Rabies & DAPP

February is National Dog Health month.  Our Blog posts this month will be covering common dog diseases, issues, and also give you a in-depth look at the vaccines that we offer, what is in each vaccine, and what each vaccine prevents.  In this post, we will be covering Canine Rabies & DAPP (Canine Distemper combo)

The vaccine Rabies comes in a feline and canine version, but both versions treat the same disease. Michigan requires rabies as a vaccine for dogs, & also is required to become licensed in your county.  It is STRONGLY recommended by veterinarians due to the zoonotic* nature and fatal prognosis*.  Below, I have expanded on the Rabies disease, so as an owner you can be more educated on the disease that this vaccine prevents.​​​​

Rabies
Common Name: Rabies
Breed,Age,Sex: All breeds, all ages, male & female affected, outdoor dogs are more common due to increased contact with wildlife
Risk Factors: Contact with wildlife, especially raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes, inadequate vaccination, live virus* vaccination of immunocompromised* animals
Zoonotic*: YES
Presenting signs: Anxiety, fever, difficulty swallowing, dropped jaw, aggression, altered voice, paralysis, seizures, ataxia*
Treatment: There is no treatment, once contracted, Rabies is fatal within a 1-2 weeks. 
PREVENTION IS KEY: VACCINATE

---

The vaccine DAPP is our canine combo vaccine that is used to prevent the following diseases: canine distemper virus, adenovirus type 2, parainfluenza virus and canine parvo virus.  Below, I have expanded on each of the diseases that DAPP prevents so as an owner, you can be more educated on what your vaccines prevent.

Canine Distemper Virus
Common Name: Canine Distemper
Breed, Age, Sex: All breeds, all ages, male & female affected. Dogs between 3-6 months old more at risk
Risk Factors: Inadequate vaccination, exposure to infected animals
Zoonotic*: No
Presenting signs: Fever, lethargy, ocular & nasal discharge, cough, inappetence, vomiting, diarrhea, & neurological signs like seizures.
Treatment: Mainly supportive care, antibiotics, & anit-convulsants. Vaccinate!

Adenovirus Type 2
Common Name: One cause of upper respiratory tract infections in dogs
Breed, Age, Sex: All breeds, all ages (kittens most likely), male & female affected
Risk Factors: Unvaccinated status, crowded conditions, exposure to infected dogs
Zoonotic: Immunocompromised humans at risk
Presenting Signs: Recent exposure to crowded conditions (boarding/daycare), coughing, sneezing, signs similar to pneumonia
Treatment:​ Supportive care, cough suppression, & prevention of secondary infection with antibiotics.

Parainfluenza Virus
Common Name: One cause of canine kennel cough
Breed, Age, Sex: All breeds, all ages (mostly puppies), male & female affected
Risk Factors: Unvaccinated status, exposure to infected dogs, boarding or kennels
Zoonotic*: No
Presenting Signs: Coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, recent boarding or daycare visit
Treatment:​ Supportive care, cough suppression, & prevention of secondary infection with antibiotics.

Canine Parvo Virus
Common Name: Canine Parvovirus
Breed, Age, Sex: All breeds, usually puppies under 8 months, male & female affected
Risk Factors: Unvaccinated status, exposure to infected dogs, immunosuppressed puppies
Zoonotic*: No
Presenting Signs: Acute lethargy*, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia* (all signs can be severe) 
Treatment:​ Supportive care, fluids, antibiotics, anti-emetics*, appetite stimulants, syringe feeding. Vaccinate!