VACCINATING YOUR DOG
Responsible pet care requires puppies to be taken to the vet for their initial health check and vaccinations, but this connot protect them for the rest of their lives. The immunity weakens overtime and your pet can become susceptible to disease.
Vaccination is the only way to protect your dog against certain viral diseases that are highly contagious and can be fatal. There are no cures and if your dog contracts one of these diseases, treatment can require frequent visits to the vet and possible hospitalisation which can end up being very costly.
Puppies will be temporarily protected against many diseases by antibodies received through their mothers milk. Unfortunately, these maternal antibodies may aslo neutralise vaccines. A puppy will only respond to vaccination when these maternal antibodies decline sufficienly.
Here at North Nowra Vet Hospital we are pleased to offer our clients the option of a new vaccine against Canine Hepatitis, Canine Distemper, and Canine Parvovirus that last for 3 years. This vaccine is suitable for adult dogs, who then only need an annual booster to protect them additionally against Canine Cough. We still offer the standard one-year vaccine for Canine Hepatitis, Canine Distemper, and Canine Parvovirus, giving you more options for protecting your loved pets against disease.
When your dog visits the North Nowra Vet Hospital they will not only receive their vaccination, they will also be given a full physical exam. During this exam the vet will check your pets:
- Teeth and gums
- Ears
- Eyes
- Skin
- Body condition
- Nails
- Glands
- Joints
- Abdomen
- Heart
- Lungs
- Temperature (if appropriate)
- Urinalysis (if appropriate)
VACCINATING YOUR CAT
Responsible pet care requires kitten's to be taken to the vet for their initial course of vaccinations and health checks, but this connot protect them for the rest of their lives. The immunity weakens over time and your pet can again become suseptible to disease.
Vaccination is the only way to protect your cat against certain viral diseases that are highly contagious and can be fatal. There are no cures and if you cat contracts one of these diseases, treatment can requirefrequent visits to the vet and possible hospitalisation which can end up being very costly.
Kittens will be temporarily protected against many diseases by antibodies received through their mothers milk. Unfortunatley, these maternal antibodies may also neutralise vaccines. A kitten will only respond to vaccination when these maternal antibodies decline sufficiently.
Your cat should be vaccinated annually against the main viral diseases, Feline Enteritis (Panleucopenia), Feline Respiratory Disease (Feline Rhinotracheitis and Feline Calicivirus) and Feline Aids (FIV).
When your pet visits the North Nowra Vet Hospital they will not only receive their vaccination, they will also be given a full physical exam. During this exam the vet will check your pets:
- Teeth and gums
- Ears
- Eyes
- Skin
- Body condition
- Nails
- Glands
- Joints
- Abdomen
- Heart
- Lungs
- Temperature (if appropriate)
- Urinalysis (if appropriate)
Remember pets age at a considerably faster rate than humans, approximately seven pet years to one of ours. Hence, annual health checks are vital for your pets health.
OUR VACCINATION RECOMMENDATIONS
FELINE ENTERITIS
Also known as Feline Panleucopenia, this viral disease is the most dangerous affecting cats. It is very contagious and the death rate is high, especially under 12 months of age. Pregnant cats may lose their young or give birth to kittens with abnormalities, quite often with brain damage.
Symptoms are depression, loss of appetite, uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhoea, often with blood and sevre abdominal pain. The virus spreads so easily that heavily contaminated areas may need cleaning with a special disinfectant. Cats that do recover may continue to carry the virus for some time and infect other cats.