Vaccines

Vaccinations for Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Adenovirus-2, Canine Parvovirus, and Canine Parainfluenza Virus are often given as a combination vaccine, known as “DHPP” or “DA2PP”.  This vaccines is considered a “core vaccine”, as it  combines the most important diseases to vaccinate your young puppy or adult dog against. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends an initial vaccine series every 3-4 weeks between the ages of 6 and 16 weeks, with the final dose of the initial series between 14 and 16 weeks.  Puppies completing this initial vaccination series by 16 weeks of age or younger should receive a single booster vaccination no later than 1 year after completion of the initial series and revaccinated every 3 years thereafter.

The following is a brief explanation of the viruses that this vaccine aims to prevent:

Canine Distemper Virus:

Canine Distemper Virus is a contagious, often fatal disease that affects three main body systems:  the respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, and the nervous system.  Clinical signs include sneezing, coughing, fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and neurologic symptoms, which are often severe in nature.  Transmission is through direct contact with infected dogs or from airborne secretions.  Puppies are at the highest risk of contracting this virus. Symptoms often start with coughing and a thick discharge from the nose and eyes. Completing a complete puppy vaccination series and reducing exposure to unvaccinated dogs is the best way to prevent this disease.

Canine Adenovirus-2:

This virus has been implicated as a cause of canine infectious tracheobronchitis (also called “kennel cough”).  Vaccination against Canine Adenovirus-2 also helps provide protection against Canine Adenovirus-1, which causes a disease of the liver called Infectious Canine Hepatitis. Symptoms of Canine Adenovirus-2 include coughing, a runny nose, and fever, and can progress to more serious disease such as pneumonia. Young unvaccinated dogs and puppies are most susceptible, so the best way to protect your dog is through providing a complete puppy series and boosters to adult dogs, as recommended by your veterinarian.

Canine Parvovirus:

Canine Parvovirus is a highly contagious, aggressive, and often fatal disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract and other rapidly growing cells of puppies and older, unvaccinated dogs.  The first symptoms of this disease are lethargy, decreased appetite, bloody diarrhea, and severe vomiting.  This virus is transmitted by direct contact with infected animals, feces, and fomites (objects that may contain the virus), and can survive for long periods of time in the environment. Treatment for this disease can be quite costly, often including extended hospitalization, IV fluids, antibiotics, gastroprotectant medication, and anti-nausea medication. The absolute best way to prevent this disease is through appropriate vaccination as a puppy, and by reducing exposure to other unvaccinated dogs (dog parks, doggie daycare, puppy training classes, etc) until your puppy has completed their puppy vaccine series.

Canine Parainfluenza Virus:

Canine Parainfluenze Virus is another common and contagious cause of canine infectious tracheobronchitis (also called “kennel cough”).  Transmission of this virus is through airborne secretions.  Dogs of all age are highly susceptible, not just puppies. This virus is commonly seen in environments where a number of dogs are housed closely together such as dog parks, groomers, kennels, or animal shelters. Symptoms of this virus include coughing, fever, nasal discharge, decreased appetite, and lethargy. It is important to help prevent this disease by completing a complete puppy vaccination series and booster vaccines to adult dogs as recommended by your veterinarian.

Leptospirosis, or “Lepto” for short, is a bacterial organism that dogs and other mammals (including humans) can get from contact with infected water or urine. This bacteria can infect many different organ systems, including most commonly the kidneys and liver. This disease is one of the most common causes of acute kidney failure in young dogs. Acute kidney failure requires very intensive and expensive care to attempt to treat, and can often be fatal in severe infections, particularly in younger dogs.

This bacteria is prevalent in the environment, and appears to thrive best in wet conditions (such as after heavy rains) or near bodies of water.  It is spread by rodents and other wildlife species, which are called “reservoir animals”. These reservoir animals spread the bacteria, but often do not become ill themselves.  Instead, the bacteria takes up residence in their kidneys, and when they urinate, they contaminate the environment with the bacteria.

Pets can become infected with Lepto through wading, swimming, or drinking contaminated water.  Both dogs and humans can also become infected by direct contact with urine of an infected animal.  Because of the way it is transmitted, pets who spend a large portion of their time outside, especially near water that is frequented by wildlife/rodents, are at the highest risk of becoming infected. AAHA vaccination guidelines recommend vaccinating for Lepto not earlier than 12 weeks of age, with a second dose 2-4 weeks later.  Annual vaccination is recommended based on risk of exposure.

Bordetella is short for Bordetella bronchiseptica, a bacterial pathogen often implicated in canine infectious tracheobronchitis (i.e. kennel cough).  Kennel cough most commonly causes a dry, hacking cough, and many owners report that it sounds like a “goose honk” or that something is stuck in their dog’s throat.  This disease is most common in kennel situations, or where many dogs are in close proximity to eachother such as when boarding, at the groomers, or at dog parks. Vaccination recommendation is based on a dogs exposure to these situations, and can be performed at 8 weeks or older, and then annually thereafter.

This vaccine is often required by boarding and grooming facilities in order to help reduce the risk of infection. Proof of vaccination can easily be provided 24/7 through online access our pet portal. Mobile Pet Vax strongly recommends that any dog exposed to these types of environments receive a vaccine between 8 and 16 weeks of age, and at least annually thereafter. At Mobile Pet Vax, we use a newly designed oral vaccine that provides an optimal immune response and is better tolerated than previous injectable and intranasal Bordetella vaccines.

Rabies is the most notorious viral disease of pets, and it can infect the central nervous system of all mammals, including humans.  It is almost universally fatal if not treated before symptoms begin. Due to the high risk of humans getting rabies, Texas state law requires that all dogs and cats be vaccinated for rabies. According to the law, all dogs must receive a rabies vaccine between 12 and 16 weeks of age. All dogs must receive a booster at 1 year of age, and then depending on their vaccination history and the vaccine used, may receive either a 3-year or 1-year booster vaccine for life.   Some jurisdictions only allow a 1 year vaccine to be administered, and require annual boosters.  It is very important to always have access to your pet’s rabies vaccination history.