Here at High Street Road Animal Hospital, we advise routine vaccination of all dogs and cats. This starts at 6-8 weeks of age for a course of puppy and kitten vaccinations and is followed by yearly boosters.
Vaccinations are very important as they enable us to prevent disease and prevention is always better than a cure. It is important to remember that many of the diseases that we vaccinate against are potentially fatal!
DOGS
All puppies require a course of puppy vaccinations to provide protection against Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Parvoviral Gastroenteritis and Canine (Kennel) cough.
Canine Distemper is a fatal viral disease which may cause signs of vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, conjunctivitis, muscle twitching and convulsions.
Infectious Canine Hepatitis causes liver disease. Signs include abdominal pain and depression. It is also a potentially fatal disease.
Parvovirus is a virus which causes severe gastroenteritis which can also be fatal. Signs of infection include severe depression, vomiting and diarrhoea containing blood.
Canine Cough is caused by a virus and a bacteria. Infected dogs develop a dry hacking cough which is very contagious to other dogs.
Puppies that are unvaccinated are at risk of developing severe disease and possibly death.
Our vaccination protocol for puppies is as follows:
- 6-8 weeks Protech C3 (Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis)
- 12-14 weeks C5 (Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis and Canine Cough)
- 16-18 weeks C5 (As above)
After the initial course of puppy vaccinations, puppies should wait two weeks before being taken into public places such as the local park to ensure they have the maximum protection.
An annual booster vaccination is needed to maintain immunity in adult dogs. This visit always includes a full physical checkup by a Veterinarian.
CATS
All kittens require a course of kitten vaccinations to provide protection against Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (cat flu) and Feline enteritis.
Feline Upper Respiratory Disease is caused by a feline herpes virus +/- calicivirus. Signs of infection include sneezing, runny eyes, nasal discharge, coughing and mouth ulcers. Severely affected cats can suffer dehydration and pneumonia.
Feline Enteritis is also caused by a virus and results in severe, often fatal gastroenteritis. Kittens suffer vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration and often death.
Kittens that are unvaccinated are at risk of developing severe disease and possibly death.
Our vaccination protocol for kittens is as follows:
- 6-8 weeks F3 (Feline Upper Respiratory Disease and Feline Enteritis)
- 12-14 weeks F3 (as above)
- 16-18 weeks F3 (as above)
An annual booster vaccination is needed to maintain immunity in adult cats. This visit always includes a full physical checkup by a Veterinarian.
Feline AIDS
Feline AIDS virus is reasonably common in the cat community with an estimated incidence of 26% of Victorian cats being infected. Although it is in the same family as the human HIV virus, it is a different virus and transmission to humans has never been recorded.
The virus is transmitted thought the saliva of infected cats so fighting is the most common mode of transmission. Therefore any cat that goes outside should be vaccinated against the virus. Signs of the disease commonly include those associated with immunosuppression including increased infections such as cat bite abscesses, dental disease, mouth infections, weight loss and poor coats. Eventually some cats can die from overwhelming infections.
A new vaccine is now available to protect against this disease. The vaccinations can be given to the kitten with the standard F3 vaccinations. Cats over 6 months of age need a blood test first to see if they are infected. All cats must also be microchipped before having the vaccination.
RABBITS
All rabbits must be vaccinated against the fatal disease rabbit calicivirus disease.
Rabbit calicivirus disease is caused by a virus that causes severe haemorrhagic disease and ultimately death in all rabbits that become infected. There is no known cure and it is always fatal.
Rabbits are vaccinated when they are young and then must have regular annual boosters to maintain immunity. Young rabbits vaccinated before 2.5-3 months require another vaccination one month later and then annual boosters. Those vaccinated after 3 months have one injection then annual boosters.
What are the risks of vaccinating my pets?
The risks are extremely low. Uncommonly an allergic reaction to the vaccination may cause swelling of the face, depression and pain at the injection site. Report these signs to us immediately as an antihistamine injection can be given to stop the allergic reaction.
In a small number of cases, a reaction at the site of the injection may occur as a firm swelling underneath the skin. This usually disappears after a month. Some animals may also become quiet and less interested in food for about 24 hours after the vaccine but this is only temporary.
The very small risks associated with vaccinations are far outweighed by the risk of disease which they effectively prevent.
