Vaccinations

Regardless of whether you have – or are thinking of having – a dog, cat, ferret, chicken or rabbit, vaccinations should be on your radar of on-going veterinary requirements.

Most vaccinations are given on an annual basis, although there are some that will last a few months, some that last a few years, and some that last a lifetime. Vaccinations are typically given against potentially life-threatening diseases, so we recommend that these are continued life-long.

We thought it would perhaps be best to address required vaccinations by species, as below.

Cats

Our feline friends require annual vaccinations throughout their lives. As a kitten, they should receive an initial vaccination at nine weeks of age and a second vaccination at 12 weeks of age. This is known as their ‘primary course’. It is very important that these vaccines are given as close to three weeks apart as possible, in order to maximise the immune response the kitten has.

We recommend vaccination against feline rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, feline panleucopaenia and feline leukaemia virus. Most of these are given on an annual basis, although some components can be reduced to every three years after your pet has received at least six consecutive vaccinations. Your vet will go through any changes with you at the time, because these may not always be appropriate for every patient.

Feline rhinotracheitis is caused by a herpes virus, so is readily transmitted through coughs, sneezes and bodily fluids. It causes a severe cold, and in some cases, restricts breathing to the point of being life-threatening. This is because cats are obligate nasal breathers: they cannot really breathe effectively through their mouth. Once their nose becomes really clogged with mucus, they become increasingly distressed and increasingly starved of oxygen. Rhinotracheitis can also cause swelling and discharge of the eyes, a high temperature, lethargy, and a loss of smell, which can result in reduced appetite.

Feline calicivirus is also a cause of severe upper respiratory infection in cats, so can look similar to rhinotracheitis in many ways. It causes swollen eyes, high temperatures and lethargy as well as sneezing. Typically, calicivirus also causes oral lesions known as stomatitis, and can cause significant gingivitis, leading to subsequent dental disease. All of these factors can contribute to a reduced appetite and marked oral pain. Just like herpes viruses, calicivirus is highly transmissible through saliva, coughs and sneezes, so is readily spread between cats when they groom each other or fight.

Feline panleucopaenia is so-called because of the effect of the parvovirus that causes it: the virus wipes out the immune system of your pet. Like parvovirus in other species, affected pets tend to experience profuse and projectile vomiting and diarrhoea, as the cells in their intestines are permanently destroyed. They frequently develop very high temperatures, become very depressed and lethargic, and develop severe dehydration very rapidly. Affected cats may also have cold-like symptoms. Transmission of the virus is extremely rapid and can be through bodily secretions as well as being carried on fomites (e.g. clothing, shoes etc.) This virus is worst in kittens but fatal in most pets, although some may survive following intensive care and prolonged hospitalisation.

Feline leukaemia virus is generally spread by cats that love to love! It is spread readily by mutual grooming, so can affect groups of cats very rapidly. The virus does exactly what the name suggests, and causes leukaemia. Although called ‘leukaemia virus’, this is actually a retrovirus, very similar to HIV in people, and weakens the immune system to the point where it doesn’t work any longer. This is very common amongst cats, and has very varied signs because it can affect any part of the immune system. Cats may simply lose weight, develop oral lesions, high temperatures, or have swollen lymph nodes (glands). There is no treatment available, so affected cats receive supportive treatment as required. Unfortunately, most do not live longer than there years from diagnosis.

Chickens

Most avian vaccinations are given at 1-14 days of age and cannot be given after this, so it is unlikely that vaccination will be an option once you already have a chicken. However, most birds being rehomed from industry, e.g. battery hens, will have received vaccinations. It is worth asking for a record of these if you are getting them directly from the supplier. If you have a large group of chickens, or have several friends/neighbours with chickens, and you are all expecting chicks to hatch at the same time, you could consider vaccination. However, most avian vaccines come in industry sizes and must be used within 24 hours of broaching, so be prepared to pay a lot and waste a lot!

If you are thinking of adding pure breeds to your battery rescues, strongly consider sourcing the new birds from suppliers who vaccinate, and request a copy of the records when you collect the birds. A few diseases are listed below for which birds may have been vaccinated, although more are available.

Mareks disease is a chicken herpes virus that is spread readily in feather dust. It can last in the soil for 18 months and is extremely difficult to get rid of, once in your flock. It spreads rapidly between birds, and causes symptoms such as paralysis, neurologic disease, heart conditions, and mortality through development of lymphoma. Not all infected birds display symptoms immediately, and not all birds will develop any signs at all. However, latent carriers (those that do not show any signs) are a constant source of infection to other birds. If you have rescued battery hens and are thinking of adding other birds, it is well worth requesting that pedigree birds come vaccinated!

Coccidiosis is a leading cause of diarrhoea, poor growth and poor laying in chickens. Industry birds should be vaccinated at five days of age, but prevention at home is based on regular, thorough cleaning of housing, low stocking densities, and good husbandry.

Mycoplasma gallisepticum causes respiratory disease in chickens, turkeys and other species, giving them swollen eyes and a runny nose. Affected birds have an extremely heavy cold and sinusitis. It is a leading cause of respiratory disease in chickens, and is usually very difficult to clear. However, affected birds can usually recover with supportive care. The virus is spread both through eggs themselves but also through secretions and in the environment. Industry birds are vaccinated at an early age, but at-home prevention is based on good ventilation and hygiene protocols.

Avian rhinotracheitis is another of the common causes of respiratory diseases in chickens, turkeys and ducks. It causes sinusitis, with facial swellings over the sinuses, and frothy discharges from the eyes and mouth. Affected birds spread the virus readily to others. They may develop a head tilt from an ear infection, or be found in rigid positions on the floor. Affected birds may reduce their egg production. Vaccination is through drinking water at a young age, and prevention in older birds is via thorough cleaning with quaternary ammonium compounds, good ventilation, and low stocking densities.

