vaccinations

Prevention is better than cure! No truer words have been spoken when it comes to vaccinating your pet.

Vaccination is proven to be an effective way of keeping your dog or cat healthy from highly contagious and potentially fatal diseases. These viral diseases may not only be expensive to treat but also fatal to your pet.

Thankfully, some diseases have become uncommon in our area due to the high numbers of animals being vaccinated. Vaccination is still however highly recommended against these infectious agents, as they continue to remain present in the environment for many years.

PuppIES

Puppies obtain their immunity for a short period of time after they are born from their mother which is passed through their milk. After weaning this immunity starts to fade away, leaving puppies exposed to many infectious agents. This is why puppies need vaccinating so regularly at the beginning. Each puppy has its own immune system and when their mother’s immunity begins to fade is different for each puppy. Most puppies become at risk from around 6 weeks of age. Initiating a vaccination program around this time is best practice to ensure your pup doesn’t fall victim.

Puppies are vaccinated at the following ages to provide them with full immunity:

• 6- 8 weeks (C3)
• 10-12 weeks (C5)
• 14-16 weeks (C3)

Adult Dogs

The immunity from puppy vaccinations weakens over time which can lead to your dog being exposed to susceptible diseases. Having annual health checks and booster vaccinations will ensure your dog has the best protection for its life.

Vaccinations cover a number of diseases depending on which vaccination your dog receives. Depending on your lifestyle, you can vaccinate your dog with a C3 or a C5.

What does C3/ C5 mean, I hear you say? The C stands for canine and the number that follows is how many diseases it covers. So, a C3 covers 3 diseases- parvo, distemper and hepatitis. A C5 covers 5 diseases- parvo, distemper, hepatitis and 2 strains of canine cough.

Kittens   

Kittens obtain their immunity for a short period of time after they are born from their mother which is passed through their milk. After weaning this immunity starts to fade away, leaving kittens exposed to many infectious agents. This is why kittens need vaccinating so regularly at the beginning. Each kitten has its own immune system and when their mother’s immunity begins to fade is different for each kitten. Most kittens become at risk from around 8 weeks of age. Initiating a vaccination program around this time is best practice to ensure your kitten doesn’t fall victim.

Kittens are vaccinated at the following ages to provide them with full immunity:

• 8-10 weeks (F4)
• 12-14 weeks (F4)

Adult cats

The immunity from kitten vaccinations weakens over time which can lead to your cat being exposed to susceptible diseases. Having annual health checks and booster vaccinations will ensure your cat has the best protection for its life.

Vaccinations cover a number of diseases depending on which vaccination your cat receives. Cats can receive either an F3 or an F4 vaccination. F3 vaccinations cover 3 diseases- Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia. F4 vaccinations cover- Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia and Chlamydia.

Cat Flu is made up of several viruses but it is predominantly Calicivirus and Rhinotracheitis.

Feline aids (fiv)

Cats that spend the majority of their time outdoors can also contract Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (Feline aids). This is passed through body fluids and is common in cats that are not desexed or who fight with other cats. Cats can also be vaccinated against FIV with a series of vaccinations similar to their kitten vaccinations.

Cats and kittens can be vaccinated with a series of 3 vaccinations at 2-4 weekly intervals. Adult cats that have never been vaccinated for FIV previously need to have a blood test to ensure they are not already infected with the virus prior to initiation of the vaccination.