Vaccination is an extremely important step towards a healthy pet. We routinely vaccinate dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets.
What diseases are covered in a vaccination?
1) Parvovirus (parvo) - This is a virus that causes severe gastroenteritis leading to dehydration, protracted vomiting and bleeding from the intestines. The disease usually affects unvaccinated puppies, but can in some cases affect adult dogs where the vaccination status is not up to date. Since puppies have an immature immune system, so without prompt treatment and intensive care, the outcome can be fatal. Treating these puppies is very labour intensive and can be expensive. Ensuring your puppy is vaccinated according to the schedule below, as well as not allowing your puppy to mix with unvaccinated dogs are two ways to avoid the disease.
2) Distemper - This is a virus that has been almost completely eliminated in Australia as a direct result of educating owners to vaccinate their dogs. There are still occasional outbreaks reported. Clinical signs include fever, runny nose and gastro, followed by severe neurological symptoms such as seizures and paralysis. The mortality rate is 50%.
3) Hepatitis - Infectious canine hepatitis is caused by an adenovirus. Patients become jaundiced and develop acute liver failure. Complications of the disease can lead to bleeding disorders and even blindness. The infection can be treated successfully but is very painful.
4) Canine Cough - Canine cough more precisely known as canine tracheitis, is a combination of infectious viral and bacterial agents causing a rasping, hoarse cough. The cough can be quite violent and uncomfortable, sounding as though the dog is trying to bring something up. Occasionally there is a white mucus coughed up, but usually the dog just swallows it. The dog is contagious to other dogs for 2 weeks and as the disease is contracted via air-borne transmission, it spreads around very quickly, often affecting animals in boarding kennels or dogs that visit parks where there are other dogs. However, given its airborne transmission, often the source of infection is unknown and even dogs confined to their yards can catch it. Whilst not all strains can be vaccinated against, dogs that are vaccinated generally have much milder symptoms than unvaccinated patients. Treatment is with anti-inflammatories, antibiotics and cough suppressants.
When should my puppy be vaccinated?
Vaccinations are an important means of protecting your puppy against some of the potentially fatal diseases of dogs. We find the following schedule to be most effective:
· 6-8 wks Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus
· 12-14 wks Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Bordetella and Parainfluenza
· 16-18 wks Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Bordetella and Parainfluenza
Puppies should be isolated from other dogs of unknown health status until 2 weeks after their puppy vaccination. Your pup can play with other dogs that are fully vaccinated and healthy, provided that they stay in the backyard and do not go to public places such as off-leash dog parks
Do adult dogs still need to be vaccinated?
After the 3rd puppy vaccination, the next vaccination is due 12 months later. At each vaccination, an annual health check is included as part of the consultation. This gives owners an opportunity to discuss any health problems with the vet and also for the vet to undertake a full physical examination.
Yearly boosters are needed to continue this protection for life.
Recently, results of clinical trials have lead to new developments in the Australian Veterinary Association's recommended protocols for vaccinating our pets.
During the consultation, your vet will discuss the available options for vaccine protocols, which are catered for the individual. From 12 months of age, all dogs should be vaccinated against Canine Cough annually,as this is the most commonly seen disease in practice and it is also essential to have protection should your dog need to visit a boarding kennel. .
There is the option of either continuing annual boosters for Parvovirus, Distemper and Hepatitis, or reducing the frequency of this component of the vaccine to triennially (every 3 years). The pros and cons of each option can be discussed with your vet.
A detailed computer record is kept up-to-date at Gordon Vet Hospital so the owners do not need to remember which vaccine is due each year and a reminder will be sent to you when your dog is due for the next vaccine. Please ensure you inform us of any change of address details so that you continue to receive these reminders.
What about heartworm prevention?
Heartworm disease is a parasite that infects dogs via mosquito bites. The heartworm larvae travels through the bloodstream and eventually develops into adult worms that reside in the heart, eventually causing heart and respiratory failure and is very difficult to treat. This disease is now easily preventable through an annual heartworm injection (Proheart injection). As a result of compliance with the annual injection, our practice now rarely sees cases of heartworm disease.
Alternatives to the annual heartworm injection include monthly preventatives such as Sentinel (tablets) or spot-on treatments (Advocate or Revolution).
What if I want to board my dog in a kennel?
Some dog boarding kennels require the “kennel cough” (Canine Cough) component of the vaccine (Bordatella and Parainfluenza) be administered directly into the respiratory tract via drops into the nostrils using a special intranasal vaccine called Bronchishield. We usually administer this component in an injectable formulation in the 5-in-1 vaccine, as it is much easier to administer that way and most kennels will accept regular C5 vaccines. Please check with your boarding kennel prior to coming in for vaccination as to which route of administration they prefer.
If your dog is likely to be boarding over the proceeding 12 months, please chat to your boarding kennel to find out whether this vaccine is required, or whether a regular C5 is sufficient (majority). Bronchishield intranasal vaccine can be given separately at any time during the year should your plans change.
What if I need to take my dog overseas?
