Tips to Protect Your Dog's Health Year-Round

As summer winds down and we gear up for fall, it’s the perfect time for trail hikes, puddle splashing, and neighborhood strolls with our four-legged friends. But did you know that these outdoor activities can expose your dog to serious health risks? Here with the scoop on how to protect your dog through all seasons is Veterinarian and Merck Animal Health Partner, Dr. Natalie Marks.

Dr. Marks says one of her main concerns that many dog owners don’t know about is Leptospirosis – or “Lepto”– which is an infectious bacteria that can cause serious illness in dogs, other animals, and even people since it can be transmitted between animals and humans. It’s spread through contact with the urine of infected animals – including rodents, livestock, and pets – or contaminated environments like water or soil.

Many dog owners are surprised to learn that the spread of Lepto can happen even during a simple walk around the block. And while some dogs may not show signs of Lepto, others could develop mild or severe illness – including vomiting, lethargy, or even chronic kidney failure.

The best way to protect your dog is through annual vaccination. She recommends talking to your vet about NOBIVAC® Lepto4 and NOBIVAC EDGE® Lepto4. They’re the first and only vaccines demonstrated to be 100% effective against mortality and urinary shedding from all four leptospirosis serovars – a key transmission risk for dogs exposed to infected animal urine. That means these vaccines not only protect your dog from getting ill, but you also reduce the chance of you or your family being exposed to Leptospirosis.

Because Lepto is found across the U.S. and not just in wet climates, the American Animal Hospital Association now classifies it as a core vaccine for all dogs, regardless of where they live.

When it comes to core vaccines for dogs, Dr. Marks highly recommends the NOBIVAC® line of vaccines. This includes their DAPPv, which protects against distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus – three of the four core diseases. There’s also NOBIVAC® EDGE™ DAPPv, which is a lower-volume option in the same family, designed for more comfortable administration, especially in small dogs. These vaccines also protect against parainfluenza, which is also very contagious. The two other NOBIVAC® vaccines she recommends are the 3-year rabies vaccine, covering the fourth core disease – rabies – and she always suggests vaccinating for leptospirosis. Both are essential for protecting both pets and people.