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Recently, Lola and I were chatting, and I offered to write a guest post on her blog about the probems many people encounter with their new puppies.  She posted it last night, so head on over and check it out.

From the UC-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine:

Canine Core Vaccines

• Canine Parvovirus, Distemper Virus, and Adenovirus-2 VaccinesFor initial puppy vaccination (< 16 weeks), one dose of vaccine containing modified live virus (MLV) CPV, CDV, and CAV-2 is recommended every 3-4 weeks from 6-8 weeks of age, with the final booster being given no sooner than 16 weeks of age. For dogs older than 16 weeks of age, two doses of vaccine containing modified live virus (MLV) CPV, CDV, and CAV-2 given 3-4 weeks apart are recommended. After a booster at one year, revaccination is recommended every 3 years thereafter, ideally using a product approved for 3-year administration, unless there are special circumstances that warrant more or less frequent revaccination. Note that recommendations for killed parvovirus vaccines and recombinant CDV vaccines are different from the above. These vaccines are not currently stocked by our pharmacy or routinely used at the VMTH. We do not recommend vaccination with CAV-1 vaccines, since vaccination with CAV-2 results in immunity to CAV-1, and the use of CAV-2 vaccines results in less frequent adverse events.
• Canine Rabies Virus VaccinesIn accordance with California state law, we recommend that puppies receive a single dose of killed rabies vaccine at 16 weeks of age. Adult dogs with unknown vaccination history should also receive a single dose of killed rabies vaccine. A booster is required one year later, and thereafter, rabies vaccination should be performed every 3 years using a vaccine approved for 3-year administration.

Canine Non-Core Vaccines

• Canine Parainfluenza Virus and Bordetella bronchisepticaThese are both agents associated with kennel cough in dogs. For Bordetella bronchiseptica, intranasal vaccination with live avirulent bacteria is recommended for dogs expected to board, be shown, or to enter a kennel situation within 6 months of the time of vaccination. We currently stock the intranasal vaccine containing both B. bronchiseptica and CPiV. For puppies and previously unvaccinated dogs, only one dose of this vaccine is required (recommendations differ for the parenteral, killed form of this vaccine). Most boarding kennels require that this vaccine be given within 6 months of boarding; the vaccine should be administered at least one week prior to the anticipated boarding date for maximum effect.
• Canine Distemper-Measles Combination VaccineThis vaccine has been used between 4 and 12 weeks of age to protect dogs against distemper in the face of maternal antibodies directed at CDV. Protection occurs within 72 hours of vaccination. It is indicated only for use in households/kennels/shelters where CDV is a recognized problem. Only one dose of the vaccine should be given, after which pups are boostered with the CDV vaccine to minimize the transfer of anti-measles virus maternal antibodies to pups of the next generation. The UC Davis VMTH does not stock the distemper-measles combination vaccine as situations requiring its use do not arise commonly in our hospital population.
• Canine Leptospira VaccinesMultiple leptospiral serovars are capable of causing disease in dogs, and minimal cross-protection is induced by each serovar. Currently available vaccines do not contain all serovars, efficacies against infection with the targeted serovar are between 50 and 75%, and duration of immunity is probably about 1 year. However, leptospirosis is not uncommon in Northern Californian dogs with exposure histories involving livestock and areas frequented by wild mammals, the disease can be fatal or have high morbidity, and also has zoonotic potential. Therefore, we suggest annual vaccination of dogs living in/visiting rural areas or areas frequented by wildlife with vaccines containing all four leptospiral serovars (grippotyphosa, pomona, canicola and icterohemorrhagiae), ideally before the rainy season, when disease incidence peaks. The initial vaccination should be followed by a booster 2-4 weeks later, and the first vaccine be given no earlier than 12 weeks of age. In general, leptospiral vaccines have been associated with more severe postvaccinal reactions (acute anaphylaxis) than other vaccines. Whether the recent introduction of vaccines with reduced amounts of foreign protein has reduced this problem is still unclear. Vaccination of dogs in suburban areas with minimal exposure to farm animals or forested areas is not recommended. Anecdotally, the incidence of reactions has been greatest in puppies (< 12 weeks of age, and especially < 9 weeks of age) and small-breed dogs. A careful risk-benefit analysis is recommended before considering vaccination of small breed dogs at risk of exposure to leptospires.
• Canine Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme) VaccineThe incidence of Lyme disease in California is currently considered extremely low. Furthermore, use of the vaccine even in endemic areas (such as the east coast of the US) has been controversial because of anecdotal reports of vaccine-associated adverse events. Most infected dogs show no clinical signs, and the majority of dogs contracting Lyme disease respond to treatment with antimicrobials. Furthermore, prophylaxis may be effectively achieved by preventing exposure to the tick vector. If travel to endemic areas (ie the east coast) is anticipated, vaccination with the Lyme subunit vaccine could be considered followed by boosters at intervals in line with risk of exposure. The UC Davis VMTH does not stock the Lyme vaccine or recommend it for use in dogs residing solely in Northern California.

