Puppies have natural protection against
disease until they are
weaned from their mother's milk, at which point they need
vaccinations. In the first 24 hours after birth, it is critical that a
puppy nurse its mother in order to get the necessary colostrums or
first milk. Colostrums contain the special proteins and antibodies to
protect the young dog against infectious diseases to which the mother
is immune. Feeding on this first milk will ensure the pups protection
for as long as 14 to 16 weeks. Of course, if the mother is
unhealthy, her colostrums will be effective for a much shorter period
of time, or not at all.
If you would like to reduce all risks of infection, begin
shots for your puppy at 6 weeks old, and repeat them every 3-4 weeks
until it is 16 weeks old. Until the full series of vaccinations is
complete, be sure to keep your puppy isolated to reduce exposure to
infection. From thereon, your pet will need revaccinations annually.
Remember, these vaccinations are very important to the health
and happiness of your dog in later life.
What are the vaccinations needed?
DISTEMPER
Dogs with this disease will have the following symptoms :
fever, conjunctivitis, rhinitis (nasal discharge), and may develop
pneumonia, diarrhea & vomiting and seizures (change in
behaviour (eg. pacing, circling), apparent loss of balance (ataxia),
muscle twitches.
This is a great killer of many dogs, if not vaccinated
against. There is NO ANTIVIRAL TREATMENT for Distemper virus; therefore
treatment is symptomatic. Prognosis is poor and euthanasia is often
recommended for patients with progressive neurological signs.
HEPATITIS
The canine version of this disease (known as canine adenovirus
type I) usually causes only mild liver or blood-vessel disease in
dogs. One of the side effects is an opaque, blue eye, which
involves a hardening of the cornea that may result in temporary or
permanent blindness. In some rare cases, the disease is severe and may
be fatal. The vaccine is an effective preventive measure.
RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES
Adenovirus type II infection produces a cough and bronchitis.
It is also one of the causes of the contagious syndrome known as kennel
or infectious bronchitis. The vaccine for type I protects against type
II as well.
Para influenza virus and another bacterial infections caused
by Bordetella bronchiseptica also contribute to kennel cough. The
Bordetella bacteria normally live in the air passages of the lungs.
Stress can recipitate the disease
CANINE LEPTOSPIROSIS
This disease is caused by a spirochete, a bacterial organism
that affects the liver and kidneys. It is spread by the urine of
infected dogs or rats. Symptoms are depression, lack of appetite, high
fever, and abdominal or back pain, due to inflammation of the liver and
kidneys. The vaccine is effective for 6 to 12 months.
CANINE
PARVOVIRUS
This is an acute, highly contagious enteritis of dogs. Dogs of
any age are affected, but there is a higher incidence of clinical
disease in puppies between weaning and 6 months of age. Certain breeds
appear to be at higher risk and susceptible to a more severe form of
the disease. These include Rottweilers, Dobermann Pinschers, and
possible Pit Bull Terriers and black Labrador Retrievers.
Infection occurs by the faeco-oral route (ingestion of
infected faeces).During acute illness, and for about 1-2 weeks
thereafter, massive amounts of parvovirus (over one billion virions per
gram of faeces) are shed in faeces of infected dogs. Because the virus
can survive and remain infectious for several months in the
environment, environment contamination plays a major role in
transmission.
Symptoms of the infection are severe diarrhea(can be profuse
and haemorrhagic), vomiting, fever, depression and rapidly progressive
dehydration. Hypothermia, icterus (jaundice)may develop terminally.
Death is usually attributable to dehydration, electrolyte
imbalances, endotoxic shock or overwhelming bacterial sepsis. If the
disease is detected in your pet, be sure to disinfect bedding areas and
food dishes with a solution of one part chlorine bleach and 30 parts
water.
CORONAVIRUS
Coronavirus invades and destroys cells in the intestine
causing a syndrome known as CANINE CORONAVIRAL ENTERITIS.
It is an acute and contagious disease that affects dogs of all
ages. Dogs present with an acute onset anorexia and depression followed
by vomiting and diarrhoea.
