Feline: Tricat

This is a live attenuated vaccination containing feline panleucopaenia virus, feline herpesvirus, and feline calicivirus. The latter two viruses are commonly responsible for symptoms associated with ‘cat flu’, whilst panleucopenia protects against a fatal disease causing gastrointestinal, nervous and immune system disorders.

This vaccination should be given as a set of two vaccinations 4 weeks apart, starting from 8 weeks of age. A yearly booster should then be given. Following this initial protocol, the needs of the individual need to be taken into account. If your cat or kitten has an unknown vaccination history, follow this same procedure.

If requirements for catteries are needed or your cat lives an active indoor/outdoor lifestyle in a multicat household, this vaccination should be given annually. This is supported by sound scientific evidence showing a far greater exposure to ‘cat flu’, thus more frequent vaccinations are beneficial and justified. If your cat lives a largely isolated indoor lifestyle, then triennial vaccinations are appropriate.

Canine: DHP

This is a combination vaccination including Canine Distemper virus, Adenovirus type 1 (infectious canine hepatitis) and Parvovirus. Fortunately, Distemper is very rare due to the effectiveness of vaccinations. Likewise, infectious canine hepatitis is not common, but is a high risk factor particularly for younger dogs. The most common disease we do see in clinical practice is canine parvoviral enteritis. This is a severely contagious and fatal disease, mostly seen in puppies less than 8 months of age due to a lack of vaccination protection combined with a low transferred maternal immunity state. Symptoms may develop 6-10 days after exposure to the virus producing profuse bloody diarrhea, weakness, dehydration, anorexia, weight loss and fever.

The vaccine can be given to puppies from 6 weeks of age, but the last vaccination must be given after 10 weeks of age. We recommend to have two vaccines followed by a titre test at 14 weeks or more of age to ensure your puppy has responded to the vaccine properly. Alternatively, you may opt for a third vaccine instead. The onset of immunity is 1 week following the final vaccination date. Titre testing is available as an alternative to vaccination at 3 yearly intervals if under 10 years of age or 2 yearly if over the age of 10 years.

Canine: Intranasal Canine Cough (KC)

Kennel or canine cough, formally known as infectious tracheobronchitis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is spread through aerosol means and by direct contact with mucous membranes commonly through social interactions with other dogs. All ages of dogs are susceptible to contracting this disease. The symptoms to expect include a loud, dry, raspy, harsh, non-productive coughing that persists for up to 4 weeks. Often clients will mention that it appears as if their dog is trying to vomit, but simply cannot do so.

The intranasal vaccination is a live vaccine thats protects your dog against upper respiratory tract infections caused by bordetella bronchiseptica and canine parainfluenza virus. It is administered via a single 0.4 ml dose into the nose (no injection required and no booster needed). It is considered effective after 3 days after administration and lasts for 12 months. It is safe to be given from 2 weeks of age.

Canine: Canigen injectable Canine Cough (KC)

This is an injectable form of the canine cough vaccination. It requires two doses 4 weeks apart. An annual injection is required to maintain immunity. This vaccination can be a practical alternative to the intranasal vaccination, particularly if your dog is head shy or timid. Dogs need to be at least 3 weeks of age.

KC is required for all boarding, daycare and training facilities. An annual vaccination frequency for both products is required to maintain immunity.

Canine: Leptospirosis

This is an injectable vaccine containing inactivated leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae. The disease itself may cause sudden fatality in dogs, but the majority of cases are chronic or subclinical (showing no overt symptoms). Chronically infected dogs may shed leptospira intermittently through urine as they have a resident population in their kidneys.

The most important type of lepto in New Zealand is Copenhageni (which has cross protection from the above type). Rats tend to be the identifiable carriers of this strain. Papamoa East has many streams which often flood near the walkways, leading to long term stability of leptospires on the ground (days to months in freshwater, soil or mud) as well as an abundance of wildlife and rats. There is also the important risk of zoonosis (humans contracting the disease from animals).

Puppies must be at least 6 weeks of age, and be given a set of two doses 2-4 weeks apart. Your puppy must be at least 10 weeks of age at final vaccination.

Vaccinations are then given yearly to maintain immunity.

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