VACCINATION
How do vaccines work?
Vaccines contain small quantities of altered or killed viruses, bacteria or other disease-causing organisms.
When administered, they stimulate your dog’s immune system to produce disease-fighting cells and proteins or antibodies to protect against disease.
1. Canine distemper
Vaccination against this often fatal, hard-to-treat disease is absolutely essential. Highly contagious, it is spread by discharges from the noses and eyes of infected dogs. Symptoms can include listlessness, fever, coughing, diarrhoea and vomiting. Convulsions and paralysis may occur in the disease’s final stages. The distemper virus attacks many organs, including the nervous system, which may be permanently damaged, even if the dog recovers.
2. Canine tracheobronchitis (kennel cough)
Just as with the human common cold, this respiratory-tract infection is easily transmitted from one dog to another, so vaccination is imperative if your pet comes into contact with many other dogs in such situations as obedience training or boarding at a kennel. Caused by various airborne bacteria and virus, including canine parainfluenza virus, canine adenovirus type 2 and so on, you will first notice your dog’s dry hacking cough.
3. Canine parvovirus
Very contagious, debilitating and widespread, the disease caused by this virus emerged in many parts of the world only in 1978. Spread through infected faeces, the highly resistant virus can remain in the environment for many months. Symptoms include high fever, listlessness, vomiting and bloody diarrhoea.
Vaccination is the only certain method of preventing this potentially fatal disease, which is most severe in young and elderly dogs.
4. Infectious canine hepatitis
Caused by canine adenovirus type 1, this disease is transmitted among dogs by contact with secretions, such as saliva, infected urine or faeces. Its symptoms are similar to those of the early stages of distemper. Causing liver failure, eye damage and breathing problems, the course of this disease can range from mild to fatal. Dogs which survive the acute disease may become chronically infected and have long-term liver problems. Vaccination remains the best protection.
5. Leptospirosis
This bacterial disease attacks the liver and kidneys. Many dogs show no signs but can rapidly develop fever, weakness, vomiting, jaundice and haemorrhage. Death often follows from liver or kidney failure. Dogs that survive may go on to develop chronic liver or kidney problems.
DID YOU KNOW?
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
