Health

Canine Diseases

Canine Distemper is often fatal, affecting the nervous system, skin, eyes intestinal and respiratory tracts. ~ more details ~
Canine Adinovirus types 1& 2 cause infectious hepatitis and respiratory infection, respectively. ~ more details ~
Canine Parvovirus is a widespread disease that causes severe diarrheaand dehydration, especially in puppies. ~ more details ~
Rabies is a fatal disease spread through saliva. Rabies vaccinations are given by a veterinarian. ~ more details ~
Canine Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection affecting the kidneys. It is easily spread to other pets and humans. ~ more details ~
Canine Bordetella (bordetella bronchiseptica) is one of the causes of infectious tracheobronchitis, previously known as "kennel cough". ~ more details~
Canine Parainfluenza is another cause of infectious tracheobronchitis. ~ more details ~
Lyme Disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. It is spread by ticks, and causes arthritic-type signs. ~ more details~
Canine Coronavirus causes diarrhea, especially in puppies. ~ more details ~
Brucellosis is a disease of the reproductive tract which may cause abortion in females, infection of the sexual organs in males, and infertility in both sexes. ~ more details~

Other Problems

Stenotic Nares (pinched nostrils) is a common abnormality found most commonly in brachycephalic dogs, which are dogs that have a short wide head, such as English bulldogs, Boston terriers, pugs and Pekingese. Because of their anatomy, dogs with brachycephalic syndrome have an increased resistance to airflow through their upper respiratory tracts – the mouth, nose and larynx. ~ more details ~

Cryptorchidism-During development before birth, the testicles migrate from the abdomen into the scrotum. Normally this is complete by 10 days of age. Cryptorchidism means that one or both of a dog's testicles have not descended into the scrotum. If this does not happen by 8 weeks, the dog is generally diagnosed as cryptorchid, although the testicles may still descend up to 4 months or so. ~ more details ~

Intestinal Parasites - As good a simple description as I've seen on the web can be found here
Renal Dysplasia is the failure of normal development of the kidney ~ more details~

General Canine Vaccination Schedule
(Consult with your local veterinarian for schedule in your area)

AGE:	VACCINATION ~ more detail ~
5 Weeks	Parvovirus: for puppies at high risk. Check with your veterinarian.
6 & 9 Weeks	Combination Vaccine*: without leptospirosis. Coronavirus: where it is a concern
12 Weeks or Older	Rabies: Given by your local veterinarian (age at vaccination may vary according to local law).
12 & 15 Weeks**	Combination vaccine: include leptospirosis where it is a concern, or if traveling to an area where it occurs. Coronavirus: where it is a concern. Lyme*: where it is a concern, or if traveling to an area where it occurs.
Adult	Combination vaccine: include leptospirosis where it is a concern, or if traveling to an area where it occurs. Coronavirus: where it is a concern. Lyme: where it is a concern, or if traveling to an area where it occurs. Rabies*: Given by your local veterinarian (age at vaccination may vary according to local law).

* A combination vaccine, often called a "5-way" usually includes adenovirus cough and hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza and parvovirus. Some combination vaccines may also include leptospirosis ("7-way" ) and/or coronavirus. The inclusion of either canine adenovirus-1 or adenovirus-2 in a vaccine will protect against adenovirus cough and hepatitis: adenovirus-2 is highly preferred.

** Some puppies may need additional vaccinations against parvovirus after 15 weeks of age. Consult with your local veterinarian.