It is not difficult to vaccinate your own dog, and you can save a lot of time and money by administering the vaccines yourself. Subcutaneous (SQ)vaccines are administered under the skin on the right or left shoulder of the dog. Intramuscular (IM) vaccines are administered directly in the muscle. It is very important to use only one needle per vaccine.
Dog vaccines are either modified live or killed. Modified live vaccines provide stronger, longer-lasting, and more rapid protection as long as there are no maternal antibodies or immune system diseases interfering with the action of the vaccine. Killed vaccines produce a lower immune response and require booster vaccinations to confer enough protection.
Before vaccination your dogs must be free of internal and external parasites, have normal temperature (101.5 to 102) degrees and be worm, flea and tick free. Avoid vaccinating pregnant females.
5 way dog vaccines include Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Hepatitis, and Parainfluenza. Adding Coronavirus makes it a 6 way vaccine. 7 way dog vaccines include Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and 2 strains of Lepto. Adding Coronavirus makes it an 8 way vaccine.
DESCRIPTION OF DOG DISEASES:
CANINE DISTEMPER - is considered the most serious viral disease of dogs in the world. Approximately 50% of non-vaccinated, non-immunized dogs infected with CD virus develop clinical signs of disease and approximately 90% of those dogs infected with CD die. The disease is considered airborne and is highly contagious. It's more frequent and acutely affects pups under 3 months of age. Early clinical signs include anorexia, diarrhea, and dehydration. As the disease progresses, fever, depression, vomiting and bloody diarrhea may be observed, accompanied by signs of respiratory distress. Coughing, labored breathing, inflammation of tissues around the eyes and nose, and mucopurulent oculonasal discharge may occur.
CANINE PARAINFLUENZA - is highly contagious respiratory disease which contributes to upper respiratory disease and infectious tracheobronchitis. Characteristic clinical signs of CPI Infection is coughing that may be intensified by activity or excitement. Environmental factors such as drafts, colds and high humidity may enhance susceptibility to the disease. Typically, CPI is self-limiting, with a course of 5 to 10 days duration. However, secondary bacterial infection of the respiratory tract are not uncommon, and may complicate the clinical syndrome.
BORDETELLA BRONCHISEPTICA - one of the most common causes of Canine Upper Respiratory Disease Complex, known as "Kennel Cough". Bacterial illness. The symptoms include a harsh, dry cough, aggravated by activity or excitement. The cough is followed by retching or gagging in an attempt to clear small amounts or mucus from the throat. Body temperature may be elevated as secondary bacterial infection takes place. Highly contagious, this disease is readily transmitted to susceptible dogs. Most common among dogs that congregate at dog shows, kennels, etc.
INFECTIOUS CANINE HEPATITIS - infections are characterized by fever, leukopenia, enlarged tonsils, hepatitis, nephritis and occasional uveitis with corneal opacity. Vaccination with modified live canine hepatitis vaccine, although effective in disease prevention, has certain disadvantages. Following vaccination, persistent kidney infections may occur, causing vaccine virus shedding in the urine. Uveitis and corneal opacity ("blue eyes") are occasionally observed 1 to 2 weeks post-vaccination. While viral hepatitis is not as common as it once was in dogs, it has not been eliminated as a threat.
CANINE CORONAVIRUS - the symptoms of this disease include lethargy, anorexia and depression. The sudden onset of vomition occurs, in which blood can sometimes be found. Diarrhea is moderate to severe and is projectile. Feces are yellow-orange color with blood and mucus occasionally found.
CANINE ADENOVIRUS TYPE 2 - infections are primarily respiratory, evidenced by pneumonia, bronchitis, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis. CAV-2 has not been associated with corneal opacity ("blue eyes"), uveitis or virus localization in the kidneys, which may be characteristic of canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) infections.
CANINE PARVOVIRUS - infection results in enteric disease characterized by sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea, often with blood. Susceptibility cannot be avoided. Any puppy exposed to the virus during the susceptibility period will most likely come down with the disease, regardless of many vaccination schedules. Modified Live Canine Parvovirus, Feline Panleukopenia Virus and inactivated (killed) Canine Parvovirus vaccines are available. All will (post 2 weeks from vaccination) protect dog from the virus if maternal antibody does not prevent immunization.
CANINE LEPTOSPIROSIS - an acute bacterial infectious disease that is characterized by depression, fever and loss of appetite. The mucous membranes are usually congested. Jaundice sometimes occurs indicating severe liver involvement. The kidneys can also be damaged, resulting in uremia, vomiting, dehydration, polyuria (excessive urination) and polydipsia (excessive thirst).
