We can vaccinate puppies starting from 7 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 injections are given in the back of the neck under the skin. We vaccinate puppies/dogs against 5 infectious diseases:
- Distemper (hardpad)
- Hepatitis
- Parvovirus
- Parainfluenza
- Leptospirosis
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 5 diseases again. 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), 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 8 weeks of age. The onset of immunity is 5 days.
*NEW* We now have an oral kennel cough vaccine where the vaccine is squirted into the mouth. Dogs tolerate this really well! (Updated July 2020).
Rabies:
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.
Information regarding taking your pet abroad & Brexit: http://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/news-article/vets-call-for-urgent-clarity-on-post-brexit-pet-travel/
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 3 injections, the 2nd dose is given 3 weeks after the 1st and the 3rd is given 3 weeks after the 2nd. Once this primary course is complete, annual boosters are required.
We send booster reminders, mainly now by email but we can also send a text message. Please let us know your up-to-date contact details and inform us of any changes.