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 All dogs should be vaccinated against the serious but preventable viral diseases in Victoria. These include canine parvovirus, infectious canine hepatitis, canine distemper and canine parainfluenza.
Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious and devastating virus. It is most dangerous to pups under 6 months of age. It attacks the gastrointestinal system and causes bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, depression and often death
Canine parvovirus is a very strong and hardy virus and can survive for up to 12 months in the environment. The virus is spread by direct contact (dog-dog) or when dogs come into contact with contaminated faeces or soil. It is therefore important to keep pups away from unknown dogs, dog kennels, nature strips, parks and dog clubs until they have completed their juvenile vaccination program.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis is a highly contagious disease of the liver caused by a virus called adenovirus. It is often fatal in puppies and very severe in young dogs. It causes fever, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, abdominal pain due to inflammation of the liver and depression.
Canine adenovirus is spread via direct contact (dog-dog) or when dogs come into contact with contaminated urine.
Canine Distemper is a serious and incurable viral disease that can affect puppies and (nonvaccinated) adult dogs. It affects may body systems including the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal system and the nervous system. It causes a wide variety of symptoms such as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing, ocular and nasal discharges, pneumonia, muscle spasms, seizures, paralysis and death.
Canine distemper is spread via direct contact (dog-dog) or though body secretions especially respiratory secretions (airborne droplets).
Canine Parainfluenza Virus is a virus that causes a similar syndrome to the human cold. It is not a dangerous or serious virus on its own however it weakens the respiratory system and makes it prone to secondary infections (usually with the bacteria Bordetella Bronchiseptica). This results in canine cough (formerly known as kennel cough). Canine cough is a harsh hacking cough, often with a gag at the end. Dogs will often cough more when excited, exercising or pulling on the lead. Severely affected dogs may also have a fever and be lethargic. The cough can last for weeks-months.
Canine cough is highly contagious. It is spread by droplets and nose-nose contact. It can also be spread via shared water bowls. Therefore, dogs usually come into contact with the disease where they socialise ie. at the park, the dog club, the kennel, the groomer or even through the fence!
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At the Rowville Veterinary Clinic we recommend the following puppy vaccination protocol:
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Age
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Vaccination Type
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Covers for:
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6-8 weeks
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C3
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Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus
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12-14 weeks
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C5
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Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Canine Cough
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16-18 weeks
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C5
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Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Canine Cough
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After that we recommend annual vaccination against canine cough and triennial vaccination against distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus.
It is because of routine vaccination against the above-mentioned diseases that we don't see the diseases much anymore! Thank goodness for vaccination!!
It is not uncommon for dogs to have some pain at the site of injection immediately after vaccination. This reduces in time. Rarely, dogs will react to vaccines; they may appear lethargic, inappetent or even get swelling of the face especially the eyes and muzzle. If you think your dog has a vaccine reaction, please contact the clinic.
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