Well not only does your dog’s yearly vaccination keep their immunity up against 5 life-threatening diseases it allows the veterinary to conduct a full physical examination of your dog to ensure they are healthy and free from any diseases or abnormalities that may affect your pets further down the track.
During these examinations, your pet will have their stomach gently felt to ensure all internal organs feel normal and their heart and chest checked for any signs of abnormalities. It is common for veterinarians to pick up on dental disease, ear infections and even early onset of arthritis that you may not have realised is occurring in your pet.
Now, onto the importance of your pet’s annual health checks and vaccinations. There are 5 diseases that your dog is vaccinated against. These are:
PARVOVIRUS- is a highly contagious viral infection. It usually affects the intestinal tract and causes depression, bloody vomiting and diarrhea, inappetence and weight loss. There is no cure, only supportive treatment and it can be fatal.
HEPATITIS- Hepatitis causes liver damage and failure in dogs. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, inappetence, sore abdomen, and yellowish skin. There is no cure, only supportive treatment and can also be fatal.
DISTEMPER- is a highly contagious viral infection. It affects multiple body systems and symptoms usually include lethargy, gastrointestinal symptoms, respiratory changes and distress and neurological changes. Again there is no cure, only supportive therapy and can be fatal.
BORDETELLA AND PARAINFLUENZA- are the two strains of kennel cough that we vaccinate against. Kennel cough is just how it is described as a horrible hacking cough. It is commonly picked up at dog parks, regular dog walking areas and boarding kennels. It is generally self-limiting and usually not fatal however it is very uncomfortable for your pet and young and elderly pets are at risk of developing life-threatening pneumonia secondary to kennel cough.
To book in to get your pets yearly vaccination visit the link HERE.