Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease which affects all species of warm-blooded animals, including dogs, cats, and humans. It is transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal who has rabies virus in his/her saliva. Rabies virus travels in the nerves from the site of the bite to the brain and spinal cord. Rabid animals undergo personality changes during the course of the disease; these changes may include aggression and biting or increased friendliness and affectionateness. Once that any clinical sign of rabies appears, there is no hope; death is inevitable.

Rabies is ever present in California in wild animals such as skunks, raccoons, and bats. For example, rabies is present in Mexican free-tailed bats whose migratory flyway passes over California. The occasional Californian dog or cat (and person) has been exposed to rabies via contact with a rabid migratory bat. Rabies vaccination of dogs is required by state law in California. Rabies vaccination of cats is not, but should be, because more cats than dogs get rabies, and these rabid cats expose more humans that do the rabid dogs.

Puppies and kittens should be vaccinated against rabies at four months-of-age. The absolute minimum age is 16 weeks. If in doubt about the exact age of a puppy or kitten, wait until tooth eruption indicates that the patient is at least 16 weeks-of-age.

Dogs and cats who are under one year-of-age when they receive a rabies vaccination will be protected for only one year. The next rabies vaccination must be given one year after the initial one. Dogs and cats who are over one year-of-age when they receive a rabies vaccination will be protected for three years. A booster vaccination should be given every three years (except one year after the initial puppy/kitty rabies vaccination.)

The only exception to the above recommendation is the cat who (1) lives in an apartment house, (2) has no physical possibility of escaping from the apartment (or apartment hallway), and (3) has no access whatsoever to a balcony of any kind. Such a cat is so unlikely to contact a rabid animal as to render rabies vaccination superfluous. This exception does not apply to the "100% indoor" cat who lives in a single-story dwelling. Such cats have the potential for escape (and do so) with subsequent possible exposure to rabies. Thus, such cats should be vaccinated. For all practical purposes, rabies, in humans and nonhumans, is untreatable; it is a death warrant. Rabies vaccination is essentially a very cheap insurance policy against the serving of the warrant.

Roundworms

Worms are common everywhere in the world. They live in and around the best of families. Worms are frequent parasites of dogs and cats. Different worms inhabit different organs such as skin, lungs, heart, liver, and so on. Many species of worms inhabit the digestive tract of pets. In northern California, roundworms and tapeworms (flatworms) are far and away the most common intestinal parasites of our pets. These worms can cause a variety of problems including diarrhea, poor coat, and generral failure to thrive.

Most dog owners are surprised when told that their puppy probably became infested with roundworms when still a fetus. Indeed, the most common source of puppy roundworms are roundworm larvae (immature roundworms) which are resting and causing no trouble in the wall of the mother dog's womb. These little larvae migrate into the fetal pups precisely on the 42nd day of pregnancy! The larvae then mature in the young pup and start laying eggs when the puppy is about three weeks of age. From that time on, the affected puppy's feces contain eggs and can transmit roundworms to other dogs and even back to itself.

There is a similar roundworm cycle in the cat - with an important difference. Instead of larvae going from mother cat to kitten in the womb, the transfer takes place in the milk during nursing. Yes, cat roundworm larvae can live in the mother cat's breast tissue until nursing stimulates the larvae to board the Milkstream Special into the suckling kitten.

Roundworms are not only contagious for other pets, but also for humans, especially children via the feces-fingers-mouth cycle. The migrating larvae in children can cause serious and tragic disease especially of the eye and brain. All puppies and kittens should be repeatedly dewormed starting at three weeks of age - before the roundworms are mature enough to lay eggs and contaminate the environment with more roundworms. But inasmuch as most people don't acquire their puppy or kitten until it is 6-10 weeks old, the deworming process usually doesn't begin until that time. The best solution would be a drug that would kill the resting larvae in the mother dog or cat. Unfortunately, there is no drug available which will do that.

Roundworms lay microscopic-sized eggs which are passed in the affected animal's feces. Diagnosis depends upon examining a sample of fresh feces under a microscope. Rarely, a puppy or kitten will vomit or pass in his stool an entire adult roundworm. It is approximately 2" - 10" long, white, and may look like a piece of spaghetti. And while adult roundworms mainly infest only puppies and kittens, mature dogs and cats may occasionally harbor the parasite in their intestine. Typical signs of infestation are diarrhea, poor hair coat, and, in young puppies and kittens, pot-bellied appearance and poor growth. Severe infestation can lead to liver, lung, and brain damage.

