Vaccination in the Canine

Vaccination

Vaccination of your dog allows protection against a range of potentially lethal diseases that may infect your dog. It also allows the veterinary surgeon to examine your dog to assess his or her health and to advise you on maintaining a healthy pet.

There are several, potentially, fatal diseases of dogs which can easily be protected against by means of vaccination. Our Practice for several years has used Nobivac DHPPiL vaccine which has always been at the forefront of vaccine technology, providing a very high level of protection with minimal side effects. This vaccine protects against:

Canine Distemper virus (hardpad) which effects the nervous system, skin, intestines and lungs.
Canine Adenovirus-2, which effects the liver, causing hepatitis.
Canine Parvovirus, which causes acute, haemorrhagic gastroenteritis.
Parainfluenza virus, which is one of the causes of kennel cough.
Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae, passed in rats urine causing liver and kidney failure.
Leptospira canicola, a severe kidney infection.

Vaccination by responsible pet owners keep disease levels down on the Island. Due to the low levels of natural infection and hence natural immunity, unvaccinated dogs are particularly at risk from these infections.

Vaccination for Puppies

Puppy vaccination can start from 6 weeks of age with
A second and final injection of the primary course being given from 10 weeks of age.
Full immunity should be achieved within 14 days of the second injection. Nobivac DHPPiL vaccine provides earlier immune status and hence allows your puppy to socialize earlier than any other vaccine on the market.
An annual booster is recommended.

Vaccinating the older dog

A primary injection can be given at any age.
A second injection is given 2 to 4 weeks later.
An annual booster is recommended.
Immunity is achieved within 14 days of the second vaccination.

Kennel Cough

'Infectious bronchitis'. This is a highly contagious syndrome which infects the 'tubules' from the larynx to the bronchi of the chest. There are several causes of the disease, some of which are incorporated in the routine vaccine that we use. However a common cause is by the bacteria, Bordatella bronchiseptica. This can be largely protected against, by using a nasal droplet vaccine called Intrac. This provides immunisation within 5 days and lasts for 6 to 10 months We expect to get an outbreak of this disease every year in Guernsey and recommend it's use under the following situations:

'Outbreak vaccination'; in the face of disease on the Island.
'Target vaccination'; before kenneling, owners of dogs who show or routinely socialize their dogs. Dogs who travel to the mainland.
'Routine vaccination'; the ideal situation but does require twice yearly vaccination to provide full, annual, immunity.

Kennel Cough is a highly contagious disease and can be passed many yards on the air from an infected dog. If your dog develops a dry, productive, cough, please do not bring it into the surgery but inform the receptionist on your arrival at our Practice.

Rabies vaccination

At present only dogs being exported outside the United Kingdom can be given a Rabies vaccination. If the quarantine laws change we would expect a change in this regulation as well. Microchipping with 'TRACER' for identification of animals vaccinated against Rabies may well become routine.

General points

Any animal can have a 'TRACER' microchip for identification purposes.
It is never too late to provide vaccination protection for your dog.
Kennels should ask to see proof of vaccination in the form of a 'certificate of vaccination' (which we provide) prior to accepting your dog.