DHPPC: Distemper, Hepatitis (sometimes called Adenovirus), Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Corona Virus
Distemper- a virus that can affect many different species of carnivores (us included, but the measles vaccine protects us against distemper!) This virus causes high fever, respiratory and GI signs, disorders of the central nervous system, and eventually death.
Hepatitis- (or Infectious Canine Hepatitis) a virus that affects dogs and other canids; involves multiple organ systems, and is often fatal.
Parvovirus- a viral infection of dogs (and less commonly cats) that causes severe gastrointestinal disease, with subsequent anemia, dehydration, cardiovascular disease, and sepsis. More common in puppies, but can affect susceptible adult dogs.
Parainfluenza- the viral form of ?kennel cough? which causes inflammation in the throat
Corona Virus- a viral infection of dogs and wild canids that can be carried sub-clinically in adult dogs, but is often fatal to puppies. It primarily affects the gastrointestinal system.
Leptospirosis: (given as part of the DHLPPC) This is a bacteria that affects the liver and kidneys of dogs and potentially humans!! It is not very common, but can occur in sporadic outbreaks. It loves warm, wet seasons of the year, and standing water frequented by livestock and stray/feral dogs
Bordetella: the bacterial cause of ?kennel cough?. This is usually given intranasal but can also be done by injection under the skin.
Rabies: The vaccination of this virus is required by state law. A 1 year vaccine is given at 4-6 months of age, followed by a 3 year vaccine at the next annual visit and every 3 years after that.
This vaccine is typically given yearly to all indoor and outdoor cats.
Rhinotracheitis- a virus that effects the respiratory and ocular systems of domestic and wild cats. Pregnant cats can give the virus to their unborn kittens.
Calicivirus- a common virus that affects the respiratory, ocular, and sometimes skeletal systems of domestic and wild cats.
Panleukopenia- the feline version of parvovirus and is also sometimes called feline distemper. This highly contagious disease can deplete the immune defenses, while also affecting the gastrointestinal, nervous, reproductive, and ophthalmic systems.
FIV: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus: This virus is in the same genus as HIV (no, we can not catch FIV from cats!!). As with HIV in humans, FIV disrupts immune system functions. Curiously, it can cause severe gingivitis (inflammation of the gums); in fact, this is often how it is initially discovered in cats. It is usually transmitted from cat ? to ? cat via fight wounds or close living quarters, but is occasionally passed from mother to unborn fetus. All new kittens should be tested for this virus, and all cats that frequent the outdoors should be vaccinated annually.
FeLV: Feline Leukemia Virus: This virus can cause immunodeficiency and cancer in cats. Like FIV, it is typically spread cat ? to ? cat. It is also more likely than FIV to be spread via close contact (i.e. grooming), shared dishes & litter pans, and from the mother prior to birth. All new kittens should be tested for this virus, and all cats frequenting the outdoors should be vaccinated annually.
Rabies: The vaccination of this virus is required by state law. A 1 year vaccine is given at 4-6 months of age, followed by a 3 year vaccine at the next annual visit and every 3 years after that.
