Module 2: The Case of the Sick Puppies
The Initial Investigation…
The shelter veterinarian reviewed the medical record for the dead puppy and its 4 littermates still in the shelter. None of the puppies were reported by staff to be ill, they appeared healthy during her daily medical rounds, and there were no problems with their spay-neuter surgeries 7 days ago.
Medical Record Notes
Day 1
- Litter of 5 puppies brought to shelter
- 6 weeks old
- Examination: healthy
- Modified-live DAPP vaccine injected in left hind leg
- Modified-live Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccine intranasally
- Pyrantel pamoate 1 mL orally
- FrontLine Plus 0-25 lb topically
Day 14
- 8 weeks old
- Examination: healthy
- Modified-live DAPP vaccine injected in left hind leg
- Pyrantel pamoate 1 mL orally
Day 15
- 8 weeks old
- Healthy
- Spay-neuter surgery
Day 19
- Black/white male puppy adopted
Review Chapter 6 in the 2022 ASV Guidelines and the 2022 AAHA Guidelines for vaccination of dogs in shelters.
AAHA Vaccination Recommendations for Shelter Dogs
- Modified-live CDV + CAV2 + CPV + CPiV (DAPP) vaccine
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- CDV = canine distemper virus; CAV2 = canine adenovirus type 2; CPV = canine parvovirus; CPiV = canine parainfluenza virus
- Administered by the subcutaneous (SQ) route
- Puppies: DAPP at intake and every 2-3 weeks from 4 weeks old to 18-20 weeks old
- Adults: DAPP at intake and 2-3 weeks later
- Modified-live Bordetella bronchiseptica +/- CPiV vaccine
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- The best vaccine is the one containing both modified-live Bordetella and CPiV
- Administered intranasally or orally
- Dogs 4 weeks of age and older: single dose at intake
- Killed Rabies vaccine
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- Administered SQ
- Puppies and adults: 3 months of age and older before release from the shelter in accordance with local and state laws
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