What Do Vaccines for Dogs Prevent?

Keeping your dog healthy is an important responsibility. The American Pet Association stresses the importance of updating your dog’s vaccinations. This simple appointment can prevent many canine conditions. Here are some diseases that dog vaccines can keep at bay.

Canine Parvovirus

Also known as parvo, canine parvovirus is highly contagious. Any dog can catch it, but dogs and puppies that are not vaccinated against it have a greater risk of getting it. Parvo targets the dog’s gastrointestinal system. It can spread from contact with contaminated clothing, stool, or the environment. An infected dog can transmit it to another canine too. Updating your pet’s vaccination and maintaining a sanitized living environment can keep this disease at bay.

Rabies

Rabies is a disease from a virus that targets the nervous system. Your dog can get it from a bite of a rabid animal. You can also get it from a similar bite. In rare cases, rabies can infect a dog if the saliva of a rabid animal touches an open wound or a mucous membrane (mouth, eyes, or nose). Rabies is almost fatal once the signs start to appear.

Mammals get rabies. Your dog is a mammal, so a vaccine against it can protect your pet. If you live in an area where wild animals may come in contact with your pets, you must update your dog’s rabies vaccine. If your region has bats, you must vaccinate your dogs and cats against rabies.

Canine Distemper

This is a serious and contagious ailment in dogs. The virus that causes canine distemper attacks a dog’s or puppy’s nervous, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems. This virus can spread among wildlife. Studies show that canine distemper can spread among leopards, wolves, and seals.

Airborne exposure is the most common way dogs and puppies get this disease. Coughing and sneezing can transmit the virus to other dogs or puppies. Shared bedding, water, and food can spread this disease as well. It can take months for infected dogs to shed the distemper virus. Pregnant dogs can spread distemper to their developing puppies through the placenta.

Leptospirosis

The Leptospira bacteria cause leptospirosis. These microorganisms can live in water and soil. Many strains could cause this disease. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease. Infected animals infect people. If your area has rodents, you must update your dog’s leptospirosis vaccination.

Canine Influenza

Dog flu or canine influenza is a contagious viral infection. It can spread to cats. An infected dog can infect another dog. The aerosols that contain a dog’s infected respiratory secretions can float in the air and reach other dogs.

These aerosols can also settle on surfaces. The virus can survive on surfaces and objects for up to two days. That is why it is vital to disinfect objects and surfaces that a suspected infected dog may have come in contact with. Updating your dog’s canine influenza vaccine can protect your dog from this disease.

Keeping your dog safe and healthy involves updating your furry companion’s shots. At Springwood Veterinary Hospital, we encourage our pet parents to be diligent about their dogs’ health and well-being. Visit our facility in Spring, Texas, for a one-on-one consultation. Call us at 281-370-3262 to schedule an appointment or inquire about our dog vaccination packages.