Why are vaccinations important for your pet?

Vaccinations prevent many pet illnesses. Vaccinations can help avoid costly treatments for diseases that can be prevented and can also help prevent diseases that can be passed between animals.

Dog vaccinations

Our simple vaccination regime involves the following:

Initial vaccination is given at 6-8 weeks of age and is usually done by the breeder before you bring your puppy home.

Once your puppy is over 10 weeks of age we can administer a final puppy vaccination. Unlike traditional vaccines that require additional puppy boosters, the modern vaccination that we use provides adequate cover against distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus for 12 months. This means that you can take your puppy out and about sooner, with the knowledge that they are protected against disease.

At the same visit, we will administer an intra-nasal vaccine, which provides protection against parainfluenza and bordetella (canine cough) for twelve months.

A week after these vaccinations, your puppy is fully protected and can be out at the park socialising and interacting with other dogs. Early and extensive socialisation is one of the most important things you can do for your puppy.

The next vaccination that your puppy requires is a booster in 12 months time. Your dog will now be 14-15 months old. We will send you a reminder email when this is due.

Cat vaccinations

The F3 Vaccination is the "standard" feline vaccination and will provide your kitten protection against Feline enteritis & two forms of feline respiratory disease. An initial F3 vaccination is usually given at 6-8 weeks of age and may be done by the breeder before you bring your kitten home.

The next F3 vaccination will be due once your kitten is over 12 weeks of age. A booster vaccination is then given 1 month after the 12 week vaccination to ensure your kitten remains protected for 12 months. The vaccination is then boosted just once yearly to maintain protection. We will send you a reminder when this is due.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Vaccination:

This disease is the feline equivalent of HIV or human AIDS. It is caused by a virus which affects the immune system and makes it difficult for affected cats to fight diseases. 

FIV virus can only be passed from cat to cat through bodily fluids and is typically contracted when a cat gets bitten by an FIV carrier. The prevalence of FIV is quite high in the roaming cat population so potentially any outdoor cat is at risk. The risk goes up for male cats who are more likely to fight but is also dependent on how much your cat roams.

There is no cure for a cat that has contracted FIV so we recommend prevention through vaccination. Vaccination initially involves 3 injections given at least 2 weeks apart. These are typically started at the 12 week F3 vaccination, with an FIV booster 2 weeks later and then the 3rd FIV booster is given at the 16 week F3 vaccination. FIV boosters then only need to be given once every 12 months.

NOTE: Quite a lot of kittens are "going to be indoor only" cats and so we elect not to vaccinate them against FIV. If these cats then decide they want to explore the outside world, don’t forget to first complete the FIV vaccination course.

Rabbit vaccinations

An annual vaccination is essential to protect pet rabbits against the highly fatal calicivirus which causes a haemorrhagic viral disease.
Calicivirus is prevalent in the Australian wild rabbit population and is an approved population control strategy.
Rabbit Calicivirus Disease is potentially life threatening disease that can affect a rabbit within 12-18 hours. It is a virus with a high mortality rate and nearly 100% of rabbits die from the disease.
For baby rabbits, the first vaccination is administered at the age of 10 weeks old followed by a booster one month after. After this initial course, an annual booster is required for the lifespan of the individual rabbit.
Unfortunately the use of a vaccination against Myxomatosis is not available in Australia. Owners are reliant on insect control and mosquito-proofing the rabbit’s environment or confining rabbits inside to avoid mosquitoes which spread this deadly virus.