Additional vaccines may be required if you need to take your dog overseas. Please contact us on 9498 3000 and speak with one of our quarantine vets (AQIS Acredited) for further information.
AQIS Acredited Vets: Dr Scott Lackenby & Dr David Loneragan
What diseases are covered in a vaccination?
1) Feline Upper Respiratory Tract Infection or "cat flu" - Cat flu is by far the most common vaccinated disease we see in feline practice today. Symptoms include sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, fever and loss of appetite. In severe cases, mouth and eye ulcers are seen. The disease can be fatal in some cases, particularly in susceptible cats such as the very young, the very old or immunosuppressed individuals.
Cat flu symptoms are usually caused by infection with one or both of the cat flu viruses - feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus.
Feline herpesvirus can cause life-threatening illness and although the majority of cats infected make a full recovery, they are often left with permanent effects of the disease, such as the "snuffles" or chronic eye infections. Sometimes cats become carriers for life and the disease represents itself in times of stress (for example visiting the cattery or when the cat is unwell). During these times, the carriers are highly contagious to other cats that are not vaccinated.
Feline calicivirus can cause painful mouth ulcers which make it difficult for the cat to eat. The ulcers can occur in the mouth, hard palate or on the nose.
2) Feline Enteritis is also known as feline parvovirus and has a very high mortality rate, particularly in unvaccinated kittens. Parvoviruses are very dangerous as they can survive for long periods in the environment. Affected kittens are very uncoordinated and have a decreased white cell count. This phase is followed by severe vomiting and bloody diarrhoea. Unfortuantely there is no specific treatment available and cats often die from secondary bacterial infections. Feline enteritis is far better prevented by vaccination than treated.
3) Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) has an incidence in Australia of 2.5%. The virus causes severe immunosuppression, leaving the cat vulnerable to a wide variety of other diseases and infections. Infection between cats relies on close contact eg cat fights. The virus is transmitted in saliva and so can even be transmitted by grooming or sharing food bowls. Cats usually remain infected for life, leading to chronic disease and a progressive deterioration over time. Cancer develops in around 15% of cats infected with FeLV. Cats that may come into contact with other cats should be vaccinated.
4) Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) or Feline AIDS is another virus that causes a weakening of the immune system. Cats may be exposed to the virus through bodily fluids including saliva eg through bites during a fight with another cat, or simply sharing a food bow with an infected cat. FIV is common in Australia with a 16% prevalance in cats with outside access. A simple blood test can determine whether your cat is infected with the virus and is a good idea if your cat has received a bite (4 months after potential exposure). There is now an FIV vaccine available and while considered very safe, the effectiveness of the vaccine is still unknown. Furthermore, vaccinated cats will sometimes test positive for FIV so it is important to blood test them prior to vaccination.
When should my kitten be vaccinated?
· 12-14 wks Feline Herpesvirus, Feline Calicivirus, Feline Enteritis
· 16-18 wks Feline Herpesvirus, Feline Calicivirus, Feline Enteritis
· 6-8 wks Feline Herpesvirus, Feline Calicivirus, Feline Enteritis
For outdoor cats, the 2nd and 3rd kitten vaccinations will include a vaccination against Feline Leukaemia Virus.
Do adult cats still need to be vaccinated?
Gordon Vet Hospital currently follows the recommendations outlined by the European Advisory Board for Cat Diseases. This is a team of experts and researchers in the fields of feline medicine and immunology. Below is an excerpt from one of their publications, available at www.abcd-vets.org
"Although the issue of recommended intervals between boosters is controversial, in view of currently available scientific evidence, the European Advisory Board for Cat Diseases recommends that boosters should be given at annual intervals to protect individual cats...with the exception of cats in low-risk situations (eg indoor-only cats without contact to other cats). In these cases, three-yearly intervals would be acceptable."
Does my rabbit need a vaccination?
Rabbits require a vaccination every 10 months against calicivirus. Also known as Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, calicivirus is associated with a very high mortality rate, with affected rabbits showing signs of severe diarrhoea, bloating and fever. Multiple organ failure can occur due to haemorrhage. It is also highly contagious, spreading easily through particles in the air or via insects such as mosquitoes.
At what age does my rabbit need a vaccination?
Rabbits should be vaccinated between 10-12 weeks of age, then a booster given every 10 months after that for life. This also includes an annual health check, which is extremely important to ensure your rabbit remains healthy.
What about myxomatosis?
Unfortunately, we still see many cases of myxomatosis. There is no vaccine against myxomatosis available in Australia due to government regulations. Myxomatosis is a debillitating, painful disease where rabbits develop swollen eyes, genitalia and ears and severe breathing problems. The mortality rate is almost 100% but unfortunately many rabbits carry the disease for a long time and suffer before they die. Mosquito nets should be put over the hutch at night to help avoid contracting these diseases.
Ferrets are susceptible to the Canine Distempter Virus, which can be fatal so ferrets should be vaccinated. An annual health check and vaccination is necessary to continue this protection for life. Given their small size, a much lower vaccine dose is used in ferrets compared to other species.