Immunisation (vaccination) schedules for dogs and cats in Hong Kong

Research Paper for the Pet Technician Certificate : 

Module 5 - Promoting Health

Owner: Alice Lam

All Rights Reserved.

In Hong Kong, it is law that all dogs above 5 months of age must be vaccinated against rabies, and the vaccination must be repeated every 3 years. Cats can also be vaccinated against rabies but it is not a legal requirement.

Whilst Hong Kong is a high-risk environment for infectious diseases due to the relatively hot, humid conditions and as most dogs are kept in apartments, Canine Distemper, Canine Parvovirus, Leptospirosis and Kennel Cough are all still very common.

Taking these factors into account, the following immunisation schedules normally apply:

Recommended Schedule for vaccinations

DOGS

Schedule for puppy from birth onwards:
 

First vaccine	8-12 weeks old
Second vaccine	12-16 weeks old
Third vaccine	16-20 weeks old

Kennel cough vaccine	Once at 8-12 weeks
Rabies vaccine	Once at 5 months old

8th week - First vaccine for Distemper, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza & Hepatitis

12th week - Second vaccine for Distemper, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza & Hepatitis; First vaccine for Leptospirosis

16th week - Third vaccine for Distemper, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza & Hepatitis (only if needed); Second vaccine for Leptospirorsis

(normally, the above vaccines are combined together in one single injection called the DHPPiL Vaccination and first dose to be administered during 8th-10th week, and each dose to be applied 4 weeks apart. Third dose only applied if necessary)

3-5 months - Rabies vaccination (required by law)

Annually: DHPPiL vaccination booster

Every three years: Rabies vaccination booster

Recommended Schedule if adult dog has never been vaccinated / unknown vaccination history:

First vaccine:	If the dog has not been vaccinated before first keep at home for 7-10 days to be sure he is healthy. If already vaccinated we will give the next vaccine one month after the last vaccine, if he is still healthy.
Next vaccine:	This is given one month after the first vaccine.
Last vaccine:	Is given one month later. This is especially important for some breeds.

For adult dogs of unknown vaccination history, then usually at least two doses of vaccination are given about 3 to 4 weeks apart to start or restart the vaccination programme.

After the initial course of vaccinations, a booster vaccination about one year later is normal to keep up the immune response levels. After that, booster doses are usually given every one to three years depending on the vaccines and the risk of disease.

Remember the rabies vaccination for your rescued / adopted adult dog.

CATS

Similar to puppy and dogs,vaccinations of kittens and cats are around 4 weeks apart.

Schedule for kittens from birth onwards:

First day	6-12 weeks old	Body check Advice about care
1-2 weeks later	8-12 weeks old	First vaccine Deworm
4 weeks later	12 weeks old	Start monthly flea control Second vaccine Deworm
	16 weeks old	Last/second vaccine Deworm
1-2 months later	20-25 weeks old	Deworm
	From 6 months	Neutering operationflea treatments Deworm every 3 months
1 year later	1yr 3 months	First booster vaccine Body check

8th week - First FVRCP vaccination (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia)

12th week - Second FVRCP vaccination & Rabies vaccination. In certain cases, a third dose of FVRCP might be needed in the 16th week.

Annually : FVRCP vaccination booster

In cats, rabies vaccination is not required by law, however it is recommended for outdoor or semi-outdoor cats for your own protection, or if you are exporting your cat to another country.

Recommended Schedule if adult cat has never been vaccinated / unknown vaccination history:

For adult cats of unknown vaccination history, similar to adult dogs, usually at least two doses of vaccination are given about 3 to 4 weeks apart to start or restart the vaccination programme.

After the initial course of vaccinations, a booster vaccination about one year later is normal to keep up the immune response levels. After that, booster doses are usually given every one to three years depending on the vaccines and the risk of disease.

