At Lydon Veterinary Centre , we care about your pet and are aware that vaccines are essential .

Puppies are vaccinated from 6 weeks of age , a course of 2 injections 2 weeks apart , with the puppy a minimum of 10 weeks of age when it has its second vaccination.

Dogs have yearly boosters ,to protect against those diseases that require yearly Boosters.

Vaccination:Dogs

Vaccinations are injections that are used to prevent certain infections in dogs. In general they protect against those diseases that cannot be cured easily or are particularly dangerous. Most commonly they act against viruses because we have no reliable drugs against them.

Note: We now use the latest vaccines which mean that mean a full booster is only needed every THREE YEARS with quick top-ups for just viral kennel cough and leptospirosis done at the annual health-check.

DISEASES PROTECTED BY VACCINATION

Distemper

This is also known as hardpad. It is not common in this area but if you take your dogs to other parts of the country ( South West and Scotland in particular) they are likely to be in contact with the virus. Also if dogs from these areas come here they can infect unvaccinated pets.

Distemper usually causes a severe pneumonia and diarrhoea, and the dog has a copious nasal discharge. These signs can subside, but about one month later nervous signs develop from which there is no recovery.

Parvo Virus

The virus causes a very unpleasant dysentery which requires hospitalisation and intensive care, and may ultimately be fatal. It is particularly distressing to the dog.

Weil’s Disease (leptosirosis)

This is not a virus, but a small spiral shaped organism that is passed on in contaminated water where rats have been. It is most prevalent in SE England and can be a risk to dogs who swim locally. It can also be passed on to humans. It causes a severe jaundice and kidney failure in most cases

Kennel Cough

The condition describes an irritating dry cough which is most noticeable when the dog is excited or exercised. It is not fatal but highly contagious and is not just confined to kennels as the name suggests. There are several causes, both bacterial and viral, and routine vaccination protects against the latter. A bacterial vaccine is available and some kennels insist on it being given before a dog is allowed in. If this is the case it should be done at least five days beforehand. We do recommend the vaccine if your dog goes to Doggy Day Care, Kennels , Dog Training and at Risk areas

Hepatitis

A viral condition as in humans, but a different type so there is no risk of cross-infection.

Immunity from the vaccine, like many human vaccines, does not last forever. Hence your dog will need to have a ‘booster’ to stay protected. This is particularly important if you are going on holiday to other areas of the UK where the diseases may be common.

Puppies only have temporary protection from their mothers which wanes after about 8-10 weeks. They need two doses: the first ‘primes’ the immune system; the second produces the immunity. It is unwise to allow puppies out on to the street or mix with un-vaccinated dogs until their course is complete.