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Distemper
The letter "D" in
DHPP and DHLPP stands for distemper, which is a
highly contagious viral disease that can
affect multiple organs including the
brain, skin, eyes, intestinal and
respiratory tracts of dogs. It can be
transmitted through the bodily fluids of
infected animals, including respiratory
secretions. Due to its airborne nature,
the
virus can
quickly infect dog populations in
kennels or breeding facilities. The
widespread use of the vaccine has
contributed to a significant decline in
the incidence of distemper infection
throughout the United States.
Hepatitis
Infectious Canine
Hepatitis, or Canine Adenovirus Type 1,
is primarily a disease of the liver
transmitted through the bodily fluids of
infected animals. The corneas of
infected animals may appear cloudy or
bluish, leading to the expression
"hepatitis blue-eye" used to describe
the unfortunate dog. Although there is
no treatment for an infected dog, the
disease can be prevented though routine
DHPP and DHLPP vaccinations.
Leptospirosis
The "L" in DHLPP
stands for leptospirosis, a disease with
numerous strains affecting a variety of
species including humans. The vaccine
commonly administered as part of a dog's
DHLPP shot inoculates against the
canicola and icterohaemorrhagiae
varieties, but other strains may still
affect the dog. The bacteria enters the
animal through the mucus membranes or
open wounds, and can result in high
fever, vomiting and dehydration.
Unfortunately, some dogs can have a
severe allergic reaction to this
component of the DHLPP vaccine.
Parvo
Parvovirus is a
common and often deadly disease of the
gastrointestinal tract seen most
frequently in unvaccinated puppies. The
highly contagious virus is spread
through contaminated stool, or through
contact with an
environment in
which the virus is present. Symptoms
include loss of appetite, lethargy,
vomiting and severe, malodorous
diarrhea. The DHPP and DHLPP vaccination is the
most effective way to prevent the
occurrence of parvovirus infection in
dogs.
Parainfluenza
Canine Parainfluenza represents the
final "P" in DHPP and DHLPP, and is the least
serious of the diseases against which it
protects. It is a highly contagious
viral disease that irritates the
respiratory tracts of infected dogs,
causing dry, unproductive coughing. Its
symptoms resemble those of bordetella,
commonly known as kennel cough, and can
be easily spread between animals.
Although no vaccine is 100 percent
effective, the regular administration of
the DHPP or DHLPP vaccine is an excellent method
of protection against these five common
canine diseases.
Bordetella - "Kennel Cough"
'Kennel Cough' is the
term that was commonly applied to the most
prevalent upper respiratory
problem in dogs in the
United States. Recently, the condition has
become known as
tracheobronchitis,
canine infectious tracheobronchitis,
Bordetellosis, or Bordetella. It is highly
contagious in dogs. The disease is found
worldwide and will infect a very high
percentage of dogs in their lifetime.
The most common symptom is a dry hacking
cough sometimes followed by retching. Many
owners describe the cough as having a
'honking sound.' A watery nasal discharge
may also be present. With mild cases, dogs
continue to eat and be alert and active.
Many times, there is a recent history of
boarding or coming in contact with other
dogs. In more severe cases, the symptoms may
progress and include lethargy, fever,
in-appetence, pneumonia, and in very severe
cases, even death. The majority of severe
cases occur in immuno-compromised animals,
or young unvaccinated puppies.
FVRCP - Cats and Kittens
FVR stands for Feline Viral
Rhinotracheitis
Rhinotracheitis is a
severe upper respiratory infection caused by
a feline type 1, herpes-virus. It is most
severe in young kittens and older cats, and
is one of the most serious upper respiratory
diseases seen in the feline species. The
virus is airborne and very contagious in
susceptible animals.
Cats with this
infection are lethargic, and show signs of
respiratory involvement with much sneezing
and coughing. There is usually a discharge
from the nostrils and the eyes, and a high
temperature may be present. Some cats
develop pneumonia and occasionally
ulcerations in the eyes. Infested cats do
not want to eat or drink because the
nostrils are plugged and the throat is sore.
Dehydration and weight loss are common.
The disease is
debilitating and chronic. Many cats require
hospitalization, intravenous fluids and
intensive care to help them get over the
infection. Antibiotics are given to treat
secondary bacterial infections. Some cats
suffer permanent damage to the eyes and the
respiratory system. Fortunately, the vaccine
is an effective preventive agent.
C stands for Calicivirus
There are several
strains of caliciviruses that affect the
cat. They can cause a range of diseases,
from a mild almost asymptomatic infection,
to life-threatening pneumonia. Most cases
show only evidence of problems in the mouth,
nasal passages and the conjunctiva (mucus
membranes) of the eyes.
Early signs are loss
of appetite, elevated temperature and
lethargy. Later, sneezing, oral ulcers and
discharge from the eyes are seen. The course
of the disease in uncomplicated cases is
short, and recovery may be expected in seven
to ten days. Some of the more virulent
strains can cause severe symptoms. They may
cause rapid death in young kittens and older
cats.
