Vaccination at the Leek Vets
What is it?
Vaccination is an injection or a course of injections that protect your pet against diseases, some of which can be fatal.
What does it involve?
First the vet will perform a thorough examination of your pet to make sure they are in good condition.
The vet will then inject the vaccine, which contains dead or weakened viruses or bacteria. This will trigger an immune response that will prevent infection with the "real" disease.
Is it safe?
Vaccination is considered to be very safe, with adverse reactions being extremely uncommon.
Why have it at the Leek Vets?
- Our vaccines offer the most up to date protection.
- Our fees are most competitive.
- Apart from vaccinations, we offer a comprehensive service including x-ray, ultrasound, surgery and blood tests.
- We will always get back to you to answer your questions.
- With us your pet comes first.
What brand of vaccinations do Leek Vets use?
Here at Leek Vets we use a brand of vaccines called Nobivac.
We have been using them for many years with great success. We believe these vaccines can give your pets the best protection and are what we use for our own pets.
If you'd like to know more please go to Nobivac's Pet Owner website: https://uk.mypet.com/
For rabbits we also use a vaccination called Yurvac made by Hipra.
Dog Vaccinations
How many injections will my Puppy need?
Previously for puppies it used to be just two, one at 8 weeks old and one at 10 weeks old. This has now changed to three or four injections at; 8 weeks, 10 week and 12 weeks old and in some cases another at 16 weeks old.
Why the increase?
We want to offer your dog the best protection available.
Leptospirosis (or Weil's disease) is a disease that can be life threatening for both dogs and humans. We have always vaccinated against two strains of the disease (L2), but two new varieties have emerged, which have been incorporated into the updated vaccine (L4), which we have used for over 10 years now.
With the previous version (L2) two injections two weeks apart were required, but with the new vaccine (L4) there has to be an interval of four weeks, hence one at 8 weeks old and one at 12 weeks.
Why 10 weeks as well?
Leptospirosis is not the only life threatening disease we vaccinate against. Alongside this we also vaccinate against Distemper, Liver infection and Parvovirus (DHP) at the 8 weeks visit.
These three diseases need a top up at 10 weeks old.
Could we not skip one for convenience?
It is possible to delay the top up injection of DHP and have it at 12 weeks old with the L4, therefore skipping the 10 week's appointment.
However, this means that the time when you can take your puppy out for walks will also be delayed by two weeks. There is no extra charge for this additional appointment and it gives you another opportunity to ask any questions face to face with our team.
We know you want to take your puppy out for walks as soon as possible and we also know that early socialisation is extremely important for the development of your puppy.
What is the vaccine at 16 weeks old?
The injection at 16 weeks old is a 3rd Parvovirus injection. It has to be given to puppies between 15-16 weeks of age to be effective.
Parvovirus is a very nasty disease that can be fatal. The first two vaccinations can be prevented from giving optimal protection by antibodies passed on by the mother.
Since we started giving this injection about 15 years ago, we have not had a single puppy die from parvovirus.
Are there any other recommended vaccinations?
Kennel Cough
It does not kill, but it causes infections in the nose and throat/windpipe which can be very distressing for dogs and owners alike. It is highly contagious and can be picked up anywhere other dogs go, like the park etc.
It is often a requirement for dogs going into boarding kennels - please check with your provider in plenty of time as it usually needs to be given at least 2 weeks before they enter the kennels.
We only recommend vaccination for at risk animals and the vet will discuss this with you.
Is there anything else they need?
After their initial course of vaccinations yearly top up boosters will be required.
I have heard that it is not necessary. Are you not "over-vaccinating" my dog?
It is true that some vaccinations, like Parvovirus for example, offer protection for more than one year. In fact we only give it every three years.
Other vaccinations, like Leptospirosis in particular, only provide protection for around a year and regular yearly booster vaccinations are essential to provide dogs from contracting this potentially fatal disease.
Included in this yearly vaccination appointment is also a full examination with the vet, during which you, the owner, can discuss any worries you might have.
Cat Vaccinations
What injections does my cat need?
To offer your cat the best protection they need two vaccinations three to four weeks apart and then yearly boosters.
What are the first vaccinations they have?
When a cat starts a new vaccine course they are given FeLV and Tricat Trio vaccines. These are two different vaccinations given 3-4 weeks apart.
A kitten can start the course at 9 weeks of age.
What yearly boosters does my cat need?
Cats are given different vaccinations each year. This is to make sure that the different infections and viruses are all efficiently covered.
What are cats protected against?
Cats are vaccinated against Feline Leukaemia-virus (FeLV), Feline Calicivirus (FCV), Feline Herpes virus type 1 (FHV) and Feline Panleucopenia virus (FPLV) .
These all sound and look very confusing. Lets explain them;
FeLV - Feline Leukaemia-virus is an incurable viral infection that eventually causes fatal illness in cats.
FCV - Feline Calicivirus is a highly contagious virus that causes respiratory distress and oral disease.
FHV - Feline Herpes Virus, causes Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis. This is the most common cause of upper respiratory disease and conjunctivitis in cats.
FPLV - Feline Panleucopenia virus is a nasty virus that attacks the guts, immune system and sometimes the heart. Sadly this disease also can be fatal.
Rabbit Vaccinations
What are rabbits protected against?
Rabbits are protected against myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD)
How many vaccinations does my rabbit need?
Rabbits need two vaccinations per year to be immunised against these diseases.
They need a vaccination called Myxo-RHD Plus which covers myxomatosis and RHD 1 & 2.
They also need a vaccination called Yurvac with covers another highly virulent strain of RHD 2.
Both diseases are usually fatal. The can be transmitted by contact with ill rabbits, but also by insects like flies and mosquitos for example, which can fly long distances and cause a danger even to rabbits kept indoors
How do my rabbits have these vaccinations?
The receptionist will book your rabbit in for an appointment with one of our Veterinary Surgeons.
The Vet will give your rabbit a full health check and talk to you about the history and current health of the rabbit.
They will then give the rabbit the Myxo-RHD Plus vaccination through an injection.
What about the new RHD strain?
This strain is covered by a second vaccination and needs to be given at least 2 weeks after the first one.
Rabies Vaccination
For Cats and Dogs
This vaccination starts to work 2-3 weeks after injection and it lasts 3 years.
For the use in travel rabies vaccination needs to be given 21 days before effect required.