Protection from Infection

Protection from Infection Vaccination is the only protection, as many of these diseases have no known cure.

What does a vaccination do? It introduces a small, non-infectious part of a disease into the body. The body's natural defence, the immune system is stimulated to produce protective antibodies and immune cells that will protect the pet, should it come across the more serious, live natural infection. Who's at risk? Everyone however, the young, infirm and older pets are more likely to contract more serious diseases as their immune systems cannot fight infection as effectively.

What common diseases do we protect against? Let's deal with our feline friends first. Panleucopenia (FPL) is a viral infection that attacks the lining of gut causing bleeding from the bowel. Potentially FATAL Cat Flu: this group of infections leads to painful sores and infections in the mouth, throat, nose & eyes. The infections spread to the chest and lead to pneumonia. Once infected , cats can become life long carriers of the disease and suffer relapses of sore runny eyes, sneezing/coughing and mouth ulcers. Cats carry a Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). FIV behaves similarly to HIV. FIV's quite common. Thankfully we cannot catch it. It's transmitted through cat bites. Our outdoor cats are at risk. FIV causes the collapse of the immune system. Often, our infected cats are severely affected by infections that a healthy cat could stave off. Eventually without an adequate immune system these cats can succumb to the infection. Good news! There is a vaccination against FIV. If your cat is outdoors FIV vaccination is essential

We protect our puppies against: Canine Distemper Is spread by infectious airborne droplets expelled from the lungs. This nasty virus that attacks many body systems spreading rapidly to the brain, lungs and stomach/intestine. It often causes runny eyes and nose, problems breathing, vomiting and diarrhoea, muscle tremors and seizures. This is a disease commonly FATAL. Infectious Canine Hepatitis attacks the liver. It's spread by ingestion of urine, faeces, or saliva of infected dogs. Dogs have fevers, severe abdominal pain , vomiting/diarrhoea and blood clotting disorders. There is no known cure and commonly FATAL Parvovirus, another highly contagious disease, is spread from dog to dog in their faeces. This disease is commonly encountered. bloody vomiting and diarrhoea. It can also cause brain and heart disease. Parvovirus often leads to death. Canine Cough commonly called Kennel Cough is a group of bacteria and viruses that cause an infectious laryngitis. It's spread by airborne droplets, direct contact or fomites. This is a uncomfortable disease causing infected dogs to cough to the point of retching or vomiting because their wind pipes are so sore. It is extremely common and has the potential to progress to pneumonia.

Let's dispel a couple of vaccination myths Being an indoor pet does not protect from infection. Many diseases can be transmitted by inanimate objects like food bowls, water bowls and clothing. We can even transfer infections by handling one animal and then going to another. My dog does not go into kennels so does not need to be vaccinated against kennel cough. Many dogs remain contagious many weeks after the coughing has ceased. So, on your walks, meeting a seemingly healthy dog could still be transmitting canine cough to your pet. Regular vaccination can truly save your pet's life. So if your looking at your faithful hound thinking it's been a while since the last booster or puss has never been vaccinated it is never to late to boost that immunity.

Remember prevention is better than cure.