Canine Distemper (Required for Dogs)

This is one of the most widespread canine diseases (rodents may also become infected). Canine distemper is a viral infection that is spread through the air and contaminated objects. It is more common in puppies and those with a weakened immune system. Signs of the disease include respiratory problems, runny nose and eyes, diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures. Recovered animals may experience muscle pain, and periodic convulsions. Distemper can be fatal. The best means of preventing the disease is through a series of puppy vaccinations beginning at 6-9 weeks of age, followed by a yearly booster.

Canine Hepatitis (Required for Dogs)

This disease is an infectious viral disease. Hepatitis infects the liver, kidneys, lymph nodes, eyes, and other organs. Most dogs are exposed to hepatitis during their lifetime, and cases range from mild to fatal. Signs of the virus generally first appear a week after the virus is contracted and include fever, loss of appetite, increased thirst, tonsillitis, and reddening of the mouth, throat and eyes. Like other canine diseases, the most effective method of preventing hepatitis is through a series of puppy vaccinations followed by a yearly booster.

Canine Parvovirus (Required for Dogs)

This is another viral disease that can be contracted through infected feces and urine. The virus is able to live a long time outside of the host, thus making it very contagious. Puppies are most susceptible. Parvovirus causes severe bloody vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration, shock, and even death. The most effective way of preventing the disease is through a series of puppy vaccinations followed by a yearly booster.

Canine Parainfluenza (Required for Dogs)

This is a canine disease that causes kennel cough. It is generally a mild respiratory infection in healthy dogs, but can be very severe in puppies and elderly dogs. Again, a series of puppy vaccinations followed by yearly boosters are the best means of prevention against Parainfluenza.

Canine Bordetella (Required for Dogs)

This disease is one of the main contributors to kennel cough. It can either be a sole bacterial infection or be in combination with distemper, adenovirus type-2 infection, parainfluenza, and other respiratory problems. Signs of the illness include a harsh, dry cough that is often followed by gagging and coughing up a foamy mucous. It is spread through inhalation or contact with contaminated surfaces. Since Bordetella is highly contagious, yearly and up-to-date vaccinations are required at many boarding, training, and grooming facilities. A yearly vaccine is the most effective means of prevention.

Rabies (Required for Dogs)

This disease is caused by a virus that infects all warm-blooded animals. It is usually spread though animal bites when the saliva contains the virus. Rabies is very hard to detect when an animal is alive since only certain tissues respond to testing. Signs of the disease are change of behavior/temperament, restlessness, irregular eating, difficulty swallowing, increased drooling, fever, vicious behavior, paralysis, and convulsions. Death is the ultimate outcome. There is no treatment for animals with rabies, and once determined to be infected, they are euthanized. However, if they bite a human while infected, the animal is placed into quarantine for 10 days before euthanasia for human health reasons. Vaccination is the only effective way of preventing the disease.

Heartworm Prevention (Required for Dogs)

Heartworm is a parasitic disease that affects numerous types of animals all throughout the world. It is spread through mosquito bites, where the mosquito spreads the parasitic larva to the mammal’s bloodstream. Once the amount of larvae and worms in an animal’s blood stream reaches a certain amount, the worms migrate towards the animal’s heart. They can produce thousands of eggs per day and infest the right chambers of the heart, arteries in the lungs, as well as veins entering the liver and the heart. Coughing is the first sign of infection, which usually occurs about a year after contracting the parasite. Later signs include exhaustion, fainting, weakness, coughing up blood, difficulty breathing, and weight loss. Death is often the final outcome. Treatments are available for infected animals, but the best means of prevention is through heartworm preventive medicine (topically and orally administered) and yearly heartworm blood and fecal testing.

Flea and Tick Prevention (Required for Dogs)

Fleas and ticks pose a threat to your pet. Ticks can transmit a large number of diseases, and fleas can also transmit disease and cause tapeworm infections and anemia. Some pets are very sensitive to fleabites and suffer from serious allergic reactions of itchy, red, and scabby skin and even hair loss. Prevention is best managed with one of the many veterinary-approved flea and tick products available on the market. Speak to your veterinarian to find the best, most appropriate flea and tick prevention product for your pet. There are flea and tick topical treatments, collars, and shampoos, each made to address specific needs.

Canine Leptospirosis (Recommended for Dogs)

This is a bacterial disease that infects dogs, humans, and other mammals. It is highly contagious and is found in many types. Each type of Leptospirosis is infectious to only certain animals. The bacteria attack kidneys, the liver, and nervous system, causing permanent damage. Leptospirosis is passed through contact with bodily secretions, especially in urine. It most commonly collects in pond or stagnant water. The best method of prevention is through a series of puppy vaccinations followed by a yearly booster.