Dog vaccinations play a crucial role in keeping your canine friend happy, healthy and enjoying life to the full. Not only are dog vaccinations important for their general health and well-being, but many kennels won’t accept dogs that haven’t had all their necessary vaccinations. A dog will usually receive their first vaccinations while still quite young (about 8 weeks) as this gives them added defences while their immune system is still vulnerable. These initial ‘core’ vaccinations include protection against canine distemper, canine adenovirus-2 and canine parvovirus-2 and will be followed by booster shots at 4 week intervals until the puppy is around 16 weeks old. After the first adult vaccination usually around 15 months of age, dogs will only need a core vaccination booster every 3 years, however we always recommend a health check and kennel cough vaccination annually.
Dog Vaccinations
How important are vaccinations?
Vaccinations play an essential role in keeping pets healthy. They protect against several contagious infections including:
- Canine Distemper: This disease is very transmittable and is frequently fatal. Because it’s an airborne virus it spreads very easily – just sharing a water bowl at the park can be enough to transmit the virus.
- Canine Adenovirus-2: This infectious condition causes respiratory disease and hepatitis, often resulting in fever, poor weight gain and coughing.
- Canine Parvovirus-2: CPV spreads very easily when a healthy dog encounters the faeces of an infected dog. Intensive nursing will often be required and left untreated, CPV has a mortality rate of over 90%.
- Kennel Cough: Also known as canine cough, this condition may develop into life-threatening pneumonia or chronic bronchitis. It spreads easily in environments where dogs are highly socialised (e.g. puppy training classes or boarding kennels).
These inoculations are often referred to as Dog Vaccinations C3 (for the 3 core vaccinations) or Dog Vaccinations C5 (which is the C3, with added protection from parainfluenza and bordetella bronchiseptica, the leading causes of kennel cough).
How much do dog vaccinations cost?
Some pet owners may be worried about how much dog vaccinations cost, but the reality is the price for core vaccinations is only marginally more than what you would pay for a standard vet consultation. And it is dramatically less then what it would cost if your dog needed to be hospitalised after contracting one of these highly infectious conditions. If you prefer the concept of a controlled, low-cost monthly fee then you may prefer to sign your pet up for one of our Wellness Packages, which includes core vaccinations, parasite control, discounted pet food and regular health checks. For more detailed pricing, please contact our friendly receptionists.