Why should I get my dog vaccinated?

The saying ‘prevention is better than cure’ is as true for our pets as it is for us. Vaccinating your dog against preventable diseases is the logical choice when it comes to their health. If you have any questions about vaccinating your dog, contact your local Greencross Vets team today.

Common preventable diseases

Parvovirus (parvo)

Parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that is commonly seen in unvaccinated puppies or puppies that have been exposed to the virus before they have completed their puppy course of vaccines. Whilst almost always seen in puppies, any unvaccinated dog can be exposed.

Parvovirus can survive for long periods in the environment after being passed in the faeces of infected dogs. The virus can withstand cleaning and weather changes, meaning the spread of the virus is hard to control. It can be easily transferred on the paws and shoes of dogs and humans or other items contaminated with the virus, like bedding.

The more common form is the intestinal form, where symptoms include severe vomiting, marked amount of  blood in the stools, coupled with loss of weight and appetite. The heart or cardiac form is less common and attacks the heart muscles of very young puppies.

Parvovirus symptoms progress very rapidly and the disease can be fatal without immediate veterinary treatment. Treatments, if instigated early, may carry a good prognosis. Vaccinating your pet against parvovirus is your best bet to protect them from the disease.

Canine distemper (hard pad disease)

Canine distemper, or ‘hard pad disease’, is a another highly contagious viral disease that is spread through the air and by contact with infected animals. It can be contracted by dogs of all ages and affects the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and central nervous systems.  It has no known cure.

In the initial stages of canine distemper, the most common symptoms are high fever, reddened eyes, watery discharge from the nose and eyes, poor appetite, and lethargy. As the disease progresses, the virus starts attacking the nervous system and the dog may start having seizures and develop paralysis and attacks of hysteria.

Treatments are only symptomatic with no antiviral cure available. Affected dogs who are able to recover from the disease become carriers, shedding the virus in urine and other bodily secretions.

Canine Adenovirus (infectious canine hepatitis)

Canine adenovirus is a viral disease that targets a number of organs, notably the liver, kidneys, and eyes. This virus is spread in the faeces, urine, blood, and saliva of infected dogs. Symptoms can vary and include fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and enlarged tonsils. The disease can progress rapidly and can result in sudden death.

High vaccination rates have lowered instances of adenovirus. Treatment for canine adenovirus is  prolonged, and some dogs will develop chronic hepatitis or painful conditions of the eyes. Continued vaccinations are the best way to protect your dog from contracting adenovirus.

Infectious Canine Tracheobronchitis (canine cough)

‘Canine cough’ is a highly contagious respiratory disease in dogs. The two main culprits are a bacteria and a virus. As the name suggests, it presents itself as a dry and persistent cough. Young puppies are most at risk to suffer more severe complications such as pneumonia, fever, and lethargy. Rarely, some cases can be fatal.

It is spread easily through inhalation of the infectious particles during contact with infected animals and is commonly contracted in areas where large numbers of dogs congregate, like dog parks, kennels, and dog shows. This disease is distressing to infected animals and can take as long as six weeks to combat.  Vaccination greatly reduces the incidence and severity of the disease.

When should I get my dog vaccinated?

Puppies – core vaccination schedule:

A tailored vaccine program can be developed with your Greencross Vets team.