Why vaccinate?

Some cat and dog diseases are very serious and can be fatal even with treatment. To prevent and reduce the risk of your cat and dog from getting these diseases, we recommend routine vaccinations. Responsible pet care requires puppies and kittens to be taken to see a vet for their initial course of injections. One course of vaccinations is insufficient to protect them for the rest of their lives. One vaccination booster given annually is all that is required after the initial puppy and kitten vaccinations. The vaccinations we recommend are highly effective and have a very low rate of side effects.

When to vaccinate?
At 6-8 weeks of age puppies and kittens 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.

What do you need to vaccinate against?

Dogs

• 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.

Cats

• Calicivirus – one part of the ‘Cat Flu’ Virus.
• Herpesvirus (Rhinotracheitis) – The second part of the ‘Cat Flu’ virus. It is a common disease in unvaccinated cats and can cause long-term problems, including chronic sneezing, nasal discharge, inflamed eyes and severe gum problems.
• Panleucopenia – This is a disease that causes a severe and often fatal gastroenteritis. Vaccination against panleucopenia provides a high level of long-lasting protection.
• Immunodeficiency Virus – Otherwise known as Cat AIDS, Feline immunodeficiency virus is spread by cat bites, unless they are protected by their FIV vaccine. Multi-cat households, wandering and outdoor cats are especially at risk.