Recommendations from the Clermont County Humane Society and the Greater Cincinnati Veterinary Medical Association Vaccinations - Many serious diseases can be prevented by vaccination. Vaccination is inexpensive protection against costly medical treatment or the premature loss of your dog. Please discuss the following vaccines with your Veterinarian: Rabies Vaccine - Required by law for all dogs 4 months of age or older. Cannot be given before 3 months of age. Must be administered by a licensed Veterinarian. Regular boosters are required, and owners must be able to produce a current certificate of rabies vaccination. In addition, current rabies tags must be worm by all dogs. Rabies is a fatal disease, which both people and animals may contract through bite wounds. DA2PLP Vaccine - The so-called "distemper/parvo" vaccine, which actually protects against 5 different infectious diseases: distemper, parvo, hepatitis, parainfluenza (a respiratory disease), and leptospirosis (a liver and kidney disease). Parvo is a contagious and potentially fatal viral disease whose symptoms include vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Distemper is a contagious and usually fatal viral disease whose symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, pneumonia, runny nose, runny eyes and seizures. The components of this vaccine come in multiple combinations: your Veterinarian will discuss an appropriate vaccine protocol for your dog based on its age and vaccine history. Remember: after initial immunity is established, regular boosters are required to maintain immunity. Bordetella - For the prevention of one of the more severe forms of "kennel cough." This vaccine is generally regarded as optional; however, most kennels and dog training organizations will require proof of bordetella vaccination (in addition to rabies and DA2PLP vaccination before your dog will be admitted. To maintain immunity, a regular booster is required. Other Vaccines - Some Veterinarians may recommend vaccination against other diseases, such as Coronavirus or Lyme's Disease, based on their assessment of your dog's particular risk for exposure to these diseases. You should discuss the need for these vaccines with your Veterinarian, especially if you intend to travel with your dog, or if it is likely your dog will be exposed to many other dogs living in close quarters. Annual Examinations - Annual physical examinations are essential if your Veterinarian is to have the opportunity to discover serious illnesses at an early stage, when steps may be taken to lessen the impact of the disease and prolong your dog's life. Many diseases of the heart and other internal organs are clinically silent until they have reached an advanced stage, at which time treatment options may be limited. In other words, your dog could have a serious ailment and appear completely normal to you, until it is too late. Annual examinations also afford you the opportunity to get helpful information from your Veterinarian on questions of behavior, proper diet, parasite management, flea control, disease prevention, allergies, and other topics of interest to you and your pet. The Humane Society will provide you with a list of area Veterinarians who offer a free initial examination for all pets adopted from the Clermont County Animal Shelter. Use this free exam an an opportunity to establish a relationship with one of the many fine Veterinarians practicing in Clermont County and Eastern Cincinnati. Heartworm Disease - This mosquito-borne parasite is prevalent in Southwestern Ohio and other areas of the country where mosquitoes exist. Even dogs that stay indoors most of the time are at risk. In your unprotected dog is bitten by an infected mosquito, it will develop a colony of 8-inch-long worms living in the heart and in the lungs, causing severe damage over time to these organs. Your dog can have heartworm disease for several months - even years - before symptoms become obvious. By then, the disease is serious and difficult to treat, and your dog's life may be in serious jeopardy. You are encouraged to adopt the following preventive measures: Regular heartworm testing - Your Veterinarian will take a small sample of blood from your dog to determine if heartworms are present. If detected early, heartworm disease can be treated very successfully, with minimal risk to the health of your dog. Heartworm Preventatives - Your Veterinarian will provide you with an appropriate preventative tablet, usually given monthly, for the prevention of heartworm disease. Many Veterinarians in this area recommend year-round use of preventative, but at the very least you should treat your dog from March through November. Year-round use will also help prevent many of the intestinal parasites listed below. Intestinal Parasites - A variety of parasites can inhabit the digestive tracts of dogs living in Ohio, leading to symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to anemia, weight loss, coughing and "scooting." Parasites commonly found include roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, coccidia, and giardia. Your Veterinarian can detect the presence of these parasites through the examination of a fecal sample, which you are encouraged to bring with you to your dog's annual physical examination, or whenever your dog is experiencing the symptoms listed above. Once detected, these parasites can be treated with medications your Veterinarian will provide. Flea Control - In addition to making your dog itchy and miserable, flea bites often cause allergic reactions in the skin, leading to "hot spots" and other lesions requiring medical care. If swallowed, fleas can also transmit tapeworms to your dog. Now, with the introduction of newer, monthly preventatives available only through Veterinarians, including Program, Sentinel, Advantage, and Frontline, flea control has become much more efficient and less labor-intensive. There is no reason any longer to put up with fleas! Your Veterinarian will be happy to recommend products and strategies to help rid your dog and your house of fleas. Behavior - Other important considerations for the well-being of your dog are proper training and socialization. Many animals are abandoned, put to sleep, or placed in shelters each year as a result of behavioral problems such as house soiling, accidents, digging, chewing and biting. It is important to devote the effort and time now toward the prevention of these problems, rather than having to deal with them later. Your Veterinarian will be a great source of information and advice on this subject. Spay/Neuter - This surgery is recommended for all dogs not intended for breeding, and is required for all dogs adopted from the Humane Society. This surgery can significantly reduce the incidence of breast tumors, infections of the uterus (pyometra), testicular disease, prostate disease, and certain undesirable behaviors. Of equal or greater significance is the role this surgery plays in reducing the number of unwanted pets in our community, lessening the need for the Humane Society and other organizations to put thousands of these homeless animals to sleep each year. Do your part - spay or neuter your dog! Most Veterinarians advise doing this surgery between 4 and 6 months of age, but it can be safely performed at virtually any age after 8 weeks. Most local vets will honor the Humane Society voucher. [return to top]