A healthy diet, regular exercise, and routine visits to a veterinarian are all critical parts of keeping a dog healthy and happy. But these pet care practices aren’t enough to protect your pup from contagious—and sometimes fatal—illnesses. Fortunately, pet vaccinations are designed to strengthen your animal’s immune system, so they can defend against these severe health risks. To help illustrate the benefits of immunizations, here are some canine diseases that can be prevented through vaccine use.

5 Dangerous Conditions That Dog Vaccines Can Prevent   

1. Rabies

Typically spread through wild animal bites, rabies is a fatal disease that affects an animal’s brain and spinal cord. As the disease progresses, it may lead to aggressive behavior, foaming at the mouth, fever, seizure, paralysis, and other complications. For the optimal protection, your puppy should receive the initial rabies vaccination at four months, followed by a booster at one year and every three years after.

2. Distemper

Distemper is usually a fatal disease that is characterized by severe respiratory problems and diarrhea. Most dogs will receive protection from this as part of a combination vaccination—often referred to as DHHP—that protects against other illnesses as well. Veterinarians deliver DHHP through a series of three shots that ideally occur at six, 10, and 16 weeks of age. DHHP boosters should be given once every three years.

3. Adenovirus

Adenoviruses spread to dogs when they come in contact with an infected canine’s saliva, feces, or urine. In addition to respiratory illness, adenoviruses can cause canine hepatitis—dangerous liver inflammation that can lead to fever, pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Although canine hepatitis is somewhat treatable, it often causes irreversible liver damage. As such, dog owners are urged to seek protection with the DHHP vaccine.

4. Parvovirus

Also covered by the DHHP vaccine, parvovirus can cause a dangerous infection of the intestines. This infection may cause bloody diarrhea, appetite loss, fever, vomiting, weight loss, and fatigue. Since this disease tends to affect puppies, it’s critical that your dog receive the first round of their pet vaccinations at around six weeks of age.

5. Parainfluenza

Parainfluenza is caused by an airborne virus that can easily spread to dogs living in close quarters, such as shelters. Upon infection, pets may develop severe congestion and kennel cough—a persistent respiratory illness. While parainfluenza is treatable, its long-lasting symptoms are reason enough to have your pet protected against it through the DHHP vaccine. 

Whether you’ve recently adopted a puppy or are a seasoned dog owner, Clermont Animal Hospital offers comprehensive resources to keep your pet healthy. With a gentle approach, this animal clinic of Batavia, OH, makes the pet vaccination approach as swift and stress-free as possible. In addition to core vaccines, this clinic can further protect your pet’s health with non-core immunizations—such as those that protect against canine flu and bordatella. Visit this veterinarian online to learn more about their general and emergency services, and call (513) 732-1730 to schedule an appointment.