Vaccinating your Dog

Please note: Although this article is written by a qualified veternary surgeon, we always recommend that your see your regular vet if you are in any way concerned about your pet.

Dogs need to be vaccinated against several diseases. Puppies need 2 vaccines and then vaccines are needed yearly according to the data sheets of the individual vaccine manufacturers. Your vet will advise you as the age your puppy can be vaccinated which depends on the make of vaccine they use.

The diseases which your puppy can be vaccinated for are Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis and Parvo Virus. Also Parainfluenza virus and Kennel cough. Rabies vaccine is required for the pet passport scheme. Some of these diseases are life threatening illnesses, the last two cause sneezing and coughing which can also be serious sometimes and is very unpleasant.

Distemper
This is not seen as often as it used to be due to vaccination being effective. It causes symptoms including conjunctivitis, nasal discharges, coughing, fits and thickening of pads on the feet. Another name for it is ’hard pad’.

Hepatitis
This virus causes inflammation of the liver and so jaundice.

Leptospirosis
This is caused by a bacterial infection which is often spread via rats and foxes in their urine and so it is present is water where the water flow is slow or stagnant .If your dog enjoys swimming in lakes and ponds and slow moving rivers or canals then it should be protected against this. It can lead to liver and kidney failure.

Parvo virus
This is the most commonly seen of the infections and often where puppies are mixed together such as pet shops or if they come from puppy farms. It is extremely contagious and causes   vomiting and diarrhoea with blood which they often do not survive. All ages can catch this virus.

Parainfluenza and Kennel Cough (bordetella)
Parainfluenza causes cold type symptoms and Kennel Cough causes a bronchitis and very loud hacking cough. This is so named as it occurs where lots of dogs are kept together so sometimes caught in a kennel situation especially in the Summer when lots of dogs are boarding together. It is advisable to have this vaccine dog along with the others as it also lasts a year now(it used to only last 6 months) and definitely before going into kennels.

The Kennel cough vaccine is given via drops up into the nostrils which most dogs tolerate well. The other vaccines are given by injection. A good kennels will advise kennel cough protection as they won’t want the disease in the kennels.

Your vet will give you a vaccination certificate to show which vaccines are given and which the kennels will want to see if you are leaving your dog while going on holiday.