Pet
Vaccinations

Vaccines are special proteins that prime the immune system to fight off specific infections. They work in two ways: to reduce the severity of such diseases should they strike or to completely prevent infection.

Unfortunately, we can protect against every disease. However, the vaccines we do use allow us to implement programs that protect pets against some of the deadliest diseases.

Yes! It’s a vital part of every pet’s preventative health programme. Vaccinations should be carefully scheduled as immunity can reduce over time. Vaccinations are integral to ensure protection against a range of serious and potentially lethal diseases.

Annual vaccinations are also important because they give the vet an opportunity to carry out a thorough examination of your pet and for you to discuss any concerns you may have.

Most puppies and kittens receive their first vaccination at 6-8 weeks of age. Subsequent vaccinations are required to ensure the complete protection of your little puppy and/or kitten.

We encourage kittens to be indoors-only, and their second vaccine is usually administered at 12 weeks of age. The timing of subsequent puppy vaccinations depends on the type of vaccine administered, the date of the first vaccine, where your puppy will be adventuring, and your individual needs. We encourage you to discuss this with your veterinarian.

All puppies and kittens need to receive their final vaccination at 16 weeks of age or older. They then receive annual boosters to ensure continued protection.

There are several diseases that can afflict cats and dogs, but most pets can be protected from the worst of them if they are vaccinated properly. For dogs, these include parvovirus, distemper, and infectious hepatitis. For cats, these include panleukopaenia, feline herpesvirus, and feline calicivirus; for outdoor cats, protection can include feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus.

Once contracted, these illnesses can prove painful, distressing, and even fatal. Luckily, most of these illnesses can be prevented with vaccination.

It is very unusual for a pet to suffer any major side effects from being vaccinated – whether it’s a single vaccination or a series of vaccinations. If you do have any concerns about this possibility, make sure you take the time to discuss these with your veterinarian, who can inform you of the risks associated with specific vaccines.

Side effects range from lethargy (in the first 24 hours after receiving their vaccination) to vomiting and diarrhoea. However, these are very, very rare.

Yes and no. Immune system responses are biological in nature and are not completely predictable. Some pets will mount a complete immunity, some will not. Furthermore, vaccines are designed to different ends – some will completely prevent disease, while others will attenuate clinical signs.

However, in the overwhelming majority, vaccinated pets produce an adequate, protective immune response against disease.

In short: yes. Kennel cough is a bit of a misnomer; it does not only affect dogs who go to boarding kennels. We like to draw parallels with the human flu, instead. The “kennel cough” vaccine protects dogs against the infectious agents that are more prevalent in highly dog-dense areas, including kennels, daycare, and grooming salons.

Your veterinarian will make recommendations depending on your dog’s lifestyle and the region in which you leave.

This can be a complicated question because of the different modes of transmission of different diseases as well as the epidemiology of individual diseases.

We recommend discussing this with your veterinarian as the appropriate vaccination program can be tailored to you and your pet.