Vaccinations
Dog and cat vaccinations at Sunbury Animal Hospital
Dog Vaccinations
Vaccination has revolutionised control of infectious disease in our pets. It is essential that all pets are adequately vaccinated to help protect the pet population as a whole. Responsible pet care requires puppies to be given their initial course of vaccinations, but this cannot protect them for the rest of their lives. Adult dogs require regular vaccination to maintain immunity against disease.
Puppy Vaccination
Puppies are temporarily protected against many diseases by antibodies received through their mothers’ milk. These maternal antibodies decline in the first few months of their lives, however until they drop sufficiently they can also neutralise vaccines. This is why a series of vaccinations is necessary in a puppy.
Adult Dog Vaccination
The immunity from puppy vaccination weakens over time and your pet can again become susceptible to disease. Annual health checks and booster vaccinations, as required, will provide the best protection for the life of your pet.
A Guide to Dog Vaccination
We routinely vaccinate puppies to protect them against parvovirus, hepatitis, distemper and kennel cough (parainfluenza and bordetella). This is called a C5 vaccination. Pups get an initial vaccination at 6-8 weeks of age, then boosters at 10-12 weeks and 14-16 weeks. Thereafter, annual boosters are required. Each vaccination appointment also includes a complete health examination which allows early detection of disease and provides an opportunity to discuss any problems you may have with your dog.
A new type of vaccination is now available for parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis which only needs to be given once every 3 years. We are now routinely using this vaccine. Annual boosters are still required for kennel cough (and Proheart injections if using this for heartworm protection).
After Vaccination Care
Following vaccination your dog may be off-colour for a day or two, or have some slight swelling or tenderness at the injection site. Access to food and water and a comfortable area to rest are usually all that is required for a quick recovery. However, if the response seems more severe, you should contact us for advice.
Please give us a call on (03) 9744 3611 to discuss a suitable vaccination regime for your pet puppy or dog.
Infectious Diseases of Dogs That We Vaccinate Against
Canine Parvovirus
Canine parvovirus is a disease that affects dogs of all ages but is most serious in young pups and older dogs. The virus attacks the intestines causing bloodstained diarrhoea, uncontrollable vomiting and severe abdominal pain. Dogs often die from severe dehydration despite intensive veterinary care.
It is not necessary to have direct contact with other dogs for the disease to be spread. The virus is so persistent that the infected dog’s environment needs to be cleaned with a potent disinfectant to prevent spread to other dogs. Outbreaks occur regularly throughout Australia, especially in summer.
Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect dogs of any age with young puppies being at highest risk.
Symptoms vary but can include fever, coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and depression. Muscle tremors, fits and paralysis usually occur later in the disease. Treatment is usually ineffective and the recovery rate very low. Dogs that do recover may have permanent brain damage.
Canine Hepatitis
Canine hepatitis is a viral disease which, like distemper is extremely contagious and often fatal. Dogs of any age can become infected, however severe cases are rare in dogs over two years of age.
Symptoms include high fever, depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea and acute abdominal pain. In severe cases death can occur within 24 to 36 hours. Dogs that recover may develop long term liver and kidney problems and can act as carriers spreading the disease to other dogs for many months.
Canine Cough
Canine cough is a condition produced by several highly infectious diseases, which can be easily spread wherever dogs congregate, such as parks, shows, obedience schools and boarding kennels. Among the infectious agents associated with canine cough is the bacterium known as Bordetella bronchiseptica and the canine virus parainfluenza.
Affected dogs have a dry hacking cough which can persist for several weeks. It is distressing for pet dogs and their owners. It is a major problem for working and sporting dogs. Pneumonia can occasionally be a consequence of infection.
Cat Vaccinations
Vaccination has revolutionised control of infectious diseases in our pets. It is essential that all pets are adequately vaccinated to help protect the pet population as a whole. Responsible pet care requires kittens to be given their initial course of vaccinations, but this cannot protect them for the rest of their lives. Adult cats require regular vaccination to maintain immunity against disease.
Kitten Vaccination
Kittens are ‘temporarily’ protected against many diseases by antibodies received through their mothers’ milk. These maternal antibodies decline in the first couple of months of their lives, however until they drop sufficiently they can also neutralise vaccines. This is why a series of vaccinations is necessary for a kitten.
Adult Cat Vaccination
The immunity from kitten vaccination weakens over time and your pet can again become susceptible to disease. Annual health checks and booster vaccinations will provide the best protection for the life of your pet.
A Guide to Cat Vaccination
We routinely vaccinate kittens with an F3 vaccine to protect them against cat flu (feline rhino-tracheitis and calcivirus) and feline enteritis. We generally give three vaccinations, at 6-8 weeks, 10-12 weeks and at 14-16 weeks. There is also a vaccine available for protection against FIV (feline AIDS). FIV is transmitted by cat bite wounds, so we also recommend cats that spend time outdoors are vaccinated against FIV. This requires 3 injections given 2 weeks apart, usually commencing at 12 weeks of age, however they can be started at any time. Cats that are over 6 months and have been outside require a blood test prior to commencing the FIV vaccinations to ensure they are not already infected. Thereafter, annual boosters are required for both the F3 and FIV vaccines. Each vaccination appointment includes a complete health examination by one of our vets, which allows early detection of disease and provides an opportunity to discuss any problems you may have with your cat.
After Vaccination Care
Following vaccination your cat may be off-colour for a day or two, or have some slight swelling or tenderness at the injection site. Access to food and water and a comfortable area to rest are usually all that is required for a quick recovery. However, if the response seems more severe, you should contact us for advice.
Please give us a call on (03) 9744 3611 to discuss a suitable vaccination regime for your pet kitten or cat.
Infectious Diseases of Cats That We Vaccinate Against
Feline Enteritis (also known as Feline Panleucopenia)
It is very contagious and the death rate is high, especially under 12 months of age. Pregnant cats may lose their young or give birth to kittens with abnormalities, quite often with brain damage. Symptoms are depression, loss of appetite, uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhoea, often with blood and severe abdominal pain.
The virus spreads so easily that heavily contaminated areas may need cleaning with a special disinfectant. Cats that do recover may continue to carry the virus for some time and infect other cats.
Feline Respiratory Disease (Cat Flu)
It is caused in 90% of cases by feline herpesvirus (feline rhino-tracheitis) and/or feline calicivirus.
Feline respiratory disease affects cats of all ages, especially young kittens. It is highly contagious and causes sneezing, coughing, runny eyes, nasal discharge, loss of appetite and tongue ulcers.
Fortunately, the death rate is low except in young kittens, but the disease is distressing and may persist for several weeks. Recovered cats can continue to carry and spread the infection for long periods, and can show signs of the disease again if they become stressed.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Feline AIDS is a disease caused by infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and affects the cats’ immune system. Their natural defence against attack by other diseases may be seriously affected, much in the same way as human AIDS.
This disease is not transmissible to humans. The virus that causes FIV is present in saliva, hence it is almost always transmitted by bites from infected cats. While some infected cats show no sign of disease, others may display initial symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, lethargy and swollen lymph nodes.
As the disease progresses, symptoms may occur such as weight loss, sores in and around the mouth, eye lesions, poor coat and chronic infections. Eventually, the immune system becomes too weak to fight off other infections and diseases. As a result, the cat may die from one of these subsequent infections. Unfortunately in Australia, a lot of cats are infected with this virus, so we strongly recommend vaccination against FIV.
