Vaccinating my dog

Vaccinating your dog provides protection against a range of potentially lethal diseases that may infect dogs. It also allows the veterinary surgeon to examine your dog to assess his or her health and to advise you on maintaining a healthy pet.

There are several potentially fatal diseases of dogs which can easily be protected against by means of vaccination. Our Practice for several years has used vaccines which have always been at the forefront of vaccine technology, providing a very high level of protection with minimal side effects. This type of multiple vaccines protects against:

• Canine Distemper virus – affects the nervous system, skin, intestines and lungs.
• Canine adenovirus – causes hepatitis and also involved in Kennel Cough.
• Canine parvovirus – causes acute haemorrhagic gastroenteritis.
• Parainfluenza virus – one of the several causes of Kennel Cough.
• Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae – causes liver and kidney failure.
• Leptospira canicola – causes a severe kidney infection.

Vaccination by responsible pet owners keeps disease levels down in Guernsey. Due to the low levels of natural infection (and hence natural immunity), unvaccinated dogs are particularly at risk from all these infections.

Vaccination for puppies

Puppy vaccination is best started at 8 or 9 weeks of age.
A second and final injection of the primary course being given at 12 weeks of age.
Full immunity should be achieved within seven days of the second injection. Vaccination provides earlier immune status and hence allows your puppy to socialise earlier. An annual booster is recommended.

Vaccinating the older dog

• A primary injection can be given at any age.
• A second injection is given 2 to 4 weeks later.
• An annual booster is recommended.
• Immunity is achieved within seven days of the second vaccination.

Kennel cough

Kennel Cough is a highly contagious syndrome which infects the respiratory system from the larynx to the bronchi and the lungs. There are several organisms that cause the disease some of which are incorporated in the routine vaccines that we use. However, a common cause is the bacterium Bordatella Bronchiseptica. The disease can be largely be prevented by using a nasal vaccine that produces protection in 3 days and lasts for 12 months We expect to witness outbreaks of this disease occasionally in Guernsey and recommend the use of Kennel Cough vaccine under the following situations:

• ‘Outbreak vaccination’ – in the face of the disease on Guernsey.
• ‘Target vaccination’ – before kenneling, owners of dogs who show or routinely socialise their dogs and in dogs who travel to the mainland.
• ‘Routine vaccination’ – the ideal situation for prevention, given annually.

Kennel Cough is a highly contagious disease and can be passed in the air by aerosol from an infected dog. If your dog develops a harsh hacking cough, please do not immediately bring it into the surgery waiting room, but first, inform the receptionist on arrival at our Practice.

Rabies vaccination

At present only dogs on the Pet Passport Scheme (PETS) or those being exported outside the United Kingdom require a Rabies vaccination.

General points

• It is never too late to provide vaccination protection for your dog.
• Kennels should and do ask to see proof of vaccination in the form of a ‘certificate of vaccination’ which we provide before accepting a dog for boarding.

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