DOG INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN AUSTRALIA
Your veterinarian will advise you on which vaccines are recommended for your puppy. Vaccines are available for a number of infectious diseases in Australia, including canine parvovirus, canine distemper virus, and canine cough (kennel cough).
Canine parvovirus causes a severe and often fatal disease, and puppies are at highest risk. Typical signs include vomiting, bloody diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Cases of canine parvovirus in unvaccinated dogs are still seen regularly in many parts of Australia.
Canine distemper virus is highly contagious and often fatal. The signs caused by the virus can be varied but may include respiratory signs (e.g. coughing and sneezing), vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, muscle tremors and seizures.
Canine infectious hepatitis is a viral disease which is extremely contagious and often fatal. As the name suggests, the virus causes inflammation of the liver but the dog may present with signs such as fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
Canine leptospirosis is caused by a bacterial infection that can cause severe and potentially fatal signs including bleeding disorders, kidney disease and liver disease. The infection is spread by wild animals such as rats, and dogs can be infected from direct contact with rats (e.g. bites) or from contaminated food, water or soil. Leptospirosis can also infect humans.
Canine coronavirus is a contagious virus that can cause lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea, especially in young dogs.
Canine cough (or kennel cough) is a common and highly contagious infectious disease that can be caused by several different viruses and bacteria. The typical signs are a harsh, dry cough but in severe cases it can result in pneumonia. Your dog can become infected anywhere that other dogs have been, not just at boarding kennels. The bacteria, Bordetella bronchiseptica, is one of the prime causes of canine cough and can survive in the environment for months, so your dog may be at risk even if it does not come into direct contact with other infected dogs.
