Vaccination is an important tool to help prevent several serious diseases, which can otherwise be very difficult or impossible to cure and may have life-threatening consequences for your dog.

Routine vaccination is safe and provides protection from disease spread both by contact with infected animals or through the environment. In the UK, the diseases we can prevent include distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis and leptospirosis. Vaccinations against other diseases, such as kennel cough and rabies, may be recommended in certain circumstances. Your Parkside vet will be able to advise you on the most appropriate vaccination protocol for your dog.

When should I first vaccinate my dog?

It is recommended to start puppy vaccinations at 8 weeks of age with a second vaccination at 10 weeks.

A third vaccination, against parvovirus, is administered at 16 weeks of age. This is due to the presence of antibodies from the mother’s milk remaining at 10 weeks of age in a small number of dogs, which can limit the effectiveness of this vaccination.

Giving an additional vaccine at 16 weeks ensures that your puppy’s immune system will respond to the vaccination appropriately by producing their own antibodies, which they need for ongoing protection.

Following this initial course, regular annual vaccination is important to maintain protection throughout your dog’s life. There is no evidence that immunity lasts longer in older dogs and these individuals may in fact be more likely to succumb to disease due to the poorer immune system which can come with age.

Prior to vaccination a full clinical examination will be performed, which allows us to identify any underlying issues before they get a chance to cause problems. These appointments are also a good opportunity to discuss any other queries you may have regarding your dog’s health.

Please contact a member of the Parkside team if you would like any further information on vaccination or to book an appointment.