Man, that is a lot of shots.  And a lot of trips to the vet.  I am glad I do not remember all the puppy shots.

MSNBC.com is reporting on the most popular pet names for 2008, and I wanted to share the list.

1. Max
2. Bailey
3. Bella
4. Molly
5. Lucy
6. Buddy
7. Maggie
8. Daisy
9. Sophie
10. Chloe

Interestingly, Spike is not listed. Looks like we need to launch a campaign to name as many dogs “Spike” as possible this year, so that I can lay claim to being on a Top Ten List.

I can not believe that my sister, Molly’s, name is on the list at #4.  I think I am calling “Spike-scrimination” on MSNBC for 2008.

For a special treat for your dog (maybe as a reward for a trip to the vet or his birthday), make the effort to prepare a meal for your dog that does not consist of dog food being bowled into their bowl.  Take a look at these tips for making homemade dog food.

Out friends over at PetLvr.com posted a great entry on their blog detailing the Pet Emergency Kit that most families with pets should have on hand.  They suggest having two kits, one for the home and another for the car.  Some of the  items to include:

• 4 Rolls of Gauze – For bandaging wounds and creating splints.
• 1 Box of Large Gauze Pads – For absorbing blood. You’ll put these directly on the wound and then wrap the rolled gauze around the gauze pads.
• 1 Travel Size Pack of Cotton Swabs – For applying antibiotic ointment or cleaning a wound.
• 2 Ace Bandages – For creating splints or applying a pressure wrap on a bleeding limb.
• 1 Bottle of Betadine – For disinfecting wounds (no sting) and preventing infection.
• 2 Bottles of Wound Wash Saline – For flushing puncture wounds or flushing wounds near the eyes. Wound wash saline is also helpful in removing debris from a wound when you’re away from home.
• 2 Instant Cold Packs – For reducing swelling associated with an injury or wound.
• 1 Large Blanket – For warming an animal who’s been exposed to cold. You’ll also want to keep a dog warm if he’s sustained serious injuries and is on the verge of going into shock. A large blanket can also be used as a stretcher for a pet. You can also throw the blanket over an injured animal to catch it or to protect yourself while putting the injured animal into a carrier or box.
• 1 Small Blanket – You never know when you may need a smaller blanket too! You can use it as a makeshift bandage, you can tear a strip to create a muzzle – they’re good for just about any emergency situation you encounter.
• 1 Pair of Tweezers – For removing a tick, or removing debris from a wound.

That is a pretty good start, and I do not think even Dr. House would disagree.

It sure has been cold lately.  The other day, Molly reluctantly went outside, and when she did not come back in right after getting busy, Mom told her that she was going to turn into a BEAGLESICLE!

As you may have noticed, I like to watch television and watch movies.  I have some favorites, including that actor, Will Smith.  Mom and I sat down recently to watch that movie “I Am Legend”.  In the first few minutes, I knew what was going to happen, as soon as I saw the dog.  Unless he is the main character or the movie is about him, he will be killed off 100% of the time.

So Hollywood, surprise me.  Introduce a dog in the first minutes of a feature film and do not kill him off!

I have seen many dog accessories, but never a dog watch.  That is because dogs do not understand time.  I am trying to get Mom to teach me, but we have not found a watch to wear.  This is the closest we have gotten so far, but I do not know how I would read it, and I know that Tax is not smart enough (mainly because it took him forever to learn Arabic numerals, so Roman numerals would be VERY confusing) to learn how to read it and tell me what time it is.

A poll recently found that 1/3 of dog owners talk to their dogs on the phone and leave them answering machine messages so that they can hear their voice while they are away. My nieces, Nathalie and Bitsy, told me that their dad set up a video chat every once in a while, so that he can check in on them and talk to them while he was at work. He works from home now, so there is no need for the video chat.

I heard that over 5 billion dust mites can be found in the average human bed.  I think I will continue to sleep in my crate!