Vaccinations

Vaccinations

Considering that the puppy and kitten are about seven to eight weeks old when they enter the family, it must be borne in mind that they are not yet fully protected against many infectious diseases, and it is, therefore, important to be careful about relationships with other animals.


The mother, through colostrum, provides her child with protection against many infectious diseases, but these 'passive' antibodies tend to diminish in the first months of life. 


This is why it is important to plan a vaccination protocol that starts around the second month of age, so as not to interfere with the antibodies provided by the mother, but capable of stimulating the 'active' defences of our little four-legged friend. 


Vaccination thus proves to be an important component in the preventive medical practices that are essential to the animal's health. Although there is no single vaccination protocol followed by all veterinary surgeons, the most recent lines of thought provide for a basic vaccination programme and an ancillary one recommended in certain circumstances (when that is, there is a real risk of contracting a certain disease). 


The vaccination must be carried out by a veterinary surgeon, who can guarantee the puppy's good health and the absence of concomitant diseases, including intestinal parasites: these are fundamental conditions to ensure a good and lasting antibody response, but above all to prevent undesirable side effects. 


Vaccinations are recorded in a special booklet, which shows the type of vaccine, the vaccine series, the date of administration and also the booster date. 

This booklet, stamped and signed by one's doctor, will represent the dog's and cat's vaccination history and must always be brought to subsequent visits, as well as accompanying our companion during his or her foster family's travels or his or her stay in a kennel. Taking into account the various vaccination protocols, the puppy will in any case be fully covered after its third month of life. Moreover, to maintain vaccine protection, it is advisable to repeat an annual or six-monthly stimulation, so that there is a high concentration of active antibodies capable of defending it against viruses present in the wild.

Basic protocol

CATS 

In all cats, the basic protocol provides for coverage against:

 

  • herpes virus (responsible for infectious rhinotracheitis) 
  • feline calicivirus (responsible for calicivirosis)
  • feline panleukopenia virus (responsible for a gastrointestinal form)
  • For cats that have access to the outdoors and are likely to come into contact with other cats, the vaccine for FELINE LEUKEMIA is recommended 

DOGS  

In all dogs, the basic protocol involves immunisation against:

 

  • distemper virus (morbilli virus, responsible for respiratory and neurological signs)
  • hepatitis virus (adenovirus type 1, with a predilection for the gastro-intestinal tract)
  • parvovirosis (parvovirus responsible for a severe gastro-intestinal form)
  • parainfluenza (adenovirus type 2, which in association with other pathogens is responsible for so-called kennel cough or infectious tracheobronchitis) 
  • leptospirosis (infections sustained by bacteria of the leptospira genus with renal and gastro-intestinal involvement).

 

RABIES  

Please note that the rabies vaccine is compulsory to apply for a passport in case the dog has to travel abroad. 


In addition, airlines or shipping companies may, at their discretion, require rabies vaccination. In all these cases, departure is only permitted 30 days after the first vaccination. 


Therefore, if you intend to take your dog on holiday or travel, it is advisable to carry out this vaccination in good time and repeat it regularly every year. 

 


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