Michigan Weimaraner Rescue Inc.
Weimaraner Health
| About Vaccines | Doctor Information | Bloat and Other Health Related Links | |
| Common Medicines | Suggested Reading | ||
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About Vaccines
WCA Policy On Vaccinating Weimaraners - 2005 Update
1A. IMMUNE MEDIATED PROBLEMS AND VACCINATION IN WEIMARANERS
A small percentage of Weimaraner puppies exhibit a syndrome following
vaccination or other forms of stress. This syndrome can include one or
more of the following symptoms: Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (swollen and
painful joints), Elevated WBC, Elevated temperature, diarrhea, lethargy
or depression, lymph node enlargement, pain to touch.
One explanation for this syndrome invokes failure of the immune system
of young dogs to handle multiple antigens in modified live virus combination
vaccines. When the immune system of these susceptible individuals is challenged
by multiple antigens, it responds by attempting to fight off what it perceives
as an invader in much the same way as it would to fight off an infection:
fever, elevated WBC and an inflammatory reaction of tissues and joints
causing swelling and polyarthritis. In other words, the immune system
has become hyper-reactive.
The treatment consists of administering intravenous steroids (dexamethasone)
at a loading dose of 0.1-0.5 mg/kg followed by oral prednisone or prednisolone
at a dose of 2 mg/kg divided into twice a day dose for one week and then
tapered over the next 3-5 weeks to 0.5 mg/kg every other day. What this
treatment does is to reduce the immediate inflammatory response and suppress
the over-reacting immune system.
Although many puppies can be vaccinated with no adverse reactions, there
is no way at the present time to determine which puppies may react. Past
research has documented reactions occurring between 8-16 weeks of age
with the greatest number of reactions seen in puppies 12-16 week age.
Several of the vaccine manufacturers assure that immunity in puppies can
be achieved with only two vaccines providing the second vaccine is given
at 12 weeks of age. Therefore, the Board of Directors of the Weimaraner
Club of America recommends the following vaccine schedule:
8 weeks: Distemper, Adeno2, Parainfluenza and Parvo
12 weeks: Distemper, Adeno2, Parainfluenza and Parvo
The use of Corona, Lepto, Bordatella and Lyme vaccine is not recommended
unless these diseases are prevalent in the area. The recombinant DNA vaccines
available for Distemper and Lyme have shown a significantly lower incidence
of reactions.
While this protocol helps in preventing reactions, it does not prevent
them in all susceptible individuals.
Any questions regarding this protocol can be sent to Judy Colan. Email:
Weim@ix.netcom.com
"Michigan Weimaraner Rescue dogs receive Merial Recombitek C4
(Canine Distemper-Adenovirus Type 2-Parainfluenza-Parvovirus Vaccine Modified
Live Virus, Canarypox Vector)
http://ph.merial.com/pet_owners/pdf/news_shcultz.pdf and Merial
IMRAB Rabies Vaccine"
More about vaccinations:
http://www.naturalrearing.com/J_In_Learning/Vaccinations.htm
Doctor Information
Dr. John Angles is currently at Dublin University but is still actively
pursuing research. He can be reached via email: John.Angles@ucd.ie
Fax: 353-1-667-5401
Telephone: 353-1-668-7988
Dr. Jean Dodds:
Home Office: (Mon/Tues/Fri)
Phone 310/ 828-4804 --Pacific Time
Fax: 310/ 828-8251
938 Stanford St.
Santa Monica, CA 90403 USA
Hemopet/Hemolife
11561 Salinaz Ave.
Garden Grove, CA 92483
Tel; (714) 891-2022
Fax: (714) 891-2123
Dr. Ronald Schultz
http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/people/ronald%20d%20schultz
Bloat and Other Health Related Links
Bloat articles
http://www.snowsongsamoyeds.com/jack.htm
Anal Glands: If your dog or cat has problems emptying
its anal sacs
regularly (you may notice they scoot their rear on the floor, or
excessively lick around their rear ends), see
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_anal_sacs.html.
Other causes for
scooting and licking include parasites, itchy skin, and low back pain.
Bach Flower Remedies
http://www.bachcentre.com
Bio-Medical Services
Telephone: 1-800-444-2370 web: http://www.bmslab.com
Canine Medicine Chest
http://www.caninemedicinechest.com
Epilepsy
http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/Resources.html
http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com
http://www.cvm.umn.edu/cic/completedstudies/Neuro/home.html
http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/healthydiet.html
General Medical Resources
http://www.marvistavet.com/index.html
Heart Worm
http://www.danebytes.com/heartworm-cures.htm
http://www.placervillevet.com/canine%20heartworm.htm
Holistic Information
http://www.weim.net/homeovet/listaweim.htm
http://www.altvetmed.com/pages/articles.html
http://www.petsynergy.com/articles.html
Pet Poison Helpline, http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com,
24 hours a day, 800-213-6680, $35 case fee. Also serving
Canada (same toll free number).
Kennel Cough
http://www.auntjeni.com/kennel.htm
Medical Expense Resources
http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/needhomes.other.resources.html
Merck Veterinary Manual
is online! The premiere diagnostic tool. Thousands of diseases, conditions,
behavioral problems with the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis,
etc. information in a searchable database.
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp
Natural Dog Care Lists:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holisticdog/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Canine-Health/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/luvmyK9/
Pet Poison Help
Pet Poison Helpline, http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com,
24 hours a day, 800-213-6680, $35 case fee. Also serving
Canada (same toll free number).
ASPCA animal poison control CENTER, http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc,
24 hours a day, 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435) $55 case
fee, but in some cases the manufacturer of a product that was ingested
or whatever will cover the fee.
