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Pet Vaccinations

Types of Puppy and Dog Vaccinations

There are two classes of vaccines for canines. ‘Core vaccines’ should be given to every dog, while ‘noncore’ vaccines are only recommended for certain dogs. The core dog vaccinations are:

  • Distemper
  • Canine Adenovirus-2 (hepatitis and respiratory disease)
  • Canine Parvovirus-2
Dogs typically follow the standard vaccination schedule, receiving their initial vaccinations at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age. The fist adult booster is administered one year after completing the puppy course, with core components on year after completing the puppy course, with the core components then boosted every three years thereafter. 
 

The kennel cough is given annually. If you plan to put your dog in the kennel or take it to doggy day-care or an off-leash park, you should consider the Kennel Cough vaccine. This is done at 12 and 16 weeks of age with a booster once a year.

Puppy Vaccinations
Dog Vaccinations

Types of Kitten and Cat Vaccinations

Kitten and cat vaccinations are also divided by age and lifestyle. The core kitten vaccinations are:

  • Feline Rhinotracheitis
  • Feline Calicivirus
  • Feline Panleukopenia

You begin the first three vaccines at 8 weeks of age and then again once every 3 to 4 weeks until they reach 16 weeks or older.

We also offer non-core kitten and cat vaccinations such as:

  • Feline Leukemia (FeLV)
  • Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Kitten Vaccinations
Cat Vaccinations

Importance of Timely Pet Vaccinations

It’s important to make sure your pet gets vaccinated at the right time in their lives, especially when they’re young. This will maximise the effectiveness of the vaccine and the health of your pet.

Our vets strive to make sure your cat or dog is vaccinated at a point when their maternal antibodies are not high enough to defeat disease. Maternal antibodies offer young kittens and puppies protection against infectious diseases passed on by the mother, but this fades as they grow.

Vaccinations for Puppies, Dogs, Kittens and Cats

While puppy/ dog vaccinations and kitten/ cat vaccinations are incredibly important to stop your pet falling ill, they can unfortunately be forgotten or overlooked.

As a general rule, you should schedule at least one annual vet appointment for your pet. This appointment would include a general check-up and any vaccinations that are due.

If and how often your pet requires a vaccination will depend on the animal’s lifestyle and medical history. Your vet will discuss this with you to help ensure your pet gets the vaccinations it needs. Vaccinations also vary depending on the age of the animal.

The vaccine schedule is specific to whether you need puppy vaccinations, dog vaccinations, kitten vaccinations or cat vaccinations.

While puppy vaccinations are usually done three times over six months or so, dog vaccinations (or tops up) may only be needed annually and in some cases even longer. Similarly cat vaccinations can vary over time, and can depend on the animal’s lifestyle and the environment it lives in.

For all of your pet vaccination needs, contact the Port Kennedy Vet Hospital today.

cat vaccine

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