We feed, love and nurture our pets, but what happens on the inside is just as important as what happens on the outside. This article features the three types of vaccines dogs need throughout their lifetime, along with the timeline. These can be administered at local veterinary clinics - our recommendations are BestCare and PetVet. The general prices of the vaccines are mentioned, but these will slightly vary with the veterinary hospital. The vaccines are as follows;

1. Rabies - Rs.450 x 2 doses

This vaccine is given to stop the spread of the infection ‘rabies’. It is a very fast moving virus, which is transmitted via biting, scratches, saliva or blood. If your dog has been in contact with an unvaccinated animal, or has been attacked by one, it is vital to take them to the vet immediately. Rabies can be fatal to a dog, and is transferable to humans as well. The vaccine must be given at six weeks and again at 16 weeks of age.

Signs include;

• Furious rabies is typically characterized by the dog having a voracious appetite, even eating non-food items such as stones and dirt. The dog will eventually become paralyzed, unable to eat or drink. Death generally follows violent seizures. 

• Dumb or paralytic rabies is the form people often associate with salivating, rabid dog imagery. This form involves progressive paralysis as well. The dog's face may distort and swallowing may appear to be a struggle. For this reason, you should exercise caution around any animal that appears to have something stuck in its mouth or throat. Attempting to pry the mouth open of an infected animal can result in the transmission of rabies. With dumb rabies, the dog lapses into a coma and death follows. (Hill’s Pet, 2019)

2. Parvo - Rs.550 x 4 doses

Canine parvovirus is transferred through feces and can be fatal to dogs. It is very common amongst younger dogs, however, older dogs can get infected as well, especially if unvaccinated. An infected dog will start to show symptoms within three to seven days of infection. The vaccine must be given at 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks of age. 

Signs include;

• An infected dog will often show lethargy as the first sign, and they may not want to eat. They will also often have a fever. As the virus progresses, the dog will begin to suffer from severe vomiting and diarrhea. Severely sick dogs may collapse and have a high heart rate and hypothermia due to the degree of dehydration and infection. (PetMD, 2020)

3. DHPL - Rs. 750 x 7 doses [approximation]

DHPL stands for Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo and Leptospirosis. It is vital that these injections are given, especially if the animal is in the company of other animals. The vaccine must be given at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks of age and every third year after that. 

Distemper:

This is a contagious virus that impacts many dogs every year, and is caused by the Paramyxovirus. It mainly affects the respiratory system, skin, immune system and gastrointestinal [which means the digestive system and organ as a whole]. A dog can get infected with this virus through urine, blood, saliva, coughing and contaminated food bowls. 

Signs include;

• Fever

• Nasal discharge

• Eye discharge

• Lethargy

• Sneezing

• Coughing 

• Difficulty breathing

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Loss of appetite

• Thickening of nose and foot pads

• Pneumonia

• Skin sores [Source: Fetch by WebMD]

Hepatitis:

This is caused by a virus called Canine Adenovirus Type 1 (CAV-1). It is very common in dogs, and can range from mild cases to extreme fatal cases. 

Signs include;

• Fever

• Loss of appetite

• Lethargy

• Runny eyes and nose

• Cough

• Vomiting

• Bleeding which may present as bruising, a skin rash, nose bleeds, or blood in the urine or feces.

• Swelling of the head, neck, and trunk

• Fluid accumulation in the abdomen [ascites]

• Jaundice [yellowish tinge to skin]

• Seizures, walking in circles, pressing of the head against the wall, or other neurologic symptoms.

• Increases thirst and urination [secondary to kidney damage]

• Bluish clouding of the cornea ["hepatitis blue-eye"]

Leptospirosis

This bacteria spreads through the bloodstream. Dogs are prone to get it from water bodies that have infected animal urine in them, and open sores in their skin. There is also a risk of the bacteria being transferred to humans, especially children. A separate lepto vaccine, apart from the DHPL vaccine, has to be given on a yearly basis.

Signs include;

• Sudden fever and illness

• Sore muscles; reluctance to move

• Stiffness in muscles and legs; stiff gait

• Shivering

• Weakness

• Depression

• Lack of appetite

• Increased thirst and urination - may be indicative of chronic renal (kidney) failure, progressing to an inability to urinate

• Rapid dehydration

• Vomiting, possibly with blood (PetMD, 2020).

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