VACCINATIONS

Primary vaccinations in puppies and subsequent annual boosters are extremely important to prevent your dog from being put at risk of contracting a number of potentially fatal diseases. Primary vaccinations should be given between 6 and 10 weeks in puppies (this will depend on the brand of vaccine used by your veterinary surgeon as some start at 6 and some at 8 weeks – either of which are acceptable). This is a crucial time period for your puppies immunity as the immunity passed on from their mother in the milk begins to decrease and they will begin to become susceptible to various diseases. For this reason puppies should not be walked, or socialised with unvaccinated dogs before they have received their full primary vaccination course. When booking your puppies first check up it is worth bearing in mind that they will be experiencing a lot of change in their lives when going to a new home so it is best to allow them to settle in for a few days first. This may mean that their vaccine is delayed by a couple of days but it is important that their first trip to the vet is as good an experience as possible so that they do not then become stressed and scared at subsequent visits.

There is some concern that we over vaccinate our pets, and studies have shown that some diseases may only need booster vaccinations every three years, but some more prevalent and hardy viruses require your dogs immunity to be boosted annually. Your vet will have a vaccine protocol in place, to boost only the necessary diseases at the appropriate times.

 At your annual vaccination appointment your vet will also give your dog a thorough health check to ensure that they are healthy enough to receive their booster injection, and to pick up on any other conditions that may be in their early stages enabling successful treatment.  

Diseases that we commonly vaccinate against in the UK include; 

Parvovirus is often fatal and survives in the environment for long periods so transmission of the disease does not require contact between dogs. Signs of the disease include severe vomiting and diarrhoea and will often cause the dog or puppy to be lethargic and off their food. The disease is widespread in certain areas throughout the UK and so up to date vaccinations are extremely important.  

Distemper is another highly contagious and potentially fatal disease which is spread by direct contact between dogs through coughing or a thick yellow nasal discharge. Due to the highly effective vaccine, the incidence of distemper is currently very low in the UK.  

Infectious Hepatitis is another hardy virus that is spread through contact with urine, faeces or saliva and can survive for long periods in the environment. Initial signs include vomiting, diarrhoea, off their food and abdominal pain, but since the introduction of the vaccine, the disease is now fairly uncommon in the UK.  

Leptospirosis can be fatal in dogs, but more importantly can also be transmitted to humans in the form of Weil’s disease. The virus is spread mostly through contact with urine from an infected animal, including rats, which makes dogs highly susceptible as they often swim in contaminated waters, or sniff areas where other dogs have passed urine. Signs of the disease are similar to those of liver and kidney disease and include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy and lack of appetite among others.  

Infectious Bronchitis (Kennel Cough) can be caused by a number of different organisms and is highly infectious, spreading from dog to dog through the air wherever dogs meet; in kennels, training classes or even in the park. The infection causes a harsh hacking cough which can last for several weeks. Kennel cough vaccination is administered directly into the dog’s nostril, and as such is not part of their normal vaccination injection. As it is so contagious, it is important that those that are considered to be “high risk” i.e. going into boarding kennels or attending shows or classes are given this in addition to their regular booster vaccination.

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