All veterinary parasitologists and public health experts advise deworming puppies and kittens for roundworms at three weeks-of-age and then every three weeks. We follow these recommendations by including a dewormer with each Kitten and Puppy Pack and by urging that all puppies and kittens up to about one year-of-age be wormed three times, two to four weeks apart.

We currently use pyrantel pamoate (e.g. Strongid - T) to worm puppies and kittens. It is a very safe drug. It is given by mouth in a flavored syrup whose taste is puppy/kitten-friendly.

Protect families and their pets by routinely deworming all young dogs and cats.

Tapeworms

Worms are common everywhere in the world. They live in and around the best of families. Worms are frequent parasites of dogs and cats. Different worms inhabit different organs such as skin, lungs, heart, liver, and so on. Many species of worms inhabit the digestive tract of pets. In Northern California roundworms and tapeworms (flatworms) are far-and-away the most common intestinal parasites of our pets. These worms can cause a variety of problems including diarrhea, coat changes, and failure to thrive.

The tapeworm is more common in adult pets than in puppies and kittens; the most common variety is transmitted by fleas.

Microscopic examination of the stool rarely uncovers tapeworm eggs. We must depend on the pet owner for a diagnosis of tapeworms. The tapeworm in the intestine breaks off its rear segments every once in awhile, and they appear in the feces of an infested pet. The segments are white, flat, and approximately ¼" - ½" long and resemble "moving cucumber seeds"; when they dry up, they look like uncooked, beige rice grains. If one sees these moving objects in a fresh stool or finds little rice grain-like things stuck to the hair of a pet's rear end, then the pet probably has a tapeworm. When the moving segments crawl away, dry up, and crack, they release hundreds of microscopic tapeworms eggs. Neither the segments nor the eggs are infective to a pet or a person. But if a flea larva happens to be nearby, it will eat one of these eggs; and when this larva matures into an adult flea (with the tapeworm egg still inside) and is eaten by a pet, he/she will get the tapeworm. A pet can get the common tapeworm only by swallowing a particular flea which happens to have a tapeworm egg inside. Therefore, the key to preventing tapeworm infestation is flea control. But if a pet already has a tapeworm, then something must be done about it. Unfortunately, none of the store-bought tapeworm medicines are both safe and effective. One must see a veterinarian for tapeworm treatment. And, then, prevention of reinfestation depends upon strict flea control.

Canine Distemper

Canine distemper is a highly contagious and often fatal virus disease. It is found everywhere in the world where there are dogs. The disease is spread in the air and via direct dog-to-dog contact. Distemper primarily affects puppies and younger dogs, but it can infect and kill old dogs too. The disease attacks primarily the respiratory and digestive systems and the nervous system (brain and spinal cord) but can infect every organ of the body. Canine distemper is so widespread that nearly every dog is exposed during his/her lifetime. The disease is not transmissible to people or cats. The disease's high death rate makes vaccination essential.

Vaccination of puppies should begin at six weeks-of-age and be repeated every two to four weeks until 16 weeks-of-age. A dog exposed to canine distemper disease should be given a booster vaccination, regardless of his/her vaccination history. An annual booster vaccination should be given for life.

Canine Parvovirus

Canine parvovirus causes fever, severe vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration in dogs. The disease often kills. The virus is especially lethal to young dogs. It is transmitted by contact with parvovirus-infected dog feces or with an object which has come into contact with infected dog feces. Canine parvovirus is an unusual virus, because it can live for months in the environment, so the virus can be brought into a home on people's hands, clothes, or shoes. Therefore, even dogs who never leave their home and have no direct contact whatsoever with other dogs need parvovirus vaccination. The disease does not affect people or cats.

Vaccination of puppies should begin at six week-of-age and be repeated every two to four weeks until 16 weeks-of-age. An annual booster vaccination should be given for life.

NOTE: Certain breeds of dogs are resistant to parvovirus vaccination and/or are especially susceptible to parvovirus infection. These breeds include rottweilers, doberman pinschers, pit bull breeds, and German shepherds. We recommend that puppies of such breeds be given an extra parvovirus vaccination at 20 - 22 weeks-of-age. Individual dogs of those breeds who are to be boarded at a kennel may benefit from an additional parvovirus vaccination just prior (a few days to a few weeks) to boarding. Individual dogs of those breeds who go to dog shows, dog classes, dog parks, or dog runs or visit any location which dogs have frequented may benefit from receiving a parvovirus vaccination every six months rather than just annually.

Canine Adenovirus (Canine Hepatitis, Canine Adenovirus Pneumonia)

Canine adenovirus infection comes in two forms - one form causes severe (even fatal) liver disease; the other form causes respiratory disease which can lead to pneumonia and death. These viruses are very contagious. Dogs of any age can get canine adenovirus infections via contact with infected saliva, mucous, urine, or feces. Neither form of canine adenovirus is transmitted to people or cats.

