vACCINATIONS

Leptospirosis - The leptospirosis vaccine is an annual immunization shot that can effectively prevent leptospirosis (lepto) in dogs. Lepto is a disease caused by Leptospira bacteria that can affect both animals and humans. It is currently the most common zoonotic disease in the world, that can be transmitted from animals to people (rabies is the 2nd most common). It's commonly found in rural areas and in urban settings. Leptospirosis can be fatal to BOTH dogs and humans.

 

Leptospirosis is carried by other dogs or wildlife (such as squirrels or deer) and is found in places where they may urinate (lakes, streams, puddles, or soil in your backyard). Dogs that swim in lakes or lick up puddles aren't the only dogs that can be exposed. Any dog that goes outside (even "just to use the bathroom") is potentially at risk of contracting this disease.

 

Symptoms can include fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, refusal to eat, lethargy, or severe muscle pain. It is treated with antibiotics, but sometimes may require intensive care.

 

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This vaccine is recommended for any dog that:

• May drink from ponds, lakes, rivers, or streams

• Lives in a rural area or on a property with farm animals

• Has access to a backyard where wild animals — such as raccoons, opossums, skunks, squirrels, and deer — visit/roam

• May come into contact with rodents like mice or rats

• Goes to places that other dogs frequent (dog parks, regular parks, daycares, grooming facilities, boarding facilities, vet clinics, pet stores, etc.

• Interacts with other dogs with unknown vaccine statuses

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Like with any vaccine, it is important to understand that even if your dog is vaccinated, there is not a 100% guarantee that they will not contract leptospirosis. However, having your dog vaccinated significantly decreases their risk of becoming sick.

 

The lepto vaccine is one that we automatically include in our puppy booster schedule and in senior and adult wellness packages. Due to the geographic region and climate that we (and many of our clients are located in), dogs are at higher risks of contracting lepto. Unless an owner specifically requests no lepto, we include lepto in our DA2PP Vaccines for routine/annual vaccinations. This vaccine has one initial administration and is boostered 3 more times (each booster set 3 weeks apart). After the final booster, the vaccine should be administered again once a year.

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Bordetella (a.k.a. Kennel Cough) - The Bordetella vaccine is a noncore vaccine usually given to dogs that are frequently exposed to other dogs in boarding or social settings. Bordetella bronchiseptica causes inflammation of your dog’s upper respiratory system. This inflammation can expose your dog to secondary infections. This bacteria is responsible for Kennel Cough.

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What Is Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough is a term used to describe several different highly contagious respiratory illnesses. It is usually spread in areas where large numbers of dogs gather (like in kennels, which is how the disease got its name). Kennel cough itself is not fatal, but the disease can lead to fatal pneumonia in puppies and chronic bronchitis in senior or immunocompromised dogs. Symptoms can include a distinct, honking cough or retch. Other symptoms are runny nose, eye discharge, and sneezing. In severe cases, kennel cough can cause decreased appetite, lethargy, and fever.

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Dogs most at risk for this disease are ones that frequent: 

• dog daycare centers

• boarding kennels

• dog shows

• dog parks

• training classes

• grooming facilities

• pet stores

• veterinary clinics

• or any place where dogs gather and/or interact

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Other dogs at risk are ones with weakened immune systems (young puppies and senior dogs).

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The Bordetella/Kennel Cough vaccine is one that we automatically include in our puppy booster schedule and in senior + adult wellness packages. We follow AVMA recommendations for vaccine protocols, and they recommend that a dog gets a bordetella vaccine if it visits places where dogs gather. This vaccine is included in our in our puppy and adult/senior packages. This vaccine has one initial administration and is boostered once more 3 weeks later. After the final booster, the vaccine should be administered again every 6 months to 1 year.

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Lyme - Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) that is spread through the bite of infected ticks. The type of ticks that are more likely to carry Lyme disease are found in grass, thick brush, marshes, and woods. Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria can cause problems in your dog's joints and kidneys. Other symptoms can be lameness, swollen lymph nodes, joint swelling, fatigue, and loss of appetite. If the disease is caught early and treated in enough time, dogs can live long lives with Lyme disease.

 

Luckily though, the infection prevalence of Lyme disease in Georgia is low. This specific tick-borne disease is more common in the midwest and northeastern areas of the US. Even though Lyme disease isn't common in our geographical area, other tick-borne diseases (like Canine Ehrlichiosis) are. Given the seriousness of Lyme disease (and other common tick-borne diseases), it’s important to keep your dog on monthly flea/tick prevention.

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This vaccine has one initial administration and is boostered once more 3 weeks later. After the final booster, the vaccine should be administered again once a year.

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Canine influenza (H3N8/H3N2) - Canine influenza is a contagious respiratory infection that is spread amongst dogs. Canine flu is airborne and spreads when infected dogs cough, bark, or sneeze. It also spreads through contaminated objects like bowls, collars, and kennel surfaces. Nearly all dogs that come into contact with the disease will contract it, but only 20-25% of are asymptomatic. These dogs can still spread the disease as dogs are most contagious during the incubation period before they start exhibiting symptoms.

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Symptoms are similar to those of Kennel Cough and can include:

• Coughing

• Sneezing

• Nasal discharge

• Runny eyes

• Fever

• Lethargy

• Difficulty breathing

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Canine flu can range from mild to severe and, unlike human influenzas, are not seasonal and are present year-round.

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The vaccine has one initial administration that needs to be boostered 2-3 weeks after. After the last booster, the vaccine should be administered again once a year. 

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Western diamondback rattlesnake toxoid - The rattlesnake vaccine is specifically designed to produce antibodies against the venom of the western diamondback rattlesnake. The vaccine may also be effective against other snakes with similar venom, such as the sidewinder, timber rattlesnake, and copperhead. The vaccine will not protect against coral snakes, cottonmouth snakes, water moccasins, or the Mojave rattlesnake. It has limited protection against the eastern diamondback rattlesnake and does not work against all species of rattlesnakes.

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The vaccine works by creating protective antibodies that help neutralize venom, so dogs experience less pain and swelling after a snake bite. Dogs that are bitten may also require less antivenin, which can be fairly costly and may produce side effects. Things like the species of snake, the size of the dog, location of the bite, and number of times bitten can greatly affect the effectiveness of this vaccine. 

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The vaccine has one initial administration that needs to be boostered 4 weeks after. After the last booster, the vaccine should be administered again once every 6 months. 

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