Pet Vaccinations

Preventative pet vaccinations have been shown to reduce the occurrence of many life-threatening infectious diseases significantly. Unfortunately, these diseases are still prevalent and can be fatal to our pets.

Pet vaccinations do not last a lifetime, and your pet’s immunisation against diseases will wear off. Our vets would recommend an annual booster vaccine that provides ongoing immunity for your pets. Dogs, cats and rabbits should all receive the benefit of solid protective immunity by being vaccinated from an early age, usually when their immunity passed on from their mother starts to weaken.

Pet Vaccinations are included in our Pet Health for LIfe Plans > See more and sign your pet up today!

How Do Pet Vaccinations Work?

Vaccines contain harmless (either weakened or dead) variants of the viruses and other infectious agents. When an animal is vaccinated, the immune system in the body responds by generating a protective mechanism through the formation of antibodies. If the animal then becomes exposed to the actual disease at some point later on, those antibodies will prevent the disease from developing.

The type of pet vaccinations we recommend will be based on your pet’s lifestyle, risk factors and current guidance. Modern vaccines offer protection against multiple diseases with just one or two injections. It is important to remember though that vaccines don’t give lifelong immunity and that is why regular booster vaccinations are recommended. It is also an excellent opportunity for your pet to have a full health check with a vet. We send out reminders to our registered pet owners for all pet vaccinations.

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Dog Vaccinations

Puppy Vaccinations

Vaccinating your puppy is an essential job in the first few weeks of owning your dog. The first time they are vaccinated they have a course of two injections, usually at eight and 10 weeks old. The Vet also will give your puppy a full check over to make sure they are healthy.

The dog vaccination will not work immediately, so it’s important to confirm with the Vet when you are ok to let your puppy socialise with other animals. They then require a booster pet vaccination at 6 or 12 months of age. As your puppy grows, you must ensure you regularly keep up to date with annual injections as the initial immunity may fade leaving them at risk.

What Diseases do Dog Vaccinations Protect Against?

Canine Parvovirus - a virus that can survive for long periods - it is usually fatal.
Canine distemper (hard pad) - a severe, usually fatal disease, rare in the UK in recent years due to vaccination.
Infectious hepatitis - still exists in the UK (although rare due to vaccination) and is often fatal.
Leptospirosis - contracted from the urine of rats and/or other dogs. Canals and rivers can be contaminated, and forms of the disease are widespread in the UK. Can also cause severe disease in humans (weils disease).
Kennel cough/Parainfluenza - an extremely unpleasant harsh, dry cough, highly contagious disease of the respiratory tract, usually transmitted in places where dogs gather (kennels, shows, parks where lots of dogs are walked). Dogs of all ages can be affected; it is caused by several bacterial and viral agents. The coughing can last for some weeks and during this time serious complications such as pneumonia may arise, especially in puppies or older dogs, these complications can occasionally be fatal.
Rabies - a fatal disease not found in the UK. Vaccination is required if your dog is travelling abroad.

Read here for more information about dog vaccinations.

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Cat Vaccinations

Kitten Vaccinations

Cat vaccinations are important to protect them from severe infectious diseases and passing anything to other animals in your area. Several dangerous diseases continue to infect cats throughout the UK. This is especially true if you intend to let your kitten or cat roam freely outside. Until your cat is fully vaccinated and neutered you should keep them inside.

The primary vaccination course for kittens consists of two injections. As with puppies, kittens will have some protection from their mothers in their bloodstream, which is why a second injection of the vaccine is required to complete immunisation.

Kitten vaccinations start from 9 weeks of age for:

Cat Flu

Enteritis

Feline Leukaemia

A second vaccination is required three to four weeks later. We then suggest an annual booster for cat vaccinations.

We can vaccinate your cat against Feline Chlamydophila too. Speak to us for more information on cat vaccines, we can talk you through any type of pet vaccinations that may be required for your cat.

What Diseases do Cat Vaccinations Protect Against?

Cat flu (feline upper respiratory tract disease) – a very common disease in the UK and can be serious, especially in kittens and older cats. It spreads between cats by direct contact or through sneezing. Symptoms include a runny nose and eyes, high temperature and lethargy.
Infectious enteritis (feline panleucopenia) - An unpleasant, often fatal disease, vaccination has been successful in controlling the disease.
Feline leukaemia - A viral disease usually transmitted when cats fight or during grooming. It can take months to develop after initial infection but then will begin to suppress the cat’s immune system, causing secondary infections, tumours and death.
Chlamydophila felis - Causes conjunctivitis and is mainly seen in kittens and those in multi-cat households.
Rabies - A fatal disease not found in the UK; vaccination is mandatory if you plan to take your cat abroad.

For more information on cat vaccinations, visit our FAQ page here.

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Rabbit Vaccinations

Rabbits are vaccinated against two deadly, infectious diseases:

Myxomatosis: spread by blood-sucking insects such as rabbit fleas

Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD): spread between rabbits, or in contaminated hutches and bedding and toys.

There is now a new strain of VHD, called VHD-2, which is also potentially fatal. We administer a combined annual vaccination for Myxomatosis and VHD 1 and 2.

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Do house rabbits need to be vaccinated?

Vaccinations are essential for providing your rabbit with adequate protection from life-threatening and debilitating diseases such as viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD 1 and 2) and myxomatosis.

How often do rabbits need to be vaccinated?

We recommend that rabbits are vaccinated every 12 months to protect them against potentially fatal diseases.

Do rabbits need to go to the vet?

To ensure your rabbit is kept happy and healthy, we recommend annual check-ups, as well as consults if you’re worried about your rabbit’s health. Rabbits are vulnerable to infectious diseases and illnesses one example is dental disease, which can cause a wide range of problems for your pet. We would advise you on vaccinations as well as external and internal parasite prevention.

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General Pet Vaccinations FAQ

Why does my pet need to have vaccinations every 12 months?

Depending on the disease that your pet is being vaccinated against, the period of time that they are protected will differ. Certain diseases, such as leptospirosis in dogs and flu in cats only carry around 12 months protection, which is why a yearly booster is recommended. Even though you pet might be being vaccinated every 12 months, it is not always against the same diseases – your vaccination card will show you which diseases they are getting boosters for each visit. Visiting us every 12 months for vaccinations also means your pet gets a full annual health check, which is equally important!

Does my pet need to be vaccinated if they live inside?

Although your pet may not go outside, it is still possible for diseases to be brought into the house. This could be via soil on a dirty boot or via other wildlife that could enter the home. Therefore, having full vaccination can provide the protection needed for all circumstances, meaning you don’t have to take the risk.

I have heard that vaccines are risky and to avoid them – is that true?

Any veterinary procedure that is performed can carry some sort of risk, however in the case of vaccinations, it is important to remember that for the majority of pets the benefits of being vaccinated greatly outweighs the risks. Vaccination reactions are rare and where they do occur, they are mostly short-term and mild. Reactions of this nature show that the vaccine is effectively stimulating the immune system.

The team at Alder Vets are always happy to talk to you about the benefits and risks associated with vaccinating your pet to help identify the most suitable strategy as part of their wider preventative healthcare programme.