Inoculations:

The dog's inoculations cover a core of four major diseases:
Distemper, which includes hardpad -
a disease of the respiratory and nervous system;
Leptospirosis - a liver and kidney infection;
Hepatitis - caused by a liver virus;
and Parvovirus - a disease of the intestines
and muscular system. Kennel cough vaccine
may also be included at the puppy's
primary vaccination stage.

The first component of the vaccination course
is usually given at seven to eight weeks of age.
Although in circumstances where their
has been a perceived risk in the breeder's kennels,
earlier protection may be given against certain diseases.
Such very early vaccinations are usually disregarded for
the purposes of routine protection.

The second injection is given at around twelve weeks of age.
The interval between vaccinations is necessary to allow the
puppy's immune system to react properly
to the first dose of vaccine;
the second dose then boosts the level of immunity
to such an extent that the dog is protected
for a prolonged period.

The vaccines are repeated annually, known as 'boosters'.

Not all diseases to which dogs are susceptible
can be avoided by vaccination,
but the common killers certainly can.

**************************

KENNEL COUGH

This is a particular problem for which there is no total preventive
control. Kennel cough may be an unfair description, the disease
is transmitted by droplets coughed into the air by dogs actively
suffering from the illness. Fairly close contact between dogs is
necessary for its transmission, such as nose-to-nose greeting
through the wire by dogs in kennels, and dogs meeting at shows,
competitions or training classes.

The most effective vaccine, although still does not include
every possible component of the infection, is given as a nasal
spray. (Kennel cough is caused by a mixture of infectious agents).

 

**************************

WORMS

All dogs are prone to both internal and external parasitic
infestations. There are two common worms in dogs:
The tapeworm and the roundworm.

Tapeworm: - may affect dogs at any age, but less common
in puppies than in older dogs. Tapeworms may be recognizable
as 'rice grains' in the faeces, but the dog may give you an
indication by undue attention to the anal region.

Control of the tapeworm in the dog is simple, modern treatments
are straightforward, requiring no fasting before dosing, are highly
affective, with very little side effects (occasional vomiting).
It is a good idea to treat your dog routinely against tapeworms
every six months. However prevention of re-infection depends
on control of the flea population in your home.

Roundworm: - These are practically universal in puppies.
They may be transmitted directly from dog to dog by faecal
contamination, which is almost impossible to avoid. A high
proportion of puppies are actually born with roundworms,
transmitted via the uterus of the mother. Worms that had
lain dormant in the tissues of the dam are activated by the
hormones produced during pregnancy, circulate in the
mother's bloodstream and pass into the unborn pups.
A proper regime will include dosing the litter when it is three
to four weeks old, and again before leaving the kennels.
Once in your home a puppy should be treated regularly,
every three to four weeks until six
months old. Adult dogs build up a level of immunity to the
effects of roundworm infestations, and after six months do not
need such regular treatment. Keep a constant lookout, roundworms
are not always easy to detect in a dog's faeces.

The Ascarid roundworm may be the cause of a very rare
eye condition in children. If the dog is regularly wormed, the risk
already remote is eliminated. With this exception, the worms of dogs
and humans are not transmissible. Hook worm is another species of
worm that may occur in dogs.

**************************

FLEAS

These are the commonest external parasite of the dog. A high
proportion of skin problems may be caused, directly or indirectly
by their presence. Fleas thrive in the warm and cosy environment
of a centrally heated house. They are often difficult to diagnose,
they are small, move rapidly and are not very easy to see on the dog,
but they never live alone. A usual home test is to scrape hair detritus
on to a newspaper, then dampen the paper.
If red smears appear it is a certain indication that the dog
does have fleas. There are several effective sprays and
washes available. The important thing to remember is
fleas leave a host to reproduce, and that for every
flea you find in the dog, there are literally thousands in your
dog's bed, in the nooks and crannies in the floor, in the carpets,
between the cushions on the sofa, all breeding away like mad.
There are a number of preparations on the market that
provide effective protection around the house.

 

**************************

TICKS

Ticks tend to be a country dog problem. Their host is the sheep.
Ticks engorge in the blood of their host, the engorged tick is
sometimes mistaken for a wart on the dog's skin. Dogs will
occasionally pick up a solitary tick, but may sometimes be seen
to have several. Adult female ticks lay groups of eggs, which
hatch at more or less the same time to form a colony of young
ticks attached to grass stems waiting to find a host.

