What Vaccinations does my Dog need…?
At Better Pet Vets we vaccinate our canine patients according to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Guidelines. These guidelines represent the cutting edge of understanding of maximising benefits of vaccination and minimising any risks, and represent the best standard of care. The guidelines also allow us to customise vaccinations for each pet and household, which is best practice.
Be aware that not all vaccinations are the same and not all practices vaccinate their patients according to these guidelines. We use only Modified Live, Adjuvant Free core vaccines in dogs as they provide the greatest immunity with the least risk of adverse effects, and allow us to minimise the number of vaccines your pets need through their lifetime.
Dog vaccinations protect your dog against 3 diseases which are very severe and fatal diseases:
Canine Distemper Virus;
Canine Infectious Hepatitis, and;
Canine Parvovirus.
This Vaccine is known as an “C3” and is a Core Vaccine (i.e. compulsory).
Additionally, we recommend vaccination against Kennel Cough and Leptospirosis (C5 plus Lepto Vaccination). Both diseases are common in Mackay.
Kennel Cough is common due to large numbers of dogs which stay in kennels and then return back into the general population, carrying the infection but not showing signs because they are vaccinated (dogs cannot stay at the kennels without kennel cough vaccinations). This disease is equivalent to whooping cough in people and is very infectious (easily transmitted) and very debilitating (makes your dog very unwell with pneumonia). This vaccine is required annually.
Leptospirosis australis is carried by the Rats present in the cane fields, in the city and at the harbour. They shed the bacteria in their urine as they move around. Dogs are exposed to the bacteria when they sniff or taste the urine on the ground. The bacteria infects your dog and causes severe liver and kidney failure. Treatment is expensive, rarely successful and fatality is common. This vaccine is required annually.
The recommended vaccination series for all Puppies is
C3 Vaccinations at 6-8 weeks, and C5 + Lepto australis at 10-12 weeks, and Lepto australis booster at 14-16 weeks
The recommended vaccinations for all Adult Dogs are
C3 once they are over 12 months of age, and then only once every 3 years.
Kennel Cough and Lepto vaccines are given annually to maintain protection against these diseases
We provide a free reminder service to ensure you are kept up to date and your dog’s protection is maintained.
If you have any other questions or queries regarding vaccinations for your dog or puppy, please call us and we will be happy to advise and help – 4955 6000
Vaccinations for my Cat
What Vaccinations does my Cat need…?
At Better Pet Vets we vaccinate our feline patients according to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and American Association of Feline Practitioner (AAFP) Guidelines. These guidelines represent the cutting edge of understanding of maximising benefits of vaccination and minimise the risks, and represent the best standard of care. The guidelines also allow us to customise vaccinations for each pet and household, which is best practice.
Be aware that not all vaccinations are the same and not all practices vaccinate their patients according to these guidelines. We use only Modified Live, Adjuvant Free vaccines in cats as they provide the greatest immunity with the least risk of adverse effects, and allow us to minimise the number of vaccines your pets need through their lifetime.
Cat vaccinations protect your cat against 3 significant and potentially fatal diseases:
Feline Panleucopaenia (or Feline Parvovirus);
Feline Herpesvirus 1, and;
Feline Calicivirus.
This Vaccine is known as an “F3”.
The recommended vaccination series for Kittens is:
F3 Vaccinations at 8, 12 and 16 weeks
The recommended vaccinations for Adult Cats are:
F3 Annually
For cats who live indoors only, and who do not go to a cattery for care (while you are away on holiday for example), less frequent vaccinations may be appropriate (every 3rd year), and we are happy to personalise your cats vaccination programs according to risk and as part of assessing their whole health.
Other Vaccinations are available for cats in Australia but are not recommended – Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV), and Chlamydophyla felis (also known as an F4 as it is an F3 plus C. felis vaccination)
These vaccines are not recommended in cats (except in very specific circumstances which rarely, if ever, apply to companion cats, especially in regional Australia). Over vaccination is unnecessary and can endanger the health of your cat.
We provide a reminder service to ensure you are kept up to date and your cats protection is maintained.
If you have any other questions or queries regarding vaccinations for your cat or Kitten, please call us and we will be happy to advise and help – 4955 6000
