Consider a Cash Crop
(Page 7 of 7)
May/June 1972
By Dorothy Lockard
The most dangerous of the four is distemper, a viral infection of the membrane tissue that results in respiratory and nervous disorders, diarrhea, emaciation and—often—death. Puppies that have had their mother's colostrum are immune (if their mother is immune) to the disease for one week to four months. Make very sure that all your dogs are given distemper shots by a veterinarian and follow his advice explicitly. The vaccine may not take properly if it's given before the pup's initial immunity wears off. This makes the timing of the shots extremely important. Distemper vaccinations are not permanent, by the way. Blood tests will indicate when booster shots are required . . . or a booster can just be given to a dog automatically every year.
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Rabies is an infection of the central nervous system caused by a virus in the saliva of infected animals. Thus, if a dog of yours is bitten by another animal (of any kind) he runs a risk of rabies. The disease is really quite rare . . . but, once contracted, always fatal. All dogs should be given a rabies shot at about six months of age.
Canine hepatitis (not the same virus that causes hepatitis in people) is another viral infection with symptoms—listlessness, inflamed tonsils, diarrhea and vomiting—very similar to distemper. There is a vaccine for the ailment.
Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease which affects the kidneys and liver, is marked by jaundice and some distemper-like symptoms. It can be immunized against.
Distemper, rabies and leptospirosis can be transmitted to humans. Seek proper treatment immediately if your dog exhibits indications of the ailments.
Dogs are also susceptible to the same minor bugs that plague people . . . colds, upset stomach, etc. Such discomforts are about as serious as when contracted by humans and can be treated—if at all—in much the same way.
I won't go into worming here. Even the vets have differing ideas on the subject. Consult yours.
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