During the first one to three days of its nursing period, a puppyreceives antibodies in its mother's milk called colostrum. By weaning,at six to eight weeks of age, this natural immunity will begin todisappear. Consequently at eight to 20 weeks of age, a puppy issusceptible to a number of diseases. At this time, the puppy's immunesystem should be stimulated to provide its own antibodies. This is whyvaccination programs are initiated shortly after weaning. A vaccinationprogram for your puppy should be worked out by your veterinarian.

Vaccinations to help safeguard your puppy's health are available for the following common and serious diseases:

Rabies is a disease of the central nervous system, usually transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal.

Parvovirus and Coronavirus can affect dogs of all ages, but they areparticularly devastating to puppies. Immediate treatment for thesediseases by a veterinarian is essential. Parvovirus is a common anddeadly viral infection. Fever, vomiting, depression, severe diarrheaand dehydration can accompany the infection. In some instances, deathcan occur rapidly, at times, in a matter of hours.

Coronavirus is a highly contagious viral infection of thegastro-intestinal tract. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, fever anddehydration. Transmission of these viruses occurs from dog to dog viacontact with infected feces, or it can also be carried by shoes,clothing, carrying crates, food, water bowls and other objects.

Canine distemper is a virus that affects the central nervous system.Early warning signs may include fever, lack of appetite, mild drainagefrom the eyes, lethargy or depression. These early signs may befollowed by severe discharge from the eyes and nose, severe diarrhea,pneumonia or convulsions. The distemper virus can be carried from onedog to another or transmitted through contact from a contaminatedenvironment. Generally distemper virus spreads as an airborneinfection. Consequently, vaccination is the only effective control.

Hepatitis is a virus that affects the liver. It is most severe withpuppies, but dogs of all ages are susceptible. Early signs of hepatitisare similar to those of distemper: fever, loss of appetite, depression,vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptoms include a discharge from the eyesor nose, uncontrolled bleeding, skin bruises or pain when the abdomenis pressed. A vaccination program planned by your veterinarian willcontrol the disease.

Canine cough, popularly referred to as "kennel cough", primarilyaffects dogs living in close proximity, such as in a kennel or shelter.It is highly contagious, attacks the respiratory system, and causesmild or no fever, nasal discharge and a dry, hacking cough. In severeform, kennel cough can cause a loss of appetite, lethargy and a moistand persistent cough, together with nose and eye discharges.Complications such as pneumonia may also occur. Veterinary treatment isrequired. Numerous organisms have been implicated as causes. It ispossible for your veterinarian to vaccinate for three of the commoncomponents of this cough. The three vaccines are parainfluenza, caninebordetella, and adenovirus-2.

Leptospirosis is an acute infectious disease that spreads throughcontact with the saliva, urine or nasal secretions of infected animals.The early symptoms include fever, muscle pain, dehydration, shock, lossof appetite and vomiting. Within a day or two of the onset of the firstsymptoms, the temperature will drop sharply, breathing will be laboredand stiffness, particularly in the hind legs, may be observed. Forcontrol, a vaccination program must be followed.