The diarrhoea varies from soft to watery and sometimes
contains mucus and fresh blood. Dehydration, weight loss and death is
reported.
RABIES
Rabies is a virus that is excreted in an animal’s
saliva. The virus causes an encephalitis (an inflammation of the
membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) which is invariably
fatal in all species.
How is rabies spread?
Rabies enters the bodies of both humans and animals mainly via
a bite wound or possibly by contamination of an existing open cut or
through contact with the moist tissues of the mouth, nose or eyes. All
mammals can be infected by the virus, however wild animals are the main
carriers of the disease with dogs and cats acting as the most common
vector between the wild reservoir and humans. People may get the
disease by being bitten, licked or scratched (saliva is often found on
claws).
Recognizing the signs
In humans pain appears at the site of the bite, followed by
burning, tickling or numb sensations. The skin becomes sensitive to
temperature changes.
Drinking causes spasms of the larynx, hence the victim avoids
drinking and the term hydrophobia (fear of water) is another term for
the disease. The patient becomes restless and shows extreme
excitability; muscle spasms; laryngeal spasms; convulsions and
paralysis. Extreme salivation (foaming at the mouth) is also common.
This is followed by inability to walk, eat or drink properly
followed by death after 7 days. In the furious form of the disease
animals become more excitable and aggressive. Animals may react
excessively to even a mild stimulus such as a puff in the wind. In the
furious form animals may attack humans and other animals.
Treatment and survival rate
Approximately 24 hours after the virus enters the body, it
enters the nervous system via peripheral nerves. Once this stage has
been reached it is incurable, and death eventually results. Therefore
if left untreated rabies is 100 per cent fatal. However, if rabies
vaccines is given within the 24 hour initial exposure period, the
disease can be prevented. As soon as possible after an animal bite,
scrub the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes. Report all bites to
the proper authority in your area immediately.
Prevention is better than cure
If you work in an environment where you are at risk of
contacting rabies you should have a course of rabies vaccination. The
old preventive treatment requires a long series of injections, to be
given into the abdomen, and are extremely painful. The only side
effects being a sore arm and fatigue following the vaccine. Regular
booster vaccination is required to maintain immunity.
Stray animals should only be collected by people with
knowledge and experience of correct animal handling techniques.
Steps to be taken when your dog bites someone.
- Do not put your dog to sleep
- You will be required to remove your dog for quarantine for at
least a period of 10 days for observation at the State Veterinary
Department. This is to ensure that the dog is rabies free. This
procedure will only be carried if a police report is made by the other
party.
What you should do when you get bitten by
a dog.
Make a police report and seek medical assistance.
VACCINATIONS FOR CAT
FELINE DISTEMPER
Feline distemper or Cat flu is caused by a number of viruses
affecting the upper respiratory tract, with symptoms of sneezing,
running eyes and nose, and excessive salivation. Prompt veterinary
treatment can usually cure feline influenza but cats frequently become
carriers. This is one reason why vaccination is essential to protect
your own and other cats.
An annual booster will ensure your cat stays `flu-free
– as well as immunizing against FeLV(Feline Leukemia Virus).
WHAT IS FELINE LEUKEMIA?
This is a serious disease in cats caused by a virus infection.
It is also a complex disease, of which leukemia(cancer of the white
blood cells) and cancerous tumors are only a small part. Various others
related but non-tumorous diseases are also involved.
This disease is spread by direct contact with infected cats.
It is usually transmitted in the saliva, but now low levels of the
virus can also be found in urine and feces. Licking, biting and
sneezing are common means of transmission. Food and water dishes and
litter boxes are likely sources of infections, if healthy cats share
them with infected cats.
Once a cat has been infected with leukemia virus, there are 3
possible outcomes:
- About 40% develop
immunity and become resistant to future infections.
- About
30% become `latent carriers’ of the disease, neither fully
recovered nor seriously affected. They may be susceptible to disease at
some future time, and if reactivated, they can pass on the virus to
their offspring.
- The remaining 30% of exposed
cats are persistently infected and, of these, about 83% die within 3
years of the time of infection from leukemia and/or the associated
diseases. Death can be sudden or lingering and painful.
