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| It is essential that all
dogs are regularly vaccinated. Puppies should begin vaccinations between 6
and 10 weeks of age. A
second injection completes the course. This is given from 10 weeks of age and
must be at least 2 weeks after the first injection. Older dogs can be
vaccinated at any age with 2 injections 2 weeks apart. It would be very unwise
to let your unvaccinated puppy have access to areas visited by other dogs who
might not be vaccinated, so keep him in the house or an enclosed garden. Thereafter
annual vaccinations are nearly always essential to maintain immunity (discussed below). |
We recommend that all dogs have the Nobivac
vaccination which includes protection against the following life threatening
diseases (click on each
to read more/reduce) -
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Parvovirus
- Of all these diseases, Parvovirus
constitutes the main threat, causing an often fatal
gastroenteritis. The virus can live on pavements and in soil for
several years. We regularly need to treat unvaccinated dogs
suffering from this disease. The cost of treatment is high (min £200)
and a proportion of dogs die despite the best treatment.
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Distemper
- Distemper is less common and causes a range of symptoms including respiratory
and nervous system disease. Severe vomiting and diarrhoea
progress to pneumonia and finally seizures which usually lead to death.
As with Parvovirus treatment is expensive and often unsuccessful.
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Infectious Canine
Hepatitis
- This virus causes liver inflammation
which can lead to irreversible liver failure
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Leptospirosis
- This bacterial organism can be
contracted from the environment, especially around waterways and areas
exposed to rat urine. Leptospiral infection can cause acute
kidney failure.
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Certain
Respiratory Diseases
- Several infectious organisms
are capable of causing respiratory
disease in the dog.
This can vary from relatively minor cold-like symptoms to more serious
airway or lung disease. Duramune offers protection
against two viral respiratory pathogens, Canine
Parainfluenza Virus and Canine Adenovirus 2.
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There has been some
discussion as to the necessity for annual boosters. Read more on the
right.
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Kennel Cough
Intra-nasal Kennel Cough vaccination ('Intrac') confers immunity to one
of the organisms responsible for 'Kennel Cough', the bacterium Bordatella
Bronchiseptica. Vaccination is recommended at least a week prior to entering
kennels. Annual vaccination is
recommended for at risk individuals.
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It is essential that all cats are regularly
vaccinated. Kittens should begin vaccinations from 9 weeks of
age, with a second injection 3 weeks later completing the initial course. Older cats
can be vaccinated at any age with 2 injections 3 weeks apart. Thereafter
annual vaccinations are essential to maintain immunity. |
We recommend all cats have the
Nobivac Vaccination which includes protection against
(click
on each to read more/reduce) -
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FeLV (The Feline Leukaemia Virus)
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FeLV is very common and is usually fatal to
affected cats, often after a prolonged period of illness. FeLV is
currently the second biggest cause of premature death of cats in the UK
(after road accidents), and 10% of the UK feline population is infected. The
FeLV virus is very contagious, spreading between cats by direct contact
(mutual grooming, bites, sexual contact) and by indirect contact (food
bowls, litter trays). In addition infected mothers usually infect all
their kittens before or after birth. Only one contact with an infected
cat is necessary and a large percentage of cats who contract the virus
will develop the disease. This deadly disease can take various forms
mostly immunosuppression (hence death due
to other infections) but also lymphosarcoma
(a glandular cancer), leukaemia (a blood
cell cancer), anaemia, kidney
failure or enteritis. Regular
local use of the Pentofel vaccine will prevent your cat from acquiring
FeLV and will reduce the level of virus in the local cat
population, making it a safer area for all cats.
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Calicivirus
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Herpes Virus
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Feline Infectious Enteritis Virus (Panleucopaenia).
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It is possible to vaccinate cats against just Cat Flu
and Feline Infectious Enteritis Virus, without the inclusion of FeLV. This will satisfy a cattery but obviously leaves cats vulnerable to
FeLV, thus this can only be recommended for cats that are kept
isolated and never go outdoors.
It is important to emphasize that FeLV can exist in
apparently healthy 'carrier' cats which have been infected but are not showing
signs of disease. We can
check that your cat is virus free only by performing a blood test. Whilst this may be
ideal, it does increase the overall cost and some owners have asked if 'blind'
vaccination is acceptable. Vaccination of previously infected cats will not accelerate the disease, but
does not cure or prevent progression of the disease. 'Blind' vaccination
may therefore be acceptable as long as we can estimate that your cat has not been in a high risk
category. Vaccinated cats in this category can still be tested for FeLV if symptoms
consistent with FeLV should later develop.
Myxomatosis
Myxomatosis vaccination can be started from 6
weeks of age. Normally annual vaccinations are sufficient, although 6 monthly
vaccinations may be advised during local outbreaks or if there is known contact
with wild rabbits amongst whom the disease is endemic. Affected rabbits develop
swollen eyes and lips with a thick white discharge.
Skin tumours and respiratory
signs lead to death.
Myxomatosis
is transmitted by direct contact with carrier rabbits but also by biting insects especially fleas andmosquitoes,
thus physical separation from wild rabbits e.g. within a fenced garden does not
guarantee safety.
Viral
Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD)
VHD vaccination is usually started at 10-12 weeks of age.
Annual vaccination is necessary. Affected rabbits are often found dead or
very ill with multiple organ failures including
blood, liver and gut. VHD is transmitted by direct contact with carrier rabbits,
but is also capable of surviving on hay, bedding, food bowls, shoes etc. It
is therefore very difficult in practice to eliminate the risk of virus
introduction and vaccination is the best policy.
Unfortunately
it is inadvisable to give both vaccinations at the same time, therefore we
recommend two visits to the surgery 2 weeks apart in order to fully protect you
rabbit.
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| New Pet Health Pages
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