Dog Vaccinations
Vaccines play a very important role in protecting your pet against potentially fatal diseases.
- Puppy Vaccinations
Puppies are temporarily protected against many diseases by antibodies received through their mother’s milk. These maternal antibodies decline in the first few weeks of their lives, after which they need a vaccination to induce ongoing immunity. The age at which maternal antibodies drop enough to require vaccination is highly variable, which is why a series of vaccinations is necessary as a puppy.
Our recommendation is that puppies receive their first vaccination at 6 – 8 weeks, their second vaccination at 10 – 12 weeks and their third vaccination at 16 weeks.
- Adult Dog Vaccination
The immunity from the puppy vaccinations 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.
- After Vaccination Care
Following vaccination your dog may be somewhat lethargic a day or two, or may 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.
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 severe diarrhoea (often containing blood), uncontrollable vomiting and severe abdominal pain. Some infected dogs will die from parvovirus, even if they receive intensive veterinary care.
Parvovirus is spread via dog faeces and is very persistent in the environment even after the faeces have been cleaned away. For this reason, it is not necessary to have direct contact with other dogs for the disease to be spread. The virus is so persistent that an infected dog’s environment needs to be cleaned with potent disinfectants to prevent spread to other dogs. Outbreaks occur regularly especially in summer, with an estimated 20,000 dogs infected every year in Australia.
Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect dogs of any age with young puppies being at highest risk.
Clinical signs 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 Infectious Hepatitis (also known as Canine Adenovirus type 1)
Canine infectious 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.
Clinical signs 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 – Parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica
Canine cough, or kennel cough, is a condition caused by several highly infectious pathogens, which can be easily spread wherever dogs congregate, such as parks, grooming salons, doggy day care, shows, obedience schools and boarding kennels. Among the infectious agents associated with canine cough is the bacteria known as Bordetella bronchiseptica and various viruses including 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. In severe cases, dogs may develop secondary infections leading to chronic respiratory tract infections or pneumonia.
Similar to the influenza vaccination in people, vaccination against canine cough does not guarantee that your dog will not get canine cough, but it significantly lowers the risk of infection and vaccinated dogs generally have more mild and brief illness than unvaccinated dogs.
Canine Leptospirosis
Canine leptospirosis is a serious disease risk in some areas and can cause high death rates. This bacterial disease is most commonly spread by the urine of infected rats and is usually transmitted to dogs via ingestion of contaminated food and water (e.g. puddles, stagnant ponds), catching and eating rodents, or from rat bites.
There’s an increased risk where high rat populations exist such as in cities, near rubbish dumps or around sugar cane areas. Incidence can also increase after long periods of wet weather or building activity, when rat populations are forced to move or concentrate. Leptospirosis is a ‘zoonotic disease’ meaning it is an animal disease that can be passed to humans. Human infection can occur through ingestion of contaminated food or water, or through open wounds.
Canine Coronavirus
Canine coronavirus is another contagious virus and causes lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea, especially in young dogs. It presents similar to parvovirus, but more mild. Diarrhoea may last for several days in some cases. Although most dogs will recover with treatment, coronavirus has the potential to be fatal, especially if other infectious agents such as parvovirus are present. Despite the name, this disease is not associated with COVID, which causes respiratory disease in humans.
What vaccine covers what?
We offer the following vaccination options:
C3 vaccination (core vaccine) – annual or triennial (3 year) options available
Parvovirus
Distemper
Hepatitis
C5 vaccination (C3 vaccination + canine cough) – canine cough component must be administered annually
Parvovirus
Distemper
Hepatitis
Parainfluenza
Bordetella bronchiseptica
C7 vaccination (C3 vaccination + canine cough + leptospirosis + coronavirus) – canine cough, leptospirosis and coronavirus components must be administered annually
Parvovirus
Distemper
Hepatitis
Parainfluenza
Bordetella bronchiseptica
Leprospirosis
Coronavirus
Our veterinarians will discuss which vaccination is the best suited for your dog at your vaccination appointment.