Vaccinations | castlevets-new

Cats

Cats should be vaccinated against Feline Panleucopenia, Feline Infectious Respiratory Disease (Cat Flu) and Feline Leukaemia.

Cats require a primary vaccination course of two injections 3-4 weeks apart, followed by annual booster vaccinations. Kittens can be vaccinated from 9 weeks of age, with a second injection 3-4 weeks later. The kitten will have protection from one week after the second injection.

Feline Panleucopenia - highly contagious and can be spread on shoes, clothing, food dishes and litter trays. Symptoms vary in severity from a mild fever to profuse watery diarrhea, resulting in rapid dehydration and death in 1 in 10 unvaccinated cats dying from the disease.

Feline Infectious Respiratory Disease - commonly known as cat flu and frequently seen in cats in the UK. It can cause "common cold" type symptoms and inappetance, as well as painful mouth ulcers and sore gums. Cats that recover can become carriers of the disease and can transmit the disease to other cats. "Carriers" may also show recurrent signs of flu.

Feline Leukaemia - caused by infection with Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV). FeLV causes suppression of the immune system. This leaves the cat susceptible to a variety of other diseases such as flu and enteritis, which may then be fatal as the cat is unable to fight off disease effectively. It can also be associated with anaemia and tumours including lymphoma. It can be spread via close contact with an infected cat.

Vaccination

Dogs

Dogs should be vaccinated against Distemper, Canine Infectious Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza and Leptospirosis.

Dogs require a primary vaccination course consisting of two injections 2-4 weeks apart, followed by annual booster vaccinations. Puppies can be vaccinated from 8 weeks of age, with a second injection 2 weeks later. The puppy is protected one week after the second injection.

We also recommend vaccination for Infectious Tracheobronchitis - see below.

Distemper - spread via inhalation during dog to dog contact. Symptoms include coughing, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. This may progress to neurological signs including fits. Treatment is usually unsuccessful. Vaccination is the best form of protection.

Infectious Canine Hepatitis - caused by a virus that attacks the liver, this disease can rapidly be fatal. Transmission is via dog to dog contact.

Leptospirosis - caused by bacteria that are spread in the urine of infected rats and dogs. Ditches and water courses or rat-contaminate water are sources of infection. The infection causes potentially fatal liver and kidney disease. The disease can also be spread to humans.

Parvovirus - this virus can survive in the environment for long periods. The main source of infection is the faeces of infected dogs, but the virus can also be spread on shoes, clothing and on the coat and paws of dogs. The virus causes smelly profuse, bloody diarrhoea, which can rapidly lead to dehydration and death. It is most commonly seen in puppies, but unvaccinated dogs of all ages are susceptible.

Parainfluenza - causes upper respiratory tract infections. It is one of the agents involved in "Kennel Cough"

Infectious Tracheobronchitis - a very common, highly contagious disease of the respiratory tract. It is contracted via close dog to dog contact on walks, at dog training or at boarding kennels. It is commonly known as "Kennel Cough" and is caused by a number of agenets including Bordetella bronchisepta and Canine Parainfluenza virus. It causes a distressing dry cough, which can progress to wretching, inappetance and fever. Annual vaccination is administered as a small amount of liquid into one nostril.

Book a Kennel Cough vaccination at the same time as your dog's annual booster vaccination and get a 60% discount on the Kennel Cough vaccination!

The Kennel Cough vaccination is included for dogs enrolled in the Healthy Pet Club!

Rabbits

Rabbits should be vaccinated annually for myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD) with a new all in one, yearly vaccination.

The vaccination, released in 2012, has been developed using cutting edge DNA technology, providing fantastic protection against these fatal diseases.

Myxomatosis is a disease transmitted by fleas, or from contact with other infected rabbits or objects. Initial Symptoms are usually swollen eyelids and a thick discharge from the eyes, nose and swelling of the genitals. Nodules or bumps will appear on the rabbit’s face and skin. The rabbit will become blind and very subdued. Mymomatosis takes up to two weeks to kill the rabbit. This condition is nearly always fatal, unless the rabbit is vaccinated.

VHD is a highly contagious disease that kills rabbits swiftly and suddenly. Some rabbits will die showing no symptoms. Sometimes there is blood around the mouth and nose. The disease can be carried on clothing and surfaces, or following contact with rabbit waste and products. VHD is a silent killer, and unless your rabbit is vaccinated, it has no protection from VHD, and absolutely no chance of surviving it.