The Elmhurst Animal Care Center understands the importance of disease prevention and offers various vaccination options for pets. Two important vaccinations for dogs include canine distemper and parvovirus. Both diseases can be prevented through proper vaccinations.
Canine distemper is a contagious viral illness that is most likely to affect unvaccinated puppies and non-immunized elderly dogs. Symptoms in the beginning stages include high fever, red eyes, and runny nose and eyes. Later, dogs may become lethargic and experience regular vomiting and diarrhea. In the latest stages of canine distemper, the brain and spinal cord are affected causing fits, seizures, or paralysis.
Parvovirus can occur in two forms. Most commonly, parvovirus manifests intestinally, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. The other form is cardiac, and affects the heart muscles of puppies. Parvovirus can be contracted by direct contact with a dog that is infected or via fecal matter of an infected dog.