Covering the core vaccinations recommended by The British Small Animals Veterinary Association (BSAVA) as well as optional additions, we’re here to make sure your pet is fighting fit.
Vaccinations
Safe, simple protection for pets
Whether it’s your new pet’s first vaccinations or annual boosters, at Nova Vets, our expert veterinary team offers an affordable vaccination programme to keep your furry family member safe and protected.
Our pet vaccinations
Pet vaccinations are given to dogs, cats and rabbits to help protect them from infectious diseases. It works by stimulating the pet’s immune system to recognise and fight specific viruses or bacteria, much like vaccines for humans. Vaccinations help prevent serious or fatal diseases, and help to stop the spread of disease between animals.
We offer a full range of core vaccinations for dogs, cats, and rabbits as well as additional recommended vaccines. You can read more about recommended vaccinations below.
Your pet's core vaccinations
While there’s no legal requirement in the UK to vaccinate your pet, most veterinary professionals follow expert guidelines from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA). These organisations outline a list of essential core vaccinations for dogs, cats, and rabbits to protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.
Core vaccinations vary by species, and we’ve outlined them for you below.
In addition to core vaccines, our team can also advise on recommended non-core vaccinations based on your pet’s lifestyle and risk factors — such as kennel cough, which is commonly required for dogs attending daycare or boarding facilities.
Dog vaccinations
The core dog vaccinations that we recommend to protect your pet against the most common and dangerous canine diseases are:
- Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) – protects against CDV – a highly contagious viral disease which affects the lungs, gut and brain. Closely related to the human measles virus, CDV is often fatal, particularly in puppies and unvaccinated dogs.
- Canine Parvovirus (CPV-2) – protects against Parvovirus – a very infectious, usually fatal disease that attacks the cells in a dog’s intestines, stopping them from being able to absorb vital nutrients. Causing dehydration and extreme weakness, Parvo is particularly dangerous for puppies, who can become rapidly ill.
- Canine Adenovirus (CAV-1 & CAV-2) – protects against infectious hepatitis (CAV-1), a life threatening disease that affects the liver and CAV-2 which can cause serious respiratory symptoms like coughs, infections of the eyes, and nasal discharge.
- Leptospirosis (L4) – protects against the four main strains of Leptospirosis – a potentially fatal bacterial infection which seriously damages vital organs like the liver and kidneys. Leptospirosis is also zootropic which means, though very rare, it can also pass from dogs to humans in the form of Weils Disease.
How We Administer The Vaccines:
- Usually CDV, CAV, CPV are given in combination as a single DHPP vaccine (sometimes referred to as DHP). After your pet’s first annual booster, this is administered every 3 years.
- As Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease, the vaccine is administered annually throughout a dog’s life. The immunity from a Leptospirosis vaccination is relatively short-lived, which is why it is included in every annual booster vaccination for dogs.
- Puppy vaccination courses consist of 2 vaccines given 4 weeks apart, typically at 8 and 12 weeks of age. A full vaccination is then given at 1 year of age (the first annual booster). After that, a leptospirosis vaccination is administered every year but the DHP element is only required every third year.
Cat vaccinations
The core cat vaccinations that we recommend to protect your cat from common feline illnesses are:
- Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV) – protects against feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), also known as Feline parvovirus- a highly contagious, often deadly viral disease affecting the digestive and immune system.
- Feline Leukemia (FeLV) – protects against the feline leukemia virus which can cause anemia, cancer and in the worst cases, death.
- Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1) – protects against Feline Herpesvirus – a highly contagious virus that causes feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR) — a major component of “cat flu.” It primarily affects the respiratory system, eyes, and upper airways of cats, particularly kittens.
- Feline Calicivirus (FCV) – protects against Feline Calicivirus – another major cause of cat flu. Highly contagious, FCV affects the mouth, respiratory tract, and joints with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
How are they administered?
- These are typically given in a single injection as a trivalent vaccine (FVRCP)
- The FeLV is given as part of the initial vaccination course, then after your pet’s first annual booster, every 3 years.
- The vaccines are administered as a course of two 3-4 weeks apart as a kitten – the second dose must be given no earlier than 12 weeks of age.
Rabbit vaccinations
The core rabbit vaccinations we recommend to protect your pet against the most common diseases are:
Core Vaccines:
- Myxomatosis – this protects against Myxomatosis – a serious and often fatal viral disease that can cause severe swelling, breathing difficulties, blindness and even sudden death in very serious cases.
- Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) – types 1 and 2 – also known as Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD) — is a highly contagious and often fatal disease affecting rabbits. It has two known strains in the UK: RHD-1 and RHD-2 and causes internal bleeding, organ failure, and in the worst cases can cause sudden death.
How we administer the vaccine:
- Available as a combined vaccine (Myxomatosis + RHD1 + RHD2) annually by injection.
What to expect at your pet's vaccination appointment?
Our vaccination appointments usually take 15 minutes. At your appointment, one of our experienced veterinary team members will give your pet a thorough check-up first to make sure your pet is healthy enough for vaccination. That includes checking their ears, eyes, and mouth, we’ll listen to their heart and lungs, have a feel of their abdomen for anything that doesn’t feel quite right, we’ll examine their skin and check their weight and general body condition.
We’ll also ask about their behaviour, appetite, and any concerns you might have – this is a really important part of your appointment as it can help to catch early signs of illness. If we’re happy that your pet is healthy, we’ll go ahead with their vaccinations.
Most vaccinations are given with a needle just below the skin, often between the shoulder blades – it takes just a few seconds. Some vaccines, like Kennel Cough, are given nasally, with a small spray into your dog’s nostrils. Again, this takes seconds and is painless.
