Vaccination
In the days before widespread vaccination, thousands of animals died an often slow and painful death due to diseases which are now easily preventable.
Vaccination will protect your dog from illnesses like leptospirosis, parvovirus, distemper, and hepatitis in dogs. Vaccination is the biggest success of modern veterinary medicine and, because it will prevent your pet dying from many of these potentially fatal diseases. It is the cornerstone of responsible pet ownership.
Now that most pets are vaccinated, vets thankfully see fewer and fewer animals affected by these diseases, and this is why it is vital your pet is vaccinated and protection is kept up to date through regular (usually annual) ‘boosters’.
Puppies and kittens need to receive a course of at least 2 injections to ensure they are fully protected. Depending on the brand of vaccine used, as well as species and breed, the first injection of the full vaccination course can be given at 6-9 weeks of age followed by a second injection 2-4 weeks later.
Your pet has to be at least this age before the vaccines will be effective, so there is no point in giving them vaccines any earlier. Your veterinary practice will discuss the exact timing of when they can give the vaccines, but we it’s important to get them as early as possible.
Because the immunity your pet gets from the first vaccinations does not last for life, regular booster vaccinations are needed to ensure your pet continues to be fully protected. These are done at the same time as the Annual Health Assessment.
Even if your pet has not been to the vet for years there’s no problems. At worst they will need a course of 2 injections to get them fully protected, and on top of that you’ll get the added bonus of a full health check at every vaccination.