Pets Information

Dog Vaccinations: Doing Shots


Vaccinations play an important part in the preventive healthcare of your pet. There are nasty doggie diseases out there, and for some of these, vaccination is your pooch's only real protection, as there may be no cure once the disease is contracted. After initial vaccination, many types require a schedule of follow-up shots, or boosters, to maintain a safe level of immunity.

Here are a few of the most common distressing, even fatal illnesses you can prevent with some timely injections:

Canine parvovirus:

This is a viral disease which is highly contagious and can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting. Puppies are especially at risk, and if contracted, parvovirus can kill a pup in just two to three days after the onset of symptoms.

Rabies:

This disease is NO JOKE! It is caused by a virus that attacks the brain, and it is always FATAL. That means, once symptoms are displayed, there's no cure, so that ounce of prevention is all you've got! It is spread to animals and humans by bites from infected animals. Vaccination against rabies is required for dogs by law.

Canine distemper:

Along with parvovirus, canine distemper is the leading killer of puppies. It is a highly contagious viral disease spread through direct or indirect contact with nose and eye discharge of infected dogs. Symptoms resemble a bad cold progressing to vomiting and diarrhea, and muscle twitching and seizures.

Lyme Disease:

Also called Borreliosis, this bacterial infection is primarily spread by carrier tick bites. A dog with Lyme disease will display symptoms like fever, lethargy, depression, muscle stiffness and lack of appetite. The infection can lead to lameness due to severe muscle and/or joint pain.

Canine Adenovirus Type 2, Parainfluenza, and Bordetella:

This "complex" of viral and bacterial infections is responsible for "kennel cough" in dogs. Symptoms include a dry, hacking cough and runny nose and eyes.

So, it's pretty clear, given what's out there, that vaccinations to prevent certain illnesses are a good thing. Be sure to discuss with your vet the rationale behind your dog's vaccination schedule and follow his or her recommendations based on your dog, his health, and his environment.

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

Dina Giolitto is a copywriting consultant and ghostwriter with 10 years of experience writing corporate print materials and web content. Trust her with your next e-book, article series or web project, and make a lasting impression on your audience of information-hungry prospects. Visit http://www.wordfeeder.com for more information.


MORE RESOURCES:

CatChannel.com

We're spending more on medication for pets
Los Angeles Times, CA - 2 hours ago
Yes, we are spending more and more on medication for pets. Newsweek reports: Next month this will change when Slentrol, the first diet drug for dogs, ...
FDA Approves Single-Dose Antibiotic for Cats, Dogs CatChannel.com
all 2 news articles


Riding With Your Pets
Washington Post, United States - 13 hours ago
Dear Heloise: A couple more thoughts on our PETS RIDING WITH US in vehicles. Even an enclosed sport utility vehicle or car can pose certain hazards that we ...


Pet Rescue Is Heroic, And Pets May Know It
Hartford Courant, United States - 9 hours ago
Q: Our entire lives we've rescued pets from shelters. I really believe that at some level these dogs and cats bonded so tightly with our family because they ...


ChattahBox

Pets need special attention to cope with holiday fireworks
Seattle Times, United States - Jul 4, 2008
Pets that are left outside on the Fourth of July are at greater risk of jumping fences, breaking their chains or becoming so agitated they might hurt others ...
Pets often best left at home during summer Oakville Beaver
Keep Pets Safe On Fourth of July TurnTo23.com
Pets and Fireworks WCTV
WTHR - AXcess News
all 45 news articles


NEWS2USE: Life jackets for pets keep them safe on boats
Detroit Free Press, United States - 13 hours ago
A vest is necessary to keep pets safe on boats or houseboats, say Keene and John J. McGovern of Berkeley, flotilla commander. Having a pet on board, ...


Pets' corner: The cost of getting and keeping a pet
Independent, UK - 21 hours ago
By Chamois Rose-Wood I'd like to buy a small pet for my children, but I am daunted by the cost. How can I keep the cost of purchasing and maintaining a pet ...


Second Chance Treasures resale shop in White Rock benefits East ...
Dallas Morning News, TX - 17 hours ago
Since it was established in 2001, Dr. Fling and staff have rescued and placed more than 1250 pets through the East Lake Pet Orphanage. ...


Pets abused in Ontario
Edmonton Sun,  Canada - 11 hours ago
By SUN MEDIA ST. CATHARINES, Ont. -- Niagara humane society investigators are looking into a third gruesome case of animal abuse in a little over a week. ...


Owners can help pets beat the heat
Biloxi Sun Herald,  USA - 15 hours ago
If you own a cat or a dog you should take precautions to help your pet beat the heat this summer. Here, from the Humane Society of the United States, ...
Pet owners scrambling to find pups spooked by fireworks Arizona Daily Star
all 3 news articles


Holiday fun, for pets and their people, too
Bend Bulletin (subscription), OR - 9 hours ago
By Cindy Powers / The Bulletin Daisy, a 3-year-old miniature dachshund, gets a ride in a stroller Friday morning at the annual Fourth of July Pet Parade in ...

Pets - Google News

home | site map
© 2006