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Canine Rabies
What is Canine rabies?
Rabies is an incurable viral disease caused by infection with the rabies virus affecting infected individuals' central nervous system. The infectious viral particles are retained in a rabid animal's salivary glands, allowing them to spread the virus via saliva more efficiently. Rabies is most prevalent in wild animals, such as bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. This disease is severe and (in the vast majority of cases) fatal.
Is my dog at risk?
Unless vaccinated against the virus, your dog is at risk. The more time your dog spends outside unsupervised, especially in a rural environment, the higher your dog's risk of encountering and being bitten by an infected animal.
How do I protect my dog?
Vaccination is the cornerstone of rabies prevention. Vaccination promotes the production of antibodies but is only effective if given before the virus enters the nervous system. Modern rabies vaccines for dogs and cats are highly safe and effective.
Leptospirosis |
Canine Distemper |
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What is Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a severe bacterial disease caused by infection with Leptospira bacteria that infects domestic animals, wildlife, and humans. Many strains of Leptospira bacteria can cause illness. In addition, leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, which means animals can spread it to people. This bacteria can be found worldwide in soil and water and is spread through the urine of infected animals. They can survive from weeks to months in soil and surface waters such as lakes, streams, rivers, and water puddles. Leptospirosis is more common in areas with warm climates and high annual rainfall, but it can occur anywhere. Is my dog at risk?
Common risk factors for leptospirosis in dogs residing in the United States include exposure to or drinking from rivers, lakes, or streams; roaming on rural properties (because of exposure to potentially infected wildlife, farm animals, or water sources); exposure to a wild animal or farm animal species, even if in the backyard; and contact with rodents or other dogs.
Take the test below to quickly and easily see if your dog is at risk for exposure to leptospirosis. How do I protect my dog?
Currently available vaccines effectively prevent leptospirosis and protect dogs for at least 12 months. Therefore, we recommend annual vaccination for at-risk dogs. Vaccinating your dog is the only way to provide safe and effective protection; however, reducing their exposure to possible sources of the Leptospira bacteria can also reduce its chances of infection. |
What is Canine distemper?
Canine distemper is a severe and contagious disease caused by a virus that attacks puppies and dogs' respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. Puppies and dogs most often become infected through airborne exposure (sneezing or coughing) to the virus from an infected dog or wild animal. However, shared food, water bowls, and equipment can also transmit the virus. In addition, infected dogs can shed the virus for months, and mother dogs can pass it through the placenta to their puppies. The virus may also be found in wildlife such as foxes, wolves, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, mink, and ferrets. Because canine distemper also impacts wildlife populations, contact between wild animals and domestic dogs can facilitate the spread of the virus. Is my dog at risk?
All dogs are at risk of infection. However, puppies younger than four months old and unvaccinated dogs are at increased risk of acquiring the disease. How do I protect my dog?
Vaccination is crucial in preventing canine distemper. Therefore, a series of vaccinations should be administered to puppies to increase the likelihood of building immunity when the immune system has not yet fully matured. It is crucial to avoid gaps in the immunization schedule and ensure distemper vaccinations are up to date. Owners should use caution when socializing puppies or unvaccinated dogs where dogs can congregate, such as in dog parks or obedience classes. Minimizing your dog's ability to potentially contact infected animals or wildlife is also essential. |
Canine Parvovirus |
Canine Influenza Virus |
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What is canine parvovirus?
Canine parvovirus affects dogs' gastrointestinal tracts and spreads by direct dog-to-dog contact and contact with contaminated feces (stool), environments, or people. The virus can also contaminate kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs. Dogs that are ill from canine parvovirus infection are often said to have "parvo." It is resistant to heat, cold, humidity, and drying and can survive in the environment for long periods. Even trace amounts of feces from an infected dog may harbor the virus and infect other dogs that come into the infected environment. The virus is readily transmitted from place to place on the hair or feet of dogs or via contaminated cages, shoes, or other objects. If left untreated, canine parvovirus carries a fatality rate greater than 90%. Is my dog at risk?
Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that can affect all dogs. Unvaccinated dogs are at a higher risk, especially puppies younger than four months. The milk from a puppy's mother provides natural immunity; however, this immunity may wear off before the puppy's immune system matures enough to fight off infection. Because of this, young puppies are very susceptible to infection. As a result, the puppy may become ill if exposed to canine parvovirus during this gap in protection. In addition, the immunity a mother's milk provides may also interfere with an effective response to vaccination. It is, therefore, possible that even vaccinated puppies may occasionally be infected by parvovirus and develop the disease. How do I protect my dog?
Vaccination and good hygiene are critical components of prevention. We recommend administering a series of puppy vaccinations to reduce gaps in protection and provide the best defense against parvovirus during the first few months of life. After that, puppies should receive a dose of canine parvovirus vaccine between 14 and 16 weeks of age, regardless of how many doses they received earlier, to develop adequate protection. Until a puppy has received its complete series of vaccinations, pet owners should use caution when bringing them to places where young puppies may be present. To protect their adult dogs, pet owners should be sure that their dog's parvovirus vaccination is up-to-date. In addition, owners should always avoid allowing their dogs to contact known infected dogs and their premises. Similarly, we greatly discourage allowing unvaccinated dogs exposure to dogs with unknown vaccination histories. |
What is canine influenza virus?
Canine influenza virus is highly contagious and easily spread from infected dogs to other dogs through direct contact, nasal secretions, and contaminated objects. Canine influenza can occur year-round. So far, there is no evidence that canine influenza infects people. Canine influenza infections can cause mild to severe illness in dogs. The symptoms of a CIV infection resemble those of kennel cough. Dogs infected with CIV develop a persistent cough and may develop a thick nasal discharge and fever. In addition, some dogs may develop secondary bacterial infections, leading to more severe illness and pneumonia. Is my dog at risk?
Dogs of any breed, age, sex, or health status are at risk of infection when exposed to the virus. The virus is highly contagious, and almost all dogs exposed to CIV become infected; however, the mortality (death) rate from CIV is low (less than 10%). In addition, the majority (80%) of infected dogs develop flu-like symptoms. Dogs infected with CIV are most contagious during the two- to four-day virus incubation period. During this period, they shed the virus in their nasal secretions but do not show signs of illness. How do I protect my dog?
We recommend vaccinating your dog to protect them from the virus best. The canine influenza virus vaccination is a "lifestyle" vaccination recommended for dogs with increased exposure to other dogs. Dogs with increased exposure frequently visit boarding kennels, social events where other dogs are present, and dog parks. To reduce the spread of CIV, isolate dogs that are sick or showing signs of a respiratory illness, and isolate dogs known to have been exposed to an infected dog. In addition, practice good hygiene and sanitation, including hand washing and thorough cleaning of shared items and kennels, to reduce the spread of CIV. Influenza viruses do not usually survive in the environment beyond 48 hours, and commonly used disinfectants may kill them. |
Kennel Cough |
Lyme Disease |
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What is kennel cough?
Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), more familiarly known as "kennel cough," is a highly contagious illness affecting the respiratory tract in dogs. Several different types of bacteria and viruses can contribute to kennel cough, and dogs can be infected by two or more of these organisms simultaneously. A few commonly involved organisms include Bordetella bronchiseptica (a bacterium), canine parainfluenza virus, and canine adenovirus type 2. Is my dog at risk?
All breeds and ages are susceptible. However, as "kennel cough" suggests, dogs at particular risk are those exposed to settings where multiple dogs are typically gathered or housed. Because of this, many boarding and daycare facilities require the Bordetella vaccine. How do I protect my dog?
