Cat, Dog And Pet Vaccinations

Vaccinations and regular health checks are vital for your pet’s health care. Available in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

As one of Newcastle’s most respected vets, our practice has provide thousands of cat, dog, rabbit and ferret vaccinations.

Vaccinations and regular health checks are vital for checking your pet’s health. It can sometimes be difficult to detect significant disease in pets. We generally recommend an annual health check which can often be combined with vaccinations or other routine procedures to ensure your pet stays healthy.

Vaccinations provide immunity against viruses that are difficult to treat and can be severely debilitating or even fatal to an animal.

Dog Vaccination

In dogs we vaccinate against:

• Canine Parvovirus
• Canine Distemper
• Canine Infectious Hepatitis
• Kennel Cough (Bordetella Bronchoseptica and Parainfluenza Virus)

Vaccinations are also available against Coronavirus and Leptosporosis although they are not routinely used in our clinic due to low prevalence in the Newcastle region to the selected strains of these organisms. They can be administered if requested in advance.

Adverse reactions to vaccines can occur. Most are generally mild with a 24-48 hour period of lethargy, fever and inappetence. These should not be a cause for concern but we ask that you inform us before any further vaccinations. Allergic reactions occur rarely. It is important to realise that the protection provided by the vaccination far exceeds the potential risk of side effects.

Read more information on the viral diseases we vaccinate dogs against.

Cat Vaccination

In cats we vaccinate against;

• Feline Panleukopaenia
• Feline Calcivirus
• Feline Herpesvirus

Calicivirus and Herpesvirus are commonly known as ‘cat flu’. Vaccinations are also available against Feline Leukaemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. These vaccinations are not routinely used in our clinic due to a lack of clinical disease in our area (Feline Leukaemia Virus) or due to a lack of efficacy (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus). They can be provided if requested.

Read more information on viral diseases we vaccinate cats against.

Rabbit Vaccination

In rabbits we vaccinate against Calicivirus (RCD).

All pet rabbits in Australia should be vaccinated against rabbit calicivirus (RCD), also known as Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (RVHD). The disease is almost always fatal and death occurs rapidly within 12-18 hours, from respiratory and heart failure. There is no known treatment. There are several strains of the virus in Australia and in March 2017, the Department of Primary Industries released the virus nationally.

Ferret Vaccination

In ferrets we vaccinate against distemper.

Ferrets are susceptible to canine distempervirus and should be vaccinated against this. It is usually fatal in this species.

Vaccination protocols

• Dogs – We recommend vaccinations for puppies at 6-8, 10-12 and 16 weeks of age. A booster is generally given 12 months later. A yearly or triennial (3 yearly) booster is then recommended to cover Parvovirus, Distemper and Canine Infectious Hepatitis. Kennel Cough boosters are required annually. 
• Cats – kittens are vaccinated at 6-8, 10-12 and 16 weeks of age.  An annual booster is recommended thereafter.
• Rabbits – kittens: 4, 8, 12 weeks of age, then 6 monthly for life. Adults rabbits need: 2 vaccinations 1 month apart, then 6 monthly for life.
• Ferrets – vaccinate at 8 and 12 weeks, then annually. For ferrets older than 12 weeks, one vaccination only may be given; however, a booster 4-6 weeks later is still advisable.

If you have a pet in Newcastle, contact us about their vaccinations.

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