One of the responsibilities of pet ownership is to allow your pets to enjoy good health. One way of doing this is to ensure that your pet has a regular, annual health check with your vet to include vaccination against several
diseases.
Normally, it is advisable for kittens at nine weeks old, puppies at six to eight weeks old to be given an initial course of two vaccination injections and these should then be followed by a booster vaccination on an
annual basis. Rabbits should receive a Myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease vaccine from 5 weeks of age with an annual booster thereafter. At the same time as vaccination, your vet will give your pet a thorough health check
to make sure there are no other problems.
The key vaccinations you need to protect your pet against are for dogs: (a) Parvovirus, (b)Distemper, (c )Canine Hepatitis (Adenovirus), (d) Leptospirosis and (e) Kennel Cough (infectious bronchitis),
(f) Para-Influenza.
Cats should be vaccinated against: (a) Feline Leukaemia virus, (b) Cat Flu and (c ) Feline Enteritis.
Rabbits should be vaccinated against: (a) Myxomatosis and (b) Viral Haemorrhagic Disease
(VHD).
Although some of these diseases are treatable, some are fatal and it is therefore wise to vaccinate against them to prevent severe discomfort for your pet and stress and anxiety for yourself. If you
have an older animal, it is never too late to start a vaccination programme and your vet will be able to advise you on this. Older animals lack a strong immune system so it is important to keep their boosters up-to-date.
It
is also important to remember that most kennels and catteries will not take pets for boarding unless the pets have an up-to-date vaccination record. Accordingly, it is wise to ensure that your pets have their annual booster. If more than 12 months
pass after your pet’s last booster vaccination, your pet will have to start a vaccination course again as its resistance will have deteriorated considerably.
Remember, vaccinate before it’s too late – it could save their lives.
(Info supplied by Heather Eubank)