By SFBSTC Health Chairman 

Your vet is obviously the best resource for advice on what medical treatments are right for your Scottie. However, understanding the common diseases and what risk they present to your dog can help you make informed decisions. Some veterinary professionals believe that certain pets are being over-vaccinated. Re-vaccinating an already-vaccinated animal is unlikely to cause harm but it’s also expensive to do so and it’s impossible to say what any long-term effects there might be on any individual animal. Plus, some diseases are not prevalent in our area, and so vaccinating against them is unnecessary. And vet visits are expensive! Knowing which vaccines are really crucial for your dog, your geography, and your lifestyle can help you make more informed decisions.

The information in this series is sourced from California state law, from the American Animal Hospital Association (aaha.org) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (avma.org), and in consultation with recommendations from UC-Davis. You should always speak with your trusted vet on what’s right for you and your Scottie in making these important decisions.

Rabies

In California, the only vaccine that dogs are legally required to get is rabies. That’s because rabies can be transmitted to humans, and it’s near 100% fatal. Managing it in the animal population is the best way to keep all of us safe. You may have heard that raccoon and skunks carry rabies in the wild, which is true, but actually the most common carrier of rabies in California are bats. If you’re ever bitten by a bat, try to capture it! The authorities can do testing on it to see if it’s infected. If you’re bitten by any wildlife, as quickly as you can, wash the wound, flushing with water for at least 10 minutes, and then seek medical attention. If a dog is bitten by wildlife, the dog will need to be quarantined whether or not it was vaccinated. Rabies is a serious disease and any such contact with wildlife needs to be handled with extreme caution. Contact your local animal control agency for guidance.

How often are rabies shots required?

In California, the earliest age for first rabies vaccine for a puppy is 3 months. The next rabies vaccine is needed one year later. This second vaccine can be a three-year shot, and then re-vaccinate every three years from there. Most counties require dogs to be vaccinated in order to be licensed. Some vets prefer to only administer one vaccine at a time, and there are many more vaccines that a puppy will be getting, so this would then require multiple vet visits, which adds to the price (there is some debate in the veterinary community whether this is necessary or not, however; if the dog is healthy, many vets will administer all core vaccines including rabies at the same time). There are many inexpensive places to get a rabies shot for a dog, including traveling pop-up vaccine stations offered by a company called VIP Pet Care that regularly visits pet stores around the Bay Area, or your local humane society. 

Why do we need to re-vaccinate dogs for rabies?

This is done out of an abundance of caution, because rabies is such a dangerous disease. If your dog has ever been vaccinated against rabies, then it’s likely that he has some immunity even if that single vaccination happened a long time ago. But just to be sure, the law requires active vaccinations be maintained on a regular schedule throughout the dog’s life. The frequency is based on what type of vaccination is used; the drug manufacturers offer a 1‑year and a 3-year version of the rabies vaccine and both are acceptable in California.

Possible side-effects from the rabies vaccine

Just like with humans, all canine vaccines come with the possibility of side-effects, but they are uncommon. Still, watch your Scottie carefully after he gets any shots. The most common symptoms from any vaccine – not specific to rabies – are flu-like symptoms including mild fever, or allergic reactions including facial swelling or itching. If your Scottie develops these symptoms within the first 48 hours of receiving any vaccination, contact your vet.

Can my Scottie get rabies from the vaccine?

No. The type of vaccine used to prevent rabies is called a killed vaccine which means that the virus is inactive. Rabies cannot be contracted from the rabies vaccine.

What if your Scottie is sick? Is the rabies vaccine dangerous?

The rabies vaccine is well tolerated in healthy dogs, and this vaccine is required by law.  There is a version of the rabies vaccine that can be safely used even for elderly or immunocompromised animals. While it’s possible for a veterinarian to issue a waiver for a sick dog to exempt it from the legal requirement of vaccination, this is rarely done. Talk to your treating vet if your Scottie is suffering from a terminal illness to see what vaccines are indicated in your specific case.

