Vaccines Save Pets Lives

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General - Health

Vaccines Save Pets Lives

There are many serious and often life-threatening diseases that your pet can be protected from by simply vaccinating, deworming and giving heartworm preventative. The following information will help you choose an yearly immunization program to keep your pet healthy.

Canine 5 in 1 (DA2PP):

Distemper is widespread, often deadly and can affect any wild or domestic carnivore. Distemper may cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and death.
Adenovirus (type 2) is included in the 5 in 1 vaccine to protect against Hepatitis, which is spread through urine. Hepatitis can cause high fever, pain, enlarged liver and death.
Parainfluenza is a respiratory virus that which can cause coughing. This may linger for several weeks.
Canine Parvovirus is contracted by contact with infected dog feces is shed in dog feces and can persist in the environment long after the feces have been removed. Parvo causes bloody diarrhea, vomiting and often death.

Leptospirosis is shed in urine, affects liver and kidneys and could cause death. Access to muddy marsh water areas should be limited. Hunting and other dogs with access to these areas should be vaccinated every 6 months. This vaccine should only be given to dogs at risk of exposure.

Corona virus is very similar to parvovirus, attacking the intestinal tract causing vomiting and bloody diarrhea.

Bordetella is the bacterial cause of Kennel Cough. Most boarding facilities require this vaccine.

Feline

4 in 1 (FVRCPC):

Feline Virus Rhinotracheitis is one of the highly contagious respiratory diseases causing sneezing, runny eys & nasal congestion, oral ulcers and possible pneumonia.
Panleukopenia is feline distemper and causes vomiting, diarrhea and usually death.
Calicivirus & Chlamydia are also highly contagious respiratory diseases causing sneezing, oral ulcers and possible pneumonia.

Leukemia virus causes immune suppression, secondary infections and development of cancerous disease.

Canine & Feline

Rabies is a severe, invariably fatal viral policencephalitis of warm-blooded animals and humans. Rabies vaccinations are required by law for pets.

Intestinal parasites (worms) can cause diarrhea, blood loss, weight loss and even death.

Heartworms live in the heart and are spread by mosquitoes. Once infected, this will cause eventual death in untreated dogs. Heartworm infection may cause sudden blindness orcoughing and sudden death in cats.

Learn more about PETCO's Vaccination Services, or visit your nearest store.

This article reprinted with permission from Luv My Pet, Inc.