Unlike most of the conditions listed here, which are passed by urine, feces, and other body fluids, heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes. Infected dogs may tire after mild exercise. The worms can grow to 14 inches long and, if clumped together, block and injure organs.Ī new heartworm infection often causes no symptoms, though dogs in later stages of the disease may cough, become lethargic, lose their appetite or have difficulty breathing. The name is descriptive - these worms lodge in the right side of the heart and the pulmonary arteries (that send blood to the lungs), though they can travel through the rest of the body and sometimes invade the liver and kidneys. Though there is no vaccine for this condition, it is preventable with regularly administered heartworm medication that your veterinarian will prescribe. When your puppy is around 12-to-16 weeks, talk to your vet about starting a heartworm preventive. Doctors can keep a dog hydrated, warm, and comfortable, and help alleviate nausea, but no drug kills coronaviruses. Signs include most GI symptoms, including loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Canine coronavirus usually affects dogs’ gastrointestinal systems, though it can also cause respiratory infections. COVID-19 is not thought to be a health threat to dogs, and there is no evidence it makes dogs sick. The canine coronavirus is not the same virus that causes COVID-19 in people. One of several viruses that can contribute to kennel cough. There is no cure, but doctors can treat the symptoms. Many dogs can overcome the mild form of the disease, but the severe form can kill. Symptoms range from a slight fever and congestion of the mucous membranes to vomiting, jaundice, stomach enlargement, and pain around the liver. This disease of the liver is caused by a virus that is unrelated to the human form of hepatitis. Infectious canine hepatitis is a highly contagious viral infection that affects the liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and the eyes of the affected dog. Infected dogs can shed the virus for months. If the animal survives the symptoms, it is hoped that the dog’s immune system will have a chance to fight it off. Treatment consists of supportive care and efforts to prevent secondary infections, control symptoms of vomiting, seizures and more. This disease used to be known as “hard pad” because it causes the footpad to thicken and harden.

It causes discharges from the eyes and nose, fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, twitching, paralysis, and, often, death.

The virus can also be transmitted by shared food and water bowls and equipment. Canine DistemperĪ severe and contagious disease caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal (GI), and nervous systems of dogs, raccoons, skunks, and other animals, distemper spreads through airborne exposure (through sneezing or coughing) from an infected animal. If you plan on boarding your puppy in the future, attending group training classes, or using dog daycare services, often proof of this vaccination will be a requirement. There are injectable and nasal spray vaccines available. This highly infectious bacterium causes severe fits of coughing, whooping, vomiting, and, in rare cases, seizures and death. Here is an overview of the diseases that vaccinations will help your pet to avoid. We read about so many different vaccinations, for so many different illnesses, that it can sometimes be confusing to know which vaccinations puppies need and which ones are important but optional. Going to the vet repeatedly over several months for vaccinations, and then for boosters or titers throughout your dog’s life, may seem like an inconvenience, but the diseases that vaccinations will shield our pets from are dangerous, potentially deadly, and, thankfully, mostly preventable. And that includes puppy shots throughout her first year. It can be a little intimidating - she needs the best puppy food, plenty of attention, gentle training, safe toys, puppy socialization, a comfortable home, and proper veterinary care. It’s up to you to give her all the care she needs every day. When you bring that soft, sweet-smelling little ball of puppy fuzz into your home, you know right away that she depends on you for, well, everything.

Canine spectra 5 vaccination sheet