Pet vaccinations

Why vaccinate?

Welcoming a puppy or kitten into your home makes you responsible for their welfare. Vaccinations are a vital part of this, as they protect the animal against a range of common diseases that may be difficult or expensive to cure, and can threaten your animal’s life.

Your pet insurance may also not cover you for the treatment of diseases that could have been vaccinated against. Many young animals available from rescue centres will already have been given their first vaccinations, but it’s still important to find out exactly what they have been inoculated against and when their booster jabs will be due.

For a good dog’s life

Puppies can receive their first vaccination from approximately eight weeks old. Your vet is likely to recommend a course against the four main infectious diseases. These are:

• Canine Distemper, a serious viral disease
• Hepatitis, which can attack the liver and other organs
• Parvovirus (the intestinal and cardiac strains are both types which puppies are particularly susceptible to)
• Leptospirosis, which often causes life-threatening liver and kidney disease.
• Your vet may also advise you to have your puppy vaccinated against kennel cough.

A puppy shouldn’t come into contact with other dogs until it has been fully vaccinated, due to the risk of infection. If you want to take it out before this time, make sure it’s transported in your arms or the car. Keep hold of any vaccination certificates, as you will need them if you ever take your dog to a boarding kennel, training classes, shows or abroad. A course of vaccinations for a dog will probably cost from £20 to £40, with boosters from £10 to £20.

Feline fine

A kitten can be vaccinated at around nine weeks of age. Just as with dogs, you will need to keep the certificates for presentation in the event of travelling overseas, staying in catteries, or taking the cat to cat shows. Your cat should also be kept inside and mustn’t be allowed to mix with other animals until it has been vaccinated.

The four main diseases your kitten will be vaccinated against are:

• Cat flu, a very infectious viral disease which can prove fatal in kittens
• Feline Chlamydia, which can often cause conjunctivitis and leave your cat vulnerable to other viruses
• Feline Infectious Enteritis, a highly infectious viral disease that is similar to the virus that causes AIDS in humans (although you can’t contract it from your cat)
• Feline Leukaemia, which can have a devastating effect on the white blood cells that fight infection leaving the immune system very vulnerable.

You can expect to pay from £25 to £40 for a course of vaccinations for your cat, and from around £10 to £20 for boosters.

Weighing up the costs

In the vast majority of cases, vaccinations are successful and safe – some cats and dogs develop a mild reaction and feel a little unwell for a couple of days afterwards. Taking into account that vaccinations could also save your pet from unnecessary suffering, and you from much more expensive veterinary bills, they’re a small price to pay.

Sources and further information:

www.pdsa.org.uk
www.thekennelclub.org.uk
www.allaboutpets.org.uk

Unfortunately, these standard vaccinations will not protect your dog or cat from all illnesses. Make sure your valued pet is fully covered for vets bills by taking out pet insurance from Direct Line.

Related information:

Pet health insurance – if your pet’s ill, you don’t want to have to worry about huge vets bills. This is where pet insurance comes in.
Pet health checker – there are certain checks you can do at home to ensure your dog or cat is in good health
Alternative health for pets – if you are keen to explore alternative remedies for your pet, make sure you know the risks and observe the law