Although protecting our pets against some diseases has been made possible with the use of today's vaccines, no vaccine is 100% effective. There are always things that can interfere with how well the body uses vaccines to protect itself. The quality of the vaccine. How it is stored. How it is given. The proper timing of vaccinations. The health of the pet at the time a vaccine is given. The ability of the immune system to make use of the vaccine. All of these factors make it important that a physical be given, a history taken and a professional give the vaccination and advise of the proper timing necessary to provide the optimal protection. That is why at Ojai Pet Hospital a visit with Dr. Shouse and a thorough physical and history are strongly recommended.

Canine distemper is a widespread, usually fatal disease that causes severe pneumonia. If the pet survives the pneumonia, it usually develops serious neurological problems that can be life threatening. Some pets will only experience a mild disease that can, in later life, result in neurological problems.

Canine adenovirus type-1 and type-2 cause infectious hepatitis and respiratory infection, respectively. Hepatitis caused by adenovirus type-1 may cause severe kidney damage or death. Adenovirus type-2 is an important factor in kennel cough.

Canine leptospirosis is a bacterial infection which may lead to permanent kidney damage. The disease is easily spread to other pets or to humans.

Canine parainfluenza is another cause of kennel cough. Although parainfluenza is often a mild respiratory infection in otherwise healthy dogs, it can be severe in puppies or debilitated dogs.

Canine parvovirus infection is a disease of widespread distribution which may cause severe dehydrating diarrhea in dogs of varying ages. Parvovirus infection is especially dangerous for puppies. Although with intensive veterinary care, most dogs can survive parvovirus, intensive veterinary care is very expensive, and who will survive and who will not cannot be predicted. Prevention is obviously the best course. Dogs must be vaccinated up to about 5 months of age to properly protect against this disease.

Canine coronavirus infection is a highly contagious intestinal disease causing vomiting anddiarrhea in dogs of all ages. Especially in young puppies, dehydration from coronavirus infection can be life-threatening. In its initial stages, the disease is difficult to tell apart from parvovirus.

Canine bordetella (B. bronchiseptica) may contribute to kennel cough. This bacterial infection can occur alone or in combination with distemper, adenovirus type-2 infection, parainfluenza, and other respiratory problems.

Lyme disease is a tick borne bacterial disease that initially causes unexplained lethargy, stiffness, decreased appetite and periodic vomiting and if not treated in time can cause arthritic joint disease, meningitis and heart disease. Although this disease is contagious to other pets and humans, the disease is spread only by tick bites. If your pet should come down with this disease you cannot contract it yourself directly from the pet, unless the pet still has ticks on it.

Rabies (hydrophobia), one of the world's most publicized and feared diseases, is almost always fatal. Rabies virus attacks the brain and central nervous system, and is transmitted to humans chiefly through the bite of an infected animal.

Related Information:

• Lifecare Program
• New Vaccine for FIV
• Immunizations for Cats