Vaccinations

Vaccinating your pet is one of the most important things you can do to ensure they lead a healthy life.

Here are our top reasons for vaccinating your pet:

  • Vaccinations protect against preventable diseases
  • Vaccinations are substantially less expensive than the cost of vet treatment for the diseases they protect against
  • Vaccinations protect your pet from transmissible diseases in boarding facilities, at parks and even when they visit the vet. If your pet has to be hospitalised for any illness, their immune system may already be compromised so you want to make sure they are protected.

Your pet’s health, lifestyle and exactly where you live may affect which vaccinations are necessary, so our expert vets will work with you to develop a simple and effective vaccination program for your pet.

 

Phone: (02) 6297 5542

Mon - Fri: 8:00am - 6pm
Saturday: 8:30am - 2:00pm

Vaccinating Your Dog

A puppy’s first vaccinations are at 6-8 weeks, then 12-14 weeks, 16-18 weeks, and annually after that. Only two weeks after the 2nd puppy vaccination should your puppy be allowed to go outside and socialise with other dogs.

Canine vaccinations are known by the codes C3, C4 (not used at WQVH) and C5, and the diseases that are commonly vaccinated against are:

  • Parvovirus: causes potentially fatal diarrhoea, especially in pups and dogs under 2 years
  • Distemper: coughing, diarrhoea and sometimes twitching, seizures, loss of balance and blindness
  • Hepatitis: vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and possibly liver failure
  • Canine Cough: also known as Kennel Cough, but NOT only a risk if your dog is boarding
  • Parainfluenza: a viral disease causing a nasty cough
  • Bordatella bronchiseptica: bacteria causing a harsh, dry cough and lethargy

Our Reccomended Canine Vaccination Schedule

Life Stage Vaccination Ages Vaccination Length of Coverage Protection Against
Puppyhood 6 – 8 weeks of age C3 Initial 4 weeks Parvovirus, Distemper,
and Hepatitis
12 – 14 weeks of age C5 Booster (C3 + KC = C5) 4 weeks Parvovirus, Distemper,
Hepatitis, Bordetella
Bronchiseptica (KC),
and Parainfluenza (KC)
Adolescent 16 – 18 weeks of age C5 Booster (C3 + KC = C5) 6 months Parvovirus, Distemper,
Hepatitis, Bordetella
Bronchiseptica (KC),
and Parainfluenza (KC)
6 months of age (usually administered at time of
de-sexing)
Heartworm Vaccination (SR12) 12 months Heartworm
Adulthood 12 months of age, annually for life C5 Adult (C3 + KC = C5) 12 months (C3
component 3yrs if Triennial Vaccination)
Parvovirus, Distemper,
Hepatitis, Bordetella
Bronchiseptica (KC),
and Parainfluenza (KC)
Senior Annually for life C5 Adult or as advised by a Vet 12 months Parvovirus, Distemper,
Hepatitis, Bordetella Bronchiseptica (KC),
and Parainfluenza (KC)

Vaccinating Your Cat

A kitten’s first vaccinations are at 6-8 weeks, then 12-14 weeks, 16-18 weeks, and annually after that. Only one week after the final kitten vaccination should your kitten be allowed to go outside and socialise with other cats.

The main feline vaccinations are known by the codes F3 and F4, and common cat vaccinations around suburb are:

  • Enteritis (Feline Panleukopenia) can be very severe especially in unvaccinated kittens less than 12 months of age. It causes fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, liver failure and sudden death
  • Feline Calicivirus is part of the cat flu
  • Feline Rhinotracheitis (Feline Herpes Virus) is another part of cat flu and can lead to permanent nasal and sinus infection
  • Chlamydia is a bacterial disease causing conjunctivitis, respiratory disease, infections arthritis and even abortion
  • Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV or Feline AIDS). It is a potentially fatal disease spread between cats via bites, for which there is no treatment or cure. The FIV Vaccine has now been discontinued and is no longer available in Australia. 

….Our Reccomended Feline Vaccination Schedule

Life Stage Vaccination Ages Vaccination Length of Coverage Protection Against
Kittenhood 6 – 8 weeks of age F4 4 weeks Panleukopenia, Calicivirus,
Rhinotracheitis, Chlamydia.
10 – 12 weeks of age

F4 

4 weeks

Panleukopenia, Calicivirus,
Rhinotracheitis, Chlamydia.

Adolescent 14 – 16 weeks of age

F4 

6 months Panleukopenia, Calicivirus,
Rhinotracheitis, Chlamydia.
Adulthood 12 months of age, annually for life F4 12 months Panleukopenia, Calicivirus,
Rhinotracheitis, Chlamydia.
Senior Annually for life F4  12 months Panleukopenia, Calicivirus,
Rhinotracheitis, Chlamydia.