Getting a new puppy can be overwhelming. There is so much to know and to remember. Among those is learning about puppy vaccinations and what they do to protect your puppy. One of the first vaccinations your puppy will receive is the DHPP, which is the vaccine for four different diseases. Here, we will review what those four diseases are and how they affect your dog.
Distemper: Canine Distemper is highly contagious disease that is spread through the air by direct or indirect contact with an infected animal, or through contact with the infected animal’s things. The symptoms of this disease are coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, and in later stages of the disease seizures and/or paralysis, among others.
There is no know cure for Distemper, though with veterinary care it is possible in some cases to treat the symptoms your dog is experiencing. Prompt medical treatment and careful observation of the doctors orders will go a long way in helping your dog through this illness, and may even get him/her to a full recovery with some strains of Distemper.
Hepatitis: Canine Hepatitis is also a highly contagious disease. It is spread through the saliva, urine, and feces of an infected animal. Your dog can contract Hepatitis through its mouth or nose. This virus can live outside a host for weeks or even months, and can only be killed by some disinfectants.
Your dog can spread this disease for up to nine months after recovering. Proper measures should be taken to prevent the spread of the disease.
Parainfluenza :
Parainfluenza is a virus which is spread between dogs. This virus is common in places with a high population of dogs, like dog kennels. Because of this it is often mistaken for kennel cough, but these viruses only share one symptom and that is a cough. According to Vetinfo.com the symptoms of Parainfluenza are:
Possible pneumonia with depression, loss of appetite and lethargy
Although it is possible for your dog to recover fully from this virus without medical treatment, you should not delay seeking medical treatment. Without being treated with antibiotics and antiviral medications, it will be possible for your dog to continue to spread the disease even after it has fully recovered.
Parvovirus: Parvovirus commonly known as “Parvo”, is a virus that is spread through the fecal matter of dogs. This virus often affects puppies between the ages of six weeks and six months old. Without proper medical treatment, approximately 15% of puppies will die from this disease.
The symptoms of this virus are vomiting and diarrhea, with the diarrhea turning from a yellow color to a dark red, blood-like color as the virus progresses.
The treatment for Parvovirus can be tricky because there is no one medication that treats the illness. Veterinarians provide supportive care by giving the puppy fluids and a wide array of antibiotics to help prevent secondary infections. If the puppy survives the first few days of the virus it will likely make a full recovery.
The best treatment for any of these diseases is prevention. Simply vaccinating your dog against these diseases will help prevent your dog from contracting, spreading, or dying from them.
These diseases can be devastating, without proper treatment your dog could very easily suffer permanent damage or even lose its life. If you suspect your dog is sick, you should contact your veterinarian right away.
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