Rabies Vaccine
This vaccine protects your pet against rabies, a fatal viral disease. Pets may be exposed to rabies through contact with the saliva of an infected animal. Most often rabies is transmitted by wildlife such as raccoons, bats, or skunks, but it can be carried by any mammal, including domestic animals such as cats, dogs, and farm animals. Infection with the rabies virus causes severe neurologic (nerve-related) signs including salivation, seizures, wobbly gait (unsteady walking pattern), confusion, and aggression, and will eventually lead to death. Rabies is zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted from an infected animal to humans. Because of this public health concern, the rabies vaccine is legally required in domestic animals throughout most of North America and may also be required if moving a pet across state or international borders.
DHPP Vaccine
This is a combination vaccine that protects your pet from 4 diseases: distemper, adenovirus, paraninfluenza, and parvovirus. These viruses are transmitted from dog to dog; some can also be carried by wildlife and/or survive in the surrounding environment of infected animals (such asNew Page on bedding). Adenovirus and parainfluenza are both respiratory viruses and lead to coughing and nasal discharge. Parvovirus causes severe gastrointestinal signs and suppresses the bone marrow. Distemper can affect the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and neurologic systems. These viruses are highly contagious, and both parvovirus and distemper often lead to death. Although the DAPP vaccine is not required by law, it is required by many boarding, grooming, and daycare facilities unless there is a medical reason your pet cannot have the vaccine. The DAPP vaccine may be an entrance requirement if you travel internationally with your pet.
Leptospirosis Vaccine
This vaccine is used in dogs to prevent the development of leptospirosis, a bacterial disease caused by Leptospira spp bacteria. The condition, which can lead to liver, kidney, and lung damage, affects mammals of all types—including humans; however, a vaccine is currently only available for dogs. Leptospira spp are found in soil or water worldwide. Transmission to dogs typically occurs from direct contact with the urine of an infected wild animal or stagnant water containing the bacteria, although other modes of transmission exist. Wild animals likely to transmit leptospirosis to dogs include deer, foxes, skunks, rats, and raccoon.
Lyme Vaccine
This vaccine protects dogs from Lyme disease, which is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme disease can occur when an infected tick bites an animal (dog, cat, horse) or human and transmits the bacteria into the bloodstream. Infection can potentially affect the joints or kidneys. The disease is more common in certain regions of the United States, including the Northeast and upper Midwest regions, but is found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. While humans and other animals are susceptible to Lyme disease, vaccines currently only exist for dogs.
Bordetella Vaccine (Kennel Cough)
The Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccine helps protect pets from the bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica, an infectious agent that causes respiratory disease in dogs. Infection with Bordetella bronchiseptica is one of several causes of the respiratory condition commonly known as kennel cough or Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC). Available vaccines can include protection against Bordetella bronchiseptica alone or may include coverage for an additional virus that contributes to CIRDC (parainfluenza or adenovirus-2), depending on the manufacturer.