DISTEMPER: This is a highly contagious and often fatal virus that affects a dog's respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. Distemper can be contracted by puppies as well as unvaccinated adult dogs. Generally distemper virus spreads as an airborne infection, so vaccination is the only effective control.

ADENOVIRUS (hepatitis): Adenovirus causes a viral disease that affects the liver and cells lining the blood vessels, causing high fever, edema and hemorrhage. It may lead to severe kidney damage and/or death. This virus can also be an important factor in kennel cough.

PARAINFLUENZA: One of the viral infections that causes kennel cough, parainfluenza is highly contagious and attacks the respiratory system. In otherwise healthy dogs it is often a mild infection. In puppies or debilitated dogs it can be quite severe.

LEPTOSPIROSIS: This is an extremely contagious disease that spreads through contact with nasal secretions, urine or saliva of infected animals. The disease causes inflamed kidneys, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. It is easily spread to other pets and humans.

PARVOVIRUS: Parvovirus is a common and fatal viral infection of widespread distribution. It may cause a severe, dehydrating diarrhea and vomiting. Parvovirus can, and often does, kill young puppies, but can affect adult dogs as well.

CORONAVIRUS: This is a viral disease which causes symptoms similar to those caused by parvovirus.

RABIES: One of the most feared diseases, rabies is virtually always fatal. It attacks the brain and central nervous system. The virus affects all mammals including humans. Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, most often by a bite wound. Most states require by law that dogs be vaccinated against rabies.

VACCINATIONS:

DA2PP/C: This vaccine helps give immunity against Distemper, Adenovirus (hepatitis), Parainfluenza, Parvovirus and Coronavirus. It is generally given initially at 8 weeks, followed by boosters at 12 and 16 weeks. Some dogs will require an additional booster at 20 weeks. The vaccine should then be boostered in one year, then every three years throughout the dog's life.

Leptospirosis: The "Lepto" vaccine is given at 12 and 16 weeks, then boostered yearly.

Rabies: This vaccine is given at 16 weeks of age and then boostered one year later. Thereafter, the vaccine should be boostered every three years in Sacramento. (Local regulations may vary.)