If you’ve recently welcomed a new canine or feline family member, please don’t forget to book them in to meet us! Not only do we want to snuggle their little fluffy socks off, but we’re also keen to give them a full health check, ensure you’re feeling confident with all their care routines, and maximise their protection against common infectious diseases with timely vaccinations.
Here’s what the standard puppy or kitten vaccination schedule looks like.
6-8 weeks old
This is when the first vaccination is usually administered to get your pet’s immune response started.
Your pet will need a sequence of carefully timed vaccines to stimulate their immune system at regular intervals – this helps encourage the best long-term immune response as their natural antibody protection obtained from their mother’s milk begins to fade.
At this appointment, your pet should also have a full veterinary health check to assess for common puppy and kitten issues, such as ear infections or luxating patellas (loose kneecaps). If you obtain your pet from a breeder or reputable shelter, they should be able to report any pre-existing health issues to you before sale. Otherwise, you can always promptly book your pet in with us for a check-up when you obtain them at around 8 weeks old.
10-12 weeks old
This is the usual time for a second vaccination. If your pet hasn’t already visited us for a health check, we’ll go through any significant findings with you, and can also make recommendations for ongoing care, such as parasite control routines and desexing.
~16 weeks old
This vaccine is important for stimulating the immune system of any pups or kittens who still have high levels of antibodies in their system from previous vaccinations that interfered with the strength of their own immune response.
Ongoing
Depending on your pet’s particular risk factors, we may then recommend that they receive their next booster vaccination somewhere between 6 to 16 months of age.
For more information on protecting your pet, consult our prevention-proficient team