Doyalson Animal Hospital | Two Dogs Outdoors

Why Vaccinate Your Pet?

Our pets are an important part of our lives and family, offering unconditional love and affection. In order to give them the best start in life, we need to make sure they are vaccinated against preventable diseases.

Why should you get your pet vaccinated?
For the cost of a yearly vaccination you are protecting your pet against potentially fatal diseases such as Canine Parvovirus and Feline Calicivirus. Vaccinations have been successfully protecting our pets in Australia since the 1960’s. Regular boosters are necessary to continue this protection for life. Without regular booster vaccinations of the majority of the pet population, outbreaks of deadly diseases such as Distemper and Parvovirus may occur.
Animal shelters and lower socioeconomic communities generally see higher rates of infectious diseases due to already lower vaccination rates in these populations of animals. Canine Parvovirus is still seen in dogs of all ages at Doyalson Animal Hospital. This serves as a reminder that maintenance of vaccination and protection against such diseases is vital.
During your pets vaccination appointment with one of our veterinarians, a full health check will be performed. This also allows you the opportunity to ask as many questions as you like regarding your pets health, nutritional requirements, tick, flea and worming treatments for example.

What diseases is my pet being vaccinated against?

DOGS
Parvovirus – Severe gastroenteritis causing vomiting and bleeding from intestines. This virus can survive for extended periods of time in the environment (in excess of 12 months). This highly contagious viral disease spreads easily between dogs. Early symptoms include a loss of appetite, watery, bloody diarrhoea and vomiting. If your puppy or dog shows any of these symptoms, immediate veterinary attention is required.
Distemper – Virus leading to flu like symptoms and severe seizures and paralysis with a mortality rate of 50%.
Hepatitis – Virus leading to acute liver failure with complications including blindness.
Canine Cough – The most common disease seen in practice that we can vaccinate for. Dogs develop an highly contagious cough that may develop into pneumonia.

CATS
Flu – Caused by Herpesvirus and/or Calicivirus, symptoms include sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis & fever. Eye & mouth ulcers are seen in severe cases and the disease can be fatal in susceptible cats.
Enteritis – Severe virus causing vomiting and bloody diarrhoea and often fatal.

Canine Vaccinations
There are two vaccinations that we offer at Doyalson Animal Hospital for our canine patients:
• C3 vaccination to provide protection against parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis viruses.
• C5 vaccination to provide protection against parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis viruses as well as kennel cough.

Vaccination schedule for your puppy:
• 6 – 8 weeks old (1st vaccination)
Your puppy requires a C3 vaccination to protect them against canine parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis viruses. They have usually had this before they became the new addition of our family. If not, book them in as soon as possible.
Book your puppy into Puppy Preschool now to ensure you have a well socialised puppy!
• 10 – 12 weeks old (2nd vaccination)
This can either be the C3 or the C5 vaccination. We highly recommend the C5 vaccination to ensure that your pet is protected against the highly contagious Canine Cough.
Although your pup is not fully vaccinated, it is important to start taking it out for walks BEFORE the final booster, to take advantage of this socialisation period. As long as it has been more than two weeks since their first vaccine, you can take your puppy for a walk along roads, pavements or the beach, as viruses have a hard time surviving in these areas.
• 14-16 weeks old (3rd vaccination)
Again, this can be either the C3 or C5 vaccination. This is your puppy’s final vaccination! But remember that they will not be fully vaccinated for another two weeks. However, socialisation is very important. Stick to roads, pavements or along the shore line on the beach. It is not recommended to take them to grassed areas such as playfields as these can

Vaccination schedule for your dog:
After your pet’s 3rd puppy vaccination they will then need to have a yearly vaccination to keep them fully protected. Don’t worry if you forget, we will send you a reminder a month before your pet’s vaccination is due!
Is your pet going into boarding whilst you go on holidays? All boarding kennels will require a C5 vaccination certificate before your dog can board with them which we will provide you with after your consultation.

Kitten Vaccinations
Vaccination schedule for your kitten and cat:
• 6-8 weeks old (1st vaccination): F3 vaccination
Your kitten will usually have had this before they come to you, if not book them in as soon as possible. The F3 vaccinations protects your feline friend against feline rhinotracheitis virus (herpes), feline calicivirus (cat flu) and feline panleucopenia virus.
• 10-12 weeks old (2nd vaccination): F3 vaccination
The first 10 – 12 weeks of your kittens life is the ideal socialisation period. Make sure you kitten gets to experience a range of new things such as children or other pets in the household.
• 14-16 weeks old (3rd vaccination): F3 vaccination
• After their 3rd vaccination they will then need to have a yearly vaccination to keep them fully protected. Don’t worry if you forget, we will send you a reminder a month before your pet’s vaccination is due! All boarding kennels will require a F3 vaccination certificate before your cat can board with them.

Rabbit Vaccinations
Rabbits need vaccinations too to help protect them against Calicivirus which is a viral haemorrhagic disease and can cause sudden death in rabbits.
CalVaccination schedule for your rabbit:
• 10 weeks of age (1st vaccination) against Calicivrus. • 14 weeks of age (2nd vaccination) booster against Calicivirus.
• After their 2nd vaccination they will then need to have a yearly vaccination to keep them fully protected. Don’t worry if you forget, we will send you a reminder a month before your rabbit’s vaccination is due!

What about myxomatosis?
There is currently no vaccination in Australia for myxomatosis which is a fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Prevention is therefore particularly important, with rabbit hutches and outdoor areas being made mosquito-proofed.