What are vaccines?
Vaccines are products that stimulate active immunity in your pets against certain diseases. This will prepare their body to fight off infections from potentially life threatening diseases in the future.
Vaccines contain “antigens” which, to the immune system, look the same as those from an infectious organism, but don’t actually cause the disease. The healthy animal then prepares “antibodies” against these vaccine antigens, so that when the real disease-causing organisms invade, the body already has made the right weapons to fight them off.
Why do we need to vaccinate our pets?
- Vaccinations are used to protect your pet against many highly infectious and potentially deadly diseases.
- Some vaccinations will lessen the severity of an illness
- Other vaccines will prevent your pet from becoming ill in the first place
- Vaccines can also help to slow down/stop the rapid spread of very contagious diseases, so that fewer pets become ill
When to vaccinate my pet?
- Dogs. We routinely start puppy vaccinations at 8 weeks old with a second injection at 12 weeks, puppies are ready to go out for the first time a week after the second injection. After this dogs need yearly booster.
- Cats are given 2 injections, 3-4 weeks apart, from 9 weeks of age. They then are given yearly boosters
- Rabbits are given two separate injections once a year, at least 2 weeks apart, starting from 6 weeks of age, preferably given end of winter/early spring time.
We aim to tailor your pets vaccination to their individual needs.
What do we routinely vaccinate against?
Dogs:
- Core: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis
- Optional: Kennel cough, Rabies
Cats:
- Indoor only: Flu, Enteritis
- Outdoor: Flu, Enteritis, Leukaemia
Rabbits:
- Myxomatosis, Viral Haemorrhagic Diarrhoea 1 and 2
Distemper
A virus which affects many parts of the body. Causes a fever, respiratory signs, gastrointestinal signs, neurological signs, and possible death.
Hepatitis
A virus which targets the blood vessels, liver, spleen and lungs. Causes a fever, signs of bleeding, liver and kidney damage, and possible death.
Parvovirus
A virus causing vomiting and haemorrhagic diarrhea and damage to the gastrointestinal system. Fairly common and frequently fatal
Leptospirosis
A bacterial infection which can also infect other species, including humans. Causes kidney and liver failure and problems with blood clotting, potentially fatal. We use the newest L4 vaccines, which covers 4 of the most common strains of leptospirosis, compared with other vaccines which only protect against 2 strains.
Kennel Cough
Can be caused by a virus or a bacteria. Easily spread through exposure to cough or nasal droplets from an infected dog, either directly or through exposure to a contaminated environment. Most commonly causes a harsh cough which is self-limiting resolving within 2 weeks), but in immunocompromised or weak individuals it can develop into a potentially fatal pneumonia.
Rabies
A viral infection not currently present in the UK but a risk for dogs (and cats) travelling abroad. Transmission from the saliva of an infected animal via a bite. Symptoms may not appear for a few weeks after exposure with changes in behaviour, progressive weakness and ultimately death within 4 months.
Cat Flu
- A combination of infection with different types of virus (Feline Herpes Virus and Feline Calici Virus)resulting in infectious upper airway disease—signs similar to 'flu/the common cold such as nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing and also possible eye infections and ulcers in the mouth.
- Possible death if severely affected, but main issue is that once a cat has been infected they carry the virus lifelong, often intermittently becoming poorly with cat flu for life.
Feline enteritis
- Similar to canine parvovirus, often fatal
Feline leukaemia virus
- A virus causing anaemia, immunosuppression and increased susceptibility to some cancers. The virus is spread through saliva and other body fluids via direct and indirect contact (e.g. shared food bowls).
Rabbits
Myxomatosis
A highly contagious viral disease spread through direct and indirect contact with infected rabbits as well as biting insects. Causes skin lumps facial (especially eye and ear) and genital swelling. Nasal and eye discharge can progress to respiratory signs, loss of appetite and lethargy. Affected rabbits are usually dead within a couple of weeks.
Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (RVHD)
Two strains of virus in the UK RVHD1 and RVHD2. Transmission is through direct or indirect contact with an infected rabbit or blood sucking insect. The virus affects the lungs liver and spleen, with effects on blood clotting. Rabbits may be suddenly found dead, be found dead with a bloody discharge after a short period of illness, have mild vague signs of illness from which they can recover.