Dogs

Our canine friends require annual vaccinations throughout their lives. As a puppy, they should receive an initial vaccination at eight weeks of age and a second vaccination at 12 weeks of age*. This is known as their ‘primary course’. It is very important that these vaccines are given as close to four weeks apart as possible, in order to maximise the immune response the puppy has. (*Some clinics use different vaccinations that are given two weeks apart, with the puppy being able to socialise four weeks after the first vaccine, but our clinic uses the four week protocol.)

We recommend vaccination against canine distemper virus, canine hepatitis, canine parvovirus, leptospirosis, and kennel cough complex. Most of these are given on an annual basis, although some components can be reduced to every three years after your pet has received at least six consecutive vaccinations. Your vet will go through any changes with you at the time, because these may not always be appropriate for every patient.

Canine distemper has unfortunately made a come-back in the UK since the COVID pandemic, when many of our pets went unvaccinated because of the vaccine shortages. This classically causes dry, cracked noses and foot pads in affected dogs, who also display neurological abnormalities and behaviour changes. However, patients may also develop high temperatures, a cough, cold-like symptoms, or loss of appetite. This disease can be fatal, and is similar to measles in people.

Canine hepatitis virus is one of the many possible causes of hepatitis in dogs, but is frequently fatal in unvaccinated pets. It is caused by an adenovirus, which are viruses that cause common colds in humans. As such, it can cause runny eyes and nose, congestion, and depression. However, because it also affects the liver, it can cause life-threating clotting conditions and a marked depletion of the immune system.

Canine parvovirus is a severe viral disease of dogs, and is almost always fatal. Some adult patients may survive with intensive care and prolonged hospitalisation. Common signs include profuse projectile vomiting and diarrhoea, rapid development of severe dehydration, lethargy and depression. Affected dogs frequently develop very high temperatures, and may also have cold-like symptoms. Transmission of the virus is extremely rapid and can be through bodily secretions as well as being carried on fomites (e.g. clothing, shoes etc.).

Leptospirosis is also known as Weil’s disease, and is caused by a spirochete in contaminated urine or water sources. This is rife in the UK, and we strongly advise annual vaccination against it. We recommend and use the L4 vaccine in our clinic, because some of the strains found in Europe are now being found in the UK too. Leptospirosis will adversely affect the reproductive tracts of entire animals, and causes kidney failure in all animals. This can also be contracted by people, so caution should be exercised when handling urine from affected patients.

Kennel cough complex is exactly what is suggested in the name: a complex of different pathogens. However, unlike the name, it is emphatically not only related to kennelled dogs! This is more like the persistent cough that often circulates among young children returning from primary school, making its way around the playground ceaselessly. Kennel cough complex is a mixture of canine parainfluenza virus, Bordatella bronchiseptica, and mixed other pathogens. Although parainfluenza can be vaccinated against via an injection, the vaccine is not very effective in this form, and no nasal form has yet been developed. However, the vaccine against Bordatella bronchiseptica, a bacterium, is effective in both the nasal vaccination (the most effective vaccine), and to a lesser degree by injection. Kennel cough complex causes high temperatures, lethargy, depression, severe colds (runny eyes and nose, congestion), and sometimes difficulty breathing. It can be fatal to immunocompromised dogs, and old and young animals. Vaccination helps to reduce the severity of infection, and is highly recommended to anyone who walks their dogs with or near others. The disease is readily transmitted through coughs and sneezes, so is very easily passed on, even in the park!

Ferrets

Although ferrets do not require a lot of vaccinations, we recommend an annual vaccine against distemper virus. This is not licensed for ferrets – the dog vaccine is used instead, so is assessed on an individual requirement basis. However, distemper can be devastating to ferret populations, and is readily spread between animals.

Ferrets typically receive a first vaccine at 12 weeks of age, then a second vaccination 2-4 weeks later. This is known as their ‘primary course’. Please be prepared to wait for around half an hour after each of the primary injections, so that we can monitor for the rare, but possible, vaccine reactions. Thereafter, your pet should receive an annual booster vaccine.

Rabbits

Bunnies require vaccination on an annual basis throughout their lives. We very strongly advise vaccination for myxomatosis, rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease-1 (RHD-1) and rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease-2 (RHD-2), regardless of whether your pet is an indoor or outdoor bunny.

Myxomatosis is caused by a rabbit poxvirus, and once found in South America, is now endemic amongst our wild populations. This is carried by rabbit fleas, which crawl into the ears of your bunnies. Rabbit fleas are found all around the countryside, so any rabbit going outdoors for even a short time can pick them up. For this reason, we also recommend regular treatment against fleas. However, it can also be carried by mosquitoes, so indoor bunnies are also at risk. Myxomatosis causes severe respiratory disease, swelling of the head and of the reproductive organs, and is frequently fatal.

Rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease is found in two strains in this country. Both strains cause bleeding of the internal organs of affected rabbits, and both are common. RHD may cause high temperatures, lethargy, collapse, convulsions, breathing difficulties, or in some cases, animals may simply be found dead. We are in a particularly prolific area for RHD viruses, and these are almost always fatal in unvaccinated patients. However, vaccination is extremely protective to most bunnies. We use a combined vaccine for myxomatosis, RHD-1 and RHD-2 given on an annual basis. However, in the face of a local outbreak, we may recommend a top-up vaccine for RHD every six months.