In line with local conditions and current International Guidelines the following is the standard protocol for Companion Animal Vaccinations.
Dogs
Download our Vaccination Schedule
Note we recommend for the “Black and Tan” Breeds (Rottweiler, Doberman) receives another Vanguard 5 Plus at 16 weeks.
Protection from killed vaccines, such as Leptospirosis and Kennel Cough, will disappear quite quickly if annual boosters are missed. You will need to restart the vaccination regime again for these vaccines if the yearly booster is given more than 3 months past it’s due date i.e. 15 months after the last vaccine
Live vaccines like Vanguard 5 offer a longer period of immunity so can be safely given every 2nd year.
This is a core vaccine. Every year we have unvaccinated dogs dying from this disease. Treatment is very expensive, difficult and often not successful. This disease is spread by dogs and environmental contact so puppies should be confined to home until a week after they have finished their vaccination course.
Canine Kennel Cough (Canigen KC, Nobivac kc, Bronchishield)
A more apt name would be Contagious Canine Cough as it is more widespread than just boarding kennels and can be picked up anywhere, even brief nasal contact while on a walk could transmit the disease. It is highly infectious and is like the “flu” in people in that it spreads through the population but would only make those with compromised immune systems very sick. It is a very annoying disease for the dog and those that have to live with him/her.
This is an emerging disease that has not been common in New Plymouth. It seems to be spreading through the country and normally has been linked with rat exposure but seems to be spread by other animals to dogs now. It is a very serious disease and the chances of recovery are poor.
Cats
Download our Vaccination Schedule
Cat Vaccination (Felocell 3)
An inactivated vaccine for the active immunisation of healthy cats 8 weeks of age or older to aid in the reduction of clinical symptoms caused by infection with feline rhinotracheitis virus, panleucopenia virus, and feline calicivirus. This vaccine does not prevent infection or shedding. Based on overseas challenge data, it has been demonstrated that clinical signs of feline calicivirus infection (pyrexia, ulcers) are likely to occur in vaccinated animals following exposure to this virus. However, the severity of the fever and ulcers is likely to be reduced compared to unvaccinated animals. These vaccines do not prevent infection or shedding.
Feline AIDS is caused by infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). FIV causes a potentially fatal viral disease that interferes with the immune system of a cat. Infected cats may expose healthy cats with which they come into contact, most often by biting. Outdoor cats are most at-risk. Vaccination is the best way to prevent disease. There is no treatment or cure for an infected cat. Before an adult cat can be vaccinated with Fel-0-vax FIV they will need to have a blood test that can be run in clinic to ensure they are FIV negative. Kittens under the age of 6 months do not need to have the blood test as they have a considerably lower risk of having contracted the virus.
Cats under 6 months of age:
- Health check
- Microchip (if not microchipped prior) and recorded as an FIV vaccinated cat
- 3 doses of vaccine (from 8 weeks of age or older), 2 – 4 weeks apart
- Yearly revaccination
Cats 6 months of age and older:
- Health check
- FIV blood test run in clinic (should be negative to continue course)
- Microchip (if not microchipped prior) and recorded as and FIV vaccinated cat
- 3 doses of vaccine, 2 – 4 weeks apart
- Yearly revaccination
FIV vaccine is a killed vaccination and like other killed vaccines it is important to give a yearly booster vaccination to ensure full protection. If FIV vaccines lapse by more than 3 months the course will have to be started again i.e a course of 3 vaccinations 2-4 weeks apart.