Prevention Is Always Better Than Treatment

                                                       

                     Every good preventive medicine plan for any pet, whether it is a dog, cat, horse, or even a goat, includes vaccinations given on an appropriate schedule and based on that pet's life style. Please understand that decisions to vaccinate are best made after talking with your veterinarian. I know in challenging economic times, sometimes it is easy to postpone or forget about vaccinations, but I urge you NOT to do so! And here is why.

                     As a new graduate who previously resided in Columbus, I was reminded recently about why we even vaccinate animals. I began receiving e-mails and Facebook posts from rescue groups regarding a canine distemper outbreak at the Franklin County Dog Shelter. I had volunteered at this shelter and had veterinary training at this facility as well. 

                    Shelter employees have an incredibly difficult job overseeing and insuring that all incoming dogs are vaccinated, have health and behavioral needs addressed, and that they get established in their temporary, new home. Theirs is a constant struggle of so many dogs rescued and surrendered, and so little time and space. Volunteers work very hard to care for every dog the best they can. And, now they are working even harder to contain this outbreak. 

                    Canine distemper is a highly contagious disease that can manifest with simple signs of an upper respiratory infection. It can also manifest with severe neurological signs that can kill dogs or leave them with deficits for life. When dogs congregate in group dog environments such as rescue, grooming, boarding, day care and obedience facilities and/or dog parks, they can spread upper respiratory infections readily.  

                    Most of these infections are grouped under the general diagnosis of "kennel cough" with a long list of underlying causes. In most cases, while kennel cough is annoying, it responds to routine antibiotics and patients recover rapidly.  Unfortunately, canine distemper can mimic kennel cough, so it is easy to understand how it snuck into the Franklin County Dog Shelter.

                    Which brings us back to vaccines... 

                    Is canine distemper everywhere or especially common? No. But, it is out there. Distemper used to be more frequently diagnosed. We have made it a rarity because we have safe and effective vaccines. All puppies should receive an age-appropriate series of  distemper  vaccines, while adult dogs that have never been vaccinated should receive a series of two distemper vaccines. 

                     Distemper vaccines are generally well-tolerated and they provide important  protection from disease after an adequate immune response period. To remain fully protected after the initial vaccination series, yearly boosters are needed to ensure that the body's protection continues to endure.

                    I know life is busy and sometimes money is tight. But, vaccines are an essential part of your pet's health plan. The outbreak in Columbus is a reminder that while many of the diseases we vaccinate pets for are not common, they still exist and are kept in check because of proper vaccinations!  

                    Please remember that for diseases such as Bordetella, Parvo Virus, Leptosporosis, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza or Canine Distemper (all diseases we protect dogs from via vaccination), it is truly easier and more cost effective to prevent than to treat them.

       By Dr. Jill Dentel