Dogs

Our detailed guide below offers potential solutions if your dog begins to experience incontinence in their later years.

Have you recently brought a young puppy home? Here at Chess Vets, we are supporting Dogs Trust on a new research project they are conducting called Generation Pup.

Rabies is a rare but very serious infection of the brain and nervous system that can affect our pets in Hertfordshire. It's usually transmitted via saliva from a bite or scratch of an infected animal. Rabies is usually found in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America.

Canine parvovirus (parvo) is a highly contagious virus that occurs in our pets in Hertfordshire. The virus can live on the ground, on peoples clothing, in fur, on various surfaces and it can also be present on people’s hands that have encountered the virus. Parvo can remain outdoors, infecting unvaccinated dogs for many months and even years if in the right conditions.

Leptospirosis (lepto) is caused by bacteria. There are various strains of lepto and this disease is zoonotic (can be transferred to humans). The human form of lepto is known as Weil’s disease, it can be fatal for both dogs and people.

Leishmania is a parasite which causes a disease called Leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis is a severe disease that can affect dogs and other mammals, including humans. The parasite is transmitted to dogs via sandflies.

Kennel cough is the common name given to acute infectious tracheobronchitis which affects the upper respiratory system and often causes a dry hacking cough. Kennel cough is a mixed viral and bacterial disease which is why vaccinations provide protection, but they do not cover all strains with new variants emerging.

Dog herpes virus is a common virus and it is thought that as many as 80% of dogs in Hertfordshire have been exposed to it in their lives. Like all herpesviruses dogs are infected for life once exposed. It hides in nerve cells and reactivates at times of stress.

Canine infectious hepatitis is an adenovirus that attacks the liver, blood vessels, immune system, kidneys, eyes, lungs and heart. Symptoms can vary depending on which body systems are affected. Infectious hepatitis spreads in bodily fluids (urine, faeces and saliva).

Distemper is a virus that attacks several body systems including the respiratory and nervous system. It is spread in the air and via contact with infected dogs and things they have touched.