HEALTH
VACCINATIONS
CORE VACCINES (C3)
Core vaccines protect against diseases that are considered to be threats to all dogs in Australia. The core vaccines for dogs are:
- Canine Distemper Virus: A highly contagious and often fatal viral disease.
- Canine Adenovirus (Hepatitis): A virus that affects the liver and other organs.
- Canine Parvovirus: A severe and potentially fatal viral disease that causes gastrointestinal issues.
NON-CORE VACCINES
Non-core vaccines are administered based on an assessment of the dog’s location, lifestyle, and risk of exposure to the infection.
- Canine Cough: (Bordetella and Parainfluenza): A respiratory disease, often a part of the C5 vaccine.
- Leptospirosis: A bacterial disease that can be serious and transmissible to humans.
COMMON VACCINATION PACKAGES
- C3: A combination of the core vaccines (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus).
- C5: A C3 vaccine plus two strains of Canine Cough (Bordetella bronchiectasis and canine parainfluenza virus).
PUPPY VACCINATION SCHEDULE
Current vaccination guidelines recommend that a puppy’s first C3 vaccine be given at 6-8 weeks, a second at 10-12 weeks (often C5) and a third at 14-16 weeks (usually C5).
Puppies should have had all three of their vaccinations before going to public places like the park, to reduce their risk of coming into contact with other dogs or an environment that could be a source of infectious disease. Before your puppy is fully vaccinated, you can take them out, but you should carry them and limit their exposure to other dogs and areas where dogs might have been.
Usually, puppies receive a booster vaccine 12 months after their last vaccine.
THE HIDDEN RISKS OF OVER-VACCINATION IN DOGS
Immunity for your pet is incredibly important. Vaccinations are necessary, but we should only use them when they are really needed.
Vaccinating every year may be unnecessary if your dog already has enough antibodies.
I recommend that you ALWAYS titre test before any re-vaccination. If there are adequate antibody levels, your dog DOESN'T need re-vaccination.
Titre testing has revealed that animals need less frequent vaccination than originally thought.
WHAT IS A TITRE TEST?
It’s a blood test that checks for certain antibodies in the bloodstream. This involves drawing blood and testing it for the presence of disease.
Now, with titre testing, vets can determine if animals still have immunity prior to vaccinations. If they still have strong immunity, further shots are not necessary as they already have protection. Titre testing offers an alternative to just vaccinating for the sake of it and supports a pet’s optimal health. This knowledge can save your pet’s system from being overloaded with chemicals.
If the titre test reveals no antibodies, the animal will be called back for another vaccination.
WORMING
The most common intestinal worms that affect dogs in Australia are roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and tapeworm. Loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhoea are some of the symptoms a dog can experience from a worm infestation.
Common worms are readily controllable with a routine worming treatment for puppies. Puppies should be wormed every two weeks until twelve weeks of age, then monthly until six months of age. After 6 months, dogs should be wormed every 3 months for effective protection.
FLEA AND TICK TREATMENT
Before administering flea and tick treatment, first consider your dog's activity and exposure to fleas and ticks.
Recent findings from the FDA have discussed the potential adverse effects to dogs and cats treated with drugs containing isoxazoline, which are found in some brands of flea and/or tick treatments.
Isoxazoline products have been associated with neurologic adverse reactions, including muscle tremors, ataxia, and seizures in some dogs and cats.
Although these products can and have been safely used in the majority of dogs and cats, pet owners should consult with their veterinarian to review their pet’s medical history and determine whether a product in the isoxazoline class is appropriate for their pet.
FLEAS
I personally believe that if a dog doesn't have fleas, then why treat them for something that they don't have? Treatments are readily available and effective in killing fleas if your pet does contract them.
PARALYSIS TICKS
The paralysis tick is found along the eastern coastal strip of Australia from North Queensland to Northern Victoria and is most abundant from August to March due to its breeding season. If travelling with your dog to any area where paralysis ticks are prevalent or have been recorded, it is important to treat them before departing.
Paralysis ticks can be identified by their grey body and legs close to the head. Their legs are the
feature that best distinguishes them from other ticks that occur in the same regions. Paralysis
ticks have one pair of brown legs closest to their head, then two pairs of white legs and then
one pair of brown legs closest to the body.
COMMON SIGNS OF TICK PARALYSIS
Tick paralysis can be present in different ways but more common clinical signs include:
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Altered pupil size
• Changes in breathing sound or pattern
• Altered ability to move, particularly with the back legs
• A change in gum colour
• Change or loss of voice (bark or meow)
• Coughing
• Cannot blink in one or both eyes
HEART WORM
Heartworm is a parasitic roundworm that is transmitted from animal to animal through mosquitoes. As its name implies, heartworms target the heart and lungs of their hosts, and can cause an array of health problems if left untreated.
It is more common in coastal regions where mosquito populations are abundant, and the climate is warm and humid. There are a variety of preventative measures available, including monthly oral medications.
GRASS SEEDS
Seemingly innocent but unequivocally dangerous, grass seeds can easily get caught on your pet’s fur and embed themselves in their skin very quickly. If left untreated, grass seeds can cause serious problems.
Grass seeds are great carriers of bacteria and once they penetrate the skin, infection is inevitable. If left untreated, the infection could spread or the seed could move around internally and cause severe internal damage. Once they are inside the body, there is no treatment plan other than surgery to remove them, along with prolonged use of antibiotics.
All dogs can be affected by grass seeds but dogs with medium-length coats are at the highest risk compared to dogs with short or long-haired coats. Medium-length coats have a higher density undercoat, which traps the grass seed and is more likely to hold them closely to the skin. Dog breeds with feathery paws, like spaniels, are also most likely to get a grass seed stuck in between their toes.