Vaccinations
Erina Heights Vet Hospital continues to follow the World Small Animal Veterinary Association guidelines with expert advice on vaccination protocols based on the latest research. Vaccinations are the best way to protect your pet from several dangerous diseases.
Dogs & Puppies
Puppies must receive their full course of vaccinations to protect them against 3 deadly viruses- canine parvovirus, canine distemper virus and canine hepatitis. Canine Cough (comprising of parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica) is mandatory if planning to board your dog, but also recommended for socialisation and puppy school. This combination is called a C5 vaccination.
Puppies require vaccination at 6-8 weeks of age, 10-12 weeks of age and then a final booster at 16 weeks of age.
After the course of puppy vaccinations, your adult dog will be vaccinated annually for kennel cough at their yearly wellness check and receive a C3 vaccination every 3 years. We use a brand of vaccines which is registered for this 3 yearly use.
We can also provide vaccine titre testing for canine parvovirus, canine distemper virus and canine hepatitis, which may negate the need for these vaccinations altogether.
Cats & Kittens
All kittens should receive Feline Enteritis and ‘Flu’ (Herpes & Calicivirus) termed F3 at 7-9 weeks of age followed by a booster at 12-14 weeks of age; and again at 16 weeks of age.
After the course of kitten vaccinations, your adult cat will be vaccinated annually for flu at their yearly wellness check and receive a full F3 vaccination every 3 years.
Feline Aids (FIV) vaccine is an option for cats that get into fights, eg. those likely to be outdoors at night, or those in multi-cat households.
View the guidelines in full at www.wsava.org/guidelines/vaccination-guidelines.
Rabbits
There are two viruses prevalent in Australia that can cause fatalities in both wild and pet bunny populations- these are myxomatosis and calicivirus. Myxomatosis is characterised by swollen genitalia, lips and eyes. There is no vaccine for myxomatosis in Australia – it is essential that you protect your rabbits from biting insects such as fleas and mosquitoes which transmit this disease. A mosquito net over their outdoor hutch is recommended. Calicivirus, also known as viral haemorrhagic disease, can result in sudden death with no apparent signs of ill health. There is a vaccine for calicivirus- this can first be given as 2 injections 4 weeks apart to rabbits less than 12 weeks of age, or as a single injection to bunnies over 12 weeks of age. We recommend boosters every 6 months.
12 Point Health Check
During your family pet’s annual “wellness” consultation and/or vaccination, dogs and cats undergoing a routine examination will receive a 12 Point Health Report with comment on a comprehensive “body” systems check – this is a key component in preventative animal health. “Starting off on the right paw” is essential in a healthy family pet, particularly in regard to nutrition, so is working from “nose to tail” in the annual health check.
We will discuss dental hygiene; eyes and ears, and work through the chest and abdominal areas. Skin and ear diseases are usually linked. We find that in a routine examination of a supposedly healthy “no problem” patient presenting for their annual check or vaccination, that many pets have some clinical disease which is best treated in the early stages.
Vet Nurse Consult
Appointments are available to see a fully trained veterinary nurse if your concern is about diet, fleas, or behavioural problems. The benefit to you is: if the vet doesn’t need to see you, it will be lighter on your pocket and the advice you will be getting is from a trained professional. Erina Heights Vet Hospital is very fortunate to have 11 fully qualified Certificate IV Nurses. If the nurse is of the opinion that your pets’ condition warrants a veterinary examination, then an appointment with a vet can be arranged. Whilst all our nurses provide general animal care in daily clinical routines, our nurses with Certificate IV accreditation are qualified to provide specific animal care advice, coordinate patient admission and discharge, perform medical and surgical nursing routines in theatre, pathology procedures, apply radiograph routines and carry out dental nursing routines, ensuring the highest level of care and comfort for your family pet.
Telephone us on (02)4384 5888 to make your appointment or book online.