· DA2PP (Distemper, Adenovirus type 2, Parainfluenza, Parvo)
- Distemper is a highly contagious, airborne viral disease that affects the respiratory and nervous system. It often proves fatal. Dogs that survive often have seizures as an adult.
- Adenovirus exists in two forms, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 causes infectious hepatitis and may lead to severe kidney damage. Type 2 causes respiratory symptoms. Vaccination with type 2 provides protection against both types.
- Parainfluenza is a viral respiratory disease that can cause severe infection in puppies.
- Parvovirus is a contagious viral disease that causes severe diarrhea and vomiting. Without expensive treatment many puppies will die from dehydration or secondary bacterial infection. Parvovirus, on rare occasions, can cause heart disease.
· Rabies
- Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the brain and is with rare exception always fatal. The virus is transmittable to people through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. The main carriers of rabies are raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats. Strict laws have been passed requiring the rabies vaccine in all dogs and cats.
· Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
- Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterial organism frequently implicated as a cause of tracheobronchitis (kennel cough complex). Other organisms, such as adenovirus, staph, and strep have been implicated as well.
· Corona Virus
- Coronavirus is a contagious virus that can cause mild diarrhea and vomiting. Symptoms are less severe than parvo and rarely, if ever, fatal. Coronavirus can, however, significantly exacerbate the symptoms of parvo when occurring simultaneously with parvo.
· Lyme Disease
- Borrelia bergdorfori, the bacterial organism that causes Lyme Disease, is spread by the bite of an infected Deer Tick. The Deer Tick remains the main carrier although Borrelia has crossed over into other tick populations. Canine symptoms include fever, lethargy, muscle stiffness, and lameness as a result of muscle and joint pain. Lyme Disease is not prevalent in northeast Kansas. Hunting dogs and dogs that travel to endemic states should be vaccinated.
· Leptospirosis
- Leptospirosis (Lepto) is a bacterial disease usually carried by wild animals. It can cause debilitating kidney disease. Fortunately, disease incidence is very low. The Lepto vaccine component has been associated with vaccine reactions. These reactions are usually not fatal but we prefer to avoid its use unless necessary.
· Canine Giardia
- Giardia is a protozoan parasite that can cause diarrhea. Giardia cysts are excreted in feces. Giardia is contracted by ingesting the organism, usually by drinking contaminated water.