Puppies may be given vaccinations at as early as 6 weeks of age. It is essential to repeat any vaccination done before 10 weeks old. The next vaccination should be given at 10 weeks or older as a puppy’s immune system may be unable to adequately respond to vaccination before this age. Two vaccinations are usually required 2 to 3 weeks apart. Under some circumstances best practice may require an additional third vaccination.
During your puppy’s visit for its first vaccination it will be given a thorough examination by one of our veterinary practitioners to ensure it is healthy and well, and it will also be checked for external parasites. The visit is an opportunity to ask about toilet training, nutrition, worm treatment and exercise, etc., children are also welcome to ask questions.
Annual booster vaccinations are essential to ensure continual protection as the immunity given by the initial vaccination will begin to wane if it is not boosted annually. This is especially important in dogs over 7 years of age as their ageing immune system is less well able to protect them from disease.
Vaccination protects against the following diseases:
- Canine Distemper
- Canine Adenovirus Type 1
- Canine Adenovirus Type 2
- Canine Parainfluenza
- Canine Parvovirus
- Leptospira canicola
- Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae
We also strongly recommend vaccination against Canine Cough by a single intranasal application of Bordetella bronchiseptica.
Canine Cough is a highly infectious disease which can be easily picked up by contact with infected dogs. The main signs are a harsh hacking cough with gagging or retching which resembles having something stuck in the throat.
An annual booster is also required.