Source:
(1) http://www.spca.org.hk/en/veterinary/preventative-pet-health/essential-vaccinations
(2) http://www.cwbvet.com.hk/dog.html
(3) http://rosina.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/vaccination-of-dogs-and-cats-%E7%B5%A6%E6%82%A8%E7%9A%84%E5%AF%B5%E7%89%A9%E4%BC%B4%E4%BE%B6%E6%B3%A8%E5%B0%84%E7%96%AB%E8%8B%97/
(4) http://www.pawsandclaws.com.hk/pet-care-info/vaccination/
(5) http://www.hhvc.com.hk/en/pet/main.do?mappingName=Dogs&method=detail&id=4028e48624d70d760124e7ab777e0061
(6) http://www.hhvc.com.hk/en/pet/main.do?mappingName=Cats&method=listing

Ticks in Dogs

Research Paper for the Pet Technician Certificate : 

Module 4 -Parasitic Conditions

Owner: Alice Lam

All Rights Reserved.

Tick is one of the most common and lethal parasite that affect dogs in Hong Kong.

Ticks usually live in grassy areas and feed by biting and drawing blood from animals such as dogs and cattle.  When the tick attaches the dog and bites to feed, it injects the tick fever organism into the dog.  Before feeding, ticks are small and flat, however after feeding they puff up and look a bit like a fat raisin.

Tick Fever is the common name given to the protozoa Babesia.  There are two common strains that is seen in Hong Kong, Babesia gibsoni and Babesia canis.  The protozoa destroy red blood cells in the body resulting in anaemia.  If left untreated for too long, life-threatening anaemia may result and may require blood transfusions and a long hospital stay to recover.
However, if treated early, most dogs don't have to stay in hospital and can have the full course of treatment at home.

The most common first symptom is a loss of appetite.  However, it often comes on gradually and to the inexperienced owner it may take some time to notice that anything is wrong.  Sometimes a dog will not eat breakfast, but will eat his dinner and will eat his treats.  Then the next day, he might not eat any of his dog food, but is more than happy to eat human food. 
The other common symptoms are lethargy (tiredness) and dark coloured urine.  Often dogs will be reluctant to go for their regular walks and won't want to play as much as usual.  They may also be reluctant to walk up stairs.  During the course of the disease, red blood cells are destroyed will be expelled in the urine which can result in very dark (rusty or red coloured) urine.

If a vet suspects Tick Fever, he or she will probably order a blood test called a General Health Profile.  This initial blood test will give the vet a better idea as to whether your dog has tick fever.  Dogs with tick fever generally have a lower than normal number of red blood cells and platelets.  In order to get a confirmed diagnosis, a PCR test (or a DNA test), needs to be performed at an external laboratory.  This usually takes 2-3 days for the results to come back.

Unfortunately there is no vaccine for Tick Fever, so the only way to stop a dog from getting the disease is tick prevention:

1)      Preventic Collar (Amitraz): This is a rubber collar adjustable in length and can fit any size dog.  Any excess collar can be cut off and discarded.  The collar should be taken off before the dog goes swimming or has a bath.  A new collar should replace the old one every 2 months.

2)      Spot-on prevention

a.       Frontline Plus: This liquid is safe for use on both cats and dogs.  To be effective against ticks it should be applied every 2 weeks.

b.      Advantix: This liquid is toxic to cats and can only be used on dogs.  To be effective against ticks it should be applied every 3 weeks.

Treatment

Two currently accepted methods of treatment are:

1)      Atovaquone/Zithromax: Atovaquone is an antimalarial drug that has been shown to be effective in Tick Fever cases.  It is used in conjunction with an antibiotic called Zithromax.  This is one of the most commonly accepted treatments in Hong Kong and has been used for the past 6-7 years.  Treatment is usually 10-20 days long depending on the case.

2)      Tri-Therapy Treatment: This involves two injections two weeks apart and a 30 day course of three types of anti-protazoal medications.  This is a relatively new treatment and so far responses have been very positive.

Following successful treatment of Tick Fever, it is advisable to have a repeat PCR Blood Test 2 months after the end of treatment.

Video:

  

Source: http://www.eastislandvets.com.hk/en/pet-emergencies/Tick-Fever

Canine Distemper

Research Paper for the Pet Technician Certificate : 

Module 3 -Infectious Disease

Owner: Alice Lam

All Rights Reserved.

Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease of dogs. It is the leading lethal infectious disease in dogs. The virus infects the gastrointestinal system, respiratory tract, brain, and the spinal cord.

Symptoms include fever, eyes discharge, running nose, vomit and diarrhea, dehydration, excessive salivation, coughing and/or labored breathing, loss of appetite, weight loss, hardening of the footpads and nose, seizures of any part of the body, in particular, the developing of “chewing gum fits”.

