The herpes viruses are widely distributed in nature and infect a variety of vertebrates ranging from fish to primates. The catalogue of these viruses is continually being enlarged and most animal species harbour at least one member of the herpes virus group.

Canines cannot get the herpes virus seen in people. Fortunately, the HSV-1 and HSV-2 viruses are able to live and reproduce in humans only. That said, there is a strain of the disease that is specific to dogs and, like their cousins, it is not transmissible between species either.

NO! HSV-1 cannot be passed from humans to dogs, so your dog can not get a human fever blister or cold sore. But, dogs can get blisters and sores on their skin, including on and around their mouth, and they do have their own transmissible herpes virus that is specific to dogs.

Treatment is usually unsuccessful and most infected puppies die before medical help can be sought. Antiviral drug therapy is generally ineffective. Immune sera from recovered females (i.e., blood containing antibodies) may be beneficial in reducing puppy deaths if it is administered before the onset of illness.

Puppies who nurse from a mother with antibodies will get those antibodies through the milk and be protected. How long these antibodies last may be different for each dog. Canine herpes virus cannot be passed to humans.

It’s important to know the due date and how many pups to expect. A typical canine pregnancy lasts for 63 days but some variation is normal. It’s recommended to call your vet if your pet is pregnant for longer than 63 days, just to be safe.

How long are dogs pregnant for? A dog’s gestation period lasts around 60 to 65 days, or around 9 weeks. The pregnancy can last up to 70 days depending on when the female mated and whether her egg was ready to be fertilised.

Planning Ahead for Best Protection The safest way to vaccinate animals and offer optimal protection for the offspring is to vaccinate the mother several weeks before she is bred.

First of all, breeders are not legally required to vaccinate their puppies. The only vaccine legally required in the United States is Rabies and puppies typically have to be 12-16 weeks of age (varies based on state) to receive this particular vaccination.

Do puppies need vaccines? Yes! While there’s debate around this in the media, any qualified veterinary professional will tell you that puppies absolutely need to be vaccinated. They should be given an initial course of vaccines, and then booster injections throughout their lifespan to ensure they stay protected.

What if my miss the due date of my dog vaccinations? As long as the vaccinations are carried out within a few weeks of their due date most dogs will be fine. However, if too much time has elapsed between them, your vet may discuss restarting the vaccination course.

Dogs can live perfectly well without shots and it is the personal decision of the dog owner as to whether to get the dog inoculated or not. However, if you do decide not to have your dog inoculated you may be putting it at increased risk of contracting certain conditions that could, in effect, pose a risk to its life.

By the time our pets are 8, 10 or 12 years — or older — they should have been vaccinated for these diseases several times in their lives: the first few times as puppies or kittens, a booster at one year and then boosters every three years, as recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association and the American …

For Dogs: Vaccines for canine parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis and rabies are considered core vaccines. Non-core vaccines are given depending on the dog’s exposure risk. These include vaccines against Bordetella bronchiseptica, Borrelia burgdorferi and Leptospira bacteria.

In California, all dogs four months or older are required to be vaccinated for rabies. It is also recommended that cats be vaccinated for rabies.