Here’s your cheat-sheet on rabies

Rabies Vaccine:       Required by California law in all dogs

Timing & Frequency:       

• Vaccine #1 at 3 months old
• Vaccine #2 one year later. This can be either around the dog’s first birthday, or one year after the initial vaccine was given; there’s nothing magic on the timing of “one year.” Vaccine #2 can be a 3-year vaccine, which means that subsequent vaccines happen on that three-year schedule thereafter.
• Regular boosters: On either a 1-year or 3-year schedule depending on which version was last given. The 3-year schedule is fine; these dogs are just as well protected as those who are vaccinated more frequently.

Indicated even for older or sick dogs:         Yes.

Are you interested in a specific vaccine or disease that we should cover next? Please let us know! You can send in requests or ideas to our SFBSTC Bulletin Editor.

Dr. Jerry Klein is a veterinarian in the emergency room at Chicago’s largest veterinary emergency and specialty center. He was personally involved in treating hundreds of dogs sickened by the H3N2 virus during its initial outbreak in Chicago in spring of 2015
This article has also been published by the American Kennel Club.

This notice is being sent out to provide up-to-date and accurate information about the Canine Influenza Virus to help prevent the spread of the virus to healthy (unexposed) dogs. The information provided is not intended to alarm dog owners and handlers.

There are recently confirmed cases of the Canine Influenza Virus (H3N2 strain) that was first brought to and identified in Chicago, Illinois in the spring of 2015. The most recent outbreaks concern the following states: Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Canine Influenza Virus is an extremely contagious airborne disease that is easily spread among dogs, and in rare instances, can be contagious to cats. If you believe one of your dogs may have contracted the Canine Influenza Virus, immediately isolate it from other animals and contact your veterinarian.

Here is some additional information about Canine Influenza Virus and tips for how to minimize the risk and reduce the spread of the disease:

Canine Influenza Virus
Canine Influenza Virus is spread through:
Close proximity to infected dogs (it is airborne and can travel up to 20 ft.)
Contact with contaminated items (bowls, leashes, crates, tables, clothing, dog runs etc.)
People moving between infected and uninfected dogs
80% of all dogs that are exposed to the virus will contract it
The virus lives up to 24 hours on soft surfaces and up to 48 hours on hard surfaces.
Some exposed dogs will be subclinical carriers – meaning some dogs will contract and
spread the virus without showing symptoms.
Dogs show clinical signs within 24-48 hours and can shed the virus for up to 28 days
from exposure.
Most dogs will completely recover with proper treatment.
Dogs that regularly interact with dogs outside of their own family or frequent places
where many dogs gather are most susceptible to exposure to Canine Influenza Virus.

Symptoms
  Dry, hacking cough (similar to kennel cough)
Lack of appetite
Lethargy
Discharge from the nose or eyes
Fever (normal temperature is 101 – 102)

Prevention
The best protection is vaccination. There is now a single vaccination for both the H3N2
and H3N8 strains of the virus. The vaccination requires a booster shot two weeks after
the initial vaccine. Vaccination provides the best chance of immunity within 7-14 days of
booster shot.
Isolate sick animals and keep them isolated for up to 30 days after symptoms       subside.
Practice good sanitation. Use a bleach and water mixture diluted to 1-part bleach x 30
parts water to disinfect common areas such as tables, bowls, leashes, crates, etc. Allow
items to thoroughly air dry for a minimum of 10 minutes before exposing dogs to them.
Bleach breaks down quickly so solution should be made daily. Keep in mind that bleach
becomes inactive in UV light. If mopping use two buckets so as not to cross contaminate areas.
Wash your hands frequently, ideally between handling different dogs. At the very
minimum, hand sanitizer should be used between handling dogs.
Use disposable gowns or wipe down clothing and shoes with a bleach solution     between dogs or after leaving an area where dogs congregate.
Food/water bowls should be made of stainless steel instead of plastic because
scratched plastic is hard to fully disinfect.

