4. 1. Parvovirus (Parvo)
A. This highly contagious canine illness attacks puppies aged between 12
weeks and up to 3 years.
B. Transmitted through bodily secretions and unvaccinated dogs,
C. canine parvovirus is easily passed on, though most dogs are vaccinated
against it starting at six to eight weeks, then again every three weeks until they
are four months old.
Symptoms: A CPV infection (parvo) in dogs starts with a fever, and at this
point puppies are probably very contagious (to other dogs, not humans). “After
a few days, they will experience vomiting and bloody diarrhea and become
dehydrated and weak.
Treatment: Vaccinate against parvovirus, hospitalization of the sick dog , given
IV fluids and sometimes antibiotics to prevent sepsis, which can be fatal.
Recovery time: Three to seven days. Puppies with parvo are usually
hospitalized for three to four days then go home with medications.
5. 2. Distemper
The vaccination against canine distemper virus is quite effective. The first vaccination takes place
at six to eight weeks, and again after 9 weeks, “and when puppies have had one or two vaccines
they are immune.
Symptoms: “This can really be an unpleasant disease.
There are two ways:
A. Initially distemper in dogs typically appears as an upper respiratory disease with sneezing and
eye discharge.
B. Then it can develop into pneumonia or can lead to neurological problems such as a
fatal encephalopathy (brain damage).
Distemper in dogs is frequently misdiagnosed because owners think their puppy has a cold “so by
the time we see them they have tons of discharge from their nose and eyes and have high fever.
They are also depressed,
Treatment: medical attention for distemper in dogs. This usually involves inpatient supportive
care.
Recovery time: It can take weeks to recover from canine distemper and pets usually go home
from the hospital with respiratory medications.
The bad news about canine distemper is if puppy survives it, the disease can lie dormant and
break out again in older. At that point dog has an even worse prognosis because the disease can
lead to neurological problems such as seizures
6. 3. Kennel Cough
A. Bacterial infection or canine parainfluenza viruses, both of which
are airborne, cause kennel cough in dogs.
B. known as infectious tracheobronchitis.
Puppies can be vaccinated against kennel cough starting at six to eight
weeks, and then every six to 12 months after that, though the vaccine
doesn’t necessarily protect against the disease, but does lead to milder
symptoms.
Symptoms: Kennel cough starts with lethargy, decreased appetite
and fever, then puppies develop a deep, often productive, cough. If
untreated, kennel cough can lead to pneumonia.
Treatment: If dog show any unusual coughing to make sure dog not
developing pneumonia.
Recovery time: Kennel cough usually runs its course in 10 to 14 days.
7. 4. Adenovirus
Adenovirus in dogs causes infectious canine hepatitis, but
it’s rarely seen these days because of the efficacy of vaccines.
Often the adenovirus vaccine is given with the canine
distemper vaccine
canine adenovirus type-1 and canine adenovirus type-2.
Symptoms: It’s really difficult to know if dog has adenovirus,
but it typically starts with gastrointestinal problems like
vomiting and diarrhea and can develop into jaundice.
Treatment: Inpatient fluid therapy and nutritional support may
be required.
antibiotics and/or fluid reducers as necessary.
8. 5. Leptospirosis
This bacterial disease can affect the kidneys and the
liver and is transmitted through contaminated water and
infected urine.
puppy can be vaccinated against leptospirosis at 10 to
12 weeks, then again at 13 to 15 weeks.
Symptoms: Symptoms of leptospirosis are flu-like:
Vomiting and/or fever and/or lethargy, but they’re very
vague to being with.
Treatment: Antibiotics
Recovery time: Depending on the severity of the
infection, an antibiotic course can last four weeks or more.
9. 6. Vomiting (and Diarrhea)
A. puppy’s suffering from either of these nasties, the first thing
to rule out is intestinal parasites.
B. History of nutrition or diet of the animal associated with
vomiting/diarrhea,
C.Nine times out of 10 what dog consumed comes back out
again
Treatment: Continue to offer water
provide food if puppy asks for it but that’s less essential than
keeping dog hydrated.
