2. Core vs. Non-core Core vaccines are vaccines which are strongly recommended, and sometimes even required. For pet owners, it is useful to know specifically that a recommended vaccine is a core vaccine, as this will emphasize the importance of receiving the vaccine, along with follow-up boosters. Non-core vaccines are vaccines which could be considered optional, depending on the animal, the animal's lifestyle, and where the animal lives. This is in contrast with core vaccines, vaccines which are strongly recommended and sometimes even required by law.

3. Core Vaccine Distemper Canine distemper is a highly contagious disease most common in unvaccinated puppies 12 – 16 weeks old, but can affect any dog with a poor immune status. It attacks many organs in additoin to the nervous system. Transmission The virus is spread through coughing, sneezing, and other body secretions. Clinical Sign Fever Loss of aooetite Diarrhea Vomitiong Slobbering Discharge from eyes and nose In the final stage the disease may cause convulsions, paralysis, and death.

4. Adenovirus Canine Adenovirus Type 1(Canine Hepatitis) Canine hepatitis is a highly contagious viral disease of dogs. Transmission It is spread to other dogs when they come into contact with an infected dog's stool, saliva, or urine. Clinical Signs Lethargy, lack of appetite, fever, discharge from the eyes and nose, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, "tucked-up" posture, sensitivity to light, tonsillitis, bleeding gums, y Yellowing of the whites of the eyes (jaundice) uncontrolled bleeding. The death rate is highest in young dogs.

5. Canine Adenovirus Type 2 (CAV-2) Canine Adenovirus Type 2 (CAV-2) is a highly infectious respiratory disease in dogs. It causes local infections in the upper respiratory tract and may progress to lower respiratory disease in puppies or debilitated adult or aged dogs. Transmission The virus is transmitted via aerosolized respiratory secretions. Clinical Signs Runny nose possible fever dry harsh coughing followed by retching and gagging.

6. Parvovirus Canine parvovirus is an intestinal disease with rapid onset and varying degrees of illness. It mostly affects puppies with mild to severe illness. This disease can cause death. Transmission The parvovirus is transmitted from one dog to another through feces ofn objects contaminated with feces. It can be carried on a dogs hair and feet, as well as on contaminated cages, shoes, and other objects. Because food and water dishes, cages, bedding, littler boxes, rugs and soil can become contaminated with the virus, the dog’s environment can become a reservoir for infection. Clinical Signs Depression Loss of appetite Vomiting Abdominal pain Severe bloody diarrhea

7. Rabies Once infection occurs, the rabies virus grows in muscle tissue and may go undetected for several days or months. During this incubation period, the animal appears healthy and shows no sign of infection. Usually within 1 to 3 months, the virus migrates to the nerves near the site of the infection and spreads to the spinal cord and brain. It usually takes from 12 to 180 days to spread through the peripheral nerves to the central nervous system. At this point, the disease progresses rapidly, and the animal begins to show the classic behavioral signs of rabies. The virus spreads to the saliva, tears, breast milk, and urine. The animal usually dies in 4 or 5 days. Transmission Rabies usually is transmitted through infected saliva as a result of a bite from an infected animal. Rarely, it is transmitted by viral contamination of a fresh wound, through a scratch, or through contamination of a mucous membrane (i.e., eyes, nose, mouth). There have been reports of rabies being transmitted through the air in bat- infested caves. There are 3 stage to the rabies disease. Prodromal phase: first symptoms of rabies The early symptoms of rabies tend to be subtle, last 2 to 3 days, and include the following : Change in tone of the dog's bark Chewing at the bite site Fever Loss of appetite Subtle changes in behavior

8. Rabies Furious phase: "mad dog syndrome" The second phase of infection usually lasts 2 to 4 days and not all rabid animals experience it. Animals that enter immediately into the final paralytic phase are sometimes said to have dumb or paralytic rabies. They may show the following signs: Craving to eat anything, including inedible objects Constant growling and barking Dilated pupils Disorientation Erratic behavior Episodes of aggression Facial expression showing anxiety and hyperalertness Irritability No fear of natural enemies (e.g., wild animals may not be afraid of people) Restlessness Roaming Seizures Trembling and muscle incoordination

9. Rabies Paralytic phase The third and final phase of infection usually lasts for 2 to 4 days. Initial symptoms include the following: Appearance of choking Dropping of the lower jaw (in dogs) Inability to swallow, leading to drooling and foaming of saliva (i.e., "foaming at the mouth") Paralysis of jaw, throat, and chewing muscles Paralysis then spreads to other parts of the body, the animal becomes depressed, rapidly enters a coma and dies.

10. Non-core Vaccine Bordetella (kennal cough) Canine bordetella is a very contagious disease caused by bacteria. The bacteria invades your dog’s respiratory system. The disease, which routinely affects puppies, is rarely life- threatening. Transmission The bacteria that causes bordetella can easily be transmitted through the air. The disease mostly affects dogs that live with lots of other dogs. Kennels and pet shops are commonly affected. Once one dog gets infected, the condition will quickly spread unless the infected dog is separated from the rest. Clinical Signs coughing sneezing Hacking retching accompanied by nasal discharge Lethargy Fever lack of appetite Pneumonia even death. The majority of severe cases occur in young unvaccinated puppies and animals with compromised immune systems.

11. Modified live vaccine vs. Killed vaccine Modified live vaccines provide stronger, longer-lasting, and more rapid protection as long as there are no maternal antibodies or immune system diseases interfering with the action of the vaccine. Killed vaccines produce a lower immune response and require booster vaccinations to confer enough protection.

12. Fort Dodge vaccines Duramune Max 5-CvK The Puppy shot. Fort Dodge Bacterin-Vaccine Canine Distemper -Adenovirus Type 2-Coronavirus-Parainfluenza- Parvovirus Vaccine, Modified Live and Killed Virus. RabVac 1, 10 dose For use in dogs and cats only. Rabvac 1 is a killed virus vaccine for the vaccination of healthy dogs and cats against rabies. This vaccine meets the one year duration of Immunity requirements for dogs and cats. Bronchi-Shield III (25x1) (Frt. Dodge) For vaccination of healthy dogs and puppies eight weeks of age or older as an aid in prevention of disease caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine parainfluenza virus and canine adenovirus type 2.

13. References http://www.2ndchance.info/dog%20distemper.htm http://www.buzzle.com/articles/dog-illnesses-canine-distemper.html http://www.dogchatforum.com/distemper-dog.htm http://www.aspcapro.org/canine-parvovirus.php http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1556&aid=347 http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2102&aid=452