Part of being a responsible pet owner is keeping up to date with your puppy’s vaccinations.
Some canine diseases are very serious and can be fatal even with treatment. To prevent your dog from getting these diseases, we recommend regular vaccination. Responsible pet care requires puppies to be taken to see a vet for their initial course of treatment, but one course of vaccinations cannot protect them for the rest of their lives. One vaccination booster given annually is all that is required after the initial puppy vaccinations. The vaccinations we recommend are highly effective and have a very low rate of side effects.
When does your dog need to be vaccinated?
At 6-8 weeks of age puppies should receive their first vaccination; this is temporary and needs to be followed up with another two, 4 weeks after the previous. The second vaccine is given at 12 weeks, then the next at 16 weeks. After the 16 week vaccination you can then take your puppy out in public areas.
What do you need to vaccinate against?
- Parvovirus – a highly contagious viral gastroenteritis. Depression, loss of appetite, severe vomiting and diarrhoea containing blood are some of the symptoms. Death can occur very quickly due to dehydration.
- Distemper – a highly contagious disease producing symptoms such as conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, convulsive seizures and spinal cord damage. Treatment is often ineffective.
- Hepatitis – in puppies can cause sudden death, whilst adult dogs can experience, weakness, fever, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and bleeding.
- Canine Cough (“Kennel Cough”) – a complex disease caused by bacterium and a virus. Affected dogs will have a hacking cough persisting for weeks. In puppies and older dogs the disease can be devastating.