Three Non-Core Vaccinations For Dogs Who Spend Time In The Woods

There are a number of core vaccines that vets recommend for all dogs, regardless of lifestyle. These are rabies, canine parvovirus, distemper, and adenovirus. For some dogs, these vaccines alone may be sufficient. However, if your dog spends a significant amount of time in the woods, he or she will be exposed to other pathogens that can cause serious diseases. For this reason, vets often recommend the following three vaccines, in addition to core vaccines, for dogs who spend time in the forest.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by deer ticks. If an infected tick bites your dog, the tick may infect your dog with the Lyme disease bacteria, leading to symptoms such as stiffness, fatigue, seizures, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Since ticks are most abundant in the woods, your dog is likely to be bitten if he or she spends time in the woods. And while removing a tick early on can prevent your dog from contracting Lyme disease, it's easy to miss a tick on your dog, especially if your dog is a long-haired breed. Lyme disease is difficult to treat, but luckily, there is a vaccine to prevent the disease. 

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that causes fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and bloody urine in dogs. It can also be spread to humans and other mammals, making it quite dangerous for your dog to come down with leptospirosis. Dogs can contract this illness if they bite a rabbit, rodent, or other animal that is infected. They may also become ill with leptospirosis if they lick the urine of an animal who was infected. This can happen in the woods in the blink of an eye! Thankfully, the leptospirosis vaccine will protect your dog so you don't have to watch them like a hawk in the woods.

Canine Coronavirus

Canine coronavirus is a viral infection that can cause explosive diarrhea and vomiting in dogs. The symptoms are usually more severe in puppies than in adult dogs. Puppies may experience complications like dehydration and subsequently die from the infection. Canine coronavirus is spread in the feces of infected dogs, which your dog may come into contact with in a wooded area where other dogs spend time. There is a vaccine for the disease, and it should be administered when your dog is a puppy to protect him or her when at the most vulnerable.

Contact veterinary hospital like Ark Veterinary Hospital to learn more.