Having your puppy vaccinated against a range of contagious and serious illnesses is one of the best ways to help your pooch live a long, happy and healthy life. Here, our Gilbert vets explain the essential DHPP 5-in-1 vaccination, what it protects against and why it's so important.
Why You Should Get Your Dog Vaccinated
Similar to human vaccines, dog vaccinations protect your pet against a range of serious diseases that may turn life-threatening for your companion. Getting your pup vaccinated may seem like an unnecessary expense at first, since you keep such a close eye on them. However, your dog's shots will likely cost far less than treatments for the illnesses that may impact your pet if they aren't vaccinated. This means that vaccination could possibly save you money in the long-term.
Core Vaccines VS Lifestyle Vaccines
There are two different categories of vaccines that are available for pets.
Lifestyle vaccinations are vaccines that are recommended for some pets depending on their lifestyle. Some of the most common lifestyle vaccinations include bordetella, leptospira and Lyme disease. Lifestyle vaccines are generally recommended for cats and dogs that spend time outside or around other animals routinely such as in off-leash parks, doggie daycare facilities or in kennels.
Core vaccinations are recommended for all pets and protect against diseases that are highly contagious, cause severe illness, and pose a serious risk to your pet's longevity - DHPP is a highly recommended core vaccination for dogs in North America.
What The DHPP Vaccine Protects Against
The DHPP 5-in-1 vaccine is a single injection that includes protection against 5 very serious dog diseases.
Canine Distemper Virus (D - Distemper)
Canine distemper is a virus that spreads between dogs by air, through contact with a contaminated surface like a toy, or by direct contact with an animal who is infected.
DIstemper attacks your dog's internal systems like their nervous system, gastrointestinal system and respiratory system. Their symptoms can range from high fever and coughing to vomiting, diarrhea and watery discharge from their nose and eyes.
In its more advanced stages, distemper in dogs may lead to pneumonia, seizures and paralysis.
Distemper can rapidly become fatal very rapidly, particularly for puppies and older dogs with weakened immune systems.
Canine Adenovirus CAV-1 & CAV-2
CAV-1 - Canine Hepatitis (H - Hepatitis)
CAV-1 or Infectious canine hepatitis is a highly contagious virus that can affect your dog's liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and eyes. Early symptoms vary from a low-grade fever and congestion to vomiting. More severe symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain, eye inflammation, and bruising may begin to appear as the disease progresses. If left untreated this condition can quickly become fatal.
CAV-2 Canine Adenovirus
CAV-2 is a milder form of the canine adenovirus that the DHPP vaccine can protect against. CAV-2 is generally not as serious as other conditions protected against by the DHPP vaccine, however, it can contribute to kennel cough, which can weaken your dog's immune system and open them up to further infection.
Symptoms of kennel cough are similar to that of the human cold and include a hacking cough and congestion.
Canine Parainfluenza (P - Parainfluenza)
Canine Parainfluenza is yet another highly contagious disease that is transmitted by air and can spread very quickly between dogs that come in contact with each other in kennels, off-leash parks or even just in multi-dog homes. Parainfluenza leads to cold or flu like symptoms in dogs including kennel cough and congestion.
Canine Parvovirus (P - Parvo)
Canine Parvovirus is a very serious, highly contagious condition that can quickly become fatal for many dogs, particularly puppies and unvaccinated adult dogs. Parvovirus attacks your dog's gastrointestinal tract leading to vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and rapid loss of fluid and protein. This condition prevents your pup's GI tract from properly absorbing the nutrients your dog needs to stay healthy and often requires hospitalization and intensive care as life-saving treatment.
Parvovirus lives on the surfaces it comes to rest on for up to a year and has shown to be hugely resistant to many common disinfectants and cleaning solutions. This means that taking your unvaccinated puppy out for a walk around the block may turn into a very serious veterinary emergency.
When to Get Your Dog Vaccinated
The DHPP 5-in-1 vaccine is a single shot that is given to puppies in a series of injections starting at about 6 weeks of age and given every 2 to 4 weeks until the puppy is 16 weeks old. All adult dogs should receive a booster shot of the DHPP vaccine either yearly or every 3 years based on your vet's recommendation.
The DHPP 5-in-1 vaccine allows you to provide your puppy, or adult dog, with protection against 5 serious conditions while minimizing cost to you and discomfort to your pooch.
Preventive Care at Crossroads Veterinary Hospital
At Crossroads Veterinary Hospital in Gilbert we believe that preventive care is the best way to help your canine companion live a long and healthy life - vaccines play a vital role in your pup's annual preventive care routine.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.