Vaccinations and Microchipping

Here at The Veterinary Hospital, we follow the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) pet vaccinations guidelines and in keeping in line with manufacturer instructions, we recommend the following program:

DOGS

• • Core Vaccines for Dogs are Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Adenovirus-2 (Hepatitis), Canine Parvovirus, Canine Parainfluenza, Leptospirosis (DHPPiL) and Rabies virus.
  • Non-Core Vaccine for Dogs is Kennel Cough Vaccine.

• 1. First core vaccine at 8 weeks old and not any earlier to avoid clashing with their maternal immunity from their mother.
  2. Second core vaccine (including Rabies) at 12 weeks old.
  3. 7-10 days after that, a puppy can be taken out on walks, play dates and mixing with fully vaccinated dogs but to avoid dog parks, day care/ kennels until an antibody titer test is done to determine immunity and protection levels. That way puppies get the socialisation aspect but not the exposure to viruses.
  4. Third core vaccine at 16 weeks old.
  5. At 18 weeks old (2 weeks after the last vaccine) VacciCheck (antibody titer test) must be performed. Titer testing is the new gold standard in veterinary medicine.
  6. From there on, an annual booster is required for all or some of the vaccines, in line with the local veterinary authorities’ regulations.

 CATS

Core Vaccines for Cats are Feline Panleukopenia Virus (Feline Enteritis), Feline Calici and Herpes Virus or Cat Flu (PCH) and Rabies virus. Non-Core Vaccine for Cats are Feline Leukaemia Virus and Ringworm which is particularly useful for long hair cats such as Persians and Turkish Angoras…etc.

• 1. First core vaccine at 8-9 weeks old and not any earlier to avoid clashing with their maternal immunity from their mother.
  2. Second core vaccine (including Rabies) 3-4 weeks later.
  3. Third core vaccine 3-4 weeks after that.
  4. Two weeks after the last vaccine, VacciCheck (antibody titer test) must be performed. Titer testing is the new gold standard in veterinary medicine.
  5. A kitten will not be fully protected until seven to ten days after completing the vaccination program.
  6. From there on, an annual booster is required for all or some of the vaccines, in line with the local veterinary authorities’ regulations.

Part of the vaccination visit is a thorough clinical examination by our veterinarians, to ensure that pets are in good condition prior to receiving their vaccines and to identify early problems (if present) that may be unfamiliar to the owner. If your pet is found to be sick, too young, generally underweight or underdeveloped, we will not administer the vaccine and will work with you to correct the presenting problem first.