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Exactly what is vaccination?
Vaccinating protects your dog against serious
infectious diseases that can kill.
Vaccines are made using organisms that stimulate the
animal’s immune system. This increases antibodies in
your pet which protects them against illness. When
a dog is exposed to the specific disease it has been
vaccinated against, these antibodies will rapidly start
working.
Immunity means that there is almost no risk of
falling ill when your dog comes in contact with the
infectious organism. Immunity may come about as a
result of regular vaccination or having suffered the
disease and survived.
Why vaccinate at all?
It’s worth remembering that many of the diseases we
vaccinate our pets against are killers. Whereas a child
with mumps will almost
certainly get better, an
unvaccinated dog that
contracts parvovirus,
for example, can easily
die. Only vaccination
can prevent these
diseases.
When should a dog
be vaccinated?
Your local vet is the best person to advise you about
your dog’s vaccination and health requirements.
Vaccination programmes may vary depending on
geographical area, the age, health and lifestyle of
your dog and the vaccines used. Puppy vaccination
programmes can be started as early as 6 weeks of age
and completed as early as 10 weeks of age. After that
age, regular booster vaccinations are required.
Important infectious diseases
of dogs in New Zealand.
Parvovirus
Location: Widespread throughout New Zealand
Symptoms: Depression, severe vomiting, refusal of food and water,
abdominal pain and profuse smelly, bloody diarrhoea, rapid and
severe dehydration leading to death. Signs appear quickly (4–7 days).
Worst-case scenario: Severe disease, usually fatal.
Distemper
Location: No significant outbreaks in New Zealand at present.
Symptoms: The first signs are a discharge from the eyes, nose
and coughing. There may also be vomiting and diarrhoea, loss of
appetite and lethargy. After several weeks, nervous signs such as
twitching or fits may occur.
Worst-case scenario: Severe disease, usually fatal.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis
Location: Uncommon in New Zealand, but still exists.
Symptoms: Early signs include discomfort and lack of appetite, very
high temperature, pale gums, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal
pain. Jaundice or Blue Eye – a clouding of the cornea of the eye,
may develop later on.
Worst-case scenario: Severe disease, potentially fatal
What are booster vaccinations?
Your dog is unique.
Early socialisation of puppies.
Annual boosters are still necessary against some
diseases. Each year, at your annual visit, your vet will
administer only those vaccines needed to maintain
protection. These days your vet’s primary objective is
to use the minimum number of vaccine components
while at the same time maintaining the optimum
protection for your pet.
Your veterinarian will discuss and prescribe a
vaccination program for your pet based on a series
of risk factors including:
Early socialisation is absolutely vital to ensure a
balanced and well-behaved adult dog – especially
when you realise that more young adult dogs are
put down because of behavioural problems than
die from the diseases we vaccinate against.
‘Booster’ vaccinations remind the immune system how
to respond if it should meet a life-threatening disease.
These should be given regularly throughout the dogs
lifetime to maintain protection against disease. The
recommended frequency will depend on health and
lifestyle of your pet.
Leptospirosis
Location: Most common in the central and northern parts of
the North Island.
Symptoms: The liver and kidneys are the main organs affected.
Signs include a high temperature, severe thirst, lethargy,
abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and jaundice. If not treated
early, Leptospirosis in dogs in usually fatal.
Worst-case scenario: Can be fatal in dogs, but can be
trans-mitted to humans, where it can cause a serious illness
called Weil’s Disease.
Kennel Cough
Location: Widespread in New Zealand, particularly those exposed
to high risk environments such as boarding kennels and shows.
Symptoms: The usual sign is a persistent dry cough. Retching,
mild lethargy, loss of appetite and a raised temperature may also
be observed. Occasionally the disease may progress to pneumonia.
Recovery may take several weeks.
Worst-case scenario: Extremely unpleasant but rarely life
threatening (except in the old or very young). However, it has
a severe impact on working and competitive dogs.
indoor versus outdoor pets
travel plans
kennel/boarding plans
social contact with other dogs
pre-existing infections or disease
local prevalence of disease
age
breed.
Starting your puppy off on
the right paw.
During the first day or two of life, pups usually receive
some immunity (antibodies) from their mothers
through the first milk (colostrum).
