What Diseases and Illness Do Dog Vaccines Protect My Dog From?

Dog vaccines are very common and important for puppies and older dogs. There are various diseases and illnesses out there that can affect dogs enough to cause death. It is important to regularly take your furry friend to regular checkups and vet appointments to check on their overall health and wellbeing.

Before getting a vaccine, pet owners should consult with their dog’s vet. There are many different types of vaccines that can cause allergic reactions and rashes if the dog is sensitive to the ingredients or materials used within the vaccine.

Throughout this post, we will specifically be referring to the DHLPP vaccine. This vaccine is amazing as it can prevent various illnesses and diseases at once!

What is the DHLPP vaccine?

The DHLPP vaccine is a unique vaccine that is given to dogs when they are puppies. In just one dose, your dog can start to develop an immunity to fight against common canine diseases and illnesses like; distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus.

Usually, puppies between the ages of 6-and 8 weeks get the first dose of this vaccine. In just another three weeks, vets recommend the booster shot to continue the effectiveness of the first vaccine.

What is Distemper?

Distemper is a big concern when it comes to small dogs, specifically puppies. This is a disease that attacks the respiratory and digestive systems at the same time. Sadly, it is very contagious, which is why experts recommend vaccinating your puppy as early as possible.

You should also limit the contact that your dog gets with other puppies that have not been vaccinated. Since it is very contagious, you don’t want to accidentally spread it to your puppy.

Most of the time, the exposure is airborne. Something as small as a puppy in a shelter coughing could cause the spread of this illness.

What is Hepatitis?

Like humans, dogs can also contract hepatitis, and it is just as deadly and dangerous. It is a virus that is spread quickly and quietly. The spread is one of the biggest dangers because it is hard to pinpoint until it is too late.

Puppies that react to this infection often start coughing, wheezing, and suddenly lose weight. The virus immediately attacks the dog’s spleen, liver, lungs, and kidneys, causing massive health problems.

Interestingly enough, even six months after the virus inhabits the body of a dog, their urine and feces can still spread the virus, even without inhibiting common symptoms. This is why it is important to vaccinate young puppies as early as possible.

What is Leptospirosis? 

Leptospirosis is a lesser-known health risk for dogs, but it’s important to protect your pet against this disease if they have a high likelihood of encountering it in their environment. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection, caused by bacteria found most often in standing bodies of water (lakes, ponds, and puddles) and damp soil. Deer, rodents, and other wildlife are prime drivers of this disease, shedding it in their urine if they happen to be infected.

Leptospirosis can cause serious illness in dogs if it isn’t treated in a timely manner, and the disease can be transmitted to humans, as well. If you think your dog may be at risk for leptospirosis, let us know so we can discuss vaccination. 

What is Parainfluenza?

Parainfluenza is another virus often found in younger puppies. This one is especially contagious and is usually worse in shelters and dog kennels. Since puppies are often placed in small conditions where there is a lack of space and a lot of cramping, it is hard to stop the spread of the virus.

This specific virus immediately attacks the lungs and causes huge respiratory problems. It is not uncommon to see a puppy with this virus cough frequently. As it worsens, the state of the lungs weakens, and blood is found in the mucus coughed by the puppy.

What is Parvovirus?

Parvovirus is a virus that hits immediately. It is a huge problem in small and cramped spaces where dog often sneezes and inhale the same air. It is also very common in puppies and contagious. In only three days after infection, parvovirus puppies often start showing severe symptoms.

The only way for dogs to catch this virus is if they have direct contact with the infected or an object that has also been infected. For example, another dog’s feces, urine, or the water bowl that is shared with saliva.

Preventing the Spread of Illnesses

It is not easy to fully prevent the spread of illnesses. Even with this amazing vaccine, some dogs will still spread and catch these four common viruses. Thankfully though, there are a few practices you can do at home to prevent the further spread of these heavily contagious and dangerous viruses.

Puppies require a lot of care because they are not used to the world yet. Their immune systems are not strong enough to fight against diseases, and yet they catch them really quickly.

The first thing you can do to prevent the spread of viruses is to limit contact play between puppies. If you have a new puppy in your home, wait until they are fully vaccinated, and then bring them on a play date. This will decrease the chances that you will spread the disease along with the other puppy. It is not possible to know what puppy has been infected as some dogs are asymptomatic.

Vaccines Protect Your Dog from Many Diseases & Illness

All in all, puppies should be carefully looked after. There are a lot of precautions to take as regular viruses can cause massive problems later on. Puppies do not have strong immune systems yet, and anything that attacks their organs can be detrimental. It is important to immediately consult your dog’s vet if you see signs of any sickness or illness.