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Vaccinations
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are an important part of preventative care to help keep your pet healthy. We recommend regular vaccinations as they effectively protect your pet against serious infectious diseases.
Vaccinations also help build ‘herd immunity’ for our pets by preventing the spread of infectious diseases within the pet population.
Vaccinations typically protect your pet for between 1 and 3 years, depending on the type of vaccination. After that, your pet may be susceptible to diseases that could make them
very poorly, and in some cases have potential to be fatal. Missed booster vaccinations
may require your pet to begin their initial course of vaccinations again.
Dogs
We recommend that dogs are vaccinated against a number of potential serious and. In some cases, life threatening diseases including distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and four strains of leptospirosis. Dogs can also be vaccinated against “kennel cough” which causes an upper respiratory tract infection, and despite its name can be picked up from anywhere, not just kennels!
For most puppies the primary vaccination course consists of a 3-visit policy, with vaccines administered at 2 weekly intervals starting at 8 weeks old. Puppies then need to be at least 10 weeks when they have their 2nd vaccination against distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus, with immunity against these diseases occurring one week after this vaccination. The final vaccination against four types of leptospirosis is then given at 12 weeks of age, with the onset of immunity occurring 3 weeks later. Puppies can be given an additional vaccination against parvovirus from 16 weeks of age.
Booster vaccinations are then given annually to offer continued protection against these diseases.
Kennel cough vaccinations are administered annually, either as a vaccine dropped into the nose, or by injection. Where kennel cough vaccination is required by a kennels the vaccination schedule should be completed at least 3 weeks prior to kennelling to offer full protection.
Cats
Cats, should also be routinely vaccinated to protect them from diseases such as cat flu, feline infectious enteritis and feline leukaemia. This includes house cats as some of these diseases can indirectly be transmitted to your cat as they can survive inside the house, on objects or on people.
For kittens the primary vaccination course requires two vaccinations administered 3-4 weeks apart, from 8-9 weeks of age, with the second vaccination given when your kitten is 12 weeks old. Booster vaccinations are given annually to maintain protection.
Rabbits
Vaccinations are also important for rabbits to protect them against the life-threatening diseases myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease (types 1 and 2).
Rabbits can be covered with a single vaccine administered from the age of 7 weeks and this will provide 12 months immunity.
Boosters & Travelling
Cats, dogs and rabbits all require booster vaccinations at 12-monthly intervals after their primary course. In line with the guidance from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), and following the manufacturers’ guidelines, not all components of vaccinations are required each year.
For dogs, cats and ferrets who travel abroad with their owners we offer rabies vaccination. For more information on what is required for travelling abroad with your pet see the Travelling with your Pet page.
If you think your pet may have lapsed in their vaccinations, or to discuss the most appropriate vaccination regime for your pet then please call your local Lanes Vets surgery.
At Lanes Vets we offer our VIP Pet Health Plans as a means of spreading the cost of essential preventative health measures, including vaccinations. The Pet Health Plans allow you to pay by monthly direct debit and incorporates savings at the same time. Please see the Pet Health Plans page or call to speak to one of the team for more details.
