There have been many changes in recent times with respect to attitudes to vaccination. This has come from:
- Our clients themselves who have reasonably questioned the validity of yearly vaccination.
- The World Small Animal Veterinary Association - who has recently produced recommendations for vaccination protocols in small animal medicine (now centred around three-yearly vaccinations for core vaccines).
- Vaccine companies who have continued to develop better and better vaccine technologies with extended duration of immunity.
What does this mean to you and your pet?
This has led us to change our focus from a yearly vaccination to a yearly health check. This has always been the most important part of the yearly check.
As part of this yearly health check we assess on an individual basis the needs of your pet - its risk of disease and your own needs - does your pet need to go into a boarding kennel or cattery while you go on holiday?
From this we will base what is needed for your pet - just a health check, just a vaccination for leptospirosis? Or a full vaccination including kennel cough for a dog going into a kennel.
We run a yearly reminder system so that we do not let you down and can keep your companion in top health.
A yearly health check includes a full check of the patient - ears, eyes, weight assessment, recording of dental health, discussion of any new changes with your pet such as new lumps or bumps, discussion of mobility and any questions that you have from behaviour to diet.
REMEMBER the simple rule that every 1 year is the same as 6 to 7 years in our life span, so there can be significant changes over a 12 month period.
Download the article "What vaccines do my pets need?" (321k)
CATS
The first three vaccinations in your cat's life are the most important.
Kittens have two vaccinations:
- First kitten vaccination is between 8 and 9 weeks.
- Second kitten vaccination at 12 weeks of age.
The next vaccination is 12 months later so when your kitten, now a cat, is 15 months old.
All future vaccinations are assessed on an individual basis at the yearly health check. These will generally be based around one to three-yearly vaccinations.
The core vaccinations (essential) vaccinations are feline enteritis, feline herpes virus and feline calici virus.
There are additional vaccinations for feline leukaemia and feline aids that are also available.
DOGS
The first three vaccinations in your dog's life are the most important.
Puppies have two vaccinations.
- First puppy vaccination is between 8 and 9 weeks.
- Second puppy vaccination at 12 weeks of age.
The next vaccination is 12 months later so when your puppy, now a dog, is 15 months old.
All future vaccinations are assessed on an individual basis at the yearly health check. These will generally be based around one to three-yearly vaccinations.
The core vaccinations (essential) vaccinations are for Parvo, hepatitis and distemper.
Leptospirosis is a non core vaccination. However, it is done as part of our yearly vaccination protocol.
Kennel cough is also a non core vaccination however, it is very important for those animals that are regularly boarding.
