Pet vaccinations are an important part of protecting your pets from harmful forms of bacteria and infections. Vaccinations stimulates the animal’s immune system to respond and generate a memory of this response. This memory protects your pet as it enables the animal to be better prepared in killing the infectious agent if/when it is exposed in the future.
Dog Vaccinations
Most dog vaccinations are started 6-8 weeks old. Following this a second vaccine is needed after 10 weeks of age. This second vaccine is very important to overcome the natural antibodies given by the mum and is the main provider of long-term immunity.
A yearly booster is recommended to keep immunity up to date. There are various other dog vaccinations available which include:
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Cat Vaccinations
A first cat vaccinations are given at 9 weeks of age and a second at 12 weeks. A booster is recommended yearly. We walk you through the range of cat vaccinations they may require, which include prevention against:
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Rabbit Vaccinations
Rabbits can be vaccinated from 5 weeks of age against VHD and myxomatosis. We now also offer the VHD-2 which vaccinates against the most recent strain.
For more information about our pet vaccinations or to book an appointment, please contact us today.
Vaccinations FAQ
Why does my pet need to have vaccinations every 12 months?
Depending on the disease that your pet is being vaccinated against, the period of time that they are protected will differ. Certain diseases, such as leptospirosis in dogs and flu in cats only carry around 12 months protection, which is why a yearly booster is recommended. Even though you pet might be being vaccinated every 12 months, it is not always against the same diseases – your vaccination card will show you which diseases they are getting boosters for each visit. Visiting us every 12 months for vaccinations also means your pet gets a full annual health check, which is equally important!
Does my pet need to be vaccinated if they live inside?
Although your pet may not go outside, it is still possible for diseases to be brought into the house. This could be via soil on a dirty boot or via other wildlife that could enter the home. Therefore, having full vaccination can provide the protection needed for all circumstances, meaning you don’t have to take the risk.
I have heard that vaccines are risky and to avoid them – is that true?
Any veterinary procedure that is performed can carry some sort of risk, however in the case of vaccinations, it is important to remember that for the majority of pets the benefits of being vaccinated greatly outweighs the risks. Vaccination reactions are rare and where they do occur, they are mostly short-term and mild. Reactions of this nature show that the vaccine is effectively stimulating the immune system.
The team at Gower Vets are always happy to talk to you about the benefits and risks associated with vaccinating your pet to help identify the most suitable strategy as part of their wider preventative healthcare programme.
Are there any schemes/offers to help with covering the cost of my pets’ vaccinations?
At Gower Veterinary Surgery, our Pet Care Plan, is a convenient and affordable way to protect against preventable diseases and discomfort by ensuring your pet’s essential routine treatments and vaccinations are all up to date from as little as £5.25 per month, with plans for dogs, cats and rabbits.