The disease is
transmitted by direct contact with an
infected cat or object (bowl, cage, brush,
blanket, etc.) that harbors the virus. The
virus can survive eight to ten days in the
environment. Carrier cats can pass the virus
into the environment for up to one year.
P stands for Panleukopenia
Panleukopenia (also
known as feline distemper and infectious
feline enteritis) is a highly contagious
disease characterized by a short course and
high mortality rate. The disease is caused
by a parvovirus similar to the parvovirus
seen in dogs. It is very resistant and may
remain infectious in the environment for up
to a year.
The disease is most
severe in young kittens, but can affect cats
of all ages. The first symptom is loss of
appetite, followed by vomiting and diarrhea.
A blood count usually shows a lowered number
of white blood cells, a fact which helps in
diagnosing the infection.
Infected cats usually
must be hospitalized with intensive
treatment such as intravenous fluids,
antibiotic and supportive care. Mortality
rate may reach 90% in young kittens under
six months, and may approach 50% in older
animals. The vaccine is very effective in
preventing the disease.
Feline Leukemia Virus
Viral leukemia in
cats is a prevalent, highly transmissible,
and potentially life threatening disease.
Though recognized since the early 1960's,
current medical technology offers no cure
for infected cats. Several effective
prophylactic (preventive) vaccines have been
developed.
Feline viral leukemia (FeLV) can express
itself in one or a combination of different
forms involving various internal systems.
Blood cell cancers, bone marrow suppression,
and production of tumors involving
intestines, kidneys, lymph nodes or other
organs are common consequences of the virus.
Closely "associated" disease processes
include recurrent respiratory infections,
central nervous system diseases, and
reproductive problems. Some cats can live
with the virus for years and show no
symptoms. These "carriers" can still pass
the infection to other cats.
FeLV is most commonly passed from cat to
cat by direct contact. The virus is found in
saliva, respiratory secretions, urine, feces
and blood, providing great opportunity for
transmission. The virus can survive when off
the feline host, but for only a very limited
time (hours at most). Therefore, object
transmission is unlikely. It is possible,
however, that virus-infected blood may be
passed through carriers such as fleas and
ticks. Feline leukemia virus has not been
proven to be a zoonotic disease (one
that can be transmitted from pets to
humans). Identification of FeLV-infected
cats is traditionally achieved through blood
testing.
Vaccination of cats against feline
leukemia is now widely accepted and highly
recommended. It is performed safely and
routinely on both indoor and outdoor cats of
nine weeks minimum age. The initial vaccine
protocol is a series of two injections. The
first injection is followed in three to four
weeks by the second. An annual booster is
given to maintain protection. If your cat or
kitten has not yet received the leukemia
series we urge you to do so at your earliest
convenience. We strongly recommend that a
blood test be done to determine presence or
absence of the virus before the vaccine is
administered.
Feline Immunodeficiency
Virus (FIV)
A new virus called
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus was first
isolated in 1987 by Dr. Peterson in a group
of California house cats suffering from an
AIDS-like syndrome. Since that time, the FIV
agent has been discovered by means of
special tests to be fairly widespread in the
general cat population throughout the world.
As many as 15-30 percent of high risk cats
(those that are allowed to roam free) may be
involved.
This particular virus
is in the same group as the Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) but is
antigenically different from the human
strain. This means that the feline virus
cannot cause human disease and, in fact, all
attempts to grow the feline virus in human
cells have failed.
The virus is
transmitted in nature primarily through
bites occurring during cat fights. Licking
and grooming do not appear to be efficient
means of transferring the virus between
cats. Kittens do not routinely become
infected from their mothers prior to birth
or during the nursing period. About fifteen
percent of cats with FeLV (Feline Leukemia
Virus) are also positive for FIV, indicating
that the two viruses may often play a duel
role in these infections.
The symptoms seen with
FIV are mainly attributable to other
diseases that develop due to the suppressed
immune system of these cats. Initially, a
low grade fever, lowered white cell count
and enlarged lymph nodes may be seen. Months
to years later, chronic gum (gingival)
infections, chronic upper respiratory
infections, chronic diarrhea, and chronic
skin problems may persist. General sickly
appearance and poor hair coat may be the
only outward signs that a problem exists. A
few cats develop vague neurological (nervous
system) symptoms as well.
Some cats that have
been infected for years seem to have
histories of recurrent illnesses followed by
periods of normalcy. In these cats the white
cell counts and red cell counts drop during
times of illness, and return to near-normal
levels at other times.
Diagnosis may be
suggested by the chronic disease signs, but
is usually confirmed by specific tests for
the viral antibodies. Eight to twelve weeks
may elapse after infection before detectable
antibody levels appear. The disease persists
for the life of the cat. There is no cure
for the virus. Treatment is directed at
controlling secondary bacterial infections.
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