Recovery time: Your puppy should recover from vomiting or
diarrhea that is not related to a parasite within 12 to 24 hours.
10. Rabies in Dogs
Rabies is a fatal viral polioencephalitis that specifically affects the gray
matter of a dog's brain and the central nervous system (CNS).
It is legally required that every owned dog be vaccinated against the
rabies virus. Depending on your location and local law, this must be
repeated every year to three years, depending on the rabies vaccine used.
Causes of Canine Rabies
The rabies virus is a single-stranded RNA virus of the genus Lyssavirus, in the family Rhabdoviridae.
It is transmitted through the exchange of blood or saliva from an infected animal.
The primary way the rabies virus is transmitted to dogs in the United States is through a bite from wild
animals like foxes, raccoons, skunks and bats that carry the disease. The virus is transmitted through
biting and possibly scratching—it gets transferred in the saliva and is highly infectious.
Once the virus enters the dog's body, it replicates in the cells of the muscles and then spreads to the
closest nerve fibers, including all peripheral, sensory and motor nerves, traveling from there to the
brain. The virus can take up to a month to develop but usually takes less than 10 days. Once rabies
symptoms in dogs have begun, the virus progresses rapidly.
Rabies is infectious to humans. Rabies is also transmittable to cats.
11. Symptoms and Types of Rabies in Dogs
There are two forms of rabies:
1. paralytic
2. furious.
In the early symptom (prodomal) stage of rabies infection, a dog will show only mild signs of CNS
abnormalities. This stage will last from one to three days. Most dogs will then progress to either:
A. the furious stage or
B. the paralytic stage,
C. or a combination of the two
D. while others succumb to the infection without displaying any major symptoms.
2. Furious rabies in dogs is characterized by extreme behavioral changes, including overt aggression and
attack behavior.
Paralytic rabies, also referred to as dumb rabies, is characterized by weakness and loss of coordination,
followed by paralysis.
This is a fast-moving virus. If it is not addressed before the symptoms of rabies in dogs have begun,
the prognosis is grave.
Therefore, if the dog has been in a fight with another animal, or has been bitten or scratched by another
animal, or if you have any reason to suspect that your pet has come into contact with a rabid animal (even if
this dog has been vaccinated against the virus), owner must take dog to a veterinarian for preventive care
immediately.
symptoms, because by then it is too late to save your pet.
12. The following are some of the symptoms of rabies in
dogs.
• Pica
• Fever
• Seizures
• Paralysis
• Hydrophobia
• Jaw is dropped
• Inability to swallow
• Change in tone of bark
• Muscular lack of coordination
• Unusual shyness or aggression
• Excessive excitability
• Constant irritability/changes in attitude and behavior
• Excessive salivation (hypersalivation), or frothy saliva
13. Diagnosing Rabies in Dogs
1. Clinical signs and behavior of the dogs (trying to attack), and
risk of being bitten or scratched
2. An additional dose of the dog rabies vaccine and
then quarantine him for 10 days.
3. Rabies can be confused with other conditions that cause
aggressive behavior, so a diagnosis is based on history of
possible exposure.
4. a post-mortem direct fluorescence antibody test.
14. Treatment for Rabies in Dogs
1. If the dog has been vaccinated against rabies, the dog will receive a
booster rabies vaccine.
2. If anyone came into contact with the dog's saliva or was bitten by this
dog, advise the owner to contact a physician immediately for treatment.
3. Unfortunately, rabies is always fatal for unvaccinated animals, usually
occurring within 7 to 10 days from when the initial symptoms began.
4. If a diagnosis of rabies is confirmed, an unvaccinated dog that is
bitten or exposed to a known rabid animal must be quarantined for up
to six months.
5. A vaccinated animal that has bitten or scratched a human,
conversely, will be quarantined in an approved facility or be euthanized,
and post-mortem testing will be performed.
15. Dog Vaccine
Initial Puppy Vaccination
(at or under 16 weeks)
Initial Adult Dog
Vaccination (over 16
weeks) Booster Recommendation Comments
Rabies 1-year Can be administered in
one dose, as early as 3
months of age.
