Vaccinations

Puppy vaccines – What does a primary vaccination course involve? 

The primary vaccination course – whether a puppy or adult – involves two injections 2-4 weeks apart. Immunity is reached 1 week after the second vaccine. Puppies can be vaccinated from 6-8 weeks of age but preferably from 8 weeks of age. The second vaccination can only be given after the puppy is 10 weeks of age.

Some breeders administer the first vaccine of a primary course before rehoming. We try to stock different vaccinations to accommodate this but if we do not have a compatible vaccine then we will recommend restarting the primary vaccination course. We will always stock Vanguard Vaccinations but have recently stopped stocking Versican due to very low demand. 

Puppy or primary vaccination course:

Week 8 – DHP + L2 / L4

Week 10 – 2nd DHP + L2 (if requested)

The puppy can go outside 7 days later ie at week 11

Week 12 – 2nd L4 +- KC (intranasal vaccination)

What vaccination frequency should I expect? 

All dogs should receive a primary vaccination course followed by an annual booster 12-14 months later. We then recommend annual vaccinations against leptospirosis (L4) vaccination given with either a kennel cough vaccination or parainfluenza vaccination. The core vaccinations of Distemper/Hepatic Adenovirus/Parvovirus are only given every three years.

Because dogs are generally exposed to a similar level of risk our recommendations are similar for most of our dogs. For those dogs who are regularly joining groups of dogs – dog walkers, kennels, etc – then Kennel Cough vaccinations are typically recommended in addition to our core vaccines.

Diseases we vaccinate against 

• Canine Distemper: This highly contagious viral disease can cause severe respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological problems. This disease is very rare in the UK.
• Infectious Canine Hepatitis: This viral infection can lead to liver damage, eye inflammation, and breathing difficulties. The infection is quite rare in dogs, but there is a concern about it growing in the fox population.
• Canine Parvovirus: This highly contagious virus attacks the gastrointestinal system, causing severe vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration. It can be particularly dangerous for puppies. There was a marked increase in infection rates soon after COVID, but the disease is still very prevalent. It is sadly a common infection still.
• Kennel Cough: Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection that causes a harsh, persistent cough. We vaccinate against the most common causes, but other causes of infectious cough may occur. We offer both the intranasal and injectable versions of this vaccine, but generally recommend the injection as it’s more comfortable for dogs.
• Leptospirosis: This bacterial infection can cause kidney and liver damage and can be transmitted to humans. Rats are considered the ‘reservoir’ of infection, and dogs that are commonly in waterways are at increased risk. We stock both L2 and L4 varieties of this vaccination. Unless requested, we will generally advise the L4 vaccine in most dogs.

Kitten Vaccination – What does a primary vaccination course involve? 

The primary vaccination course – whether kitten or adult – involves two injections 3-4 weeks apart. Immunity is reached 1 week after the second vaccine. Kittens can be vaccinated from 6-8 weeks of age but preferably from 8 weeks of age.

Some breeders administer the first vaccine of a primary course before rehoming. We try to stock different vaccinations to accommodate this but if we do not have a compatible vaccine then we will recommend restarting the primary vaccination course. 

What vaccine frequency should I expect? 

We make our recommendations based on risk and there will be some nuance expected for your pet depending on their personal risk. All cats should receive a primary vaccination course followed by a booster vaccination 12-14 months later. Subsequent boosters are then advised at the following frequency:

• Indoor cats with no outdoor access (toilets inside, no cattery, no other outdoor pets, etc).
  • Booster vaccination every three years
  • We still recommend an annual health check in the interim years
• Indoor cats with occasional outdoor exposure (toilets inside but has use of cattery or there are other outdoor petc at home, etc)
  • Booster vaccination annually against cat flu
  • Booster vaccination every three years against feline parvovirus
• Outdoor cats (toilets outside and has regular access to outside)
  • Booster vaccination annually against cat flu.
  • Booster vaccination every three years against feline parvovirus and feline leukaemia virus.

Diseases We Vaccinate Against

• Cat ‘Flu’ (FHV-1, FCV): These viruses cause upper respiratory infections that can lead to sneezing, nasal discharge, eye problems, and mouth ulcers. These infections are still quite common.
• Feline Parvovirus (FPV): This serious viral infection can cause severe illness, especially in kittens, and can affect the intestines and bone marrow.
• Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV): This virus can cause a range of health issues and often leads to a fatal progression of the disease.

First Bunny Vaccinations

The first bunny vaccines are usually given when they are 10 weeks or older. We use the Myxo-RHD2 combined vaccination and this is only for 10 weeks or older. 

What frequency should I expect?

We recommend an annual booster vaccination to ensure continued protection against these diseases. There are many London bunnies that are kept exclusively indoors and exposure to the diseases are considered to be low. There is no formal guidance available that recommends anything less than an annual vaccination. 

Diseases we vaccinate against 

• Myxomatosis: This disease is spread by fleas, mites, and mosquitos. Symptoms include swelling around the eyes, ears, and genitals, as well as lethargy and a loss of appetite.
• Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD): RHD is highly contagious and can be spread through direct contact with infected rabbits or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, breathing difficulties, and bleeding. There are two strains of RHD, RHD-1 and RHD-2.