Vaccinations

A number of dangerous diseases can still affect dogs in the UK, and one of these can even be transmitted to humans. Vaccination is the only safe way to provide immunity against all these diseases.

Puppies are usually protected during the first few weeks of life thanks to the immunity passed through the mother’s milk. However, this immunity fades rapidly, leaving the puppy susceptible to disease within a few weeks. At this point, vaccination should take over from the mother in providing protection. The first time a puppy is vaccinated a course of two injections is given. This primary course is started at 6-8 weeks at Nithsdale Vets Limited with a second vaccination given at 10 weeks. It takes a week for immunity to develop so your puppy should only be socialised with other vaccinated pets and not be exercised in public areas up till this point.

As immunity fades annual boosters are required. An annual visit to Nithsdale Vets Limited will allow for a general health check, weight check and necessary booster vaccinations to be given. Any specific health questions can be answered at these check-ups and advice on routine flea, tick and worm treatments provided.

Your dog will be routinely vaccinated against:

• Canine Parvovirus – usually fatal, causing a haemorrhagic gastroenteritis (bloody diarrhoea and vomiting)
• Canine Distemper – A severe, usually fatal disease
• Leptospirosis – A potentially fatal disease affecting the liver, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. It’s contracted from the urine of rats and/or other dogs. Canals and rivers can be contaminated, and bacteria that cause this disease are widespread in the UK. It can also be passed to humans causing severe disease.

Your dog may also be vaccinated against:

• Kennel Cough – Extremely unpleasant whooping cough-like infection, usually transmitted in places where dogs gather together (kennels, shows and also parks where lots of dogs are walked) The disease may occasionally be life-threatening typically in young puppies and other dogs with a weakened immunity.
• Rabies – Fatal disease, not found in dogs in the UK. Vaccination is required if your dog is travelling abroad on a pets passport.

Vaccination is the only safe way to provide immunity against a number of dangerous diseases which continue to infect cats in the UK. Regular vaccination can keep your pet protected for life.

Kittens are usually protected during the first few weeks of life by an immunity passed through the mother’s first milk. However, this immunity fades rapidly, leaving the kitten susceptible to disease within a few weeks. At this point, vaccination can take over in providing protection. The first time a kitten is vaccinated, a course of two injections is given. At Nithsdale Vets Limited we vaccinate kittens from 9 weeks and a second vaccine 3 weeks later.

As immunity fades annual boosters are required. An annual visit to Nithsdale Vets Limited will allow for a general health check, weight check and necessary booster vaccinations to be given. Any specific health questions can be answered at these check-ups and advice on routine flea, tick and worm treatments provided.

Your cat will be routinely vaccinated against:

• Cat Flu (feline upper respiratory tract disease)- is potentially fatal especially in kittens and elderly cats. Remains common in the UK. Spread between cats by direct contact or through sneezing. Several microbes are known to cause the disease, all producing similar signs such as runny nose and eyes, high temperatures and extreme lethargy.
• Infectious Enteritis (Feline Panleukopenia)- An unpleasant and often fatal disease.
• Feline Leukaemia- a viral disease, transmitted when cats fight each other – or even during grooming. The disease can take months to develop after infection but then it begins to suppress the cat’s immune system, causing secondary infections, tumours and death.