As it is estimated that over 50% Scottish dogs are not vaccinated the approach to protection is different to population control in people. For this reason most dogs require repeat protection annually against some of the diseases described below to ensure optimal protection.
Puppies can be vaccinated from 6 weeks of age although we usually recommend 7 weeks as optimal. Whatever age your puppy has its first vaccination, the second injection of the vaccine course must be given from 10 weeks. At your puppy’s first vaccination he (or she) will receive a full health examination plus advice from both the vet and veterinary nurse on worming and flea control, diet, neutering, pet insurance and socialisation. We recommend that you join our Braid Vets Health Plan.
You will also receive your invitation to a Braid Vets Puppy Party!
At Braid Vets, as part of the puppy vaccination package you will also be invited back for free health checks at six, nine and twelve months of age. These checks are excellent opportunities to check your pup’s development.
Diseases routinely covered by our vaccination protocol:-
- Kennel Cough ** NOW included as part of our ROUTINE, ESSENTIAL vaccines **
Options in addition to routine course:-
Parvovirus is perhaps the most serious of canine infectious diseases that we see in Edinburgh on a regular basis.
The onset is sudden, with vomiting and foul, bloody diarrhoea that leads to rapid dehydration and collapse. The heart may also be attacked by the virus. The death of your pet can occur within 24 hours
The only protection against this distressing disease is by vaccination.
Not as common as it used to be but highly contagious and often fatal. Pets that survive the initial attack are often left with permanent disability such as deformed teeth, nervous twitches or predisposition to epileptic fits.
Treatment is lengthy, expensive and often unsuccessful. As the incubation period is long – up to three weeks- it is usually too late to vaccinate when an outbreak occurs.
Another very contagious, often fatal disease, the virus attacks the liver and can cause death within 24-36 hours.
Pets that recover may become carriers and spread the virus to other dogs.
LEPTOSPIROSIS (L.canicola & L.icterohaemorrhagiae)
Two major forms of disease. One is caught from rats, causing illness and jaundice; the other can lead to chronic kidney failure over several years.
Humans can contract this disease by skin contact with infected urine.
KENNEL COUGH (Bordetella bronchiseptica)
Kennel cough is a syndrome not a disease. As the name suggests it has most commonly been associated with dogs who have been kennelled. However in recent years we have seen a dramatic increase in cases of dogs who are dog walked in groups either friends or professional dog walkers. For this reason we think it is absolutely essential that all ‘professionally dog walked’ dogs have regular protection.
The commonest cause by far, of this very nasty disease is Bordetella bronchiseptica. Vaccination against Bordetella is achieved by placing the vaccine drops up your dog’s nose – this stimulates a strong local immunity in their airways.This immunity lasts for 12 months and can be given at the same time as your puppy or your dog’s routine vaccinations.
Rabies protection is necessary as part of the UK Pet Travel Scheme (PETS). All the Braid Vets are able to oversee all parts of the scheme. Please contact us for details for the PETS scheme. DEFRA also have an informative website, go to www.defra.gov.uk and follow the links for PETS.
It is recommended that your dog’s protection against these diseases be maintained by single booster injection given once a year throughout life. This is usually given at the time of the annual health examination. At Braid Vets twice yearly examinations are recommended and if you maintain annual booster you receive a free 6 monthly check.