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Monday - Friday 8.30am-6.00pm Saturday 9.00-12.00
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It’s natural for puppy owners, whether it’s your first dog or not, to have questions about vaccinations. We’re here to help you understand everything you need to know, so you can feel confident and ready to book your puppy’s vaccination appointment.
Similarly to human babies, puppies can be vulnerable to infectious diseases. Getting your puppy vaccination helps to build their immunity while they are still developing and growing. Vaccinations give them the protection they need to grow up into a healthy dog.
Not only do vaccinations protect your own pup, they help to protect other dogs too and eventually help to create a herd immunity.
Vaccinating your puppy isn’t a legal requirement in the UK in the same way that microchipping is; however, we would always strongly advise having your puppy vaccinated as it’s the best way to protect your puppy and others from diseases.
Puppy classes, kennels and daycare facilities will usually require your dog to be vaccinated in order to attend. Rabies vaccines are also a legal requirement if you’re planning on travelling abroad with your pet.
Puppies who visit our practice in Kensington have a primary course of vaccinations at 6-8 weeks old and then again at 10 weeks old which protects them from:
In addition to the core course of vaccinations, we would recommend administering the vaccination against kennel cough, an easily transmissible and very common respiratory infection.
“We’re here to help you understand everything you need to know about puppy vaccinations!”
It is not very common for a puppy to experience side effects and most puppies have no reaction at all. There can be some mild, temporary side effects which include:
If your pup does experience any of these, they last no more than 24-48 hours.
It is possible for your puppy to feel a little under the weather after its pet vaccinations, just like how we might feel after a flu jab. It shouldn’t be a cause for concern and instead all that’s needed is some rest, warmth and hydration – plus some gentle reassurance!
Severe reactions to puppy vaccinations are extremely rare, but adverse signs to be aware of include:
If you notice your pup experiencing any of these side effects, monitor them and call our practice if you are concerned.
If your puppy has an allergic reaction to their vaccination, you need to contact our practice or our emergency vet service immediately. Signs of an allergic reaction are:
After your puppy’s initial courses of vaccinations at 6-8 weeks and 10 weeks, our general advice is that they will need annual boosters in order to maintain their protection.
This can also depend on your dog’s individual needs, which we can discuss with you during your pet’s health checks.
The puppy vaccination schedule is similar for all dogs regardless of their breed. Certain dog breeds can be more prone to some conditions, so at your first puppy consultation we will assess their individual needs to recommend the best vaccine schedule.
If you’ve recently brought home your new puppy, or even if you are still waiting for their arrival, we’d love to help get them vaccinated so they’re ready for the outside world! Our expert team has a wealth of experience in dealing with puppies and their vaccinations, offering high quality care that will put any new owners at ease.
Get in touch with today to arrange your initial appointment, or book online using the Petsapp widget.
The care and health of your pets is Kensington Veterinary Care's top priority. That is why we offer a comprehensive first opinion veterinary service for your furry friends.
Kensington Veterinary Care understand how special your pets are to you. That’s why we strive to provide only the highest quality veterinary care.
