There have been a great many changes to vaccinations in cats and dogs in the last few years and, for many people, things they thought they knew about vaccinating their pets will have changed.

There have been changes in which vaccines we should use and how often we should use them.

The changes are a result of developments in vaccine manufacture allowing longer vaccination intervals, the recognition that some diseases are more common and other diseases are less common than we once thought, and the recognition of a very low level of possible vaccination complications and reactions.

Choosing which vaccine is best for your working dog or pet depends on individual circumstances and requires discussion, but here are some guidelines to get you started.

1. Is your pet a cat? YES go to 2, NO go to 7.
2. All cats should be vaccinated every year against Feline Calicivirus, Feline Herpesvirus, Feline Panleucopaenia and Feline Chlamydia. We can all contribute to the “disappearance” of these diseases in our community by vaccinating as many animals as we can. Has your cat been vaccinated before? If NO go to 3, if YES go to 4.
3. Any previously unvaccinated cat or kitten needs two vaccinations a month apart to begin a lifetime of protection. Go to question 4.
4. Does your cat go outside? If YES go to 5, if NO go to 6.
5. Outside cats should be protected against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (cat AIDS). This disease is now recognised as being very common in eastern Australia and it is probably responsible for most cases of lymphatic cancer (one of the most common sorts of cancer in cats). Because the vaccine interferes with later detection of the disease, it is recommended that cats be tested for presence of the virus before vaccination. Testing is probably less important in kittens because they are less likely to have come across the virus, but it can still be done if requested. Go to question 6.
6. Has your cat previously had a Feline Leukaemia Virus vaccination? It is now thought that the incidence of this virus is very low in eastern Australia, and that the incidence of disease caused by this virus is even lower. It has also been found that adult cats are naturally resistant to infection with the virus. There are also concerns in the USA that this virus may be causing disease, although there is no evidence of this in Australia. For these reasons, I no longer recommend vaccinating any adult cats against leukaemia virus. Kittens may have a primary vaccination course against the virus, if requested, and this is probably most useful in outside kittens and those in multi-cat households.
7. Is your animal a dog? If YES, go to 8, if NO, you should be back at 1!
8. For all dogs, regular vaccination against Canine Parvovirus and Canine Distemper is essential. These diseases are still seen every year. The more dogs that are vaccinated in our community, the less likely it is that there will be a disease outbreak. Canine Adenovirus (which causes hepatitis) is included in the vaccine. Is your dog younger than 12 weeks old? If YES, go to 9, if NO go to 10.
9. Pups need vaccinations at 6 to 8 weeks old, and again at 12 weeks old. The timing of the final puppy vaccine is important. In some circumstances, another vaccination at 16 weeks old is a good idea. Discuss this with the vet. Go to 10.
10. Does your dog attend obedience school, dog trials, dog shows or boarding kennels? Would you like maximum disease prevention? If YES (to either question), a vaccination against Canine Cough is recommended, because this highly contagious disease, while not fatal, is distressing for the dog and the owner. This vaccination must be given annually. Go to 11 now. If NO, go direct to 11.
11. Would less frequent visits to the veterinary clinic suit you better? If YES, a three year vaccine may be suitable. Parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis vaccines are now available that provide three years of protection. Dogs needing canine cough vaccination still need an annual booster. I also recommend an annual visit for any dog over eight years old. Also, for people on a budget, the three year vaccine costs about three times as much as an annual vaccine, and so a yearly visit may still be best. Go to 12.
12. Leptovirus and coronavirus vaccines are also available. It appears that the incidence of these diseases is low in this region at the moment, and so these vaccines are not recommended by me at this time.

Like all medical procedures, choosing a suitable vaccination program is a complex balance of what will best protect your animal against disease and what best suits the lifestyle of you and your pet or working dog.
It is certainly true that the more animals we vaccinate, the better off we will all be in reducing disease in our community.
It is just as important though, to not over-vaccinate. Investigations are continuing into two dog diseases and one cat disease that may be linked to vaccinations. Not every animal needs vaccinating every year, and not every animal needs every vaccine.
Talk to us and we can help you work out what is most suitable for you.

