Vaccinations
Keeping your pet protected from preventable diseases is essential for their health and wellbeing. Vaccinations are a safe and effective way to reduce the risk of serious illness, support long-term wellness, and ensure your pet can safely enjoy social interactions, public spaces, and boarding facilities.
Vaccinations are one of the most common and important procedures performed in small animal veterinary practice. Protecting your pet against preventable diseases is a key part of responsible pet ownership and helps reduce the risk of serious, potentially life-threatening illness.
Vaccines are especially important for pets that visit boarding facilities, attend grooming salons, or spend time in public areas where they may come into contact with other animals. Many infectious diseases can spread not only through direct animal-to-animal contact, but also indirectly through everyday vectors such as clothing, shoes, insects, or contaminated objects in the environment.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) provides internationally recognised guidelines for vaccination protocols. These vaccines are generally divided into two categories: core vaccines, which are recommended for all pets, and non-core vaccines, which may be advised depending on your pet’s lifestyle and risk factors.
Vaccine Types
Core Vaccines
Core vaccines should be administered to all animals to protect them against severe, life-threatening disease that have a global distribution. These include:
Dogs
- Canine distemper virus
- Canine adenovirus (hepatitis)
- Canine parvovirus
Cats
- Feline parvovirus (panleukopaenia)
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline herpesvirus (viral rhinotracheitis)
Non-Core Vaccines
Non-core vaccines are required by animals whose geographic location, local environment or lifestyle places them at risk of contracting specific infections. These include:
Dogs
- Parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica (Canine Kennel Cough)
- Leptospira interrogans (leptospirosis)
Cats
- Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV)
- Chlamydia felis
- Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
All puppies and kittens should be vaccinated with an initial course against all core diseases listed above. These are routinely given in 3 separate boosters at 6-8 weeks, 10-12 weeks and 16 weeks.
Immunity Testing for Dogs and Cats
Every pet is an individual, which is why we offer titre testing as an option to assess immunity levels before vaccination. Titre testing measures your pet’s existing antibody protection against certain diseases and can help guide a more tailored vaccination plan.
This service is available for dogs and cats only, with results typically taking up to 21 days to return.
While titre testing can be expensive, it may provide peace of mind for pet owners who have concerns about over-vaccination or who wish to explore alternatives to routine boosters. Although there is currently no strong peer-reviewed clinical evidence demonstrating significant risks associated with over-vaccination in pets, we respect that every owner’s preferences are different. Our priority is always to provide the safest, most appropriate care for your companion.
What Diseases Does Titre Testing Cover?
In dogs, titre testing checks immunity to:
Parvovirus
Distemper
In cats, titre testing checks immunity to:
Herpesvirus
Parvovirus
Calicivirus
If you would like more information about titre testing or vaccinations for your pet, please contact our veterinary team.
Common Vaccination Reactions
While vaccination reactions are uncommon, they can still happen.
Thankfully, most pets are back to their normal selves within a day or two of vaccination. If you notice any of the signs below or have any concerns, please contact us.
Feeling “Off”
The most common vaccine reactions in pets are lethargy and soreness, which may or may not be combined with a mild fever. This occurs because the pet’s immune system reacts both locally and systemically to vaccine administration. Creating an immune response is the whole point of vaccination; should they come into contact with the pathogen in the future, their immune system can respond quickly and provide protection for your pet.
Lumps and Bumps
When a vaccine is injected under the skin, a small swelling may develop at the site because of local irritation. This bump can sometimes be tender to the touch but should not grow (after the first few days), ooze, or become more painful. If it does, please contact us.
Sneezing and Sniffling
Most vaccines are given by injection, except for the canine cough vaccine which is given to puppies via droplets in the nose. This intranasal vaccine will also be given to adult dogs whose vaccinations are overdue and more potent immunity is required in one dose. As it is given in the nose, your dog may sneeze, cough, or develop stuffy/runny noses for a few days after administration.
These types of vaccine reactions in dogs should resolve on their own within a day or two. If you have any concerns, please contact us.
Less Common Vaccine Reactions
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction which will occur soon after vaccination; usually within minutes to hours at the most. Pet’s undergoing anaphylaxis will typically develops hives, itchiness, facial swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or difficulty breathing. If you notice these symptoms in your pet within a few hours of vaccination, contact the clinic immediately.
Infection or Abscess
Any type of injection can lead to an infection or formation of the abscess at the site of administration. Symptoms to watch for include discolouration of the skin (often red), discomfort, swelling, and in some cases, a purulent discharge. Should you notice these types of symptoms, please contact the clinic.