Once your pet has been vaccinated, we’ll advise when their next booster vaccination is due, or for puppies and kittens, we’ll get you booked in for the next stage of your primary course of vaccines.
How much do pet vaccinations cost at Nova Vets?
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Answers to our pet vaccination FAQs
Vaccinations are one of the best ways to keep your pets safe and healthy. But we understand that any trip to the vet can feel daunting for both pets and their owners. Below we’ve answered some of our most commonly asked questions about vaccinations, covering everything from why we recommend annual vaccinations to what to do if you’re not sure what your pet has been vaccinated against.
Have a question that we haven’t covered here? Give us a call, and our team will be happy to help.
Does my pet need vaccinations every year?
We recommend annual vaccinations not only to keep your pet healthy, but to protect any animals around them by preventing the spread of potentially harmful diseases. In a similar way to human vaccines, the immunity offered by some vaccinations will wane over time. That’s why it’s important to keep up with booster vaccinations as they act as a reminder to your pet’s immune system to fight off specific viruses or bacteria, keeping them healthy throughout their life.
It is also worth bearing in mind that kennels, catteries, and pet boarding facilities usually require proof of vaccination, as do most pet insurers and travel authorities. Without up-to-date vaccinations, your pet may not be covered by their insurance or be able to travel outside of the UK.
At what age should I get my pet vaccinated?
The age at which you should get your pets vaccinated will vary depending on the species. Puppies should have their first dose between 6 and 8 weeks old, followed by a second dose 4 weeks later. From there, your dog will just need an annual top-up in the form of a booster vaccine.
Kittens need their first vaccinations at 9 weeks old, with a second dose 3-4 weeks later. These primary vaccines will be followed by annual boosters.
Rabbits can have their first vaccine from 5 weeks old, then annual booster vaccines.
Why do puppies and kittens need a course of vaccines?
Puppies and kittens get a certain level of immunity from their mother’s milk but this is only temporary and usually starts to wear off between 6 and 12 weeks of age. That means that there’s a critical window where their natural immunity is at its lowest, leaving them particularly vulnerable to disease.
This is also why we give their initial vaccinations in two parts – the first helps to bridge that gap when their mum’s antibodies start to fade, while the second provides ongoing protection once the antibodies from their mother’s milk has fully disappeared. This ensures that they’re fully protected and giving them the healthiest start.
Do elderly pets still need vaccinations?
Just as pets can be more vulnerable to disease when they’re young, immunity starts to weaken with age, meaning that senior pets can often be more susceptible to infections or illness. That’s why it’s important to keep up with your pet’s annual vaccination schedule even as they get older.
Though it’s worth keeping in mind that depending on the health and lifestyle of your senior pet, a personalised vaccination may be the best approach to balance protection and safety as your pet ages, but this is something our team can work with you to create.
Does my pet still need vaccinating if they live indoors?
Even if your pet doesn’t go outside, you and your family do, so for pets who live indoors, it’s still important to make sure they’re fully vaccinated. It’s easier than you think for pets to be exposed to disease, whether it’s from something brought in on your shoes and clothing to open windows or doors, visiting animals or even insects, disease can be carried into the home, which could be potentially harmful to your pet if they aren’t fully vaccinated.
What do I do if I miss my pet's booster vaccination?
This will depend on which vaccination(s) are overdue, and how out-of-date they are. Some vaccinations have more flexibility than others, so we’d always advise getting in touch if you’re unsure.
What are the side effects of pet vaccinations?
Vaccinations are very safe for most pets, but as with any medical treatment, there can very occasionally be some side effects. The good news is, most are very mild and temporary, but it’s important to know what’s normal and when you need to give us a call.
We always recommend keeping a close eye on your pet for the first 24-48 hours after their vaccination. You may notice they’re a little lethargic and less energetic than usual. They might have less of an appetite, be slightly warmer than usual and or they may have some minor discomfort around the injection site. These are all very normal symptoms and usually don’t need treatment.
If you do notice less common symptoms like vomiting or diarrhoea, persistent swelling or pain at the injection site, reluctance to move or mild coughing or sneezing that lasts for 48 hours or more, get in touch with us.
The best way to support your pet after they’ve been vaccinated is to let them rest in a calm environment, make sure they’ve got plenty of water, and continue to offer food as normal (but don’t worry if they have a reduced appetite). If you’re at all concerned following your pet’s vaccination appointment, don’t hesitate to give us a call, and we can advise you.
What do I do if I don't know what vaccinations my pet has already had?
When your pet is first vaccinated, you should be given a vaccination card or certificate, which will provide a list of dates, the types of vaccine your pet has had, a date for their follow-up booster vaccinations, and a stamp or signature from the vet who administered the vaccine.
However, sometimes these can be lost, or, if you’ve adopted your pet from a rescue centre, you may not have been given an up-to-date vaccination card. Vets will keep a digital record of your pet’s vaccines, so the best thing to do is to either contact us, or, if possible, your pet’s previous vet to get a full list of vaccinations given. You can also request that your pet’s previous records be transferred to us so we have a full record of your pet’s medical history.
If there’s no record for your pet, we will usually recommend a full course of vaccinations to ensure that they are fully protected.
Can pregnant pets still be vaccinated?
This can vary due to a range of factors, including how far along in their pregnancy your pet is or the type of vaccination they need. There are a number of vaccines that are safe to administer during pregnancy, but our team is on hand to talk you through the various options to establish the best course of action for your pet.
Ideally, your pet should be fully vaccinated before breeding, as immunity and maternal antibodies are passed to puppies, kittens or baby rabbits through their mother’s milk giving them a level of natural immunity before they start their first course of vaccinations.
