The Importance of Dog Vaccinations
Vaccinating your dog is one of the most crucial steps in safeguarding their long-term health. Vaccinations are the safest and most effective way to protect your dog from harmful, potentially life-threatening diseases. When administered regularly by a veterinarian, they provide lifelong protection, ensuring your pet stays healthy.
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Why Are Dog Vaccinations Necessary?
Vaccinations work by helping your dog’s immune system prepare to fight off diseases. By introducing a small, harmless dose of a disease, the vaccine stimulates the body to produce antibodies, equipping your dog to defend against real infections. Without vaccination, dogs are at risk of serious, and often fatal, illnesses. Additionally, vaccinating dogs contributes to public health by reducing the spread of infectious zoonotic diseases.
Protecting Your Pet With Dog Vaccinations
A full health check is booked for every dog that is having a vaccination to ensure that they are in good health before giving the injection.
The team here at Leadon Vale Veterinary Centre can provide the following dog vaccinations to prevent and protect your dog from potentially fatal diseases:
- Canine Parvovirus – a highly contagious virus that is spread through direct contact with an infected dog or by indirect contact with a contaminated object. A potentially fatal disease.
- Leptospirosis – a bacterial infection that spreads through the bloodstream from the urine of infected animals. Usually infected by drinking, swimming or walking through contaminated water.
- Canine Distemper – a viral disease that affects the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts and the spinal cord and brain. A severe, usually fatal disease.
- Canine Infectious Hepatitis – An infectious virus that attacks the liver and other major organs. Ranges from a slight temperature to fatality.
- Rabies – Very rare in the UK but a very serious infection of the brain and nerves. Sadly, there is no treatment for rabies so if caught, leads to fatality.
Non-Core Dog Vaccinations
- Leishmaniasis – A disease caused by a protozoan parasite found in dogs, transmitted via an insect (sandfly) not present in the UK. Risk is higher in dogs that travel abroad.
- Herpes vaccination – Canine herpesvirus (CHV) is a serious and often fatal virus disease in puppies and causes reproductive health problems in older dogs.
- Kennel Cough - An airway infection that causes a dry hacking cough in dogs. Similar to human colds, kennel cough can be caused by a number of different germs (viruses and bacteria). Not serious but causes a high temperature and a reduced appetite.
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Puppy Vaccinations
Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, and Parvovirus are all puppy vaccinations that can start from 6-8 weeks of age.
We usually give the second vaccination of both distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus vaccination with the second leptospirosis vaccination at 10- 12 weeks. However, you may wish to opt to give the second Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus vaccination at 10 weeks old to permit your puppy to socialise sooner. The final Leptospirosis vaccination is then given 4 weeks after the initial vaccination. The sooner your puppy is vaccinated, the sooner he/she will be able to begin socialisation with other dogs. Adult dogs are advised to have an annual booster.
Booster Dog Vaccinations
To keep your dog’s immunity strong, booster vaccinations are needed at 6 or 12 months. These booster shots enhance and extend your dog’s protection, ensuring they stay immune as they age. After the initial boosters, yearly vaccinations are recommended to maintain their immune defences. Staying current with dog booster vaccines not only protects your dog’s health but also helps reduce the spread of infectious diseases within the larger dog population.
What to Expect at a Dog Vaccination Appointment
When you bring your dog in for vaccinations, the appointment goes beyond just administering an injection—it’s a chance to receive personalised care and advice from a dedicated veterinary specialist. Here’s what you can expect during your visit:
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Health Check: Our friendly veterinary team will perform a thorough physical examination to ensure your dog is healthy and ready for vaccination. This health check helps detect any potential concerns early, giving you confidence that your pet is in expert hands.
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Vaccination Certificate: After the vaccination, you’ll receive a certificate detailing all the vaccines given. This document is important for travelling with your dog or providing proof of vaccination for boarding or daycare.
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Personalised Advice: Every dog is different, and we take the time to discuss your dog’s specific needs. Whether it’s recommending optional vaccines like Kennel Cough for social dogs or Rabies for those travelling abroad, we’ll guide you in making the best choices to protect your dog.
We’re committed to supporting your dog from puppyhood to adulthood, ensuring their health is protected every step of the way.
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Dog Vaccinations FAQs
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.
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