Vaccination of puppies should begin at six weeks-of-age and be repeated every two to four weeks until 16 weeks-of-age. An annual booster vaccination should be given for life.

Canine Leptospirosis

Canine leptospirosis is a bacterial disease which attacks the kidneys and the liver, causing uremia (uremic poisoning), jaundice, and death. The disease is highly contagious. It is carried by many species of wild and domestic animals, including rats. It is transmitted to dogs and people via contact with infected animals or through leptospira-contaminated drinking water. Cats are extremely resistant to leptospirosis.

Vaccination of puppies should begin at six weeks-of-age and be repeated every two to four weeks until 16 weeks-of-age. An annual booster vaccination should be given for life.

Canine Parainfluenza

Canine parainfluenza virus is one of the most causes of infectious tracheobronchitis - also called "kennel cough" - an infection of the windpipe and its lower branches (the bronchi). Two other important organisms causing kennel cough are canine adenovirus-2 and bordetella, a bacterium.

Kennel cough is characterized by a dry, persistent cough which can last for weeks to several months even with treatment. The disease is extremely contagious from dog-to-dog. It can lead to pneumonia and death. The disease does not affect people or cats.

Vaccination of puppies should begin at six weeks-of-age and be repeated every two to four weeks until 16 weeks-of-age. An annual booster vaccination should be given for life.

Coronavirus

Coronavirus is highly contagious and may cause vomiting, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, and occasionally death. (The disease is similar to parvovirus disease.) Coronavirus does not affect people or cats.

Protect your dog against coronavirus disease. Get him/her a coronavirus vaccination. Vaccination of puppies should begin at six weeks-of-age and be repeated every two to four weeks until 16 weeks-of-age. An annual booster vaccination should be given for life.

NOTE: Coronavirus causes gastrointestinal disease very similar to parvovirus disease. Coronavirus disease is usually not as severe as parvovirus disease but can kill. Dogs should be vaccinated against coronavirus. The arguments against coronavirus vaccination are: (1) coronavirus vaccines may be only partially protective; (2) the disease itself is generally treatable and only occasionally life-threatening; (3) coronavirus vaccination adds to a dog's annual maintenance costs. However, spending those few-extra dollars may save a (loved) dog a bout of disease and save a large veterinary bill.

Coronavirus vaccines is available as a separate injection or as part of our annual (distemper-parvo-etc.) vaccine which every dog should receive.

Canine Bordetella

Bordetella, a bacterium, is one of the two major causes of infectious tracheobronchitis (ITB, kennel cough), an extremely contagious respiratory disease of dogs. If treated, ITB rarely causes death, but even with treatment, the disease often last for weeks and weeks, during which time the affected dog is extremely contagious to other dogs. The disease is spread by direct contact and via airborne transmission. Bordetella is characterized by a dry, hacking cough that sounds like a human "smokers cough".

Bordetella is often a complicating secondary part of other diseases such as canine distemper. Bordetella does not affect people or cats.

Bordetella vaccine is given once yearly, except for the first time when it is given injections, two to four weeks apart until 16 weeks-of-age, then once a year for life. The minimum age is 8 weeks. Intranasal (drops in the nose) vaccines give faster and better protection than do injectable vaccines.

NOTE: Kennel cough is an extremely contagious respiratory disease caused by a variety of bacteria and viruses, the most important of which are bordetella (a bacterium) and canine parainfluenza virus. The disease is most common in dogs who have close contact with other dogs (e.g. in kennels, shelters, and working dog environments). However, occasionally, cases occur in dogs who never left their backyards. (Go figure!) The disease is treatable but may last for up to eight weeks, during which time the affected dog is highly contagious to other dogs. If untreated, the disease can progress to pneumonia and death. There are two types of kennel cough vaccines: injectable and intranasal (in the nose). The injectable type comes in two forms: (A) against the parainfluenza virus as part of the 6-in-1 or 7-in-1 vaccine and (B) as a separate anti-bordetella vaccine. These two forms are variably effective but worth getting. The intranasal type of kennel cough vaccine is best of all. This latter vaccine consists of drops of vaccine in the nose. This vaccine (containing bordetella and parainfluenza) consists of drops of vaccine dripped into a dog's nose. We recommend this vaccine especially for dogs who are to be boarded within a week or so of vaccination and thus do not have enough time to get the two bordetella injections two to four weeks apart. There still remains some controversy as to the overall effectiveness of kennel cough vaccines in preventing disease. But why take a chance? For a few bucks a year, a dog can get the protection that these vaccines do provide. The injectable vaccine provides fairly good protection, and the intranasal vaccine provides fast acting and good protection.

