Vaccinations
Puppies (first injection from 8 weeks of age)
We give the first injection from 8 weeks old and the second two to four weeks later. The pup must be at least 10 weeks old at the time of the second injection. (Puppies can be vaccinated from 6 weeks in some circumstances).
Onset of immunity is from two weeks after the second injection.
Annual boosters are recommended.
Kittens (first injection from 9 weeks of age)
We give the first injection from 9 weeks old and the second three to four weeks later. (In some cases the first injection can be given from 8 weeks old depending on the vaccine used).
We recommend vaccinating your cat against feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), and cat 'flu, & feline enteritis. FeLV is a fatal virus spread by close contact in cats. If you cat never goes out and will never go out in the future, you may vaccinate for flu and enteritis only(this is the requirements for going into a cattery).
Onset of immunity is two to four weeks after the second injection. Consider keeping your kitten indoors until he/she has been neutered at around 5-6 months old.
Annual boosters are recommended.
Rabbits (myxo from 6 weeks, VHD from 10 weeks)
We vaccinate for myxomatosis from six weeks old with a single injection. Onset of immunity is two weeks after the injection. The duration of immunity is six months. For full protection vaccinate twice a year. Myxomatosis is always fatal.
Myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease are both fatal, untreatable diseases.
Boosters vaccinations
(There have been some concerns about 'over-vaccinating' animals causing certain illnesses. Any potential risk is very small indeed, and the great proven benefit of regular vaccination outweighs any small theoretical risk.
If it has been more than one year since your pet had a booster vaccination, then you should consider restarting with an initial two injection course as for puppies & kittens. It is not possible to give a definite time when you must restart. This has to be done on an individual case by case basis. Other than the requirements of boarding kennels/catteries, it is your choice how frequently you vaccinate your pets.
Kennel Cough
Often boarding kennels insist dogs are vaccinated against 'kennel cough' (in addition to the normal dog vaccinations). The liquid vaccine is administered into the nostrils.
Onset of immunity is from three days, and lasts for one year. Please follow the policy for kennel cough vaccination for your chosen kennels.
You may wish to consider vaccinating against kennel cough if you regularly attend dog training classes, or if there is an outbreak locally. Kennel cough can last for weeks. It can be a nuisance and and make a dog a little unwell, but is rarely a serious illness.
Manufacturers of most vaccines (including the above) recommend that no more than one vaccine product is given at the same time, and that there should be a two week interval between different vaccines.
However, it is worth noting that this has been common practice for many years, with little or no reason to suggest that it poses any problems.
Identichip - 'Vaccinate' against getting lost!
What a great idea! One single injection to give you and your loved pet the best chance of being reunited, if he or she gets lost! Expect the unexpected to happen - an open door, your pet taking fright, an 'adventurous' dog walk, or an unfortunate accident. We frequently see cats or dogs brought to the surgery, injured with no collar and no chip. This can lead to difficulties in treating difficult cases.
Help us to help you and your pet.
An ID chip is the size of a grain of rice, and is injected under the skin. This stores a 'barcode', which allows us to trace and contact you (in minutes with on-line access), or identifies your pet for many reasons. Don't delay - just do it!