BIJOU STANDARD POODLES
Dog Vaccinatiions
Dog Vaccinations Be Informed
DHLPPC:
This is a combo vaccination that covers numerous diseases with one injection. What do all those letters stand for?
- D = Distemper:
Distemper is a nasty virus that is highly contagious, occurs world wide, and at one time was the leading cause of death in puppies. Young puppies are more susceptible to the virus then adult dogs. You may see signs of an upper respiratory infection with a high fever, the dog may also have neurological signs. This disease is often fatal.
- H = Hepatitis or Adenovirus-2:
This is spread by contact with the urine and feces of infected animals. The virus causes liver and kidney damage, animals that survive may have chronic illness. Symptoms include but are not limited to: fever, lethargy, anorexia, abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhea.
- L = Leptospirosis:
This disease affects the liver and kidneys and is deadly. Animals with this disease are contagious to other animals and humans. A positive dog should be isolated and the caregiver should wear protective clothing and gloves. The disease is spread through contact with urine of infected animals. Dogs with leptospirosis may show signs of lethargy, dehydration, jaundice, and fever.
- P = Parainfluenza:
This is a virus that causes an upper respiratory infection. Dogs usually contract the disease through contact with nasal secretions of infected dogs.
- P = Parvovirus:
This virus attacks the intestinal tract and causes severe vomiting and diarrhea. Parvo is highly contagious, dogs contract the virus through contact with an infected animals stools. Without treatment dogs become dehydrated and weak and often die. This virus is very common and puppies who are not properly vaccinated are often afflicted. Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers seem to be at greater risk for parvo.
- C = Corona virus:
This virus attacks the intestinal system similar to parvovirus. Infected dogs suffer from vomiting and diarrhea and dehydration. Keep your pet vaccinated and your yard clean to protect your pet.
Bordetella:
This is an upper respiratory infection also known as kennel cough. This infection is usually not fatal but is a pain to get rid of. The infection can spread quickly through boarding and grooming facilities and any place dogs congregate. The vaccination can be in the form of a nasal spray or injection. The injection form will need a booster in one month. Your veterinarian can help you decide if this vaccination is necessary for your dog.
Lyme Disease:
This is a tick borne illness. If you live in a wooded area and have a large number of positive Lyme disease cases in your area you should consider this vaccine for your dogs. The deer tick must stay attached to your dog for one to two days in order to transmit the illness, so checking your dog daily for ticks will help prevent Lyme disease, also use a good tick preventative like Frontline and Preventic Tick Collars.
Symptoms include but are not limited to: fever, swollen lymph nodes, and loss of appetite. Talk to your veterinarian if you think your dog should be vaccinated against Lyme disease.
Giardia:
Giardia is a parasite that lives in the intestines and can be passed into the environment through the stools of infected animals. Dogs become infected with giardia by drinking contaminated water. Humans can also be infected. At risk dogs would be those who live primarily outdoors, hunting dogs, or dogs who may come in contact with ponds or creeks. If you feel your pet is at risk then talk to your veterinarian about vaccinating against giardia. This vaccine needs boosted 3 weeks after the initial dose then given annually.
Rabies:
Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system and is always fatal. There is no known cure for rabies, to confirm a case the brain tissue must be examined. In the United States raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, and coyotes are the main wild animal hosts for the illness. Symptoms generally include behavior change, difficulty swallowing, hypersalivation, depression - stupor, and hind limp paralysis.
The disease is spread through the saliva of infected animals and can be transmitted through a bite or an open wound. Vaccinated pets who are exposed to rabies should be re-vaccinated and observed for 90 days, un-vaccinated pets exposed to rabies should be euthanized or kept isolated for 6 months. Keep all pets current on their rabies vaccinations - this will protect humans and animals.
The latest Rabies vaccination protocol is that after a series of two vaccinations the dog will only need to be revaccinated every 3 years depending on the Rabies Brand of Vaccination. Ask your vet if you can read the label if you are unsure.
Ontario Canada has had a confirmed case of Rabies (via bite from an infected skunk to border collie pups) in January 2008.
Immunological Effects of Vaccines
We used to vaccinate our puppies at 6 weeks of age, 8 weeks of age, 10
weeks of age and a final shot at 12 weeks of age. The buyer would then
vaccinate at 16 weeks of age for the rabies. My Vet informed me that I
was "over vaccinating". I was amazed that there could be such a thing
as overdoing a good thing. I was wrong. The stress I was putting on my
little ones was huge. Not only that but totally not needed. Then I
found out more about the Rabies Vaccination. What I found out was it is
a 3-year protection. Meaning it is not to be given more than once every
three years! Here my pups were routinely vaccinated every year, plus
given a booster and then don't forget that heart worm medication and
flea medication. Wow that is really getting the poor puppy's body to
work overtime especially during key growing periods !
Due to recent studies and also health related problems from Vaccinosis
(seizures to name one) especially in Weimaraners, we ask that our puppy
buyers..or anyone concerned about their puppies health, to really
research vaccination options, prior to following any vaccination
schedule. Remember the Vet you choose is working "FOR" you. You are
"their" employer. You have the ability to choose what is best for your
puppy and to find a vet that will work with you, even if it means less
income for the vet.
NEW PRINCIPLES OF IMMUNOLOGY
"Dogs immune systems mature fully at 6 months. If a modified live virus vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it produces an immunity which is good for the life of the pet (ie: canine distemper, parvo, feline distemper). If another MLV vaccine is given a year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine neutralize the antigens of the second vaccine and there is little or no effect. The titer (measurement for amount of antibodies) is not "boosted" nor are more memory cells induced.
"Not only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia.
"There is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration of MLV vaccines
"Puppies receive antibodies through their mothers milk.
This natural protection can last 8-14 weeks. Maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and little protection (0-38%) will be produced if vaccinated before 7 weeks of age.
Vaccination at 6 weeks will, however, delay the timing of the first highly effective vaccine. Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart suppress rather than stimulate the immune system. A series of vaccinations is given starting at 7-8 weeks and given 3-4 weeks apart up to 16 weeks of age. Another vaccination given sometime after 6 months of age (usually at 1 year 4 mo) will provide lifetime immunity.
To follow is Dr. Jean
Dodds' latest vaccination protocol
CANINE
VACCINATION PROTOCOL – 2008
MINIMAL VACCINE USE
W. Jean Dodds, DVM
HEMOPET
938 Stanford
Street
Santa Monica, CA
90403
310-828-4804;
Fax 310-828-8251
e-mail
Note: The following vaccine
protocol is offered for those dogs where minimal vaccinations are advisable or
desirable. The schedule is one I recommend and should not interpreted to mean
that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory.
It's a matter of professional judgment and choice.
Age of Pups
|
Vaccine Type
|
|
9 - 10 weeks
14 weeks
16 -18 weeks (optional)
20 weeks or older, if
allowable by law
1 year
1 year
|
Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV
(e.g. Intervet
Progard Puppy DPV)
Same as above
Same as above (optional)
Rabies
Distemper + Parvovirus, MLV
Rabies, killed 3-year
product (give 3-4 weeks apart from distemper/parvovirus booster) |