This ‘natural’ immunity from the mother allows the
puppy to resist disease, but can also stop vaccinations
working until the pups are 6–12 weeks of age. The
antibodies then decrease to a point where vaccination
will be effective. Vaccination minimises the period a
puppy may be unprotected. This is why two or more
doses may be required. It is extremely important that
puppies complete their vaccination programmes so
they are protected against disease.
Vaccination is essential as this means pups can play
with other dogs without the fear of disease. Early
socialisation means a well mannered dog. From
about three weeks of age, puppies will approach
anything or anybody willingly and without fear but
by the time they reach 12 weeks, anything new will
be approached with caution. Therefore, the critical
time for getting a puppy used to its environment is
between three to 12 weeks of age.
Nobivac® are the only vaccines which can protect
your pup to allow effective socialisation before
12 weeks of age. Talk to your local veterinarian
about a Nobivac vaccination programme and the
benefits of early socialisation.
Healthy dog checks.
Regular Health Assessments
A regular health assessment every 6–12 months
should be part of the care of your pet as it gives
you the chance to discuss with your vet any concerns
you may have about your dog’s health.
It is important to remember that your dog ages
a lot quicker than you do – so frequent check ups
are important.
A check up will help identify existing health problems
as well as potential future problems. This will allow
appropriate action to be taken ahead of time. Only
healthy dogs should be vaccinated so your vet will
assess your dog’s suitability for vaccination as part
of this regular process. Record all this information in
The Woof! Book.
It also has sections where you can log and keep
memories and pictures about your dog. And last but
certainly not least it includes tables that can help you
chart your dog’s health so you can plan a preventative
health plan and make sure that they remain healthy
for the years to come.
become a little ‘off-colour’, or have some swelling or
tenderness at the vaccination site. Dogs rarely have
allergic reactions when vaccinated.
If you have any concerns about your pet’s reaction
following vaccination, call your veterinarian.
The risk of catching serious infectious diseases if
unvaccinated, far outweighs any risk from vaccination.
You can pick up your copy of The Woof! Book free,
by simply asking any veterinarian who prescribes the
Nobivac® vaccine range.
All dogs should receive distemper, parvovirus and
hepatitis vaccinations regularly to maintain protection.
Leptospirosis and Kennel Cough vaccination may be
recommended when dogs are likely to be at risk.
The health of your dog should be taken seriously
as infectious diseases have the ability to kill. There’s
more to looking after your beloved dog than just
food and water. Every pet needs someone to look
out for their ongoing healthcare needs.
Your vet should prescribe the Nobivac range of
vaccines to ensure the Health and Happiness of you
and your dog.
A preventative healthcare programme incorporates
regular health assessments which will help keep
your pet in good health. By preventing
infectious diseases and detecting and
treating other conditions you can
improve your pet’s
quality of life.
All dogs should
be vaccinated
against serious
infectious diseases.
Remember: all dogs need regular vaccination
for continued protection against illnesses.
After Vaccination
Generally pets show very little or
no reaction to vaccination.
Occasionally they may
Don’t take a chance with
your dog’s life. Vaccination
is vital.
The Woof! Book for dogs is a publication made
available by Intervet/Schering-Plough that is aimed
at giving all pet owners tips and tricks about how to
keep their pets happy and healthy. This book is aimed
at educating all owners, so they can get the most love
and respect possible out of their best friend.
In a way it’s like a car manual or a Plunket book but
for your dog. It is filled to the brim with useful dog
information. The Woof! Book is a helpful resource
that contains practical advice of when to vaccinate,
how to care for your dog as well as what to look for
in a sick dog.
Nobivac® DHPPi, Nobivac® DHP, Nobivac® ParvoC, Nobivac® KC, Nobivac® Lepto 1, Nobivac®
Puppy DP, Nobivac® Pi. Registered Pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997 Nos A6257, A5526, A5525, A7832,
A7865, A6018, A9101.Prescription Animal Remedies (P.A.R.) Class I for use only under the authority or
prescription of a veterinarian. Schering-Plough Animal Health, Upper Hutt. Freephone 0800 800 543.
www.intervet.co.nz. NBV-140-2009.