Puppy & Kitten health checks & Vaccinations

Puppies, kittens and young rabbits health checks

If you’ve just got a puppy, kitten or kit you have every right to be excited; there’s no better feeling than bringing a new pet home. However, it’s important you raise your new companion correctly so that they grow into a healthy and happy young adult.

As part of training and socialising it is important that your pets get used to a variety of experiences. If you wish to bring your pet to the vets and make a fuss over him in the waiting room, get him used to the weighing scales or and tickle his tummy in the consult room you are more than welcome to do these things. These socialising visits are really useful as they help pets associate the practice with fun times rather than illness and/or injury.

Please note: If you have a new pet that is older than 6 months old you’re still advised to bring them to see us. We will check them thoroughly from nose to tail and make sure they’ve given just as much fuss as the baby pets we see.

Vaccinations

As you are probably already aware, children receive a series of vaccinations (injections) starting when they are just a few weeks old. These injections prevent children from developing potentially harmful conditions as they grow up. Animal vaccinations are exactly the same.

Kittens should receive their first vaccination around 9 weeks of age and their second 3 weeks later. They can be protected against: Cat Flu Viruses, Infectious Enteritis and Feline Leukaemia Virus.

Puppies should receive their first vaccination between 6-8 weeks of age and their second 2-4 weeks later. They can be protected against: Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper Virus, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Canine Herpes Virus, Parainfluenza (and Kennel Cough if required/requested)

Kits (baby rabbits) only require one injection to protect them against Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD). They should have this at 5 weeks old.

Once your pet has received their initial vaccinations however, they only need to have ‘booster’ injections once a year to keep their immunity levels high.