Animal Health Solutions

24 Covetrus | ph: 855.724.3461 | fx: 888.329.3861 How are dogs at risk for disease? Our world is a busy place, and everyone is constantly on the go. Directly or indirectly, dogs are exposed to bacteria, viruses, and insects from many areas beyond the walls of their home. Consider these points: Dogs are social. It's not just about a dog coming into direct contact with others. Pet owners also must consider shared animal spaces. Dog parks, doggy daycare, training classes, boarding facilities, veterinary clinics, and even the sidewalk in front of their home are all frequented by other animals (pets and wildlife) who leave traces of their visit behind that could contain dangerous viruses and bacteria. Canine influenza virus has spread across back yard fences. 5 In a leptospirosis outbreak, dogs that attended dog daycare were 7.7 times more likely to be positive, dogs that boarded were 2.9 times more likely to be positive and even dogs just going to the dog park were 1.5 times more likely to be positive for leptospirosis. 6 Human houseguests can bring something unexpected. Even if a pet is strictly indoors, owners, visitors, and dog walkers/pet sitters can bring diseases into the home on their shoes and clothes without knowing it. This is why even indoor-only dogs are at risk if they're not vaccinated. We're all living with fewer borders. With more than 2 million animals flying per year, 1 more than 65% of RVers bringing a pet on their excursions, 2 and importation of close to 1 million dogs annually, local dogs are becoming international travelers. They're being exposed to dangers and potentially bringing back viruses that may not exist in their home turf. Additionally, 20% of pet owners admit to sneaking their pets into hotel rooms, 2 so travelers may be exposed to things they can bring home to their dog even while enjoying a pup-free vacation. Veterinarians may not always anticipate future exposures as evidenced by 53% of dogs from non-endemic Lyme disease areas report travelling in or near a Lyme endemic region without vaccination. 7 Dogs are at risk for diseases until proven otherwise Adapted from an article authored by Dr. Karen Stasiak Many pet owners question whether their dog needs all the recommended or required vaccines. Pet owners often think, they keep their dog close, they don't go hiking together in the deep woods, and their pup spends all their time inside the home and own yard, is my dog really still at risk for diseases they can be vaccinated against? The answer is yes.

• Cover