Treatment
Treatment of Canine Influenza Virus requires veterinary assistance. If you believe your dog may have Canine Influenza Virus, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
Untreated, the illness may progress to pneumonia or other, more serious problems.
H3N2 can lead to severe secondary pneumonia which can cause extremely sick dogs
with potential fatalities.  Most dogs take 2-3 weeks to recover from the illness.

Containment
Any dog suspected of having Canine Influenza Virus should be immediately isolated
from other dogs and should not attend dog shows, day care, grooming facilities, dog
parks, or other places dogs gather. Dogs are contagious for up to 30 days once they
have started showing symptoms.
Contact your veterinarian to let them know that your dog may be showing symptoms of
Canine Influenza Virus. If your dog is going to a veterinary hospital or clinic, call ahead
to let them know you have a suspected case of Canine Influenza Virus. They may ask
you to follow a specific protocol before entering the clinic to minimize the spread of the
disease, including waiting in your car until they are ready to examine your dog.Keep sick dogs at home and isolated from other dogs and cats until you are certain the illness has run its course (typically 3-4 weeks).

Consideration for Event Venues
Use a bleach and water mixture diluted to 1-part bleach x 30 parts water to disinfect
common areas including show floors, grooming tables, ring gates, in-ring examination
tables and ramps, and x-pens. Allow solution to completely dry (at least ten minutes in
order to assure virus has been killed). Bleach breaks down quickly so solution should be made daily. Keep in mind that bleach becomes inactive in UV light. If mopping use two buckets so as not to cross contaminate areas.
When wiping down hard surfaces paper towels are preferred over cloth.
Consider having two exam tables at every ring so that they can be cleaned and      allowed to air dry frequently in between classes.
Provide hand sanitizer in each ring and in grooming areas.
Exhibitors should consider grooming dogs at their cars instead of using grooming areas where dogs are in very close proximity.

I have just read this article in our local paper about leptospirosis a killer disease and wanted to pass it on to those who are in or are near flooded areas.
The bacteria may be present in standing water following the heavy rain activity we have just been experiencing. Currently there have been reports of Lepto in San Francisco and Sonoma County. Certainly those in the Coyote Dam Area should be aware and very careful with their pets.
Dogs can contract this disease if they drink this water when you are taking them for a walk or letting them run loose. Recently a person lost her dog to this disease. She had taken her dog for a neighborhood walk, it suddenly grew ill showing signs of acute kidney failure, in two days the dog was gone. Her dog picked it up drinking from standing water, which is everywhere since our recent rains and local flooding. Avoid puddles, lakes, creeks, any areas where wildlife and water mix.” Potential hazardous areas include hiking trails, streams, local rivers and communal water sources such as dog parks and community gardens.
Leptospirosis is spread through contact with animal urine deposited in water sources or carried along by infected soil by the flowing water. “Lepto” is a nasty bacteria which usually presents itself with a high fever that doesn’t respond to treatment. It also includes signs of kidney disease, heavy urination,dehydration.
The disease is sometimes treatable if caught early, but that is rare. The best prevention is a vaccination before the dog is exposed, and yearly doses to stay effective. When a dog has never had the vaccine, first-time treatment requires two to three shots – one initial vaccination followed by one or two booster shots a month or so after the first treatment If your dogs are kenneled or sent to daycare, they should be vaccinated. If your dog appears lethargic, is not eating, drinking too much, is vomiting or any other vague symptoms, don’t wait. Get them to the vet. The sooner the pet is treated the more likely your dog will survive.
The highly –infectious disease is caused by leptospira , a corkscrew shaped bacteria that if left untreated spreads quickly, possibly resulting in Kidney failure, internal bleeding and other fatal problems. The only other way to prevent this disease is to avoid high-risk areas as mentioned above.
I am glad I read this article and was anxious to pass it on. I truly hope your reading it will save a dog.