Does My Puppy Need To Be Vaccinated?

When you bring your sweet, new puppy home you’ll probably be excited to show them off and introduce them to their new environment. But before you bring your puppy out in public, be aware that they should have their immunizations first. Puppies have weak immune systems, and are susceptible to a variety of viruses on the ground and in the air. It is important to make sure your puppy has their shots before you take them to public places such the park or dog-friendly restaurants. Even less popular areas in your neighborhood could have unnoticeable viruses lurking around from other dogs.

The best way to protect your puppy from these viruses is by vaccinating them. You may be asking, “What kind of shots does my puppy need? And when should I get them?” When you get a puppy, it’s recommended that you take it to the vet as soon as possible for an examination. Your vet will check your puppy’s ears, temperature, coat, mouth, teeth, abdomen, and weight.  If your puppy is between 6 to 8-weeks-old, this is a good time for your puppy to get its first set of shots. Some veterinarians prefer that your puppy is 8-weeks-old before their first vaccine to ensure that the process is effective.  The first shots will consist of some of the core vaccinations that your puppy needs.

All puppies need the core vaccines of canine distemper, adenovirus 2 (which prevents canine hepatitis), canine parvovirus, the parainfluenza virus, and the rabies virus.  Core vaccines are crucial for protecting your puppy from the various life-threatening diseases he or she can contract. Below is a brief description of what each of these vaccines protects against:

• Canine distemper – Canine distemper attack’s a puppy’s gastrointestinal system, nervous system, and respiratory system. It can be contracted by sharing water dishes or even through the air. Distemper can cause fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, twitching, paralysis, and death.
• Adenovirus 2 – This vaccination protects against canine hepatitis which is a highly contagious viral infection that affects a dog’s liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and eyes. Symptoms range from a slight fever and congestion to vomiting, stomach swelling, liver pain, and jaundice. There is no cure for canine hepatitis.
• Canine parvovirus – Parvo is a highly contagious virus. Puppies younger than four months old (and unvaccinated dogs) have the highest risk of contracting it. The virus attacks the gastrointestinal system and can cause loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, and severe, bloody diarrhea. Dogs can die from the severe dehydration that accompanies these symptoms. If you think your puppy has contracted parvovirus, contact your veterinarian immediately. Your vet can keep your dog hydrated while they wait for the pup’s immune system to fight the virus. There is no cure for parvo.
• Rabies virus – Rabies is a viral disease that is usually transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Rabies affects the central nervous system and causes headaches, anxiety, hallucinations, excessive drooling, fear of water, paralysis, and death. It is important to treat a rabid animal within hours of infection, otherwise, it is likely to be fatal. Most states require a rabies vaccination.
• Parainfluenza virus - a highly contagious respiratory virus which leads to “Kennel Cough” in dogs. Symptoms can include a cough and a runny nose.

Puppy vaccinations protect against a number of dangerous diseases. After the first round of immunizations, your puppy will need to return to the vet every two to four weeks for four more rounds of core vaccines. There are also optional shots for your puppy, which include Bordetella, Lyme disease, and leptospirosis (consult your vet to see if these are right for your pup).

If your dog is over 16-weeks-old and isn’t up to date on shots, it is a good idea to get them vaccinated. Contact us to find out if you should start the vaccination process from the beginning. As your dog ages, consider the benefits of annual vaccinations.

Remember to keep up with your puppy’s immunizations to ensure their overall health and well-being. Contact us today to schedule vaccinations for your furry pal!

Brachycephalic Skulls

Background
The term brachycephalia refers to the flat nose and wide skull shape found in dogs. Dogs that fall into this category possess shorter-nosed and flat-faced skulls which can (unfortunately) lead to a health risks; the most common being airway obstruction.

Common dog breeds with this skull conformation include: the Pug, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Shih Tzu, Boston terrier and Boxer. However, despite the number of potential risks flatter-faced dogs are becoming increasingly popular, with the Kennel Club reporting a 2,747% rise in the number of French bulldogs since 2004.

Not all flat-faced dogs will suffer from the same health problems, but since many do it is important to be aware of issues your beloved pup may face, as well as the signs to watch out for.

Skull 

Brachycephalia, pronounced ‘brackee - cefalic’, comes from two Greek words, meaning “short” and “head”. Although owners generally want a dog that falls into this category because of their cute smushed faces, these adorable pups are more susceptible to health issues because of this feature.

Because the flat face is so popular, these dogs have been bred for their looks, but many suffer from airway issues as a result. The flat face is the result of a smaller upper jaw, in which the tissues inside are bigger than the jaw can allow. All of the airway issues that can result from this overcrowding are collectively referred to as "brachycephalic airway syndrome." 

Breathing 

The bulk of health issues found in these types of dogs stem from the shape of their skulls. Because of their flat faces, the soft tissue in the nose and throat of these dogs are crammed into a smaller space than most other dog breeds. Because of this, there is comparatively more skin and other soft tissue around these areas; meaning the airway becomes narrowed or partially blocked as the tissue squeezes into a smaller space. 

A result of having a short muzzle and a narrowed airway directly affects one of the most essential parts of any dog’s life, walks. Since dogs cannot sweat, they regulate their body temperature mostly through panting. Since these dogs have shorter muzzles, they are unable to cool themselves down as quickly as dogs with longer muzzles. As a result, it is advised to limit exercise on hotter days. 

Other Problems 

Other fairly common health issues you may find in this breed revolve around their skin, face and eyes; all of which stem from the shape of their skull. 

If you are an owner of a bulldog, pug, shar-pei or even a mastiff you probably already know these dogs need special attention and care to one of the most favorable traits they all share - their folds! These deep skin folds found around their eyes and nose are poorly ventilated and unfortunately a great location for yeast and bacteria to develop. It is good to keep unscented baby wipes around the house to clean the folds at least once a day (preferably two). 

Big prominent eyes are commonly found in many of these dogs and can be a potential issue if not monitored and treated properly. Dogs with prominent eyes have shallow eye sockets, giving them the ‘bulging’ eye feature. Because of this many dogs cannot blink fully, which results in areas of the cornea drying out since tears cannot distribute evenly. Corneal ulcers can develop over time and are extremely painful for even the toughest of our pups, so keep an eye out for behavioral changes such as squinting or an eye remaining closed, excessive blinking, sensitivity to light and rubbing at the eyes with a paw. 

How to Care For Your Dog and What to do In Case of Emergencies 

If you are an owner of a brachycephalic dog, here a few precautions you can follow to lower any risk of airway problems or other complications:

● Don’t over-exercise or let dog overheat - Limit walks or playtime outdoors when the weather is hot and/or humid; even brachycephalics who did not require surgery will struggle with breathing.

● Keep weight in a healthy range - Obesity can make brachycephalic problems even worse.

● Pay attention to normal snorting/snoring - If your pooch starts to make sounds that sound unfamiliar, they may be experiencing problems breathing. Be sure to contact your vet if this happens.

● Daily pampering - Use a washcloth to clean the facial folds at least once a day, but two would be preferred to limit yeast build up.