Parvo - Parvovirus is characterized by severe, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and depression. The diarrhea is foul smelling and may be yellow in color. Parvo can cause congestive heart failure. Puppies who survive can remain weak and unhealthy for life. Death usually occurs within 3 days after onset of symptoms. It is highly contagious and resistant withstanding extreme temperatures. Puppies between weaning age and 6 months are most susceptible. It is transmitted through bodily fluids. It can remain in the ground for 7 years. Clorox will kill Parvo and most diseases.

Distemper - Distemper is highly contagious. It is spread through the air or from eye and nasal discharges. Signs range from runny eyes and nose, to severe diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures mainly in pups from 3 to 6 months but in any unprotected dog. Many of the dogs that recover are left with uncontrollable jerking or convulsions.

Adenovirus 1 & 2 - Type 1 causes infectious hepatitis and can result is severe kidney damage or death. This attacks the liver and cells lining the blood vessels. Symptoms include high fever, edema and bloody stools. Type 2 is a factor in kennel cough. Vaccines that protect with Type 2 cross protect for Type 1.

Parainfluenza - Infectious canine parainfluenza affects the respiratory system. It can be one of the agents in kennel cough. Kennel cough is highly contagious through nasal secretions. Signs are a harsh, dry hacking cough including gagging and coughing up foamy mucus. The disease will run its course in about 3 weeks. Treat the dog with antibiotics to avoid pneumonia and cough suppressants for the cough.

Rabies - A Rabies vaccine can be given at 12 weeks or older. Georgia requires a rabies vaccine be given every year. 20-24 weeks is a good time to give the 1^st rabies vaccine and annually thereafter.

Coronavirus - A highly contagious virus that commonly affects young puppies and causes moderate to severe damage to the intestinal villi. Although the disease is self-limiting, it can make a dog sick for up to 3 weeks. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, depression, loss of appetite and listlessness. Vaccinate for Corona only where it is a concern. **Due to this vaccine, we had a husky to die within 2 hours of injection and a ShihTzu to have neurological reactions for 7-10 days. We will never give this vaccine to any pet!! Please note that the corona virus only attacks puppies and should NEVER be given to an adult dog.

Leptospirosis - Leptos is spread through nasal secretions, saliva and urine. Dachshunds and most small breeds are allergic to this vaccine. Make sure you do not give this to your Shih Tzu.

How do you know if your dog has worms?: http://www.peteducation.com

Round and Hook - Almost all puppies are born with round worms passed through the mothers' milk. Round worms appear white or yellow and look like strings of spagetti 2 to 7 inches long. When there are a lot in a dog, you can see the worms in vomit or feces. Signs are rough coat, bloated belly, diarrhea and vomiting. Hook worms appear white or reddish and are less than an inch long. Hook worms hook into the intestinal lining and suck blood. Hooks release eggs into the intestine which come out in the stool and spread to other dogs through their feet. Hook worms can be fatel because they cause bloodloss. Worm with any puppy wormer (main ingredient = Pyrantel Pamoate) every 2 weeks from 2 weeks of age until about 12 weeks of age. Then continue to worm every 3 months (possibly using a wormer that treats other worms).

Tape - Tape worms are most often seen in fresh passed stools and appear white or pinkish and resemble grains of rice, sand or flat pieces of tiny tape. There are 2 types but the most common comes from fleas. If your dog has had fleas, you need to worm. (common active ingredients = Praziquantel or Fenbendazole). Common drugs are Drontal, Panacur or Tape Worm Tabs. Can be given safely to puppies 8 weeks or older in appropriate doseage. A tip to help you combat the flea problem is to wash your dog with Dawn dish detergent. It is a cheap alternative to expensive meds and safer than Flea Shampoo. Frontline is the best flea preventative on the market but is a bit more expensive.

Whip - Whip adults look like a whip, slender on one end and thicker on the other like a whip handle. Eggs are passed through the stool and through eating or drinking, are ingested into another dog. The adult worm latches onto the intestinal wall and sucks blood. Can be fatal because of bloodloss. Common active ingredients and common drugs are the same as tape worms.

Heart - Prevention is the best policy. The life cycle of a heart worm is 4 months. The problem occurs when the heart worm reaches the adult state. The worm obstructs the vessels and chambers of the heart and can cause damage to other organs if left untreated untimately ending in death. It can be treated but is very expensive and painful for the dog. Signs may include listlessness, weight loss, cough and lack of endurance. If you kill the heartworm in the early stages; before it becomes an adult, you have no problem. Giving prevenative medicine every 3 months will take care of any worms in the dogs system. Vets will tell you it has to be every month but a published book from the AKC states otherwise. This book says it is unnecessary to "poison" your dog every month when 4 times a year will get the job done. However, do the research and determine your pets best protocol. Active ingredient in Heartgard is Ivermectin and can be given to puppies as early as 4 weeks. Do not neglect giving your pet prevention. Treatment after infestation will require a hospital stay and use of an arsenic based drug to kill the adult worms.