DOG VACCINATIONS| TOWNSEND VET CLINIC ALBURY WODONGA

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At Townsend Veterinary Clinic we follow modern guidelines on vaccination (such as the WSAVA and AAHA guidelines) and make vaccination recommendations based on many factors, including the age and lifestyle of your dog. During the consultation, we will create an individual vaccination protocol for your dog. For adult dogs, we will also discuss the option to have their immunity tested (in-house titre testing) to see if the next scheduled vaccination is required. This is particularly relevant for dogs taking certain medications, geriatric dogs, or dogs with a history of immune-mediated disease.


As with human babies and toddlers, the vaccination schedule for puppies and kittens is strict, as this is when they are most vulnerable to serious disease. However, as pets age, we have more flexibility with vaccination. Current guidelines recommend starting the vaccination regime beginning as early as 6 weeks of age, and administering sequential doses at an interval of 2-4 weeks until at least 16 weeks of age. 


Practically speaking, vaccinating at approximately 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks of age will provide strong protection against serious diseases. A booster is given 12 months after finishing the initial puppy course. From there, the core vaccine can be given every three years.


Core vaccinations are recommended for all dogs regardless of lifestyle, as they protect against diseases that are serious or may be fatal, are easily spread from pet to pet, and have a global distribution. We protect our canine patients against Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Infectious Hepatitis and Canine Parvovirus with the C3 vaccine, which is a core vaccine.


Noncore vaccines are recommended by a veterinarian based on the risk of the dogs' exposure to specific viruses and bacteria, often based on the lifestyle or environment of the dog. Examples of noncore diseases include parainfluenza virus, Bordetella bronchiseptica and Leptospirosis.


We provide a free reminder service for vaccinations and annual health checks to ensure your pet stays as healthy as possible.