Ticks are usually removed individually. DO NOT try to pick
them off. That's rarely successful, and there are various
substances that will kill them. Ear drops that are intended to
destroy parasites are useful as is methylated spirit, or even gin!
Ticks will not fall of immediately but it should have disappeared
twelve hours after application.

 

**************************

LICE

Lice are now uncommon, detectable by the presence of visible
groups of eggs attached to the hair, often the ears and head, they
are not mobile. Lice are transmitted directly from dog to dog by
contact, and not to humans or other animals. They may be
controlled by the use of insecticide shampoos.

**************************

'Oestrus' or 'heat'

This refers to when a female dog is sexually receptive and able
to conceive. A bitch which has her first oestrus (usually 6-10
months of age) is described as sexually mature, although she is
not fully grown. It is not advisable to allow a bitch to conceive during
her first oestrus as she is unlikely to have enough physical or mental maturity to cope with the drains of motherhood.

The part of the oestrus cycle which we can observe (the bitch shows behavioral signs) is divided into two parts - proestrus and true oestrus.

Proestrus begins when a discharge from the vulva first appears.
This discharge is usually blood tinged and is accompanied by
swelling of the vulva. During this time, the bitch will attract and
flirt with male dogs, although she won't stand to be mated.
Proestrus typically lasts 'around nine days'. Although this
does vary especially with the bitch's first heat.

True oertrus or heat occurs when the bitch will stand to be mated.
This is frequently around the 10th day, after onset of proestrus.
The discharge from the vulva will often become clear and the bitch
can conceive if mated during this time. Ovulation occurs between
the second and fourth days of oestrus. When the bitch is oestrus male
dogs will enthusiastically seek her out - if no mate is forthcoming,
she will do her best to escape confinement and find him herself.
Bitches on heat need to be securely enclosed if unwanted
pregnancies are to be avoided.

The end of oestrus is signified by the bitches refusal to stand to a
male dog. Most bitches have two heats a year although in young
bitches the second heat often comes early. Most people who do not
intend to breed from their bitches have them sterilized in order to
avoid all the inconveniences of the oestrus cycle.

New Mobile Neutering Clinic
Press Release, Monday 17th February 2003

Today the ISPCA launched its new mobile neutering clinic
at the National Animal Centre which is situated
at Derryglogher Lodge, Keenagh, Co. Longford.

The costs of the clinic have been kindly sponsered
for the ISPCA by Bayer & Company Ltd
whose products are used by the ISPCA on a regular basis.

The mobile neutering clinic which is now available
to societies affilicated to the ISPCA will have
its facilities available to members of the general public
in the near future, enabling them to have their
animals netured at a reduced rate.

This is the first time that a mobile neturing clinic
has been available to the ISPCA and we anticapate
that the operations provided by this clinic will help
to significantly reduced the number of stray and
unwamted animals around the country.

Ms. Meline Farrer M.V.B. said at the launch
"this is an exciting development for the ISPCA
and we look forward to being able to expand
the operation over the coming years".

Mr. Ciaran O'Donovan, Director of Resources said
"this is an exciting development for the ISPCA
and we are grateful for the sponsorship from
Bayer & Company Ltd. which will enable us
to provide a service which we feel will be much
in demand by both our Member Societies and members
of the public in the near future".

**************************

DESEXING

Any pet over six months old can be de-sexed

Castrated dogs are less likely to be aggressive and less likely
to wander.

Male in known as Castration

Female is known as Spaying

Male testes are removed.

Female ovaries and uterus are removed, to prevent animal from
coming into 'heat' or 'rut' and reproducing.

Advantages: Avoids strays and neighborhood animals invading
your place or your pet straying. Dogs smell a bitch
from kilometers away.

Avoids unwanted young animals and needless euthanasia of animals.

Almost eliminates any chance of breast cancer (if desexed before
two years of age). There is no evidence that an animal is better
of if it has had young before they are desexed.

**************************

Patellar Luxation

Japanese Spitz are known to have trouble with the knee joints.
Known as patellar luxation, usually associated with small dog
breeds which have narrow leg bones. Most do not suffer a great
deal of pain but severe cases, surgery is required. You should
restrict your dog from climbing stairs and jumping too much, also
not allow them to become overweight.

**************************

Eye Problems

Tear staining can also be a frequent problem, caused by eyes running and the tears not going down the tear ducts, which leave stains on the face.
(You may want to try luke warm water on clean piece of wool). - Caused sometines by ducts being closed, another cause is an eye infection,
which requires attention by a vet.

**************************