useful when dogs are to be boarded at kennels or regularly attend shows.

Travel abroad

If you plan to travel abroad with your dog, under the new PETS travel scheme, vaccination against rabies is mandatory.  Your dog will also need to be microchipped before it is given the rabies vaccine and blood tested a specific number of days after receiving the rabies vaccination.

Identification

Dogs can become lost no matter how responsible you are as an owner. Doors can be accidentally left open and houses can be burgled.  Collars and tags are an ideal first line of identity, but these can very easily be lost. 

Microchipping is a quick, simple injection which places a tiny microchip under the skin in the scruff of the neck.  If your dog should get lost, this unique microchip number can be retrieved by a portable, hand held scanner kept by all charity, welfare and animal organisations.  The microchip numbers are all stored on a national central database, along with the personal owner contact information.

Contact your local veterinary practice for further information about microchipping.

Remember:

• Regular annual booster injections are important to maintain immunity and the protection of your dog from diseases throughout the dog’s life. 

• Always consult your veterinary surgeon if your dog appears ill or unwell.

 

 

JSPCA working to

“prevent cruelty, promote knowledge, provide for aged, sick, lost and unwanted animals.”

 

Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Inc.)

Founded 1868 – Incorporated 1936

89 St Saviour’s Road, St Helier, Jersey JE2 4GJ         

Tel: 01534 724331          Fax: 01534 871797

E-mail: info@jspca.org.je          Website: www.jspca.org.je

 

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