Vaccinations

What diseases do we vaccinate against?

Dogs

The core vaccines are distemper (the same as hard pad), canine viral hepatitis, canine parvo-virus and 2 strains of leptospirosis, a bacterial disease which also affects humans.  For most local vets this is the basic annual vaccination.

We also ask that dogs are protected against kennel cough by means of nasal drops which confer protection against Bordatella bronchiseptica and canine para-influenza virus (although due to the many potential causes of kennel cough it is not a guarantee against a dog still getting it or getting a milder case of kennel cough). 
​
PLEASE NOTE Kennel cough vaccination is not normally included in the core vaccinations given annually. You need to specifically ask your vet to include it.

Cats

We ask that all cats are vaccinated for Flu (Feline calici virus and feline herpes virus), Enteritis (Feline viral enteritis also known as Feline Panleukopenia virus (FPV) and Leukemia (Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)). For most vets this is the basic annual vaccine, but you may need to check with your vets that Leukemia is included.
​
It is also possible to vaccinate cats further against cat flu by means of intranasal drops to protect against Bordatella bronchiseptica infection and some cats are also vaccinated against Chlamydia, a small bacteria-like organism that can cause respiratory and reproductive problems. These vaccines are not requirements for you to board your cat with us. Discuss with your vet individual risks for you cat prior to boarding. 

Rabbits

We ask that rabbits are vaccinated against Myxomatosis, Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (R(V)HD) and the new form of (R(V)HD)2.

How long before boarding should my pet be vaccinated?

We recommend that a new course of vaccines is complete at least 14 days before the animal is boarded with us. If you are starting a new set of vaccines, this could mean starting the course of vaccines up to 5 weeks before your stay.
​
Where your animal is receiving regular annual vaccinations, there is no break in the protection and therefore in principal your animal can be boarded immediately after vaccination. In practice we would recommend that if your vaccine booster becomes due in the middle of an animals stay, then the vaccine is given when they return home (provided the gap does not cause the vaccines to expire and provided the vet for that animal does not advise differently).  

Why?

If the animal has never been vaccinated before, or the previous vaccination is out of date, the onset of immunity of the vaccine is important, as well as the incubation time of the disease. The incubation time of most infectious diseases is seven to ten days, which means that for the first seven to ten days after the animal is infected, no clinical signs are present. Because of this, it is difficult to be sure that an animal is not carrying disease. To avoid boarding animals that are at risk of carrying disease, establishments should allow time from vaccination to onset of immunity, plus the incubation time of the disease. It is therefore recommended to advise owners whose animals are not protected by earlier vaccinations to complete their vaccination program at least 14 days before boarding.

Starting Vaccinations:

Dogs

Puppy vaccination can start from 6 weeks of age with a second and final injection of the primary course being given from 10 weeks of age. Full immunity should be achieved within 14 days of the second injection.
Vaccinating the older dog will start with a primary injection can be given at any age. A second injection is given 2 to 4 weeks later.Immunity is achieved within 14 days of the second vaccination.

Cats

Cats and kitten vaccination can start from 9 weeks of age with a second vaccination three weeks later. 14 days is required for full protective immunity to develop.

Rabbits

This vaccine can be given to rabbits as young as 6 week old and produces immunity 14days after vaccination. Normally rabbits are revaccinated annually but if there is a high risk of infection then revaccination every 6 months is advisable. Vaccinations should not be given within 14 days of viral haemorrhagic disease vaccinations.