Vaccinations

As responsible pet owners, we know you would like to ensure that your pet is vaccinated against preventable diseases.

Both cats and dogs can catch diseases which may in the worst cases be fatal even with supportive therapy. The benefits of vaccination and its complementary health check far outweigh the potential costs and consequences of any disease that may be preventable.

The importance of booster vaccinations is seen in animals of all age ranges. A primary course of injections when a puppy or kitten will require booster pet vaccinations to protect your animal for the rest of its life.

Dog Vaccination

The core vaccines are those that are considered essential for all dogs. These provide protection against distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, parvovirus, canine parainfluenza virus, and two serovars of leptospirosis.

• First vaccination at eight weeks

• Second vaccination from 10 weeks, two to four weeks after first vaccination

• Booster vaccination annually thereafter

Puppies can socialise outdoors one week after the second vaccination.

Additional vaccinations can be considered based on the lifestyle of your individual dog. Dogs who go into boarding kennels, attend doggy daycare or mingle with lots of other dogs are at risk of kennel cough, caused by bordetella bronchiseptica and canine parainfluenza virus.

Kennel cough vaccination is given as a single intranasal dose from eight weeks of age. This should be done at least three weeks prior to entry into kennels for full protection. An annual booster is required for ongoing protection.

There is also an L4 vaccination available that provides protection against two additional serovars of leptospirosis. We may recommend this for certain dogs at higher risk of leptospirosis.

If you intend to travel with your dog outside of the UK, your dog may also require a rabies vaccination. Please discuss this with your vet if you have future travel plans, as it can take months to complete all of the necessary procedures.

Cat Vaccinations

The core vaccines are those that are considered essential for all cats. These provide protection against rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleucopaenia virus.

• First vaccination at nine weeks

• Second vaccination from 12 weeks, three to four weeks after first vaccination

• Booster vaccination annually thereafter

Onset of immunity is one week after the second vaccination.

For cats with outdoor access, we recommended the same schedule as for indoor cat vaccination, but with additional protection against feline leukaemia virus.

If you intend to travel with your cat outside of the UK, your cat may also require a rabies vaccination. Please discuss this with your vet if you have future travel plans, as it can take months to complete all the necessary procedures.