Vaccination is essential to ensure all pets are adequately protected, and to help protect the pet population as a whole. Like people, some animals for certain health reasons are unable to be vaccinated and thus rely on their healthy counterparts to be kept up-to-date to ensure these infectious diseases can be controlled.
What Are We Vaccinating Against?
There are a number of different vaccines available for dogs and each one covers for different diseases. The most common ones used here are C3, C4, and C5, which covers against canine parvovirus, canine distemper, canine hepatitis, and kennel cough (depending on which is used). For more information regarding these diseases, please scroll further down.
Please give us a call to discuss a suitable vaccination regime for your pet puppy or dog.
Puppies are ‘temporarily’ protected against many diseases by antibodies received through their mother’s milk. These maternal antibodies decline in the first few months of their lives, however until they drop sufficiently they can also neutralise vaccines. This is why a series of vaccinations is necessary in a puppy. What vaccines you use for protection depends on what diseases your vet is trying to cover for. For puppy vaccination in our area, we use different vaccines depending on where they are in their vaccination schedule. To ensure your puppy is adequately protected, we recommend the following schedule:
1st vacc: 6 - 8 weeks of age
2nd vacc: 10 - 12 weeks of age (4 weeks following 1st vaccination)
3rd vacc: 14 - 16 weeks of age (4 weeks following 2nd vaccination)
Annual vaccs: 1 year following 3rd vaccination
*Please note, your puppy may require additional vaccinations against other diseases depending on their lifestyle*
The immunity from puppy vaccinations weakens over time and your pet can again become susceptible to disease. Annual health checks and booster vaccinations, as required, will provide the best protection for the life of your pet. If your dog is 4 months or older and never been vaccinated, their vaccination schedule will differ to younger puppies. For dog vaccination in our area, we use vaccines depending on where they are in their vaccination schedule. To ensure your dog is adequately protected, we recommend the following schedule: 1st vac: when healthy (assessed at health check) 2nd vac: 4 weeks following 1st vaccination Annual vacs: 1 year following 2nd vaccination *Please note, your dog may require additional vaccinations against other diseases depending on their lifestyle*
Following vaccination your dog may be off-colour for a day or two, or have some slight swelling or tenderness at the injection site. Access to food and water and a comfortable area to rest are usually all that is required for a quick recovery. However, if the response seems more severe, you should contact us for advice. Please give us a call to discuss a suitable vaccination regime for your pet puppy or dog.
After Vaccination Care
Following vaccination your dog may be off-colour for a day or two, or have some slight swelling or tenderness at the injection site. Access to food and water and a comfortable area to rest are usually all that is required for a quick recovery. However, if the response seems more severe, you should contact us for advice.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOGS THAT WE CAN VACCINATE AGAINST
Canine Parvovirus
Canine parvovirus is a disease that affects dogs of all ages but is most serious in young pups and older dogs. The virus attacks the intestines causing bloodstained diarrhoea, uncontrollable vomiting and severe abdominal pain. Dogs often die from severe dehydration despite intensive veterinary care. It is not necessary to have direct contact with other dogs for the disease to be spread. The virus is so persistent that the infected dog’s environment needs to be cleaned with a potent disinfectant to prevent spread to other dogs. Outbreaks occur regularly throughout Australia, especially in summer.
Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect dogs of any age with young puppies being at highest risk. Symptoms vary but can include fever, coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and depression. Muscle tremors, fits and paralysis usually occur later in the disease. Treatment is usually ineffective and the recovery rate very low. Dogs that do recover may have permanent brain damage.
Canine hepatitis is a viral disease which, like distemper is extremely contagious and often fatal. Dogs of any age can become infected, however severe cases are rare in dogs over two years of age. Symptoms include high fever, depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea and acute abdominal pain. In severe cases death can occur within 24 to 36 hours. Dogs that recover may develop long term liver and kidney problems and can act as carriers spreading the disease to other dogs for many months.
Canine Cough ("Kennel Cough")
Canine cough is a condition produced by several highly infectious diseases, which can be easily spread wherever dogs congregate, such as parks, shows, obedience schools and boarding kennels. Among the infectious agents associated with canine cough is the bacterium known as Bordetella bronchiseptica and the canine viruses parainfluenza, adenovirus type 2 and distemper. Affected dogs have a dry hacking cough which can persist for several weeks. It is distressing for pet dogs and their owners. It is a major problem for working and sporting dogs. Pneumonia can also be a consequence of infection.
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