Dog Vaccination Protocol

6 weeks - Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus and Coronavirus
9-10 weeks - Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus and Coronavirus and Leptospira.
16 weeks* - Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus and Kennel Cough

Puppies need to be kept isolated until 2 weeks after the last vaccine of this initial course. Annual health checks are required to detect diseases early and vaccine requirements are assessed at this time. These health checks usually start when your pup is 15 months old. Puppies older than 3 months at the commencementof their vaccinations will have a different protocol which is advised by our consulting vets.

Distemper
A viral disease that is causing initial vomiting, diarrhea, depression along with coughing, and nasal discharges. It is frequently progressing to severe Central Nervous System problems (convulsions, etc.) Usually fatal or left with long term nervous system problems.

Hepatitis
Viral infection of the liver causing vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, depression. Mostly fatal.

Parvovirus
Severe viral infection causing vomiting and diarrhea with blood, depression, can be fatal within 12 hours in young pups, highly contagious and is the most common of the fatal diseases we vaccinate against.

Kennel Cough (KC)
Most frequently caused by a combination of virus (Parainfluenza) and a bacteria (Bordetella). Symptoms include a harsh dry hacking cough and can lead to secondary lung problems. Highly contagious and especially important in boarding kennels etc.

Corona Virus
Canine Corona Virus ties with Canine Parvovirus as the leading causes of severe diarrhea in puppies. Clinically, the two infections can be indistinguishable. In retrospect, Canine Corona Virus rarely kills the puppy while Canine Parvovirus often does.

Leptospirosis (Leptospira icterhaemorrhagiae)
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects many species of animals as well as human beings. Dogs become infected with leptospira through contact with urine of infected animals. The first signs of disease are fever and depression. Joint pain and excessive bleeding sometimes occurs.

*The third vaccination has been changed from 12 to 16 weeks in an effort to stop the very few cases of parvo virus we were getting in vaccinated dogs that had had persistent maternal antibodies which were stopping the vaccine from being fully effective when there last vaccine was given at 12 weeks. This is a strategy being adopted by veterinarians in many parts of Australia.