Why do I need to vaccinate my pet?

Vaccinations are important in helping protect your pets from many common diseases. They do this by inducing an immune response by the body to a safe version of the injected virus administered through vaccines.

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Protect your pet.

When we talk about vaccinations, we take into account your pet’s health status, vaccination history, lifestyle, and living environment. Vaccines for cats and dogs fall into two categories: core and non-core vaccines.

Core vaccines protect against disease-causing organisms that are prevalent in the environment and which are irrespective of your pet’s lifestyle. Dogs and Cats do NOT need to come into direct contact with other animals to be at risk of catching these diseases.

For dogs these diseases are: Distemper, Hepatitis, and Parvovirus – Commonly called a C3 Vaccination

For Cats, these are: Feline Herpes Virus, Feline Panleukopaenia Virus, and Feline Calicivirus – Commonly called an F3 Vaccination

We recommend all dogs and cats are protected from these core diseases through regular vaccinations and health checks.

More information on feline vaccines:

Kitten Vaccinations

Core Kitten Vaccinations are recommended at the following ages:

  • 1st Vaccination: 6 – 8 weeks of age. F3 Vaccination
  • 2nd Vaccination: 10 – 12 weeks of age. F3 Vaccination
  • 3rd Vaccination: 16 – 18 weeks of age. F3 Vaccination

FIV Vaccinations

To protect your cat or kitten from Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), a series of 3 injections is required given strictly 2-3 weeks apart.

Testing for FIV (Feline Aids)

Kittens under 6 months of age starting Vaccinations against FIV do NOT require blood testing to rule out a positive result; however, all adult cats over 6 months of age will require FIV testing before the vaccine is given. FIV Vaccinations cannot be given to cats already infected with FIV.

Cat Vaccinations
Cats must be health checked and vaccinated annually for optimal protection from core diseases.

For outdoor cats or cats with some access to the outdoor environment, we also highly recommend vaccination against Feline Immunodeficiency disease (FIV) – Commonly called “Feline Aids.” This is most often transmitted by fighting with infected cats. FIV is found all across the world; however, its prevalence in Australia is particularly high.

We recommend all cat parents to consider FIV Vaccinations for cats with access to the outdoor environment. Particularly in areas where stray cats abound.

More information on canine vaccines:

Puppy Vaccinations

At HIGHlands Veterinary Hospital we recommend the 2 Puppy Vaccine Protocol. This means vaccines given at these specific ages:

  • 1st Puppy Vaccination: C3 at 6 – 8 weeks of age
  • 2nd Puppy Vaccination: C3 Vaccine + Intranasal Canine Cough Vaccine at 12 weeks of age

The final vaccination at 12 weeks provides protection for 12 months after which the next set of Vaccinations become due.

Dog Vaccinations

Social dogs that interact with others or need to be boarded need to have both C3 and Canine Cough Vaccine. This combination of vaccines is called a C5 Vaccination.