Cat, dog & rabbit vaccinations

The kitten vaccine can be given from 9 weeks of age and gives protection against diseases that can be fatal or give life-long infection. Annual boosters are important for the best protection.

Feline diseases include:

• Feline Parvovirus (or infectious enteritis / panleukopenia virus – FPV) – highly contagious, severe infection causes gastrointestinal, immune system and nervous system disease.
• Cat Flu (Herpes & Calicivirus) – causes runny nose and eyes, sore throat, aches & pains in muscles & joints, mouth ulcers, dribbling, sneezing, loss of voice, and fever.
• Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) – damages immune system leaving cats susceptible to many other infections & diseases, easily spread by mutual grooming or cat bites, is the second leading cause of death in cats, requires a separate or combined vaccine.

Puppies can start their vaccination course as early as 6 weeks of age. Each year they will require a booster vaccination for optimal protection.

Not all brands of vaccine are compatible with each other. If your puppy has received a vaccine whilst with the breeder that isn’t compatible with the 2nd vaccine to be provided by your own Vet, your puppy may have to restart their initial course.

These viruses can be spread between healthy dogs and remain in the environment for months:

• Parvovirus – attacks bone marrow and gut lining, weakens immune system, causes bloody vomiting & diarrhoea, puppies can die from dehydration and sepsis.
• Canine Hepatitis – causes severe liver disease, including jaundice, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
• Canine Distemper – attacks brain, lungs, and intestines.

These diseases are covered by separate vaccines:

• Leptospirosis – causes liver and kidney failure, hard to diagnose, transmitted by rat’s urine, usually picked up from farms, puddles, or watercourses.
• Kennel Cough – highly contagious, can be picked up from anywhere your dog comes into contact with infected dogs (not just ‘in kennels’), not usually a serious condition but will make dogs feel very uncomfortable.

Rabbit diseases are easily spread by insects, birds, and even on your own clothing and inanimate objects. In most cases, an infected rabbit will be euthanised to end their suffering, so it’s important to protect your rabbit with annual vaccinations.

Rabbit vaccinations can help to protect your pet against:

• Myxomatosis – vaccine can be given at 6 weeks of age, spreads through insect bites or contact with an infected rabbit, attacks eyes, skin, lungs, and genitals.
• RVHD & RVHD-2 – vaccine can be given at 5 weeks of age, both strains of Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease are highly contagious and have high mortality rates from massive internal bleeding.