Puppy vaccinations

Important shots your puppy needs to get

Regular vaccinations help prevent highly contagious serious diseases that can cause fatalities among puppies and adult dogs. It is crucial all dogs be vaccinated for when they are exposed to other animals, dogs or public areas. Most puppy training or boarding facilities will also not accept unvaccinated puppies for training. Puppies should be vaccinated per schedule for basic immunity with boosters at regular intervals thereafter as recommended by your vet. We can help you plan your vaccination regime at your annual health and wellness assessment. Common animal health issues can be easily prevented with regular vaccination.

As part of the vaccination visit a full health examination and assessment is performed, and we will discuss with you the best vaccination regime for your pet. Here are some of the core shots they should be receiving:

C3 Vaccination

Canine Parvovirus

Also known as “Parvo,” this deadly disease can cause severe damage to your puppy’s intestines, bone marrow, lymph nodes and in some cases, the heart. It is a highly contagious and often fatal disease, affecting dogs of all ages but pups 6 to 20 weeks old are most susceptible. Rottweilers and Dobermans are known to be more susceptible than most other breeds. It is recommended that your puppy be vaccinated for Parvo starting at 6 to 7 weeks of age and complete the 3 step vaccination by 16 to 17 weeks of age.

Distemper

This is another contagious and serious disease. Distemper can affect your puppy’s lymph nodes and tonsils for about a week and if untreated can attack the gastrointestinal, urogenital and nervous system. Puppies with weak immune systems could pass away after two to five weeks of infection, even with treatment. It is also recommended that your puppy be vaccinated against distemper starting at 6 to 7 weeks of age as part of the 3 vaccination regime for initial protection.

Cats can also become infected with distemper (i.e., feline distemper or panleukopenia), and much like dog vaccinations, this viral disease vaccination is also included in the core cat vaccinations. Other core feline vaccinations are: rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus.

Infectious Canine Hepatitis (ICH)

This is a highly contagious, infectious disease caused by the canine adenovirus. Puppies that are infected can show symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and jaundice, which, if untreated, can be fatal. Older dogs may have a milder form of the disease but can develop complications related to the eyes (blue eye) a couple of weeks after the infection. It is recommended that your puppy is vaccinated for ICH from 6 to 7 weeks of age and complete the 3 step vaccination program.

Kennel Cough

Infectious canine tracheobronchitis, commonly known as “kennel cough”, while not as serious or life threatening as the other three diseases does cause a nasty cough which is highly contagious due to it being airborne. This disease can be caused by canine parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Whilst dogs most at risk are those coming into contact with other dogs (e.g. dogs going to shows or dogs being boarded) it is important to note that any social pooch may be exposed. Most kennels now require a kennel cough vaccine before your dog can be boarded.

Our recommended vaccination protocol for puppies is:

  • 1st vaccination at 6-8 weeks- parvovirus/distemper/hepatitis
  • 2nd vaccination at 10-12 weeks- parvovirus/distemper/hepatitis/parainfluenza/B.Bronchiseptica
  • 3rd vaccination at 14-16 weeks- parvovirus/distemper/hepatitis

It is important to note that your puppy will not be fully protected against these diseases until 2 weeks after the final vaccination. Ensure you discuss the annual booster vaccinations required for your puppy after completion of the initial round of vaccines.

Puppy Worming

Intestinal worms can make your puppy very sick, but can also be easily prevented and controlled. Dogs are known to contract infestations of roundworm, whipworm, hookworm and tapeworm. These can all lead to illness and unhappiness for your pet. These parasites can be controlled with regular treatment using recommended deworming medications.

It’s worth knowing that:

  • Pups can be infected with round and hook worm larva whilst in the mother’s womb or via the milk.
  • Hookworms can kill young pups by blood loss.
  • Roundworms can cause vomiting, coughing, blockages in the intestines and a potbelly.
  • Whipworms can cause severe abdominal pain, fever and diarrhoea.
  • Flea tapeworms are carried by fleas and cause an itchy bottom, while in the country areas of Australia Hydatid tapeworm is a threat to human health.

  • Puppies should also receive regular preventative medication against the very serious and potentially fatal heartworm which can be contracted from mosquitoes and other pets.

In you and your children

  • Hookworm larvae can cause skin irritation.

  • Roundworm larva can (rarely) infect children and migrate to the eye, brain or other organs.
  • HYDATID (not flea) tapeworms are a great danger to humans causing cysts throughout the body.

THE BEST WORMING SCHEDULE IS:

Age Worming frequency
2-12 weeks every 2 weeks
3-6 months every month
After 6 months every 3 months

Boarding Kennels

Runs are equipped with trampoline beds, blankets and are tended to twice a day, 7 days a week. We feed Royal Canin premium food.