The Importance of Vaccination For Your Pet

Many of the pet diseases that we vaccinate against can be fatal. Only vaccination can prevent these diseases in animals exposed to infection.

Dog Vaccination

During the first few weeks of life, puppies have a few weeks of natural immunity which is passed to them via their mother’s milk. Once this immunity wears off, they are no longer protected against disease. This is why we start our puppy vaccinations from 8 weeks, and give two vaccines usually 4 weeks apart. For more information about your puppy please click here.

After their initial vaccination course, dogs have their first booster one year later. This ensures their immune system is primed to recognise the diseases we vaccinate against, and that the immunity for these diseases lasts between top up, or booster vaccinations.

Once your dog has had their puppy and first booster vaccinations, we use a vaccination schedule which means they are protected but also that we are not over-vaccinating them. For most dogs this means they will still have a yearly visit, as some diseases need a 12 monthly top up, but we will change which diseases they are vaccinated against at each visit.

We advise vaccination against kennel cough in dogs who are at risk of catching this disease, or those who are at risk of complications if they do catch it. This is not just a disease seen in kennels, so we would recommend vaccination for any dog regularly mixing with other dogs, for example with a dog walker, in doggy day care, at training classes or a social dog meet. Dogs who are at higher risk of complications include those with heart and lung conditions. Our vets are happy to discuss if kennel cough vaccination is right for your dog, please ask during your visit.

Cat Vaccination

Our feline friends, just like dogs, have a natural immunity during their first few weeks of life, which they obtain via their mother’s milk. It is important to vaccinate your kitten from 8 weeks old. The primary course consists of two injections, three to four weeks apart. For more information about preventative health care in kittens please click here.

After their initial vaccination course, cats have their first booster one year later. This ensures their immune system is primed to recognise the diseases we vaccinate against, and that the immunity for these diseases lasts between top up, or booster vaccinations.

We offer two different vaccination options for cats, depending on if they are going to be indoor or outdoor cats. Our vaccine schedules are designed to be individualised for your cat, so please discuss this with us at your vaccination appointment. 

Titre testing

We offer titre testing in the practice. This is a blood test which checks the antibody levels your pet has, and we can use this result to decide if vaccination can be delayed. We can use this in pets who cannot have their normal vaccination schedule due to illness or chronic disease, and as an option for any owner. Titre tests are available in dogs and cats, please ask at your appointment for more details.

Rabbit Vaccination

Rabbits require vaccinations even if they are not directly mixing with other bunnies. Rabbit viruses can be transmitted by insects, so even house rabbits can be at risk of disease if not vaccinated. Rabbits can start their vaccinations from 5 weeks of age, so this can be combined with their first health check.

We vaccinate rabbits against myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease (RVHD). As there are two strains of RVHD, rabbits will need two separate vaccinations - one for each strain. This means every year your rabbit will need two vaccination visits, two weeks apart.

If we are concerned that there are cases of RVHD strain 2 in the local area, we may advise vaccinating your rabbit against this strain every 6 months. This is because of the severity of the disease and how infectious it can be. Our facebook page will be updated if there is an outbreak in progress, and our vets will discuss this with you at your booster vaccination visits.