Vaccinations for pets are important to ensure they live a fulfilling life without preventable disease or illness. We can vaccinate dogs to protect against several diseases.

Parvovirus
Outbursts of this disease are seen intermittently in parts of Melbourne. This is a serious viral gastroenteritis which causes severe vomiting and debilitating bloody diarrhoea. Death may occur within 24 hours and treatment is often ineffective. Puppies are especially prone to this often fatal disease. The virus is highly contagious and can survive for over 12 months through infected diarrhoea in garden soil, contaminated cages or shoes with faecal material.

Canine kennel cough
A complex disease spread through casual contact with other dogs. While not usually fatal, the harsh, hacking cough can persist for weeks and can lead to further health problems especially in puppies and older dogs.

Distemper
This is a highly contagious disease which can cause conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, convulsions (seizures) and spinal cord damage. If dogs do survive the acute stages of infection they are often left with permanent brain damage. Distemper is occasionally seen in isolated pockets throughout Australia.

Hepatitis
This disease can cause sudden death in puppies. Adult dogs can experience weakness, fever, diarrhoea and loss of appetite. Once exposed, even recovered dogs become carriers, carrying the virus in their urine and other secretions.

When to vaccinate
Puppies
Puppies require frequent boosters given their developing immune system.

• 6-8 weeks: Initial vaccination. At this stage, your dog can play with other vaccinated dogs that you know, such as a friend’s dog. Puppy Preschool may be attended.
• 10-12 weeks: Second vaccination.
• 14-16 weeks: Booster adult vaccination. This vaccine lasts until the pup’s next vaccination at 16 months of age (see below). Ten days later you can take your pup out to the park to play with other dogs.

Adult dogs
Yearly adult vaccination boosters coinciding with an annual health check. We will send you yearly reminders to keep the booster shots up to date so that your dog will always be protected.