Pet Vaccinations

Just like humans, puppies and kittens build up their immune system through their mother's milk. The result of this is that each kitten or puppy can only receive protection from potential disease if their mother is able to pass that particularly antibody. Once young pets are weaned it is usual to begin a series of vaccinations that will provide your pet, whether it's a cat or dog, with invaluable protection from disease.

Puppies are normally vaccinated at about 8 weeks and then again at 12 weeks with vaccinations that protect them from a range of conditions that can affect dogs such as distemper, canine hepatitis and parainfluenza. Dog vaccinations usually need a priod of about two weeks to become effective so your puppy or dog should be stopped from socialising until this period is complete. Like any vaccination, they work by injecting the dog with a harmless form of the disease which prompts the dog's immune system to fight the disease and then become immune.

Kittens are normally vaccinated at nine and twelve weeks and, again, the vaccinations take between a week and two weeks to become effective. Cats are normally vaccinated against diseases that can afflict cats such as leukaemia, chlamydia, cat flu and a nasty virus called enteritis.

Vaccinated dogs and cats are given certificates that are essential should you wish to place your dog or cat in a kennel or cattery while you are away.

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