This week we’ll be looking at something a little more serious: the importance of regular vaccinations. While vaccinations can be pricey to some, the truth is our pets need their vaccinations to stay in top shape, to prevent them from contracting illnesses such as rabies, para influenza, distemper, adenovirus, tick-bite fever and parvovirus, which I will discuss briefly below.
What many pet owners don’t know is that if your pet’s vaccinations are not up to date and they need an operation or are involved in an accident, it can complicate things at the vet, as they are a danger to other pets. This would mean that the course of treatment might be far more traumatic for them, as they would not be treated under full general anaesthesia.
Also, should you need to put your pet up for a night in the kennel, they won’t be accepted either unless their shots are up to date.
Adding a fur baby to your family is an exciting moment, and just as it is important to keep yourself and every member of your family healthy, so it is of vital importance to do the same for your new four-pawed addition. When deciding on adding a cat or a dog to your family, remember to budget for yearly visits to the vet.
An overview of vaccination schedules:
Puppies:
Six to eight weeks: first vaccination, a 5-in-1, which includes parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis and para influenza.
10 to 12 weeks: second vaccination, another 5-in-1, as mentioned above. If the puppy is 12 weeks old, the first rabies vaccination can also be given.
14 to 16 weeks: third vaccination, the last 5-in-1, and depending, the first or second rabies vaccination.
If this is the first rabies vaccination, the puppy will require a booster in one month’s time.
Kittens:
Eight weeks: vaccination against the calici virus, panleukopenia, and rhinotracheitis.
12 weeks: same as above, as well as their first rabies vaccination.
16 weeks: rabies booster.
Thereafter, dogs and cats should be vaccinated every one to two years.
Diseases that are vaccinated for in dogs:
Distemper
Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that affects a dog’s respiratory tract (lungs), gastrointestinal tract (gut) and nervous system (brain). Distemper can be airborne or spread through contact with an infected animal. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nose and eye discharge, fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and seizures – in the form of muscle tremors, especially of the mouth and head.
Infectious canine hepatitis (adenovirus)
Adenovirus is a viral disease spread by contact with infected animals, their stool, urine or saliva. It affects a dog’s liver, kidneys and the cells that line their blood vessels. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, liver failure, loss of appetite and depression.
Parvovirus (also known as cat flu)
Parvovirus is a very common viral disease; it is deadly and usually strikes puppies. It spreads by contamination with an infected dog’s blood, stool or vomit. When the disease first appeared, it was believe to be transmitted from cats to dogs, hence the name cat flu, but this was proven to be incorrect. Symptoms include severe diarrhoea, fever, chronic vomiting, loss of appetite and dehydration. Vaccination against parvovirus is one of the most critical as parvovirus is often fatal, despite aggressive treatment.
Para influenza
Para influenza is an infectious viral disease and one of the causes of ‘kennel cough’. It affects a dog’s respiratory tract and spreads quickly among dogs held in close quarters, thus the nickname ‘kennel cough’. Para influenza is airborne and therefore dogs can contract this disease without being in direct contact with other dogs. Symptoms include a dry hacking cough, loss of appetite, depression, a runny nose and fever.
Rabies
Rabies is a viral infection that affects a dog’s central nervous system and, once contracted, results in paralysis and death. Rabies is always fatal in animals, thus the importance of prevention in the form of regular vaccinations. Animals with rabies are not treated, but are put down, even if rabies may only be suspected. This is done to prevent human infection and fatalities. The disease is spread by the bite of an infected animal. In South Africa and in many other countries, rabies vaccinations are required by law. Symptoms vary, but domestic animals may become excitable and uncontrollably aggressive.
Humans who have been bitten by an animal infected with rabies can be successfully treated, but only shortly after the person has been bitten. Once a human has contracted the disease, with treatment administered too late, there is no cure. It is vital to keep your dog’s rabies vaccinations up to date.
Diseases that are vaccinated for in cats:
Calici virus and feline herpes virus
Calici virus and feline herpes virus cause upper respiratory (nose, sinuses and windpipe) complications, such as nose and eye discharge. This is called rhinotracheitis, but commonly known as ‘the snuffles’. Calici virus can also cause ulcerations on the tongue. These diseases cause loss of appetite and dehydration in young kittens.
Panleukopenia virus
Panleukopenia virus is caused by the feline parvovirus and symptoms are similar to the canine parvovirus. As mentioned above, vaccination against parvovirus is one of the most critical vaccinations as parvovirus is just as fatal in cats as it is in dogs.
Vaccinating is of utmost importance
Vaccinating from a young age can prevent serious diseases, costs and unsuccessful treatment, not to mention the heartache when a treasured puppy or kitten dies.
After the initial three to four vaccinations, vets recommend that pets be vaccinated on a yearly basis. Your pet’s annual shots do not only include an injection, but a complete general check-up. This includes checking your pet’s teeth, coat and eyes, listening to the heart and lungs, checking for lumps and bumps and examining their abdomen. Your vet will enquire about your pet’s general well-being. Questions regarding water intake, appetite and frequency of urination are important to answer accurately. This general check-up becomes increasingly important for pets older than seven years.
The cost of a yearly vaccination and check-up is a small price to pay to keep your pet in good health and avoidance of contracting disease. Keeping your pet’s vaccinations up to date is the right thing to do and is a small commitment to make in keeping your pet happy, healthy and safe.
That’s it for this week, from me, Vinkel and Koljander. Paw five. Woof.
