Vaccination
All our primary and booster vaccinations are given by appointment with a veterinary surgeon. The fee includes a clinical examination by the vet to check that your pet has no intercurrent problems and a chance for you to discuss any issues about your pet that you may have. We think that it is appropriate for both puppy/kitten vaccines to be administered by a veterinary surgeon as it is likely that you will have lots of questions to ask & we will have lots to talk about.
We feel that our puppy and kitten primary vaccination course prices are very competative. We generally do not offer 'bundles' as these can be proscriptive and act against providing appropriate individualised treatment for your pet.
From time of second vaccination upto 6 months we are offering complementary nurse consultations to ensure that you are managing with all the responsibilities of pet ownership.
Vaccines are boosted in accordance with the data sheet recommendations gnerally on an annual basis & we try to send reminders - if you move then let us know.
DOGS
Dogs are vaccinated routinely against Distemper, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis (2 types), Adenovirus (hepatitis) and Parainfluenza. With the exception of parainfluenza (which is one of many viruses
that can cause coughing) these diseases are potentially fatal and can be difficult or impossible to treat. We can start puppy vaccines from 7-8 weeks.
There is a course of 2 vaccines and the second vaccine must be when the puppy is at least 10 weeks old. This is because earlier vaccine is less effective due to the presence of antibodies in the
puppy it has acquired from its mother in the milk. The vaccine takes 5-7 days to be fully effective so your puppy should not be walked until around a week after the second vaccine. It is however very
important to socialize your puppy when young. Visitors to your house, especially children are encouraged so your puppy does not grow up wary of new or strange things. Annual vaccines are needed to
maintain immunity.
There have been some cases of parvovirus in Harrogate this summer, all in puppies including a couple of vaccinated dogs. Because of this we are offering an extra parvo vaccine at 16 weeks of age . If maternal immunity has reduced the efficacy of the 10 week vaccine we are hoping that this will protect any vulnerable puppies.
Adult vaccinated dogs should not be at risk of Parvovirus infection.
Other vaccines used in dogs are Kennel Cough (caused by Bordatella, a bacterium related to whooping cough). This vaccine is administered up the nose as a single dose and the immunity is rapid in onset and lasts for 12 months. It can be given at the same time as routine vaccines. For dogs that don't appreciate an intranasal vaccine (which does have the benefit of working quicker) then there is now an injectable kennel cough vaccine suitible for use as a booster.
Rabies vaccination is available for pets travelling abroad.
It is compulsory for pets travelling abroad or being exported.
A vaccine for Leishmaniaisis is now available. This disease occurs in southern Europe, is serious and difficult to treat. Vaccination is advisable for the travelling pet. Please check its availability if you need it as we don't routinely stock it.
CATS
We vaccinate cats against Feline Infectious enteritis (a virus similar to parvovirus in dogs), Herpes virus and Calicivirus (both causes of cat flu) and Feline Leukaemia (causes immunosupression, anaemia and some cancers). The primary course is given as 2 vaccines 3-4 weeks apart and the second vaccine must be given at least 12 weeks of age. Annual boosters are given.
We also vaccinate travelling cats against rabies.
RABBITS
We vaccinate rabbits against Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic disease. Both these dieases are fatal and well worth preventing.
Myxomatosis is spread by biting insects which means that pet rabbits could be exposed without direct contact with wild rabbits
.
The rabbit vaccination situation has become more complex with the evolution of a second strain of VHD, now present in the UK. We have seen fatal cases of this.
There is now a combined rabbit vaccine available which will do Myxomatosis and both strains of VHD as a single injection
FERRETS
Ferrets can be vaccinated against distemper using our standard dog vaccine. This lasts for a year
If you have any questions about how vaccines work and their value in maintaining animal health then this webpage produced by the British Veterinary Association may help