Dog and Cat Vaccinations

At The Pines Vet, Pacific Pines, we offer a range of vaccinations for dogs and cats. The recommended annual vaccination for dogs is the C5, while the recommended annual vaccination for cats is F3. We also recommend that outdoor and indoor cats are vaccinated against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

What does the C5 vaccination protect against?

The C5 vaccination protects your pet from Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Canine Adenovirus (Canine Hepatitis), Bordetella bronchiseptica and Parainfluenza. These diseases are spread by direct contact with affected dogs, contact with affected dogs faeces or the environment.

Canine Parvovirus

Canine Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that is endemic in Australia (which means it will always be lurking in the soil) and is easily spread from infected dogs. It causes profuse bloody diarrhoea and vomiting. Affected dogs have a high fever and can die despite the best treatment.

Canine Distemper

Canine Distemper is a viral disease that causes vomiting and diarrhoea, coughing and discharge from the eyes and nose. It also causes rough skin to form on the foot pads (which is why this disease used to be called “hard pad”). Distemper can be fatal in young puppies, and dogs that recover can go on to have seizures or have other brain abnormalities as they get older.

Canine Adenovirus (Hepatitis)

Canine Adenovirus (Hepatitis) causes a severe liver infection. Dogs develop a high fever, lethargy, loss of appetite and painful abdomen. Despite treatment dogs can still die from this disease.

Canine Cough

Bordetella bronchiseptica & Parainfluenza are both causes of tracheobronchitis or “Canine Cough”. The cough can last for several weeks if not treated. Secondary bacterial infections can develop causing pneumonia and more severe disease.

What does the F3 vaccination protect against?

The diseases protected by the F3 vaccination, such as Feline enteritis, Feline Herpes & Feline Calicivirus are endemic to Australia, which means they will always be lurking in the environment. They can also spread to cats that are indoors 100% of the time because some are airborne, and others we can carry home on our shoes. This is why cats need a booster every year to keep their immune system on guard against these diseases.

Cat Flu

The F3 vaccination protects your pet cat from Feline Enteritis (Panleukopenia) and two forms of feline respiratory viruses (also known as ‘Cat Flu’). Feline enteritis is a highly contagious viral disease and affected kittens can become depressed, anorexic and have vomiting and or diarrhoea. Many cats, but especially the old and very young can die of this disease. Cat Flu is usually caused by Feline Calicivirus and Feline Herpes Virus.

These viruses cause sneezing, runny eyes, nasal discharge and ulcers on the tongue. Kittens are more severely affected than adult cats and can run a high fever and go off their food. These respiratory viruses are distressing because they can last for many weeks despite treatment. Once infected cats can become life-long carriers of these viruses and can have recurrences of the clinical signs regularly throughout their lives, especially when stressed.

This is why it’s important that your pet cat receives the F3 booster whether or not they are going to be an indoor or outdoor cat. The respiratory viruses are airborne and so they can even affect cats kept inside 100% of the time. So you can see, these diseases really are much easier to prevent than to cure!

Questions? Bookings?

Do you have any questions or would you like to book an appointment? Please call us on 07 5665 7116 or email info@pinesvet.com.au