Ulysses Veterinary Clinics Cairns Puppy & Dog Vaccinations

Responsible pet care requires puppys be given their initial course of vaccinations, with ongoing vaccinations provided to dogs throughout their lifetime.

Puppy Vaccinations

Puppies are temporarily protected against many diseases by antibodies received through their mother’s milk. These maternal antibodies decline in the first few weeks of their lives, after which they need a vaccination to induce immunity. The age at which maternal antibodies drop enough to require vaccination is highly variable, which is why puppys require a series of vaccinations.

Adult Dog Vaccinations

The immunity from puppy vaccination weakens over time and your pet can again become susceptible to disease. Annual health checks and booster vaccinations, will provide the best protection for the life of your pet.

Infectious Diseases Of Dogs We Vaccinate Against

• Canine Leptospirosis. This is a serious disease risk in Cairns, with high death rates. It’s spread by the urine of infected rats and is usually transmitted to dogs who ingest contaminated food and water (e.g. drink from puddles), with increased risk around rainforest and sugar cane areas.
• Canine Parvovirus. This disease is most common in young dogs, but can affect all ages. Symptoms can include bloody diarrhoea, uncontrollable vomiting and severe abdominal pain. Some infected dogs will die from parvovirus, even if they receive intensive veterinary care. Parvovirus is spread via dog faeces and is very persistent in the environment, even after the faeces has been cleaned away. For this reason, it is not necessary to have direct contact with other dogs for the disease to be spread.
• Canine Distemper Virus. This highly contagious viral disease can affect dogs of any age, with young puppies at highest risk. Symptoms vary but can include fever, coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, vomiting, diarrhoea and loss of appetite. Muscle tremors, fits and paralysis may occur later in the disease. Treatment is usually ineffective.
• Canine Cough. Symptoms include a dry, hacking cough which can persist for weeks and can sometimes become pneumonia. It’s highly contagious and distressing for dogs.
• Canine Coronavirus. Another contagious virus that causes loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea. Although most dogs will recover with treatment, coronavirus can be fatal.