The Importance of Dog Vaccinations Hereford
Vaccinations are a crucial part of maintaining your dog's health and well-being. They protect your dog from a variety of serious and potentially fatal diseases, helping to ensure a long, healthy life. At Leadon Vale Vets, dog vaccinations Hereford will be given to puppies to immunise them against life-threatening diseases and annual boosters are then top-ups of the same vaccines so that your dog remains protected against these illnesses in the long term.
Booster Dog Vaccines 
Some boosters are needed annually, while others are required every three years because their effectiveness decreases over time.
The booster vaccinations that dogs need include:
- Distemper, parvovirus, and canine hepatitis boosters every three years
- Leptospirosis and kennel cough boosters every year
Book a Dog Vaccination Appointment
Protecting Your Pet with Dog Vaccinations
The primary reason for vaccinating your dog is to prevent diseases. Dog vaccinations Hereford help protect against a range of illnesses, such as rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis. These diseases can be life-threatening and, in some cases, have no cure. Prevention is necessary as cures for these diseases don’t exist and your pet will unnecessarily suffer if they get ill. If your puppy is not vaccinated before they go on walks or socialise, then they will be exposed to a disease or potentially spread disease to other dogs.
Puppy Vaccinations Hereford
The following vaccines are given to puppies in their early months:
Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, and Parvovirus are all puppy vaccinations which can start from 6-8 weeks of age.
Distemper/Adenovirus (Hepatitis)/Parvovirus (DAP)
The DAP vaccine provides protection against a group of diseases that can rapidly spread among dogs and lead to serious health issues, including severe illness and even death.
Canine distemper is a highly contagious disease in unvaccinated dogs, leading to serious neurological symptoms, pneumonia, fever, and encephalitis, and can be fatal.
Adenovirus 1, also known as infectious canine hepatitis, is a viral disease that causes upper respiratory infections, fever, liver and kidney failure, and eye diseases.
Parvovirus is extremely contagious, especially in puppies, and can cause severe symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, and dehydration, and can be fatal in severe cases.
At Leadon Vale Veterinary Centre, we usually give the second pet vaccinations of both distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus vaccination with the second leptospirosis vaccination at 12 weeks.
Leadon Vale Provides the Following Dog Vaccines
- Parvovirus
- Leptospirosis
- Distemper
- Canine Infectious Hepatitis
- Rabies
- Leishmaniasis
- Herpes vaccination
- Kennel Cough
Book a Dog Vaccinations Hereford Appointment
What If My Dog Has Missed Their Vaccination?
If your dog has missed a vaccination, it's important to contact your vet as soon as possible. There is a limited window of time after which certain vaccinations may need to be restarted. Your vet can provide the best guidance on how to proceed for your dog's health.
Preparing Your Dog For Their Dog Vaccinations Hereford Appointment
During a vaccination appointment, your vet will perform a comprehensive health check of your dog, from nose to tail, to ensure they are in good condition. If no signs of illness or injury are detected, the vet will review your dog’s vaccination history and discuss their vaccination needs with you before administering the necessary vaccines.
The vaccines are typically combined into a single injection, which is given at the back of your dog's neck. The kennel cough vaccine is an exception, as it is administered through the nose as a spray.
If your dog cannot have the intranasal kennel cough vaccine, there is now an injectable alternative available. However, this injectable vaccine is not as effective as the intranasal option. For more information, please consult Ledbury Vets.
Pet Health For Life Plan
Check out our Pet Health for Life Plan to learn of the offers and packages that are covered. Benefit from discounts and regular health checks to ensure the best health for your pets. Cat vaccinations near me are covered in our plans too!
Book a Dog Vaccination Appointment Today
Do dogs need to be vaccinated?
Vaccinations are essential for providing your dog with adequate protection from life-threatening and debilitating diseases. There is the option of Titre testing, which involves blood samples to determine your dog's immunity. Unfortunately, this is not always 100% reliable, it is costly to perform and leptospirosis would still need to be vaccinated against. This is why we would recommend core vaccinations on the whole.
Can I avoid vaccinating my dog?
As veterinary professionals, we would always recommend vaccinations; it is not worth the risk when it comes to harmful diseases.
What dog vaccinations are legally required for dogs?
It is not a legal requirement to have a dog vaccinated, but it is highly advisable. All dogs who wish to use the services of kennels, dog trainers, and day-care centres must obtain vaccinations. Insurance can also be invalidated if dogs are not vaccinated.
What dog vaccinations are advised?
Annual boosters usually cover leptospirosis and kennel cough (can be given every six months). However, distemper, parvovirus and canine hepatitis are usually needed every three years. Therefore, a dog would need a vaccine every year to have maximum protection against diseases.
To help with the cost of yearly vaccinations our health plans are a popular choice to break costs down into monthly payments. Our plan also covers various preventative treatments including flea treatments, worming treatments and anal gland expressions.
How old does your dog have to be before they stop being vaccinated?
At Leadon Vale, we base our choice of dog vaccinations on the lifestyle of the dog rather than their age. Dogs require annual booster vaccines throughout their lives; this is to ensure maximum protection against life-threatening diseases.
Can I vaccinate my dog myself?
The simple answer is no!
Under UK law, only veterinary surgeons can prescribe medication to your pet; vaccinations fall into this category. Your vet is required to health assess your dog before prescribing and administering the vaccine. Like many drugs, vaccines can have mild side effects, which is why a health check prior is essential to ensure your pet will be fit and well after the vaccine is administered. Veterinary professionals are trained at administering these vaccines which is why we advise vaccines not to be administered by anyone else. Also, the vaccination bottles, needles and syringes must be correctly disposed of.
Do Dogs Need vaccinations every year?
Yes, your dog needs vaccinations every year to maintain their immunity and protect against serious diseases. Annual boosters help reinforce your dog’s immune system, keeping them safe from core diseases.
During your annual visit, we also perform a comprehensive health check to monitor your dog’s overall well-being and catch any potential issues early. Staying up to date with vaccinations is one of the simplest and most effective ways to ensure your dog leads a long, healthy life.
How long can you leave between dog vaccinations?
The recommended time between dog vaccinations varies depending on the type of vaccine. For puppy vaccinations, the first two doses are typically given between 6 to 8 weeks and 10 to 12 weeks of age, with a booster around 6 to 12 months later.
After that, annual boosters are generally recommended for core vaccines. In some cases, certain vaccines can be given every 3 years (e.g., some rabies vaccines), but your vet will help determine the best schedule based on your dog’s needs.
It’s important to stay on track with vaccinations to ensure your dog remains protected. Always consult your vet for the most appropriate timing for your pet’s vaccinations.
Can my puppy meet other dogs after first vaccination?
It’s recommended to wait until your puppy has received both vaccinations before introducing them to other dogs. The first vaccination, usually given at 6-8 weeks, offers some initial protection, but full immunity doesn’t develop right away. The second dose, typically administered at 10-12 weeks, boosts their immunity and shields them from contagious diseases.
We will provide personalised advice on when it’s safe for your puppy to start socialising, based on their health and vaccination schedule. In the meantime, you can safely begin socialising your puppy at home to help them adjust without exposing them to unnecessary risks.