Another lasting symptom commonly is enamel hypoplasia. Puppies, especially, might suffer damage to the enamel of teeth that are not completely formed or those that have not yet grown through the gums, as a result of the virus killing the cells responsible for the production of tooth enamel. Teeth affected tend to erode quickly.

The animal may also show signs of sensitivity to light, coordination disorder, prolonged circling, increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli such as pain or touch, and deterioration of motor capabilities. Sometimes, it may cause blindness and paralysis.

HOW THE CARRIER STATE DEVELOPS

The virus first enters the bronchial lymph nodes and tonsils 2 days after exposure, then the blood stream on the 2nd or 3rd day. A first round of acute fever tends to begin around the 3rd to 8th day, which is often accompanied by a low white blood cell count, especially of lymphocytes, as well as low platelet count. These signs may go unnoticed or be accompanied by loss of appetite, may or may not be accompanied by anorexia, running nose, and discharge from the eye. This first round of fever typically recedes rapidly within 96 hours, and then a 2nd round of fever begins around the 11th or 12th day and lasts around a week.

Gastro-intestinal and respiratory signs may follow and are usually complicated by bacterial infections. Overgrowth of the skin of the footpads (“hardpad” disease) and hardening of the nose may be seen.

This is called the Mucosal Phase.

Neurological signs will then gradually appear. These may include seizures in the form of : 1) localized involuntary twitching and seizures of a muscle or group of muscles, such as in the leg or face, 2) slight or complete paralysis, often most noticeable in the hind limbs as failure of muscle coordination, followed by weakness and paralysis in all 4 legs, and 3) the development of chewing-gum fits.

The seizures become more frequent and severe as the disease progresses. The dog may fall on its side and paddle its legs. Involuntary urination and defecation sometimes occur.

This is the Neurologic Phase.

Younger puppies or dogs with weak immunity often die during the mucosal phase while stronger ones may have relatively mild mucosal signs and may not be apparent until reaches the neurologic phase.

WHAT ARE THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAKE THE CARRIER ANIMAL INFECTIOUS TO OTHER ANIMALS

CDV spreads in 6 to 22 days after exposure, through aerosol droplets and contact with infected bodily fluids. The time between infection and disease is 3-8 days for first fever to appear and 14 to 18 days for full infection is noted.

It is with this long incubation period that stray animals lacking vaccinations are more susceptible to the virus and be the host to spread to the community. The typical distemper suspect is a rescue dog or a pet shop puppy, usually with questionable vaccination history or an as yet incomplete vaccination series, or dogs or puppies which has been housed with other rescue dogs. Puppies from three to six months old are particularly susceptible. Puppies and dogs that have not received their shots can then be easily infected.

Moreover, an infection of CDV may or may not be noticeable as the symptoms may be mild with few or even no signs, or the attack comes strong at a late stage when the patient is already suffering from acute health conditions and showing neurological signs, which may not come until several weeks or months later. Infected dogs with no signs at all may be spreading the infectious virus for months without being discovered.

HOW THE DISEASE IS SPREAD

The Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) transmission must involve dog to dog contact or at least contact with extremely fresh infected body secretions. The infected dog typically infects other dogs via coughing infected respiratory secretions though the virus is shed in most other body secretions including nasal and ocular secretions, faeces and urine. It can also be spread by food and water contaminated with these fluids. The virus enters the new host via the nose or mouth and promptly begins to replicate.

WHAT MEASURES CAN BE TAKEN TO MINIMISE THE SPREAD TO OTHER ANIMALS IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD?

Infected animals should be quarantined from other dogs for several months due to the length of time the animal may shed the virus.

The virus is destroyed in the environment by routine cleaning with disinfectants, detergents, or drying.

It does not survive in the environment for more than a few hours at room temperature (20–25°C), but can survive for a few weeks in shady environments at temperatures slightly above freezing.

It, along with other labile viruses, can also persist longer in serum and tissue debris.
Vaccination is the best available prevention for canine distemper. Puppies should be vaccinated when they are 6 weeks old and then at 2- to 4-week intervals until they are 14 to 16 weeks old. Annual revaccination has been suggested because of the breaks in neurologic distemper that can occur in stressed or diseased dogs or those with weakened immune systems.