After a dark and cold winter, the brightness and warmth of spring is here! It’s natural that people (and their dogs) are excited to get out and about after months (and, well, the entire 2020 year) of being cooped up at home. Dog friendly restaurant patios are open…trails need hiked…and the dog park is way more appealing when it isn’t -10 degrees F. Now is a great time to make sure your dog’s health needs are taken care of to keep them safe as they venture out this spring.
Vaccines
Keeping your dog’s vaccinations up to date is one of the most important things you can do to help protect them.
Rabies vaccines are required by law and how long a vaccine is good for depends on the type of vaccine, the dog’s age and previous vaccination status, and the local ordinances. Make sure your dog’s rabies vaccine is up to date and that you know where their rabies certificate is located. Some places will require proof of a rabies vaccine before your dog is allowed to visit…and this means the actual certificate (a rabies tag is not sufficient proof of vaccination).
Distemper and parvovirus are devastating diseases that are widespread throughout the United States. All dogs should be regularly vaccinated for these two diseases.
If you plan on visiting events that will have other dogs present, board your pup, or get him groomed, you should consider vaccinating for Bordetella as well as canine influenza. These two diseases are passed dog to dog much like colds are in people. While getting these vaccines may not prevent all respiratory infections, they will help protect your pup against some of the most serious. Bordetella vaccines can be injected, drops in the nose, or even given orally. In addition, some vaccines combine Bordetella with other common respiratory diseases such as parainfluenza. Flu vaccines come as either a single strain or one with combines two separate strains of flu for expanded protection.
If you plan on being anywhere there is wildlife (hiking, swimming in ponds, etc.), then vaccinating for Leptospirosis is strongly recommended. This disease can cause kidney failure and even death…and can be transmitted to people as well.
If you live in (or plan on visiting) an area where Lyme disease is present, dogs should be vaccinated against this tick-borne disease.
There is a rattlesnake vaccine available for dogs which claims that it can help prevent severe, life threatening reactions if your dog is bitten. While data is limited on the effectiveness of the vaccine, it is something you may wish to consider if you’re going to be in an area with rattlesnakes. Talk to your veterinarian about whether this vaccine is right for your pet. If you do opt to vaccinate your dog with the rattlesnake vaccine, it doesn’t mean you can skip the veterinarian if your pet gets bit. You’ll still need to seek medical attention.
Talk with your veterinarian about your dog’s lifestyle and potential risks to help decide what vaccines are right for your pup.
Heartworm Prevention
Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitos and are present nearly everywhere in the United States. All it takes is one bite to get infected! Heartworms cause damage to both the heart and lungs…and can even lead to death. Once a dog has heartworms, the treatment is expensive and requires long periods of cage confinement. Prevention is a much better idea.
Heartworm prevention must be prescribed by a veterinarian and requires a heartworm test before starting. Even if a dog is on prevention, heartworm tests should be performed yearly to make sure there has been no break in protection. Heartworm prevention comes as oral tablets that your dog can take every month (which also help deworm your dog for intestinal parasites and sometimes are combined with flea and tick prevention) or there are injections that can protect your dog for extended periods. Talk with your veterinarian to determine which option is best for your dog.
Flea and Tick Prevention
Fleas and ticks are pretty much everywhere these days. Not only are they gross, but they can transmit diseases as well. Thankfully there are many effective flea and tick preventions out there! Note the key word here is prevention. Flea and tick medications should be started before you have a problem. In fact, in most areas, dogs should take these medications year round…even if you haven’t seen a flea or tick.
Flea and tick preventions come in a variety of types. There are topical products that you apply to their skin…oral products that can last for a month or for multiple months…and even some special collars that can last for an extended period of time. Which product is right for you depends on your dog, their medical history, hair coat type, lifestyle, etc. Make sure to talk with your veterinarian to get the best recommendation for your individual pup. Especially because not all products are equally effective or safe. (Check out this additional information on Protecting Your Dog From Fleas and Ticks)
More Information
For more information about getting your canine friend ready for outings, check out these blog posts:
Tips to make sure your dog is a welcome guest
What to include in a day pack for your dog
