Vaccinations and
Health checks
Why vaccinate?
Vaccinating your cat, dog, puppy or kitten is one of the most important things that you can do as a responsible and caring owner. Not only will it ensure peace of mind – but it also allows your pet to live a long and healthy life, which is what we all want.
A key role in owning a pet is ensuring that vaccines are provided and kept up to date. This is important for your pets health, animals your pet interacts with as well as your family. Annual vaccinations provide antibodies against the most common and contagious, life-threatening diseases that your dog or cat will come across during their lifetime. Many of these diseases either have no cure, or would involve long, expensive and often unsuccessful treatments for your pet.
When To Vaccinate?
During the first few weeks of life, your puppy or kitten will be protected from disease by immunity passed on by the mother before birth, and through her milk. (These are known as maternally derived antibodies). Unfortunately, this immunity only lasts a couple of weeks and start declining from approximately 8 weeks of age. At 12 weeks of age very little protection still remains. This is why it is so important to get the vaccinations completed as soon as possible.
Puppies and Kittens require a total of 3 vaccinations in their first few months of life known as a primary course. These vaccines protect them whilst they are at their most vulnerable. We recommend having the first vaccine at 6 – 8 weeks of age in puppies and 8 weeks of age in kittens. The second vaccine at 10-12 weeks of age in puppies and 12 weeks of age in kittens. And the third vaccine at 14-16 weeks of age in puppies and 16 weeks of age in kittens.
This means that the protection provided by these vaccines starts at the approximate time that the immunity passed on by your pet’s mother runs out.
After the primary course, an annual ‘booster’ vaccination is essential, providing your loved pet with continuous protection. Annual boosters are very important as, unlike in humans, the effect of vaccination only lasts a limited time.
How often should your pet have a health check or vaccinations?
That depends on the type of pet, its age, and its overall health situation. You should certainly bring any new pets for an examination. While most pets are fine with initial vaccinations and an annual check-up, some may need more frequent attention. We can advise what’s best for your pets health.
Common Vaccinations For Dogs
- Canine distemper virus
- Canine adenovirus
- Canine parvovirus
- Parainfluenza virus
- Bordetella bronchiseptica
Common Vaccinations For Cats
- Feline herpes virus
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline panleukopaenia
- Feline AIDS
We routinely offer triannual C5 vaccinations for dogs and F3 vaccinations for cats. If your cat spends time outdoors, we also advise FIV vaccinations.
We do not routinely offer Rabies or other travel vaccination but please do contact the surgery if you need recommendations or help in finding an AQIS (also called a ‘travel or emigration’) vet.
How can we help?
We offer a full range of veterinary services to keep your friend happy and healthy.
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