The DAPP dog vaccine provides protection against canine distemper, adenovirus, para-influenza and parvo. This immunization should be given to puppies at six to eight weeks old. To eliminate the possibility of maternal antibody competition, we recommend continuing the DAPP vaccination every three to four weeks until your pup has reached 16 weeks of age. We administer this dog vaccine one year after the last puppy shot is given and once every three years afterward.

Canine Distemper  
Canine Distemper is a virus that affects a dog’s gastrointestinal, respiratory and central nervous systems and the conjunctival membranes of the eye. Canine Distemper is often fatal and needs to be reported immediately. Canine Distemper is passed from dog to dog through direct contact with fresh urine, blood or saliva and/or sneezing, coughing and sharing food and water bowls. Some symptoms of distemper are sneezing, coughing, thick mucus coming from the eyes and nose, lethargy, and sudden vomiting and diarrhea. Distemper is the “D” in the DHPP vaccine. 

Canine Hepatitis 
Canine hepatitis is a highly contagious viral infection that affects the liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and eyes. It mostly affects young dogs under one year of age, though it can affect adults.  Canine hepatitis can be transmitted through direct contact with infected saliva, urine, or feces. Hepatitis is the “H” in the DHPP vaccine.

Parainfluenza
Canine parainfluenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is frequently confused with kennel cough. Canine parainfluenza is an acute inflammation of the upper airways. The disease can progress to pneumonia in puppies or chronic bronchitis in older dogs. The canine parainfluenza virus is transmitted through contact with the nasal secretions of dogs that are infected with the disease. Parainfluenza is the first “P” in the DHPP vaccine.

Parvovirus
Parvovirus attacks the white blood cells and rapidly dividing cells in a dog’s body, most severely affecting the intestinal tract. Parvovirus can damage the heart muscle and cause lifelong cardiac problems in young animals that are infected. This makes the parvovirus especially deadly in puppies. Parvovirus is extremely contagious and can be transmitted by any person, animal or object that comes in contact with an infected dog’s feces. Parvovirus is highly resistant to most disinfectants and can live in the environment for months. Some symptoms of parvovirus are lethargy, severe vomiting, loss of appetite and bloody, foul smelling diarrhea. Parvovirus is the second “P” in the DHPP vaccine.

Bordetella, also known as kennel cough, is a very common and contagious illness that affects the canine respiratory system. An injectable vaccine is given three to four weeks after the intranasal dose, and then the vaccinations rotate between intranasal and injectable doses.

Kennel cough is both viral and bacterial and causes inflammation of the trachea and lung bronchi. It usually causes what is described as a “hacking” cough.  Kennel cough is passed from dog to dog from aerosols in the air or germs from contaminated objects. The most common way kennel cough is spread is in enclosed areas with poor air circulation like boarding kennels and animal shelters. 

Leptospirosis, also known as lepto, is a bacterial disease that can affect both humans and pets. It occurs all over the world and leads to liver and kidney damage as well as death if left untreated. Humans and pets can get this bacterial infection by coming into contact with infected wild animals (e.g., opossums, skunks, raccoons and rodents), lepto-infested water or infected urine. Since this disease can harm animals and humans, we encourage dogs to receive this immunization via two initial doses three weeks apart, and then on a yearly basis.

Common risk factors for leptospirosis in dogs include exposure to or drinking from rivers, lakes or streams; roaming on rural properties (because of exposure to potentially infected wildlife, farm animals, or water sources); exposure to wild animal or farm animal species, even if in the backyard; and contact with rodents or other dogs.

It is by law that all domesticated dogs must be vaccinated against rabies after 12 weeks of age. Rabies is a deadly virus that affects the brain and spinal cord of all mammals, including dogs and humans. Therefore, it is very important to protect your pet from this virus. An adult booster shot is given a year later and administered every three years afterward. 

Rabies is responsible for more than 50,000 deaths in humans and millions in animals worldwide annually. Rabies is primarily passed through a bite from an infected animal. It can also be transmitted through a scratch or when infected saliva makes contact with an open, fresh wound. Some symptoms of rabies are extreme behavioral changes, hypersensitivity to touch, light or sound, paralysis of the throat and jaw muscles and, the most commonly recognized, foaming of the mouth. Because of the human health risk, rabies vaccination is required by law for all dogs and cats.

Canine Influenza Virus causes severe upper respiratory symptoms that can progress to a fatal pneumonia. This severe viral disease is a newly recognized condition seen mostly as outbreaks in large canine populations housed closely together such as in crowded boarding kennels. Many boarding kennels have started requiring this vaccine.

Lyme disease (borreliosis) is an infectious, tick-borne disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a type of bacteria called a spirochete. It can cause fever, lameness, swelling in the joints, swollen lymph nodes, lethargy, and loss of appetite. In rarer cases, untreated lyme disease can lead to neurologic signs or severe kidney disease.