The best way to protect your dog against kennel cough is to keep their vaccines current. Vaccination is critical if your dog is routinely exposed to multiple-dog settings or belongs to another at-risk group. In addition, keep your dog away from toys, food, and water bowls used by dogs outside your household or those with unknown vaccination histories. Even if they appear healthy, these other dogs can still be contagious. |
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis) is an illness that affects animals and humans – known as a zoonotic disease. The disease can be challenging to detect and causes serious and recurring health problems. Because it's recurring, it can strike again and again once a dog contracts it. Antibiotics can help treat the disease but do not eliminate the organism. Is my dog at risk?
The bacterium that causes Lyme disease is carried and transmitted primarily by the tiny black-legged tick known as the deer tick. Deer ticks are found in forests or grassy, wooded, marshy areas near rivers, lakes, or oceans. Deer ticks may bite people or animals during outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, or even while in their backyards. Therefore, the more time your dog spends outdoors unvaccinated and without a preventative on board, the more risk they have of being bitten and contracting Lyme disease. How do I protect my dog?
It is best to prevent infection by taking appropriate measures to avoid tick bites. We also recommend that dogs receive the Lyme vaccine and preventatives regularly. Owners should also brush their dogs frequently during tick season and conduct thorough tick checks. If you discover a tick on your pet, our veterinarians recommend using a flea comb instead of tweezers for easy and safe removal. |
heartworm disease |
Intestinal Parasites |
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What is heartworm disease?
Heartworm is a preventable but serious and potentially fatal parasite that primarily infects dogs, cats, and ferrets. However, it can also infect various wild animals, including wild canids, wild felids, raccoons, opossums, and others. In addition, there are human infections. Still, they are considered rare and do not usually result in signs of illness. The presence of these parasites in the body leads to heartworm disease, which causes severe lung disease, heart failure, and damage to other organs. Is my dog at risk?
Heartworms are transmitted from animal to animal by mosquitoes. Therefore, dogs, regardless of age, sex, or living environment, are susceptible to heartworm infection and are at risk of heartworm disease. How do I protect my dog?
Heartworm infection is almost 100% preventable in dogs and cats. There are several FDA-approved heartworm preventives available in a variety of formulations. Why does your clinic require annual heartworm testing?
Annual testing is necessary to ensure the prevention program works, even when dogs are on heartworm prevention year-round. Heartworm medications are highly effective, but dogs can still become infected. If you miss just one dose of a monthly medicine—or give it late—it can leave your dog unprotected. Even if you give the medication as recommended, your dog may spit out or vomit a heartworm pill—or rub off a topical medication. The preventives do not kill adult heartworms and will not eliminate heartworm infection or prevent signs of heartworm disease if adults are present in the pet's body. Heartworm preventives are highly effective but not 100%. You won't know your dog needs treatment if you don't get your dog tested. |
What are intestinal parasites?
Parasites are one of the dogs' most common and significant disease causes. Although most people know about external parasites like fleas and ticks, many do not realize that intestinal parasites can also cause considerable health problems. There are several types of internal parasites that cause problems in dogs. These include roundworms, such as Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina; heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis); tapeworms, such as Dipylidium caninum, Taenia species, and Echinococcus species; hookworms, such as Ancylostoma species, and whipworms (Trichuris vulpis). The most common signs and symptoms of intestinal parasites are scooting, vomiting or diarrhea, a distended abdomen, or weight loss. Is my dog at risk?
Intestinal parasites are contagious to other animals and humans. Because they primarily inhabit the GI tract, larvae, or eggs, are passed in the feces. The infective larvae then inhabit the soil around the wastes, leaving other dogs and children vulnerable to accidental ingestion and subsequent infection. A dog not on prevention or frequenting areas that may come into contact with a carrier's feces may be at increased risk of contraction. How do I protect my dog?
Prompt treatment for worms should be given when any intestinal parasites are detected; periodic routine deworming may be appropriate for dogs at risk for re-infection. Talk to your veterinarian if you believe your pet is at risk to discuss what preventative is suitable for their lifestyle. |