Sarcoptic Mange
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_sarcoptic_mange.html
http://www.dermvet.com/sarcopticmange.htm
Separation Anxiety
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/k9sepanx/
Pro Select makes crates that are tough enough to hold
wild animals (Empire series):
http://www.dogtownco.com/site/catalog/product_col.aspx/catid/103
Another good link with an attached article is:
http://www.schnauzerama.org/sa_weim.htm
Tick Removal Tool and How To Do It
http://www.placervillevet.com/ticktools.htm
Urinary Information
'Leaks No More'. It is a natural drop for incontinence that really
works. Here are some links: http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/HomeoPet-Leaks-No-More/120003.aspx
http://www.homeopet.com/leaksnomore.htm#top
Veterinarian Information
http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/
http://ahha.org/ahhasearch.asp
Weimaraner Information
http://www.dcweimclub.org/manual.html
The above pamphlet is intended as a compendium of canine information
from
numerous sources to assist new dog owners in caring for, understanding
and enjoying their Weimaraners. It was initially prepared as a Welcome
Manual for new members of the Weimaraner Club of the Washington D.C.
Area. Because of a national need, it has been updated and reprinted for
all Weimaraner owners, everywhere.
Visit the Southern Michigan Weimaraner's website:
http://smweimclub.angelfire.com/index.html
COMMON HOUSEHOLD MEDICATIONS FOR DOGS
Please check with your vet first if you anticipate using
these medicines at any point, to confirm that your dog doesn’t have
a health problem that would preclude their use, OR could have a possible
interaction with any medication he/she may be taking.
About Acetaminophen a.k.a. Tylenol: NEVER, EVER, use; may cause
kidney failure or death!
Buffered Aspirin, 8-12 mg. per pound of body weight. Every 12
hours for pain relief and inflammation. St. Joseph’s children’s
aspirin and Bufferin are both buffered (last I checked). Be wary if your
dog has a sensititvity to aspirin, however.
Benadryl, ½ mg. per pound of body weight. Every
8 hours (maximum dose 2 mg. per pound). For treating allergies, itching,
insect stings.
Di-Gel Liquid, up to 4 tbl. depending on body weight,
every 8 hours. Used as an antacid and for gas relief.
Dramamine: up to 50 mg. every 8 hours. Reduces motion
(car) sickness. So do ginger snap cookies, and they taste better! You
can also use ginger tea (1/4 to 1 cup 2x/day depending on dog’s
size), or ginger powder (the cooking kind), 1/8 tsp mixed into a bit of
water or food 2x/day for a small dog, up to ½ tsp for a very large
dog 2x/day.
Hydrogen peroxide, 3% solution, and plastic syringes
of various sizes (3 ml. up to 30-40 ml.). Ask your vet how many milliliters
by mouth should be administered to your dog (based on weight) and how
often (every 5-15 minutes). Used to induce vomiting after accidental ingestion
of toxic substances. NOTE: If your dog has ingested poison, immediately
call Animal Poison Control (US: 888-426-4435) to be sure it is not more
damaging to have the dog regurgitate the poison. They can also give you
the amount of hydrogen peroxide to use.
Ibuprofen (Motrin) or Acetaminophen
(Tylenol): NEVER.
Mineral oil: up to 4 tbl. depending
on body weight. Can eliminate constipation.
Cooked mash fressh sweet potatoe works great for diarrhea (in small amounts
such as 1 tsp 2x/day for a small dog, up to 3 tbl. per meal for a large
dog), or for constipation (use larger quantities, adjust based on stool
softness as it works its way through their system)
Pepto Bismol. 1 tsp. per 15 lbs of body weight. Administer
every 6 hours for diarrhea, vomiting and gas. NOTE: if you suspect bloat
(severe swelling of the abdomen from gas, which can also include or result
in torsion, twisting of the stomach), please immediately take your dog
to your vet or the ER. Bloat can be deadly and the damage happens quickly.
Signs of bloat include but are not limited to panting, pacing, licking
or biting at the sides, drooling, unproductive retching.
Pepto-Bismol/Kaopectate: Every dog owner knows about
vomiting, diarrhea and gas. Sometimes a dose of Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate
can solve a mild case of stomach or intestinal upset. However, Pepto-Bismol
an Kaopectate contain salicylates, the active ingredient in aspirin, so
dogs that are aspirin sensitive should not be given these products. Any
vomiting or diarrhea that persists for more than 24 hours needs your veterinarian's
attention. Be sure to mention if you have given any Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate
to your dog; the tablet form of Pepto-Bismol looks just like a quarter
on X-rays. http://www.vet4petz.com/alternative/otc_meds.htm
Suggested Reading
Would You Like Further Information On the Weimaraner?
Your local library, bookstore or online source should have a variety of breed books. The Weimaraner books that we recommend are:
"The Weimaraner", by Anna Katherine Nicholas,
T.F.H. Publications, 1986
"Guide to the Weimaraner", by Gillian Burgoin,
The Boydell Press, 1985
"The Art of Raising a Puppy", by The Monks
of New Skete
"Weimaraner Ways", by Virginia Alexander &
Jackie Isabelle, Sunstar Publications
P.O. Box 1800, Germantown, MD 20875
(This book is available by mail only, or you may find a copy at a vendor’s
booth at a dog show).
You can also request the video, “The Weimaraner”,
from your local library. It is produced by the American Kennel Club. You
can order this, or other videos on different breeds, training, or other
information, directly from the
American Kennel Club
5580 Centerview Drive
Suite 200
Raleigh, NC. 27606 or by phone at 919-233-9767.
Michigan Weimaraner Rescue Inc. Copyright 2007