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Annual Health Check and Vaccination

 

During your pet's annual health check, we discuss with you your pet's history at home since your  previous visit and any matters of concern you may have regarding your pet's health.

We then examine the...

  • nose
  • oral cavity, including teeth and gums
  • eyes
  • ears
  • heart and lungs
  • abdomen
  • musculoskeletal system
  • skin
  • lymph nodes
  • and measure body temperature, pulse rate and quality, heart rate, respiratory rate and weight

We discuss any abnormal findings from the full physical examination with you, and suggest further diagnostic or treatment options as needed. If all is well, then your pet's vaccination will be administered.

During the annual health check consultation, we also discuss your pet's internal and external parasite control - fleas, ticks and the gastrointestinal worms - and heartworm prevention.

If your pet is more mature in years, we may also suggest a routine blood screen to check their internal organ function.

 

Vaccination of your Dog

Dogs should be vaccinated against all of the serious but preventable viral diseases that are present in south eastern Australia - Parvovirus, Distemper, Infectious Hepatitis, and Parainfluenza (the viral cause of Kennel Cough).

This combination is known as a "C4 vaccination". For added protection, a "C5 vaccination" may be given instead of a C4. The C5 vaccination inoculates against Bordatella bronchiseptica, a bacteria that makes Kennel Cough worse. A C5 vaccination is often required if your dog boards in kennels. 

 

Disease Clinical signs Characteristics of disease

Canine Distemper

Signs vary, but may include fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, depression, muscle tremors and paralysis.

Dogs of any age can be affected by this virus, with young puppies at greatest risk.

Vaccination
recommended

Infectious Hepatitis

Signs include fever, depression, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. Severe cases are rapidly fatal.

Dogs of any age can be affected, but most severe cases occur in dogs less than two years of age.

 Vaccination
recommended

Canine Parvovirus

Signs include sudden death in young pups, bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain and uncontrollable vomiting.

Most severe in the very young and very old but dogs of all ages may be affected.

 Vaccination
recommended

Kennel Cough

Hacking cough. Not usually fatal, but can be severe and prolonged.

 Dogs of any age can be affected. Vaccination
recommended

The recommended vaccination schedule for puppies starts at 6-8 weeks of age when using the vaccines stocked by Weston Creek Veterinary Hospital. This first vaccination is then boosted at 12 weeks of age. Because the immunity gained from these initial vaccinations weakens over time, we recommend annual booster vaccinations to provide the best protection throughout the life of your dog.

After receiving a vaccination, your pet may appear a little "off-colour" for a day or so. Occasionally, vaccine reactions can occur. Please contact us immediately if you are concerned about your dog after vaccination.

If you are not sure about your dog's current vaccination status or would like to discuss vaccination further with one of our staff, please visit us or give our hospital a call.

 

 

 

 

Vaccination of your Cat

At Weston Creek Veterinary Hopsital, we recommend that cats are vaccinated against Feline Enteritis and the two viruses which cause Feline Respiratory Disease - this vaccine is known as an "F3".

 

 

We also have a vaccine against Feline Leukaemia Virus, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Chlamydia, however please discuss with us the suitability of this additional vaccination for your cat.
Disease Clinical Signs           Characteristics of disease Prevention
Feline
Enteritis

May cause vomiting and diarrhoea (sometimes with blood), depression, loss of appetite, and intense abdominal pain. Can also cause birth defects and abortion.

Highly contagious and has high death rate, especially cats under 1 year. Cats that recover continue to carry and spread the virus.

 Vaccination
recommended
Feline
Respiratory Disease

Also known as "Cat 'Flu". Causes sneezing, coughing, discharge from the eyes and nose, decreased appetite, and ulcers about the mouth and tongue.

Highly contagious, but death rate is low except in very young kittens. The disease may be quite distressing for both cat and owner. Cats that recover continue to carry and spread the virus.

 Vaccination
recommended
Feline
Chlamydia

Causes a severe persistent conjunctivitis in up to 30% of cats. Kittens are more severely affected by Chlamydia following exposure to "Cat Flu".
NB: This disease is NOT transmissible to humans.

Highly contagious, but non-fatal. Chlamydial organisms may also be shed for many months after the initial infection.

 Vaccination
available
Feline
Leukaemia

Loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting and diarrhoea. Associated with reproductive problems, leukaemia and tumours.

Any age affected. Approximately one third of cats that recover continue to carry and spread the virus.

 Vaccination
available
Feline
Immuno-
deficiency
Virus

Increased susceptibility to other diseases, much like human AIDS.
NB: This disease is NOT transmissible to humans.

Any age affected. More prevalent in undesexed male cats.

Vaccination
Recommended for outdoor cats

The recommended vaccination schedule for kittens starts at 6-8 weeks of age (F3) when using the vaccines stocked by Weston Creek Veterinary Hospital. This first vaccination is then boosted at 12 weeks of age (F3) and 16 weeks of age ("Flu" vaccine). Because the immunity gained from these initial vaccinations weakens over time, we recommend annual booster vaccinations to provide the best protection throughout the life of your cat.

 

After receiving a vaccination, your pet may appear a little "off-colour" for a day or so. Occasionally, vaccine reactions can occur. Please contact us immediately if you are concerned about your cat after vaccination.

If you are not sure about your cat's current vaccination status or would like to discuss vaccination further with one of our staff, please visit us or give our hospital a call.