In our modern world we are very fortunate to have readily available vaccines to protect dogs from life-threatening diseases such as Parvo virus, distemper, hepatitis, and canine cough. Not that long ago vaccines against Parvo were not available and it was a game of chance as to whether your dog might contract this deadly disease. Now we have the luxury of a simple course of vaccines with boosters given throughout life that will help to protect your pet.
The C3 Vaccine Course is aimed at combatting Parvo, Distemper, and Hepatitis.
The C5 Vaccine Course is aimed at combatting Parvo, Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza (Viral component of Canine Cough), and Bordatella Bronchiseptica (Bacterial component of Canine Cough).
Puppies get a C3 as part of their first vaccination visit, then on following rounds they usually get a C5. Some owners choose to continue with the C3 level of vaccination and we respect this choice. Keep in mind your dog may not be approved to board in some kennels or attend training/shows without a C5 Vaccination Certificate.
Question: What is Parvo Virus? Parvo virus is a relatively common virus that infects many species but the form of the virus which infects dogs ONLY infects dogs or canines. The disease is seen usually as loss of appetite, depression, vomiting and profuse bloody, foul smelling diarrhoea. On average the disease will last between one day and 2 weeks and is most often fatal.
Question: Can you treat Parvo? Diseases such as Parvo aren’t easy to treat and many dogs which fall ill with parvo will die despite treatment. Treatment can be very expensive and the disease is usually awful for the dog regardless of the outcome.
Question: How do dogs get Parvo Virus? Parvo is a very tough virus and it can live in the environment for up to 12 months or more. The vomit and faeces of dogs infected with Parvo contain the virus. This means that by simply walking over an area where a sick dog has been in the last 12 months could put the parvo virus onto you or your dog’s feet. Because of this your dog doesn’t need direct contact with a sick dog to get parvo. You could bring the disease home on your clothing.
Question: What is Canine Distemper? This virus is highly contagious and lethal, though thanks to high vaccination rates it is rarely seen in modern Australia. It presents with a temperature, lethargy, inappetance, nasal discharge, vommiting, diarrhoea, spasms and progressive paralysis. It usually results in nervous system damage, if not death, and is uncurable. Distemper tends to appear in areas where vaccination rates are low, particulary in puppies.
Question: What is Canine Hepatitis? Hepatitis in dogs is an acute liver infection caused by adenovirus. It is also highly contagious and though your dog may survive, they can pass it onto others via their urine for up to 6 months. It can present in your dog with a fever, inappetance, diarrhoea, depression, tonsilitis and severe abdominal pain, eventually showing corneal opacity in some cases. Puppies and younger dogs have a particulary poor prognosis and can die within 36 hours.
Question: What is Canine Cough? In simple terms Canine cough is an infection of the upper airways of dogs. It can result in a loud gagging or honking type of cough. The disease may last for up to 3-4 weeks and is very contagious. An infected dog which has coughed into the air can cause spread of the disease in the air to other dogs. For this reason dogs don’t have to be in very close confinement with other dogs to catch the disease. Of course when dogs are living in close proximity to other dogs that are infected the disease can quickly spread.
