We can vaccinate puppies starting from 6 weeks of age & then a 2nd injection is given 2-4 weeks after the 1st injection, but puppies must be 10 weeks of age or over for the 2nd injection. The usual protocol is 1st injection at 8 weeks old & 2nd injection at 10 weeks old. The onset of immunity is 3 weeks after the 2nd injection, so it would then be safe to take your puppy out. We also offer a 3-part injection course, where 3 of the 4 diseases would be given at the 2nd appointment and the lepto part would be given at the 3rd appointment. This allows puppies to go out & socialise earlier than with a 2-injection course, other than water courses/anywhere where rats would be.
The injections are given in the back of the neck under the skin. We vaccinate puppies/dogs against 4 infectious diseases:
- Distemper (hardpad)
- Hepatitis (adenovirus)
- Parvovirus
- Leptospirosis ( 4 strains)
Boosters are given every year after this initial course. At 1 year of age, your dog will be given a full booster protecting against all diseases again to ensure they are immune. At age 2 & 3 years, they will be given a leptospirosis booster. At age 4 years then every 3rd year thereafter, a full booster is given.
Kennel Cough:
We can also vaccinate dogs against Kennel Cough (Bordetella bronchiseptica & para-influenza), but this is a separate optional vaccine which involves a small volume of liquid vaccine being squirted into the nose. This is given once (no need for a 2nd dose) & gives protection against kennel cough for 1 year. Annual boosters are therefore necessary. Puppies can be vaccinated from 3 weeks of age. The onset of immunity is 3 days for Bordetella and 3 weeks for para-influenza. We can give this vaccine at the same time as the standard booster injection.
Rabies & taking your pet abroad:
This vaccine is only given to pets who will be travelling abroad. We can vaccinate dogs from 12 weeks of age. One injection is required, which must be given at least 2 weeks apart from any other vaccination, then boosters are needed every 3 years. The injection is given in the back of the neck.
From 1st January 2021, you will require an Animal Health Certificate to take your dog, cat or ferret abroad. This must be issued within 10 days of your travel date out of the UK and it is valid for up to 5 pets & up to 4 months of travel. We will only issue Animal Health Certificates to our clients.
Information regarding taking your pet abroad:- https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad
Leishmania:
This vaccine is offered to clients who are taking their dogs abroad, specifically to Southern Europe & other tropical and subtropical locations, where sandflies live. Sandflies carry the parasite Leishmania infantum & when they bite, they transfer this parasite into the dog’s blood. It is also a disease that humans can get from animals (a zoonosis). There is a very long incubation period; the time from an infected bite to showing signs of disease can be up to 7 years! We can start vaccination from 6 months of age. Each dog needs 1 injection and then annual boosters are required. * Note – Jan 2022 – we are unable to get any Leishmania vaccines at the moment but they should become available soon – we will post any updates here *
We send booster reminders, either by email or text message. If you don’t have email or a mobile phone number, we can send your reminder by post. Please let us know your up-to-date contact details and inform us of any changes. Ring us on 01308 456771 or email reception@bredyvets.co.uk