Canine Lyme Disease (Canine Borreliosis)

Lyme disease is a bacterial disease transmitted only by tick bites. The bacterium is called Borrelia burgdorferi. It takes 24 hours-or-so after attachment to your dog for an infested tick to transmit the disease. The disease can damage many body systems but most often causes fever, loss of appetite, arthritis, and lameness. Lyme disease is contagious to people only via the bite of an infected tick.

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the United States, and it continues to spread to new areas. It is present in California in most areas where there are ticks.

The signs of Lyme disease include a painless bull's eye rash at the site of the tick bite, flu-like signs, fever, fatigue, joint and muscle aches, and lameness or stiffness in one or more joints. Complications of chronic disease include heart and nervous system involvement. Treatment with antibiotics is usually effective if begun early, but diagnosis of the disease is difficult at best, so treatment is all-too-often started too late to be fully curative.

If a dog has never had a tick, and it isn't expected that he/she ever will, then we do not recommend a Lyme disease vaccination.

If an owner expects that his/her dog may get ticks in the future but that the owner will always and every time find and remove them within 24 hours of their attaching to the dog, then the dog is unlikely to need Lyme disease vaccination, because it takes a day or more after attaching for an infected tick to transmit the disease.

If an owner expects that his/her dog may get ticks in the future, and there is a chance that the owner might not find and remove them within 24 hours of attachment, then the dog should receive a Lyme disease vaccine. The vaccine is given annually, except for the first time when it is given as two injections, two to four weeks apart.

The minimum age is 9 weeks. Vaccinated dogs should receive an annual booster vaccination for life.

NOTE: Lyme disease is a bacterial disease transmitted by the bite of certain species of ticks. No ticks, no Lyme disease. (Note: it's "Lyme" disease, not "Lyme's" disease, as it is often called, even in veterinary circles.) The above vaccination guidelines must be tempered with how common indigenous Lyme disease is in areas where the dog goes. Lyme disease is slowly spreading throughout the United States, wherever there are the right species of ticks. So a really grey area in deciding on Lyme disease vaccination is where there are the right ticks in an area but no Lyme disease yet reported in that area. Fear of Lyme disease causes too many dogs to receive Lyme disease vaccination who do not really need it. After all, human malaria (and the right mosquitos), human tuberculosis, and other vaccinatable human diseases occur in people in certain areas of the United States, but no public health authorities recommend vaccination of all people in those areas against those diseases. The final decision as to whether or not to vaccinate a dog against Lyme disease depends upon (A) knowing the prevalence Lyme disease in an area and (B) the peace of mind of the dog owner.

Giardia

Giardia is a parasite that lives in many different and often unexpected sources.  Your pet can be infected with Giardia simply by drinking contaminated water or by licking its paws after walking in an infected area.  Once ingested, Giardia lives in the intestines of the pet, and is returned to the environment through the pet's feces.

Giardia causes giardiasis.  This disease frequently occurs in dogs and cats, and is the most prevalent protozoal disease in humans according to Centers for Disease Control reports.  Symptoms of giardiasis in humans and pets include diarrhea, weight loss and poor weight gain despite normal appetite.  Many pets contract the disease and don't show signs of it.  However, they can pass the parasite to other animals.  Although the potential for pain in infected pets is unknown, humans with giardiasis can suffer from intense abdominal pain and cramping.

Dogs and cats are susceptible to disease caused by Giardia, especially puppies and kittens.  Their maturing immune system often leave them unable to protect themselves from diseases.  As a result, puppies and kittens are considered among the highest risk groups.  Prevention programs should start with them.  Other pets with an increased risk of exposure include:  Outdoor dogs/cats; Multi-pet households; Pets in urban neighborhoods; Kenneled dogs/cats; Adopted dogs/cats; Farm dogs/cats; Hunting dogs. Certain areas also pose a high risk of exposure for pets, including:  Dog shows; Parks; Campgrounds; Suburbs/Cities; Beaches; Kennels; Pools; Playgrounds.

Giariadid is not limited to pets.  Giardia can also affect humans, and recent discoveries suggest that pet-to-human transmission is possible.*  While Giardia infection is a recognized zoonotic disease, the role that the animal assumes in human disease is not well established.

* BUGG,R.J. et al:"Gastrointestinal Parasites in Urban Dogs in Perth, Western Australia," The Veterinary Journal 1999, 157:295-301.