Pet Vaccination: Three Critical Core Vaccines for Your Dog
Pet vaccination is an important process to consider after adopting a dog. The vaccines are designed to protect the dogs from diverse life-threatening diseases. Moreover, this will protect you from illnesses that can be communicated between canines and humans. The vaccination process is normally safe and will ensure that your dog achieves a long and comfortable life. Basically, the veterinarian will introduce a small harmless quantity of the disease into the dog, and this will trigger the natural immune system to produce disease-fighting cells. This means that the pet will be able to fight the disease if actual infection occurs. Here are the critical vaccines that you should ensure are administered to your adopted dog.
Canine Distemper Virus
The canine distemper virus is a serious condition that affects a wide range of domestic and wild animals, including dogs. This disease impacts most of the body systems in the dog such as respiratory tracts, the gastrointestinal system, spinal cord, and even the brain. The virus belongs in the same class as mumps and measles, so the condition is highly communicable through inhalation of contaminated air. If your dog contracts distemper, you will notice symptoms such as fever, nose and eye discharge and eye inflammation. Laboured breathing, diarrhoea, appetite loss, and vomiting are also common symptoms affecting the infected dogs. Canine distemper is often fatal, so vaccination could save your dog's life.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis
Infectious hepatitis is an important liver disease in dogs that you should consider during the vaccination process for your pet. The condition is acute and has a short incubation duration, which means that it occurs unexpectedly. You should note that the virus can be spread through any discharge from infected dogs, including urine, saliva, blood, and faeces. The disease-causing microorganisms will enter through the nose or mouth after coming in contact with the aforementioned discharges. The virus will infect the liver and kidneys after multiplying in the tonsils. Common symptoms include coughing, abdominal tenderness, and fever. The canine will often recover from the disease but the liver infection can have lasting consequences.
Canine Parvovirus
Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious and often life-threatening viral illness in dogs. A vaccine is critical in ensuring survival. Generally, the viral organisms are contracted through infected faeces. However, you should note that the virus is resilient and can survive on any surface without life-sustaining components, so unvaccinated dogs are highly at-risk. The virus will often infect gastrointestinal tracts or cardiac muscles, and the symptoms often include bloody diarrhoea, vomiting and lethargy.
For more information on dog vaccinations, talk to a vet.