Prevention is always better than cure, so vaccination against many serious diseases is part of your pet’s pathway to enjoying a …

Vaccination Prevents Disease

Without vaccination our pets are at risk entirely preventable life threatening diseases. Vaccination also reduces the severity of diseases that, while not normally fatal, can make our pets very sick and require long periods of hospitalisation.

What Diseases are We Protecting Our Pets From?

We vaccinate each dog with a C5 vaccination. This protects dogs from three very dangerous and potentially deadly diseases – Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, and Canine Hepatitis. It also protects dogs from Canine Cough, also known as Kennel Cough, a disease that’s similar to the flu in humans. This vaccination is similar to the flu vaccination in humans in that occasionally dogs with the vaccination may still get Canine Cough. Occasionally dogs will still get Canine Cough will not be as sick as they might have been if they had not been vaccinated.

Cats that live exclusively indoors receive a F3 vaccination. This vaccination protects against Feline Enteritis, also known as Feline Panleucopenia. This disease causes severe illness and diarrhoea, followed by death. This vaccination also provides protection against the viruses and bacteria that cause cat flu. Similar to the flu vaccination in humans, this vaccination does not necessarily prevent infection. It will however dramatically reduce how sick cats get, and they may even show no symptoms at all.

Cats that have outdoors access are also vaccinated against Feline AIDs, also known as FIV. This disease acts in a similar way to human HIV and AIDs, causing suppression of the immune system. Eventually the cat’s immune system becomes so suppressed that the body can no longer defend itself against even the most basic bacterial or viral exposure. Death occurs as a result of secondary infections that the body can no longer protect itself again. This disease is transmitted by bites from infected cats. Cats that are not vaccinated as kittens may require testing for the virus before being vaccinated.

How Often Do We Need to Vaccinate?

Puppies and kittens require a course of three vaccinations over the course of three months between the ages of 6-16 weeks to ensure they start off life with good immunity. Dogs and cats that are not vaccinated until they are older will require two vaccinations to ensure they have adequate immunity, and are at risk of infection until after their second vaccination.

Once they have received their first series of vaccinations, dogs and cats require vaccination every year to keep their immunity to these diseases strong. Without yearly vaccination, their immunity starts to decline, leaving them exposed and vulnerable to disease. Animals that are very late receiving their annual vaccinations may need to receive a booster injection to ensure their immunity stays strong.

Its also important to get your pet’s health regularly . Our pets age faster than us. Thinks of this, an annual check-up is like us going to the doctor and dentist once every every 7 years! Just like your doctor and dentist, your vet is able to check for problems that are in their early stages. Catching disease early means that your pet stays healthier happier life.

Has your pet had their annual vaccination and health check? If not, give us a call to get them an appointment as soon as possible!