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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.