The best thing you can do for your pet is vaccinate them. Vaccinations not only protect your pet from preventable infectious diseases, but other pets in your home, those your pet socialises with outside, wildlife and you.
When domestic animals are born, their immune systems are weak and they rely on protection from their mother’s milk. However, this only lasts a short time, so it’s important to get your new family member off to the vet so they can have their first vaccinations.
Vaccinations help to prevent serious, life-threatening diseases in your pet. Regular vaccination is an important part of routine health care, ensuring that your pet remains fit and well. At the time of vaccination, a thorough physical examination will also be performed by your vet. Because unfortunately our pets can’t talk to us, this examination is vital for assessing their ongoing health.
Vaccinating your dog is one the most important things you can do for their health and wellbeing. As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to know what vaccinations your dog needs and how often they are required. Vaccinations are critical for all dogs, as they may pick up infectious diseases by interacting with other dogs or simply by sniffing or walking in areas where infected dogs have been.
The c3 vaccine for dogs should be administered yearly by your local veterinarian. It protects against life-threatening diseases that can cause your dog to become seriously unwell and may lead to death. These include
Treatment of these is very costly and still may be unsuccessful due to severity of the diseases.
The KC vaccine should be administered yearly by your local veterinarian. It protects against Canine Cough (aka. Kennel Cough). This is a respiratory infection easily spread between dogs, not just in kennel environments.
Most kennel or group housing facilities require your dog to be vaccinated against kennel cough. The KC vaccine aims at decreasing the severity and likelihood of contracting this disease.
Non-core vaccines are those that are administered depending on the individual dog’s risk. Ask your veterinarian about which vaccines are most appropriate for your dog. These include vaccinations for:
It is essential that puppies are vaccinated at key points in their first few months of life. Prior to these vaccinations, your puppy’s time spent outdoors should be limited to protect them from accidentally picking up a disease while unprotected.
An unvaccinated adult dog should have an initial vaccine, booster dose one month later, followed by annual vaccinations thereafter.
Vaccinating your cat is one the most important things you can do for their health and wellbeing. Cat vaccinations need to be given once a year, every year to ensure an ongoing, strong immunity. As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to know what vaccinations your cat needs and how often they are required.
The F3 vaccine is known as a core vaccine, recommended for all cats. This protects your cat against:
The FIV vaccine protects against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, a blood-borne disease most commonly spread when cats fight. Over time, FIV suppresses the immune system, causing your cat to become more susceptible to infection and illness. There is no cure for FIV and it can eventually lead to death.
This is not a core vaccine and is only recommended for cats at high risk of contracting this disease.
The FeLV vaccine protects against Feline Leukaemia virus. This virus attacks the immune system making cats more susceptible to infection and illness as well as more prone to develop some cancers.FeLV is spread through close contact between cats such as grooming or sharing food bowls and there is no cure for this often fatal disease.
This is not a core vaccine and is only recommended for cats at high risk of contracting this disease. Talk to your vet to determine if this vaccination is necessary for your cat.
It is essential that kittens are vaccinated at key points in their first few months of life. Kittens should initially be vaccinated:
A kitten will not be fully protected until 7-10 days after the second vaccination. Under specific circumstances your veterinary surgeon may advise an alternative regime.
Unvaccinated adult cats should have an initial vaccine, booster dose 2-3 weeks later, followed annual vaccinations thereafter.
Vaccinating your rabbit is just as important as vaccinating your dog or cat, and it’s your responsibility to know what vaccinations your cat needs and how often they are required.
Note: Myxomatosis vaccine is available for rabbits in England but is not available in Australia.
The Filavac vaccine protects against Calicivirus, a highly infectious disease that can cause death within 24-72 hours of infection. It is transmitted through the secretions (saliva, nasal secretions, faeces and urine) of infected rabbits, and can be transmitted through biting insects, such as fleas and mosquitos, that have come into contact with the disease.
Rabbits should initially be vaccinated:
Not all rabbit vaccinations are 100% effective, so protecting your bunny by keeping them indoors should be a top priority.
We’re hosting low-cost pet vaccination and health clinics throughout Victoria, making veterinary care more accessible for people and their pets.
Read more and find your nearest clinic here.
When you adopt a pet from the RSPCA, your new family member will have all their required vaccinations. They’ll also be desexed, microchipped and have a thorough health check with a vet so they’re ready to go home with you.
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