What vaccines do Opossum Pike Vet Clinic offer to protect my dog?

Core Vaccines: Vaccines that all dogs need based on prevalence, severity of disease, and ease of transmission

• Distemper Combo Vaccine: The viruses that are prevented through this vaccination are Canine Distemper, Parvo virus, Parainfluenza, and Hepatitis. These viruses can result in severe and life-threatening liver, respiratory, and intestinal disease. Leptospirosis is also prevented through this vaccine. Leptospirosis is a bacteria which targets the liver and kidneys. This bacteria is TRANSMISSIBLE TO HUMANS meaning, you can contract leptospirosis from your pet. Leptospirosis is contracted through the urine of infected hosts. Infected wild animals urinate near water sources or in muddy areas infecting that area. If a dog ingests the bacteria by drinking or swallowing the water or walks through the area with a cut paw they can contract the disease.
• Rabies: The rabies vaccine is a very important and inexpensive vaccine that prevents a life threatening condition. By Maryland law, every dog over the age of 16 weeks must have a valid rabies certificate .Rabies is also transmissible to humans through the saliva of infected animals.

Strongly Suggested Vaccines:

• Lyme Vaccine: Lyme disease is caused by an infectious organism spread by ticks. This annual vaccine is strongly suggested for all canine patients regardless of how much time they spend outside because it is endemic in this area. Incidence of Lyme disease is higher than 20%. Also, the deer tick, who is the main carrier of this disease is as small as a pin head and could easily be unnoticed on your pet. This disease targets the joints and kidneys of canines.

Optional Vaccines:

• Bordetella: Kennel cough is caused by a group of bacteria and viruses that cause an upper respiratory infection with the predominant clinical sign being a bad cough. It is highly
  contagious between dogs. The bacteria can travel in the air, stay in the environment, and be passed to other dogs. This vaccine is not 100% effective in preventing kennel cough because there are many different types of bacteria and viruses that can cause an upper respiratory infection.. These vaccines are not 100% effective in preventing Kennel cough because there are many different types of bacteria and viruses that can cause an upper respiratory infections.
• Canine Influenza: To date there have not been any reported cases of canine influenza in Maryland. Clinical signs are similar to Kennel Cough but it usually results in pneumonia, which is life threatening. Dogs that are attending dog shows or agility shows should be vaccinated against canine influenza. Also some boarding facilities require the influenza vaccine.