When it comes to providing you pet quality care, it is important to be informed and up to date with all health requirements and prevention methods. Vaccinations for your pet is important to ensure your pet will live a fulfilling life without disease or illness.
You bet they are! Serious disease that can easily be vaccinated against causes misery and distress in pets. These diseases can either be fatal or cause serious ongoing medical complications. Unfortunately many preventable diseases are still all too commonly seen.
Fortunately, due to vaccinations, many pet owners never don't see these diseases in their pets. However, the risk of your unvaccinated pet contracting these diseases still exists within the community today. Parvo virus, for example, is a potentially fatal disease that stays within soil and the environment for many months.
With one infected pup shedding millions upon millions of viral particles, exposure of your dog is almost guaranteed on the streets, in parks, and walked home by your own shoes!
Vaccinations begin between 6 and 8 weeks of age and require a course of vaccinations.
Vaccinations are vital for strengthening your pet's immune system, in the early stages of its life. Annual vaccinations are then required to maintain a strong immune system and prevent against life-threatening disease.
If you have missed a vaccination for your pet, please contact us immediately to discuss re-starting the vaccination course. This may involve 2 vaccinations, given 2 to 4 weeks apart.
This vaccination is required for boarding kennels and for admission to our hospital for non-emergency procedures. It protects against the following fatal diseases:
Additional vaccination protection can also be provided for:
This is required for catteries and for admission to our hospital for non-emergency procedures. It protects against the following fatal and potentially fatal diseases:
Additional vaccination protection can also be provided for:
We know that some of you may be cautious about 'over vaccinating' your pet. The risk of vaccination is minimal compared to the risk of diseases. We are happy to discuss the relative risks of different vaccines and the risk of not vaccinating.
Many different vaccine types, brands, and vaccination protocols exist. Our recommendation is based on first hand experience of diseases in the area, manufacturer's regulatory recommendations, and best practice guidelines of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association.
A blood test can be taken to determine if vaccinations are required, based on your pets antibodies.
Different vaccine brands and types of vaccine may be administered and individual vaccination plans can be made depending upon your pet’s individual health status and environment. Please make an appointment with your vet to discuss and develop an alternate plan.
We vaccinate ferrets for Distemper.
Rabbits are vaccinated against Calicivirus (RHDV). Due to the prevalence of new strains of Calicivirus/RHDV released to decrease the wild rabbit population contact the clinic it is vital to immediately to organize vaccination of any new pet rabbits and to ensure vaccination of older rabbits is up to-date.
Rabbits require a course of injections and then regular injections thereafter for best protection against this fatal disease.
RHDV can remain in the environment for an extended period and can be transmitted on objects and via some insects. The following precautions can reduce the risk of infection:
We are happy to discuss vaccinations with you, so that you can make an informed decision about what's best for your pet.
Please contact us at Dr Paws Oxley Highway Veterinary Hospital if you'd like any more information.
Serving the pet community of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. The pawfect location for pet parents living in Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Bonny Hills, Lake Cathie and surrounding areas!
