Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease that can affect all warm-blooded mammals, including humans.
This virus infects the nervous system producing incoordination and behavioral abnormalities such as unusual aggression or withdrawal. This disease is always fatal, either by the disease process or euthanasia for diagnostic purposes. Rabies is transmitted by bite wounds, most often from wildlife. New Mexico law requires dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies. The first rabies vaccination that an animal receives is effective for 1 year, all consecutive vaccinations are effective for 3 years.
Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is a highly contagious and often fatal disease. The natural route of infection is by airborne or sharing of oral or nasal fluids. Unvaccinated adult dogs and puppies are at high risk for this disease. Signs associated with this disease consist of nasal and ocular discharge, fever, diarrhea, no appetite, respiratory signs, muscle spasms and paralysis. Vaccinations for this disease should start in puppies as early as 6 weeks, with boosters every 3 weeks until the pup is 16 weeks old, then given annually to adults for the rest of their life.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis
Infectious Canine Hepatitis (ICH) is caused by canine adenovirus type 1. It is a worldwide disease of dogs. During the initial stage of the disease, fecal material and saliva are infectious, but dogs that recover from the disease can shed the virus in their urine for 6-9 months. CAV-1 can infect a wide range of tissues, including lungs, spleen, kidneys and liver (hence the name hepatitis). Infected dogs will typically show signs of fever, depression, abnormal blood values, and opacity of the eye (blue eye) occurs in some cases. Death, chronic hepatitis or severe illness may occur, and recovery may be gradual in nonfatal cases.
|
Canine Parvo and Corona Virus
These are with out a doubt the most common viruses seen in our practice today. Both of these viruses cause vomiting, and bloody diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression and dehydration. Canine parvovirus enteritis is generally more severe than corona virus.
Young puppies are most susceptible to these viruses, but we have seen it in older unvaccinated adult dogs on occasion. Vaccinating puppies against these diseases is imperative. Viral enteritis is easily spread because of the large amount of virus that is shed in the feces, which contaminates the environment and is readily spread from one animal to another. Severe cases of viral enteritis can be fatal due to the dogs inability to control vomiting which quickly leads to dehydration and death.
Canine Respiratory Disease
Infectious respiratory disease is a troublesome problem in dogs because it is easily transmitted through the air or by direct contact, especially in kennels or among dogs living together. The most common causes of respiratory diseases in dogs include Canine adenovirus type 2, canine parainfluenza virus and Bordatella bronchiseptica bacteria. The usual signs of any upper respiratory disease are severe cough, fever, and depression. Untreated these diseases can progress into a life threatening pneumonia.
If you have any questions regarding vaccanations for your pet, please call our office 505-869-2627 and we will be glad to assist you.
|
