Vaccinating of your puppy is one of the most important preventative health measures you can take. There are 5 main viruses that can be vaccinated against.
i: Canine Parvovirus is an extremely infectious gastroenteritis and is present in Margaret River. This virus causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, often with severe blood loss which can result in sudden death from shock or septicaemia. Treatment requires intensive care, is expensive and a lengthy stay in hospital .
ii: Infectious Canine Hepatitis a viral condition affecting the liver. In pups this will result in an often fatal hepatitis. In older dogs chronic liver disease often develops and the virus has been linked with canine liver cancer. Treatment is difficult.
iii: Canine Distemper is another viral disease affecting the lungs and brain. Treatment is rarely successful and outbreaks still occur in Australia.
iv: Canine Cough– previously known as Kennel Cough, may be caused by a virus (Parainfluenza type II ) or a bacteria (Bordatella bronchiseptica) but more commonly both agents acting in tandem. The disease is treatable with a combination of antibiotics, cough suppressants, anti-inflammatories and rest and affected dogs usually recover in 4 weeks. However, it is very contagious and some dogs will develop pneumonia.
Puppies receive protection against these diseases from their mother (assuming the mother is vaccinated) via the placenta and ingestion of colostrum. These antibodies are active for the first 6 weeks of life and disappear by 8 – 16 weeks of age. This is why puppy vaccinations are repeated every 2-3 weeks.
Our preferred vaccination schedule is:
- 6-8 weeks of age – C3 (Distemper, Hepatitis and parvovirus)
- 10-12 weeks – C5 (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Bordatella and Parainfluenza type II)
- 14-16 weeks – C5 (Bordatella and Parainfluenza type II)
After that, we give an annual vaccination booster.
Why do we like to see your pet annually? A vaccination comes with a thorough physical exam. A dog going to the vet even every year is the same as you or me going to the doctor or dentist every six or seven years! Can you imagine a 65 year old man (the equivalent of which is a ten year old dog) who has only had his teeth checked three times (and probably never brushed them in that time!) and been to see a doctor three times in his whole life? That just wouldn’t happen.
Seeing a vet every year for a check up is imperative in preventing disease and dental issues in all animals.