Single dose Annual boosters are
required.
Core dog vaccine. Rabies
is 100% fatal to dogs,
with no treatment
available. Prevention is
key.
Rabies 3-year Can be administered as
one dose, as early as 3
months of age.
Single dose A second vaccination is
recommended after 1
year, then boosters every
3 years.
Core dog vaccine
Distemper At least 3 doses, given
between 6 and 16 weeks
of age
2 doses, given 3-4 weeks
apart
Puppies need a booster 1
year after completing
their initial series, then
all dogs need a booster
every 3 years or more
often.
Core dog vaccine. Caused
by an airborne virus,
distemper is a severe
disease that, among
other problems, may
cause permanent brain
damage.
Parvovirus At least 3 doses, given
between 6 and 16 weeks
of age
2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart Puppies need a booster 1
year after completing the
initial series, then all
dogs need a booster
every 3 years or more
often.
Core dog vaccine. Canine
"parvo" is contagious,
and can cause severe
vomiting and bloody
diarrhea. Parvo is usually
fatal if untreated.
Vaccines Schedules for dog
16. Adenovirus, type 1 (CAV-1,
canine hepatitis)
At least 3 doses, between 6
and 16 weeks of age
2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart Puppies need a booster 1
year after completing the
initial series, then all dogs
need a booster every 3 years
or more often.
Core dog vaccine. Spread via
infected urine and feces;
canine hepatitis can lead to
severe liver damage, and
death.
Adenovirus, type 2 (CAV-2,
kennel cough)
At least 3 doses, between 6
and 16 weeks of age
2 doses, 3-4 weeks apart Puppies need a booster 1
year after completing the
initial series, then all dogs
need a booster every 3 years
or more often.
Core dog vaccine. Spread via
coughs and sneezes.
Parainfluenza Administered at 6-8 weeks
of age, then every 3-4 weeks
until 12-14 weeks old
1 dose A booster may be necessary
after 1 year, depending on
manufacturer
recommendations;
revaccination every 3 years
is considered protective.
Non-core dog
vaccine. Parainfluenza
infection (not the same as
canine influenza) results in
cough, fever. It may be
associated with Bordetella
infection
Bordetella bronchiseptica
(kennel cough)
Depends on the vaccine
type; 2 doses are usually
needed for protection
1 dose of the intranasal or
oral product, or 2 doses of
the injected product
Annual or 6-month boosters
may be recommended for
dogs in high-risk
environments.
Non-core dog vaccine. Not
usually a serious condition,
although it can be dangerous
in young puppies. It is
usually seen after activities
like boarding or showing.
Lyme disease 1 dose, administered as
early as 9 weeks, with a
second dose 2-4 weeks later
2 doses, 2-4 weeks apart May be needed annually,
prior to the start of tick
season
Non-core dog
vaccine. Generally
recommended only for dogs
with a high risk for exposure
to Lyme disease-carrying
ticks.
Leptospirosis First dose as early as 8
weeks, with a second dose
2-4 weeks later
2 doses, 2-4 weeks apart At least once yearly for dogs
in high-risk areas
Non-core dog
vaccine. Vaccination is
generally restricted to
established risk areas.
Exposure to rodents and
standing water can lead to a
leptospirosis infection.
Canine influenza First dose as early as 6-8
weeks; second dose 2-4
weeks later
2 doses, 2-4 weeks apart Yearly Non-core dog vaccine.
Similar to bordetella.
17. Puppy’s Age Recommended Vaccinations Optional Vaccinations
6 to 8 weeks Distemper, measles, parainfluenza Bordatella
10 to 12 weeks DHPP (vaccines for distemper, adenovirus [hepatitis],
parainfluenza, and parvovirus)
Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Bordatella, Lyme disease
12 to 24 weeks Rabies None
14 to 16 weeks DHPP Coronavirus, Lyme disease, Leptospirosis
12 to 16 months Rabies, DHPP Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Boradetella, Lyme disease
Every 1 to 2 years DHPP Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease
Every 1 to 3 years Rabies (as required by law) None
Puppy Vaccination Schedule
