We would advise vaccinations for your pets as they can help to protect against a variety of diseases that can sometimes prove fatal.  Vaccinations stimulate the animal’s immune system so that if they come into contact with certain diseases, they have the best possible chance of fighting the disease and, if they do contract it, of reducing the severity of the symptoms.

Dogs and Puppies can be vaccinated against diseases such as Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza and Kennel Cough; some of these diseases can prove rapidly fatal and can be passed on from infected dogs and foxes (even healthy-looking dogs could be harbouring the diseases), or even transmitted via infected water in ditches and ponds.

A puppy vaccination course is normally given as 2 injections between 2 and 4 weeks apart; the first at 6 to 8 weeks of age, the second at 10 to 12 weeks.  The pup is then considered protected from 7 days after the second injection.  An older dog that has an unknown vaccination history should start the course again with 2 injections, 2 weeks apart, and all dogs should have a yearly booster. The first booster at a year of age is particularly important following the puppy vaccination course.

Cats and Kittens can be vaccinated against Cat Flu, Feline Enteritis and Feline Leukaemia Virus.  A kitten vaccination course is usually given 3 - 4 weeks apart and can start from 9 weeks of age.

If you are giving a home to an older cat where you are not certain of its vaccination history, it is advisable to start the course again so that you are safe in the knowledge that it is protected.

Rabbits are sometimes overlooked by pet owners when it comes to vaccinations but can be vaccinated against Myxomatosis from 6 weeks of age and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD) from 10 weeks of age.  Annual* boosters will be required to keep your rabbit protected.

* in the case of Myxomatosis vaccination, boosters may be required more  frequently (between 6 and 12 months) depending on disease prevalence at the time.

Unfortunately, if a rabbit does contract any of these diseases it is unlikely that they will recover and they usually have to be put to sleep; so vaccinations should be seriously considered when acquiring a pet rabbit.

N.B.  Myxomatosis and VHD vaccines must be given at least 14 days apart and cannot be given concurrently.