Vaccinations for Dogs

Canine Parvovirus is serious in young pups and older dogs. It attacks the intestines causing blood stained diarrhoea, vomiting and severe abdominal pain. It is lethal, but rare, due to the high level of vaccinations.
The virus is so persistent that the infected dogs environment needs to be cleaned with a potent disinfectant to prevent spread to other dogs. Outbreaks occur mainly in Summer.

Canine Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease. Symptoms include fever, coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, vomiting, loss of appetite and depression. Treatment is often ineffective and the recovery rate is very low.

Canine Hepatitis is a viral disease also. Symptoms include high fever, depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea and acute abdominal pain. It can cause death in severe cases, within 24-36 hours. Dogs that recover may develop liver and kidney problems and can act as carriers spreading the disease to other dogs for many months.

Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper & Canine Hepatitis are all part of the C3 Vaccine given to dogs annually.
C3 is also available as a three year vaccine.

Kennel Cough is produced by several highly infectious diseases, which can be easily spread in such places as obedience school, shows, and boarding kennels. Symptoms include a dry hacking cough which can persist for several weeks. Pnuemonia can also be a consequence of infection.

Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Canine Hepatitis and canine Kennel Cough are all part of the C6 Vaccine given to dogs annually.

Puppies should be vaccinated at 6 weeks and 12 weeks, then annually.

6 weeks – C3 12 weeks – C6

Puppies are protected against many diseases by antibodies received through their mothers’ milk. A puppy will only respond to vaccination when these maternal antibodies decline sufficiently.

Heartworm has not been diagnosed is this area of Victoria. If a dog has not been given Heartguard before, it should be blood tested first.

Vaccinations for Cats

Feline Panleucopenia is a viral disease. It is very contagious and the death rate is high. Pregnant cats may lose their young or give birth to kittens with abnormalities, quite often with brain damage.
Symptoms are depression, loss of appetite, uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhoea, often with blood and severe abdominal pain. Contaminated areas need to be cleaned with special disinfectant.

Feline Calicivirus & Feline Herpes virus are also known as Cat Flu.
They affect the respiratory system in cats of all ages. Cat flu is highly contagious and causes sneezing, coughing, running eyes, nasal discharge, loss of appetite and tongue ulcers.
Recovered cats can continue to carry the infection and spread it to other cats for long periods.

Feline Chlamydia causes a severe persistent conjunctivitis in up to 30% of cats. Kittens are more likely to be affected by Chlamydia following exposure to Cat Flu.

Feline Panleucopenia, Feline Calicivirus & Herpes virus and Feline Chlamydia are all part of the F4 Vaccine for cats.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Disease – (Feline AIDS) affects the cats’ immune system. Their natural defence against attack by other disease may be seriously affected, much the same way as human HIV. It is not transmittable to humans.
FIV is almost always transmitted by bites from infected cats. The virus that causes the disease is present in saliva.
Initial symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, lethargy and swollen lymph nodes.
As this disease progresses, weight loss, sores in and around the mouth, eye lesions, poor coat and chronic infections become evident. Eventually the immune system becomes too weak to fight off infections and the cat will die from one of these.

Feline Leukaemia (FeLV) is a serious disease in cats. It attacks the immune system and may be associated with lack of appetite, weight loss and apathy, pale or yellow mucous membranes, vomiting, diarrhoea, reproductive problems, increased susceptibility to other infections, leukaemia and tumours.
Only 2% of the cat population has the disease and the Vaccine is now being slowly phased out by some Vets, The Vaccine itself can cause a tumour at the injection site.

Kittens are vaccinated at 8 weeks and again at 12 weeks – F4, then annually.
Adult cats must be blood tested for Feline AIDS before commencing a series of 3 vaccines – 2 weeks apart, then annually.
Leukaemia vaccine is 2 vaccines 2-3 weeks apart, then annually.