Vaccinations

Prevention is better than cure

Prevention is better than cure, which is why we encourage all of our clients to ensure that their pet is fully vaccinated.

If we do not ensure that our pets are vaccinated, they are no longer protected from these diseases. If they come into contact with them, the consequences can be dier. And they can then spread disease to other unvaccinated animals as well.

That is why our team strongly recommends regular vaccinations for your pet

We give puppies and unvaccinated dogs two vaccinations, two to four weeks apart. We usually vaccinate puppies at eight weeks old.
Our vets can advise on the best times for your dog to get their vaccinations.
To see the cost of a dog primary vaccination course and the cost of dog booster vaccination visit our page of vet prices

Once they are fully vaccinated they will require an annual booster.
If they miss this booster, they may need to restart their vaccination course to receive full protection.

We vaccinate against a range of diseases, including:

• Parvovirus – Killed thousands of dogs in the 1980s before a vaccine was established, and is still seen in unvaccinated dogs. Mainly spread via faeces of infected dogs, but also via shoes and clothing. Symptoms are unpleasant and can be fatal.
• Distemper – Outbreaks are common in unvaccinated dogs. Spread by close contact between dogs. Affects the nervous system and can have lifelong repercussions for infected dogs.
• Hepatitis – Passed by close contact between dogs, and can be rapidly fatal, attacking the liver.
• Leptospirosis – Caused by bacteria in the urine of infected animals, and can also spread to humans.
• Kennel cough – Causes a dry hacking cough and spreads in the air, so can be transmitted anywhere, not just in kennels. This is given up the dog’s nose rather than via an injection.

We give kittens and unvaccinated cats a primary course consisting of 2 doses of vaccine, two to four weeks apart, followed by yearly boosters. We suggest that your kitten is vaccinated at eight or nine weeks old.

To view the cost of cat booster vaccinations and the cost of a cat vaccination course, visit our page of vet prices

We vaccinate against a range of diseases, including:

• Feline herpes – Cause flu symptoms such as sneezing, nasal discharge and in severe cases ulceration of the eyes. Infected cats are infected for life, much like herpes in humans.
• Feline leukemia virus – Cats with feline leukaemia virus shed the virus in saliva so it can be spread by biting or grooming. Cats can become persistently infected and can get severe disease from the virus such as anaemia, immunosuppression and cancer.
• Calicivirus – Highly contagious and causes flu symptoms of sneezing, nasal discharge and conjunctivitis.
• Feline Parvovirus (Feline Panleucopaenia) - A severe disease that can cause diarrhoea, dehydration and can destroy the cats immune system making it prone to other infections.

We suggest that rabbits are vaccinated at five weeks of age, to protect against myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease, both of which can be fatal. For information on the cost of rabbit vaccinations, visit our page of vet prices

On completion of your pet’s primary course you will be given a record card providing a record of vaccination and advising you when the next booster is due. Catteries & Kennels will almost certainly require this before accepting your pet. Remember to bring this record card to the practice each time your pet has vaccinations so that it can be updated.