Diseases We Vaccinate For
Rabies
Rabies in the US is typically a wildlife disease that can affect domestic animals and man. It is a regulated disease. Veterinarians must follow specific regulations set by municipal and state programs.
Rabies is primary transmitted by bite wounds. An animal can incubate carry the disease without showing signs for a variable time period, one week to six months. There are traditionally two forms of rabies: the furious form, and the dumb form. Signs of the furious form include personality changes, restlessness, arousal, attacking behaviors, and altered voice. This form then progresses to paralysis, convulsive seizures, and finally death. The dumb form is less noticeable then the furious form, and is mainly characterized by paralysis and salivation, followed by death. Cats generally present with the furious form. Dogs can have the dumb or furious form.
Rabies is found world wide except for certain countries (England, Scandinavian countries, New Zealand, Australia,) and Hawaii. Rabies affects all warm-blooded animals. Skunks, raccoons, bats, foxes and coyotes are commonly affected.
Transmission is primarily through bites, or infected saliva or hair in cut skin. Other sources include bat contact with sleeping humans, organ transplants, inhalation of bat manure, or virus aerosols in laboratories.
Prevention of rabies is through vaccination. Dogs and cats should be vaccinated. Do not keep wild animals as pets. Eliminate stray dogs and cats.
Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is a viral disease related to measles. Initial signs include fever, anorexia, depression, and nasal discharge. This can progress to conjunctivitis, coughing, severe depression, vomiting and diarrhea. Later neurological signs can develop such as seizures, difficulty walking, and paralysis.
The virus is shed in all body secretions, but is primarily spread through the upper respiratory tract. Many animals that contract the disease will have a sufficient antibody response to eliminate the virus. However, 50% will not produce a sufficient immune response. The virus then can persist in the brain, or skin tissue for extended periods of time. Animals with a poor immune response can have widespread organ involvement of the disease and die.
Vaccination has markedly reduced the amount of disease seen in dogs today. 25-75% of dogs however may have contact with the virus even if vaccinated. This is primarily a disease of young unvaccinated dogs. Lions can get this disease too, as well as skunks, raccoons, bears, minks, ferrets, and javelinas. Canine distemper prevention is by vaccination. A puppy should receive at least two vaccines, followed by annual boosters.
Canine infectious tracheobronchitis
Canine infectious tracheobronchitis is also known as kennel cough. This is a mild and prevalent disease of dogs of all ages caused by multiple agents. Kennel cough can be caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica (a bacteria), canine parainfluenza virus.
Kennel cough appears as a dry, harsh, hacking cough. The cough may sound as if the dog is choking. The animal may have recently been boarded or groomed. Coughing can be followed by gagging and retching. The dog may "vomit" phlegm.
The disease is usually self-limiting. It can last for several weeks. The disease can progress in severe cases to pneumonia.
This disease is very contagious. Transmission is by aerosol. The dog can remain infected with the organisms after the signs disappear. Immunity is short lived, so even dogs that are vaccinated are often susceptible.
Vaccines can be given in the nose (intranasal) or under the skin. It is recommended that dogs be revaccinated prior to boarding or exposure. Sick dogs should be kept separate from healthy animals. Kennels should be kept dry, clean, and with good ventilation.
Canine parvovirus
Parvovirus is an intestinal disease, commonly seen in situations of stress, overcrowding, or the very young. Clinical signs include vomiting, weakness, depression, bloody diarrhea, and fever. Puppies can deteriorate rapidly, and the disease is often fatal.
Transmission of parvovirus is by the fecal-oral route. Dogs are the primary reservoirs of the disease. The disease is shed in the feces. Dogs can shed the virus for 3 weeks. The virus can persist in the environment for long period of time, but is inactivated by bleach.
The virus affects rapidly dividing cells, such as intestinal cells and white blood cells. The intestinal cells are destroyed and food is not able to be absorbed. Immunosuppression due to destruction of white blood cells commonly occurs.
Vaccination of puppies and adult dogs is recommended. Animals are treated symptomatically for the disease, and many require intensive hospitalization. Sick animals should be isolate from others, and the environment needs to be thoroughly cleaned.
Canine corona virus
Corona virus is a disease that produces anorexia, depression, vomiting and diarrhea. It is very contagious. In contrast to parvo, fever and bloody diarrhea are rare. Diarrhea may last for 3-4 weeks.
Corona virus is shed in the feces. More severe clinical disease is seen in young animals, and in kennels. Transmission is through the fecal oral route.
Leptospirosis
Leptospria is a type of bacteria. Leptospirosis can occur in all mammals, including wildlife. Leptospirosis can be transmitted to people. Clinical signs include fever, jaundice, bloody urine, abortions, and death. Lepto infections are more common in subtropical animals with slow moving warm water.
There are many strains of these bacteria. Different strains can form different types of disease. Although we vaccinate for this disease, we cannot vaccinate for all the different strains. Thus, an animal can be "vaccinated" for lepto and still contract the disease. Protection from lepto by a vaccine is short lived, so animals should be vaccinated yearly. Young animals and small animals can have reactions to this vaccine.
Transmission is commonly by urine contaminating surface water or by direct contact. Infection can occur through conjunctival contact, oral, or abraded skin.
Kimberly B. Grewal, D.V.M.
Animal HealthCare Center