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Puppies can be vaccinated from 8 weeks of age onwards with a second innoculation 2-4 weeks later. The core vaccine protects against Canine Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza and Leptospirosis. To maintain lifelong immunity a booster is required every 12 months. Since the increased incidence of parvovirus in Hawick, we also recommend an additional parvovirus vaccine when the puppy is more than 16weeks old to ensure maximum protection until their first booster.
We would advise waiting 7-14 days after the second vaccination before taking your puppy or dog out for walks.
Kennel cough (or infectious canine tracheitis) is a very contagious disease of the respiratory system. Kennel cough vaccination is often required if your animal is going into boarding kennels. However, despite the deceiving name, kennel cough can be transmitted anywhere that dogs mix. Vaccination will not always completely prevent your dog from catching kennel cough but the symptoms tend to be milder and recovery is swifter. We offer a discount to dogs receiving the kennel cough vaccine along with their vaccine course or booster.
Rabies vaccination is only required for those animal travelling abroad under the Pet Passport scheme. The vaccine we use is licensed for 3 years but if you are spending more than 3 months in a country please check local regulations.
The primary vaccinations for puppies helps to overcome the remaining anti-body protection that they still have from their mothers and ensures reliable protection at an early age. The first vaccination is usually given at 8 weeks old, followed by a second two to four weeks later (no earlier than 10 weeks old), allowing for an early socialisation programme. At the second vaccination appointment we will provide you with your certificate of vaccination.
Hawick Veterinary Practice recommends that yearly boosters are obtained to ensure immunisation is up to date.
The team here at Hawick Veterinary Practice can provide the following vaccinations for your dog:
- Parvovirus
- Leptospirosis
- Distemper
- Canine Infectious Hepatitis
- Rabies
- Leishmaniasis
- Herpes vaccination
- Kennel Cough
A full health check is booked for every dog that is having a vaccination to ensure that they are in good health before giving the injection.
Dog Vaccinations FAQs
Do dogs need to be vaccinated?
Vaccinations are essential for providing your dog with adequate protection from life-threatening and debilitating diseases. There is the option of Titre testing, which involves blood samples to determine your dog's immunity. Unfortunately, this is not always 100% reliable, it is costly to perform and leptospirosis would still need to be vaccinated against. This is why we would recommend core vaccinations on the whole.
Is it OK to not vaccinate my dog?
As veterinary professionals, we would always recommend vaccinations; the risk is not worth taking when it comes to the harmful diseases.
What vaccines do dogs legally need?
It is not a legal requirement to have a dog vaccinated, but it is highly advisable. Some kennels, dog trainers and day-care require vaccinations for all dogs to use their services. Insurance can also be invalidated if dogs are not vaccinated.
At what age do you stop vaccinating your dog?
Dogs require annual booster vaccines throughout their lives; this is to ensure maximum protection against life-threatening diseases. We base our choice of vaccines on the lifestyle of the dog rather than age.
What vaccinations does my dog need?
Annual boosters usually cover leptospirosis and kennel cough (can be given every six months). However, distemper, parvovirus and canine hepatitis are usually needed every three years. Therefore, a dog would need a vaccine every year to have maximum protection against diseases.
Because of yearly vaccinations, this is why our health plans are popular – they break down these costs into monthly payments. The plan also covers various preventative treatments, including flea treatments, worming treatments and anal gland expressions - if you haven't already signed up - click here to find out more.
What do vets use to deworm dogs?
There are many ranges of worming treatments that we can prescribe, including tablets, liquids, granules and spot-ons. The products can vary with the latest recommendations, we would advise contacting us to discuss our various products so we can give you the most appropriate recommendation. Flea treatment and worming regimes are not a one size fits all, so it's best to speak to us.
What is the best worming treatment for dogs?
There are many products available as well as new products emerging each year. We are here to help with selecting the best-suited protection for you and your dog. We have the most up to date advice and treatments available. We dispense prescription-only parasite treatments which are more effective than over the counter treatments and are often combined to tackle other parasites in one medication.
Under UK law, only veterinary surgeons can prescribe prescription medications as they are required to health assess a dog before prescribing them. For flea and worm treatments, vets usually require a health check every 12 months, which can fall under your pet's annual booster health check. Please note other classes of medications vary with the frequency of health checks required.
What do dogs do when they have worms?
- diarrhoea
- vomiting
- swollen abdomen
- lethargy
- nutritional deficiencies
- dehydration
- cough (in roundworm and hookworm infections).
- pneumonia (in serious cases of roundworm).
