Canine Preventative Health 1: Canine - Summary

Vaccinations

  • Why Vaccinate?
    • Individual protection: Stimulates immune memory.
    • Population protection: Herd immunity.
    • WSAVA and AVA guidelines: Core vaccines for all, non-core as needed.
  • How Vaccines Work?
    • Active immunization: Body builds memory to antigen.
    • Passive immunization: Transfer of pre-formed antibodies.
    • Sterile immunity: Prevents disease and transmission (e.g., parvovirus).
    • Relative immunity: Lessens disease severity and reduces transmission (e.g., kennel cough).
  • Core vs. Non-Core Vaccines
    • Core: Essential for all dogs against severe diseases (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus).
    • Non-Core: Based on individual risk factors (Parainfluenza, Bordatella, Leptospirosis).
  • Vaccine Types:
    • Modified Live: Stronger, longer-lasting immunity.
    • Killed: Weaker response, requires boosters and adjuvants.
  • Vaccination Schedule:
    • Puppies: Initial C3 at 6-8 weeks, repeat every 2-4 weeks until 16 weeks.
    • Adults: Booster at 6-12 months, core C3 every 3 years, non-core annually.
    • Adults with no history: Single dose of modified live C3 + KC (C5) is protective.

Parasite Control

  • Parasites of Concern:
    • All dogs: Intestinal worms, heartworm, fleas.
    • Case-dependent: Ticks, mites, lice.
  • Intestinal Worms:
    • Hookworm, roundworm, tapeworm, whipworm.
    • Worming products eliminate existing infections only.
    • Puppies: Worm every 2 weeks until 12 weeks, then monthly until 6 months.
    • Adults: Worm at least every 3 months.
    • Pregnant bitches: Worm prior to breeding, at week 5-7 of gestation, and along with puppies 2 weeks post-whelping.
  • Heartworm:
    • Preventatives target larval stages (L3 and L4).
    • Monthly use is crucial as larvae become resistant.
  • Fleas:
    • Most of lifecycle in environment.
  • Ticks:
    • Paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is the main concern in south-east Queensland.

Diet

  • Diet Considerations:
    • Nutritional needs depend on age, activity level, and neutered status.
    • Recommend highly digestible, complete, and balanced diet.
  • Puppy Diet:
    • Higher protein, energy, and calcium requirements.
    • Frequent meals ideal.
  • Adult Diet:
    • Goal of nutrition is to maintain ideal body condition.
  • Prescription Diets:
    • Used under veterinary direction to manage clinical diagnoses.
  • Toxins and Treats:
    • Avoid raw meat, bones, grapes/sultanas, and excessive human foods.

Dental Health

  • Dental Disease:
    • Affects at least 80% of dogs over 3 years old.
    • Dental grade (based on worst tooth):
      • Grade 1: Mild plaque and gingivitis.
      • Grade 2: Moderate calculus and gingivitis.
      • Grade 3: Major calculus and gingivitis, gingival recession.
      • Grade 4: Severe disease, exposed roots, loose teeth.

Desexing

  • Why Desex?
    • Individual health: Prevents unwanted pregnancy, reduces sexual behaviors and disease risk.
    • Population impacts: Reduces unwanted puppies.
  • When to Desex?
    • Consider individual patient needs.
    • Early vs. Standard vs. Late age considerations for spaying and castrating detailed.

Microchipping

  • Mandatory for dogs born after April 10, 2009, before sale or giving away.

Behaviour

  • Developmental Stages:
    • Neonate (birth-2 weeks): reliant on mother.
    • Transitional (2-3 weeks).
    • Socialization (3-12 weeks): Critical for development.
    • Juvenile (12 weeks-sexual maturity): Testing boundaries.
    • Adult (18-36 months): Emotional maturity.
    • Senior (7+ years): Potential behavior changes due to pain/cognitive dysfunction.
  • Fear, Anxiety, Stress (FAS):
    • Consider the whole patient and environment.
    • Common signs include tense face, lip-licking, dilated pupils and hypervigilance.