Puppies should be vaccinated at 6 weeks of age with a distemper measles vaccine and a parvovirus vaccine for early protection when they are most susceptible. This is a temporary immunity and pups should be vaccinated again 3 weeks later against distemper, hepatitis, kennel cough, canine parvovirus and leptospirosis. Combination vaccines are available and the exact programme will depend on the brand of vaccine the veterinarian uses. Booster vaccinations should be done on a yearly basis.

DISTEMPER
This is a deadly contagious virus, which attacks the nervous system. Symptoms include fever, cough, enteritis, discharge from the eyes and nose, and often nervous symptoms. Distemper is usually fatal, especially in puppies.

HEPATITIS
This viral disease can also be fatal, and dogs that recover often remain carriers for months. Symptoms include listlessness, lack of appetite, enlarged tonsils and painful stomachs. Vomiting and haemorrhaging may occur. "Blue Eye", when the cornea of the eye clouds over, often develops.

KENNEL COUGH
This respiratory disease occurs mostly when dogs are grouped together eg. in boarding kennels or at shows. It is a contagious disease complex and there are a number of causative agents involved, including the distemper, hepatitis, adeno type 2 and parainfluenza viruses.

LEPTOSPIROSIS
This bacterial disease usually localises in the kidneys. It spreads via the infected urine and symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, jaundice, muscular stiffness and haemorrhagic gastro-enteritis. Leptospirosis can be transmitted to man.

CANINE PARVOVIRUS
This disease affects dogs in two ways: heart failure (normally in young pups) and severe gastro-enteritis. A deadly contagious disease.

RABIES
An extremely dangerous and fatal disease which can affect all mammals, including man. It is carried via the bite of an infected animal or contact with the saliva. Symptoms include excessive salivation, violent behaviour and viciousness and often, fear of water. In dogs vaccination for rabies is done after 3 months of age. This must be repeated after 1 year and annually thereafter.