diseases and immunization recommendations

Vaccination is highly recommended.

Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral infection. Young and old dogs are particularly affected. The development of the disease is very different, most suffer lasting damages (for example dental enamel defects in young dogs and corneal changes) or even fatal illness. The diseased dog shows initially high fever, loss of appetite and fatigue. Infected animals excrete the virus with all body fluids.

Canine distemper symptoms show in four different complexes. They can occur individually, but also in combination:

• pulmonary form: simple cough, clear to purulent nasal and eye discharge, to pneumonia.
• intestines shape: more or less severe diarrhea and vomiting.
• nerves form: paralysis, movement disorders, balance problems, head tilt, seizures or behavioral changes.
• skin form: most likely at a later stage of the disease. Bales can be hard and flat (hard-ball disease) or in the phase of the dentition, the permanent teeth have an abnormal formation of enamel and yellow ("distemper teeth").

Vaccination is highly recommended

Parvovirosis is triggered by a virus. The virus is excreted in the feces in the environment and can remain viable in the environment for several months.

Two forms are distinguished:

• gastro-intestinal form: fever and fatigue, followed by massive vomiting and severe, often bloody diarrhea
• cardio-pulmonary form : affects particularly young dogs. Many of the affected puppies die, because of a severe inflammation of the heart muscle, causing heart failure with dyspnea.

Vaccination is highly recommended

Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria and is transferable to the Human. The disease is dangerous and can be fatal.

The bacteria called Leptospira are transmitted mainly through the urine of infected rodents (e.g. rats, mice) or other dogs. The main source of infections are stagnant water bodies that are contaminated with infected urine. Dogs drinking from these water sources may be infected.

Infected dogs can excrete leptospires in their urine in irregular intervals for months and years. Leptospirosis breaks out one to two weeks after infection. The disease begins with sudden weakness, vomiting and fever. Other signs include breathing difficulties, increased thirst and increased urination. Later, you may experience muscle pain and jaundice. Leptospirosis can damage kidneys and liver and can be fatal.

A vaccination is recommended for breeding females

The infectious liver inflammation of the dog is caused by a virus. In some cases, the hepatitis is mild. In puppies however, it usually develops to a serious illness and is often fatal.

A few days after infection the dog has fever, is tired, loses appetite and the thirst has increased. In the further course of the disease it comes to eyes- and nasal discharge, as well as vomiting.

The dog has diarrhea and abdominal pain and the disease can result in liver or kidney damage. Not infrequently, consequential damages are severe organ damage, especially if a chronic hepatitis exists, or a corneal opacity in the eye and subsequent blindness.

In most kennels, this vaccination is mandatory

The kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease and is caused by viruses and bacteria. The infection is transmitted by tiny contaminated droplets from a exhaling or coughing sick dog. The infection is not confined to kennel dogs!

Typical signs of kennel cough are a dry and "barking" cough that sounds deep and like “something is stuck in the throat”. The cough occurs in paroxysms and can be fierce. The cough is very unpleasant, painful and can last for weeks. As a complication a pneumonia may result.

Affected dogs usually recover completely when treated in time.

A vaccination is recommended for dogs who stay in tick areas “contaminated with Babesia during the holidays

Babesiosis is caused by unicellular parasites ("Babesia"). The parasite multiplies in the red blood cells of the dog and destroys them. Babesiosis is a serious disease that can lead to death. The disease is transmitted by a bite of the brown dog tick. Ticks live in the undergrowth, scrub and tall grasses at the forest edge or in the garden. In spring and autumn, the risk of infection is at its highest. Initial symptoms of babesiosis can be observed two days to two months after the infection.

The most common symptoms are sudden high fever, apathy, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms are followed by an anemia one or two days later. The reduction of the red blood cell can lead to a brownish discoloration of the urine or to a yellowing of the mucous membrane. The risk of a kidney failure is a feared threat.

In the area of Basel, there is no proven record of babesiosis, however there is a report from the area of Kembs (F, Alsace) in the North of Basel. Depending on the country and the region Babesiosis is widespread and therefore it is often seen here as a “travel sickness".

Vaccination is currently not necessary in Switzerland. Once the dog is taken abroad (also near the border!), the vaccination is mandatory.

The rabies virus belongs to those diseases that are very dangerous and incurable for humans and animals. Infected animals transmit the rabies virus in their saliva, usually through a bite. After a bite, the virus migrates along the nerve pathways to the brain. Until the infected dog suffers from rabies, it may take two to four weeks, in rare cases even longer.

The disease can occur in two forms:

• behavior change: Wild animals are tame or overcome their fear of water. Others are shy or hide ("silent" anger).
• arousal change: aggressiveness, bite out of rage, frenzy ("mad" anger).).

The sickness leads to progressive paralysis of various muscles. Often, the animal cannot swallow and drink anymore, it drools and eventually suffocates, because the breathing muscles get paralyzed

A vaccine is available, but definitely for the majority of our dogs does not make sense. You must be critically analyzed and can be recommended all the pros and cons in individual cases only after thorough discussion

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria from the group of the Borrelia. Up to 50% of the ticks of the genus common wood tick, Ixodes ricinus, are infected. Especially in dogs this disease is currently known as "over-diagnosed" and most studies have only been able to prove short-time symptoms such as enlarged lymph nodes, arthritis and polyarthritis.

The pathogens multiply in the gut of the tick. When an infected tick bites a dog and start to suck blood, the bacteria move to the bite site, which takes several hours.

Ticks live in the undergrowth, scrub and tall grasses in the garden. In spring and autumn, the risk of infection is greatest. Search ticks on your dog after every walk. Remove the tick immediately - preferably with specialized tick tweezers.

A vaccination is recommended for breeding bitches

The herpes infection of the dog is caused by a virus. Newborn, weak and young puppies can die from it. The infection of the mother dog can cause sterility, birth defects, premature or stillborn. The mother dog may also infect their young during the birth.

The first signs of Herpesvirose are diarrhea and vomiting. A little later the puppies kick and whine and rapidly lose weight. Sometimes additionally breathing difficulties or skin and mucosal bleeding can occur.

Puppies that survive the infection carry the herpes virus for life. In the course of its life, the infected dog can excrete the virus intermittently. This happens especially in stressful situations, with the result that the affected dog is again infectious.