Dogs and puppies are at risk for several serious diseases. Take a moment to learn a little about them, the threat they pose to your pet, and the Merial vaccines that may protect your furry loved one. See which vaccines are required by law. And remember, even if your dog is an "inside" dog, he or she is still at risk and should be vaccinated with IMRAB and RECOMBITEK vaccines, from Merial.
Ask your veterinarian about IMRAB and RECOMBITEK vaccines, or use our vet locator to find a veterinarian near you who uses Merial vaccines.
Rabies is a devastating disease. Once clinical signs have appeared, it is always fatal. The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system of an animal, leading to an agonizing death. The virus is usually transmitted via the saliva of a rabid animal through a bite wound, but it is possible for transmission to occur through contamination of scratch wounds or through mucosal membranes. Because rabies can be transmitted from infected animals to humans, it can pose a serious public health concern if an outbreak is suspected or reported. Many states have laws requiring rabies vaccination for dogs and cats.
Canine distemper is a viral infection that can affect a dog's respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system. In affected dogs, clinical signs vary depending on age, immune status of the host, and virus strain. Common signs of illness include fever, loss of appetite, tiredness, and upper respiratory tract infection.
Back to topCanine parvovirus infection, commonly referred to as CPV or canine "parvo," is highly contagious and attacks quickly. CPV can spread to dogs from any animal, human, or object that comes in contact with feces of an infected dog. The virus can survive for months on objects such as food bowls, shoes, clothes, carpet and floors. Treatment is difficult and often involves hospitalization. Clinical signs include severe vomiting, loss of appetite and bloody, foul-smelling diarrhea.
Back to topCanine hepatitis is a viral disease caused by canine adenovirus (CAV)-1. It affects the liver, kidneys, and eyes in dogs. Clinical signs include fever, vomiting, coughing, and eye inflammation.
Back to topCanine parainfluenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It produces an acute cough in dogs. Viral shedding persists for 8 to 10 days after infection. Clinical signs include high-pitched cough, nasal discharge, and episodes of gagging.
Back to topLeptospirosis is a disease caused by infection of the Leptospira bacteria. Transmission may result from contaminated water sources, soil, and food. Large-breed, outdoor dogs are commonly affected, with young dogs more severely affected than adult dogs. Clinical signs include fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, shivering, and muscle tenderness, as well as liver and kidney dysfunction.
Back to topLyme disease comes from ticks that carry the bacteria. Lyme disease affects many dogs differently. Some may not display any clinical signs. Others may start with limping, swelling in the lymph nodes, and fever, and can progress to loss of appetite and lethargy. Lyme disease can also attack dogs' joints, causing serious pain. Antibiotics can help treat the disease, but do not eliminate the disease-causing bacteria transmitted by tick bites. As a result, Lyme disease is recurring and can strike an infected dog again and again. Although direct infection or disease transmission is not yet documented in every state, cases of Lyme disease in dogs have been reported throughout the country.
Back to topHelp protect your dogs and puppies. Get them vaccinated. Ask your veterinarian about IMRAB and RECOMBITEK vaccines. Or use our vet locator to find a veterinarian near you who uses Merial vaccines.
IMRAB has been trusted by veterinarians for more than 30 years to protect hundreds of millions of animals from rabies.11
IMRAB is a descendent of the first rabies vaccine that Louis Pasteur introduced to the world in the 1884.11
The RECOMBITEK family of vaccines have been proven safe and effective in helping to protect your puppies and dogs from a variety of diseases. For some vaccines, extensive research and the use of advanced science, including recombinant technology, are used to help protect your pet. Learn more about recombinant vaccines here.
Ask your veterinarian which RECOMBITEK vaccines are right for your dog.
In addition to providing life-saving vaccines, we offer many other products that help support a long, healthy, active life for your dog. To learn more, and check for valuable coupons, click here.
Traditionally, vaccines are made by killing or weakening the disease-causing pathogen (for example, virus or bacteria) and injecting it into the patient to trigger the patient's immune system to produce antibodies or activated T-cells for protection against the disease. Then, if the patient comes in contact with the disease-causing virus or bacteria, the body's immune system is already primed to recognize the specific organism invader and armed to fight it off.
Recombinant vaccine, such as RECOMBITEK Distemper, consists of a carrier or vector that carries a small portion of the genetic material of the disease-causing virus. Because only genetic fragments, and not the complete organism, are incorporated into the carrier, it is not possible for the recombinant vaccine to produce active disease in the vaccinated animal.
Back to topREFERENCES: 1. Greene CE, et al. Rabies and other lyssavirus infections. In: Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 3rd edition. St. Louis: Saunders Elsevier; 2006:167-183. 2. Kahn CM. Rabies. In: Merck Veterinary Manual 2009. 9th ed. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck & Co., Inc; 2009:1067-1071. 3. AVMA. Rabies State law chart. https://www.avma.org/Advocacy/StateAndLocal/Documents/Rabies%20state%20l.... Accessed March 21, 2015. 4. Greene CE, et al. Canine distemper. In: Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 4th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co.; 2012:25-42. 5. Greene CE, et al. Canine viral enteritis. In: Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 4th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co.; 2012:67-80. 6. Greene CE. Infectious canine hepatitis and canine acidophil cell hepatitis. In: Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 4th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co.; 2012:42-48. 7. Ford RB. Canine infectious respiratory disease. In: Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 4th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co.; 2012:55-65. 8. Greene CE, et al. Leptospirosis. In: Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 4th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co.; 2012:431-446. 9. Greene CE, et al. Borreliosis. In: Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 4th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co.; 2012:447-465. 10. IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. Which diseases have been confirmed in your neighborhood? diseases in your area, Accessed August 18, 2015.11. Gaudry D. Rabies vaccines: the Merieux experience. Veterinary Medicine/Small Animal Clinician. 1983;525-530. 12. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Types of vaccines. Accessed March 29, 2015. 13. Taylor J, et al. Biological and immunogenic properties of a canarypox-rabies recombinant, ALVAC-RG (vCP65) in non-avian species. Vaccine. 1995;13(6):539-549.
