Shots give pups leg up on life
Vaccinations prevent some of most common canine diseases

As a professional dog trainer, I generally do not give veterinary advice to clients. I leave this to trained professionals who are vastly more qualified to handle questions about canine and feline health issues. Over the last few weeks, however, I have met several new dog owners who have failed to properly immunize their puppies against diseases. In light of this, I asked Dr. Joe Wurster, co-host of the Doctor Joe and The Dog Man Radio Show, about the proper measures a new owner should take to make sure his puppy starts off on the right paw in its new home.
According to Wurster, your puppy should visit your veterinarian to receive a "well puppy exam." This exam includes a general physical exam and a discussion about any health concerns. The veterinarian will check the puppy for intestinal parasites and de-worm the dog if necessary. He will also discuss preventative measures to protect your dog from heartworms, fleas and ticks. Proper nutrition and recommendations on how much and how often a new pup should be fed are topics the vet will address. He might suggest a certain brand of dog food that would be suitable for your new best friend.
You will receive advice on the daily care of your pet such as coat grooming and daily teeth brushing. Be sure to ask questions about any behavior problems you might encounter with your new pup. The veterinarian should also discuss the importance of attending puppy-training classes.
Of all the things that will take place during your pup's initial visits to his vet, starting on a vaccination schedule is probably the most important. Although newborn puppies acquire immunities against many diseases by nursing from their mother, they will have to begin "puppy shots" between six and eight weeks of age. These puppy shots are also called "four in one" or DHPP vaccinations because they are a combination vaccine that will immunize against these four very common but potentially deadly diseases:

Canine distemper
Canine distemper is a highly contagious and usually fatal disease. It is caused by the paramyxovirus and is transmitted by a healthy dog coming into contact with the discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected dog. It is also suspected that the distemper virus can live in the soil from six months up to a year. This virus affects the dog's neurological system. Symptoms will often start with just mild twitching or shivering, which will often turn into full seizures. At first the convulsions will be sporadic and then progress to non-stop seizures. Eventually, the seizures will become so bad the heart stops or the respiratory system fails.

Canine hepatitis virus
Canine hepatitis is also highly contagious and can be spread by contact with contaminated saliva, urine or stool from an infected dog. This virus affects the dog's abdominal organs including the liver. Signs of infection include, but are not limited to, an increased body temperature as well as discharges from the eyes, mouth and/or nose. As the disease progresses, the animal becomes lethargic, stops eating and often becomes comatose.

Parainfluenza
Canine parainfluenza is a highly contagious viral disease that contributes to the problem of kennel cough, bordetella bronchiseptica. It can be transmitted by nose-to-nose contact or by sharing of dishes between a healthy dog and an infected dog. Signs of parainfluenza include a dry, hacking cough accompanied by a clear nasal or eye discharge.

Parvo virus
First reported in the 1970s, this virus wiped out large numbers of the canine population. Parvo is a highly contagious viral disease that can be spread in a number of ways. However, contact with the feces or vomit of an infected dog appears to be the main source of this infection. Parvovirus symptoms include vomiting and bloody diarrhea, lethargy, lack of appetite and an increase in temperature. Puppies not treated for the disease will often dehydrate and die quickly. Rottweilers and Dobermans of any age are especially susceptible to this disease due to the prevalence of the blood clotting dysfunction called Von Willebraun's disease.

Some veterinarians recommend that hunting dogs and dogs that are used to work livestock be vaccinated against leptospirosis. This is a serious bacterial disease that is spread through the contact with urine from an infectious dog and other animals. Leptospirosis is a public health concern since certain strains can be transmitted to humans. Infected dogs become lethargic and weak, suffer abdominal pain, and experience an increase in water intake as well as a marked increase in urination. Other symptoms may include bloody diarrhea, vomiting and a change in the color of the whites of the eyes. Due to the extensive damage to liver and kidneys, leptospirosis is often fatal to dogs.
Owning a dog comes with responsibilities. Many dog owners rightly consider their pets as members of their family who deserve the best possible care available. So help that new puppy start off on the right paw by taking it in for a "well puppy exam." By properly immunizing your dog you will help insure that it lives a long and healthy life.
Eamon P. Riley is a professional dog trainer and animal behavioral consultant. For suggestions or comments, he can be emailed at dogmanusmc@aol.com or by calling 689-9483.