At Home Pet Vaccinations

Vaccination and Preventative Care

Vaccinations are important to prevent infectious disease for your fur baby. At My Companion Mobile Vet, we offer at-home pet vaccinations so your beloved pet can get their shots on their home turf!

Protocol For Mobile Vet Vaccinations

Traditionally the vaccination protocol for dogs and cats in this area was to have 3 vaccinations at the puppy /kitten stage followed by full yearly C5 vaccinations and F3 vaccinations for cats. This is also the protocol set by the manufacturer. Recent guidelines recommend 2-4 weekly puppy/kitten vaccinations from 6-8 weeks until 16 weeks old, followed by a 6-month booster and titre testing. For dogs, yearly kennel cough (KC) and 3-yearly core (C3) vaccines. For cats, 1-3 yearly core (F3) vaccines, depending on individual risk. We are happy to do either regime – book an appointment with us today to discuss your options!

Vaccinations – Timing is Key

Kitten & Puppy Vaccinations

Puppies and kittens are protected by maternal antibodies in their early weeks. Once these antibodies wane, they can respond to vaccinations and become fully vaccinated. Most will have waning maternal antibodies between 8-12 weeks, but some may respond earlier or later. This is why a vaccination regime starting from 6-8 weeks old every 2-4 weeks until at least 16 weeks of age or older is now recommended.

6 month booster

A 6-monthly booster is recommended to cover the few that may not have responded to initial puppy/kitten vaccinations. For those who would like to follow recent guidelines, titre testing is done 1 month after vaccination. This tests for immunological response to ensure protective immunity has developed after vaccination. For a pet that has mounted an insufficient immunological response, restrictions will need to be put in place for their protection until retesting after the next vaccination. Where pets have mounted a sufficient response we can be confident that the vaccination has been successful.

Adult vaccinations

For dogs their core vaccination (C3) should last 3 years once immunity has developed. Titre testing can be used to check levels at 3 years also.

Kennel cough vaccines provide immunity for 1 year, therefore yearly vaccinations are required. For cat vaccination, immunity of the core vaccines differs.

FPV immunity lasts for 3 years, while FHV-1 and FCV vaccine immunity is partial and therefore at risk cats should be given a booster annually ideally timed at least 2 weeks before going into a cattery since the most robust immunity occurs within the 3 month period following vaccination. At risk cats are those that may come into contact with other cats.

Common vaccinations for SE QLD area

Canine

Contains Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper Virus and Canine Adenovirus vaccines. These are core vaccinations recommended for all dogs. The diseases covered are highly contagious and often fatal. Note that of these diseases parvovirus is most prevalent as it can persist in the environment for many years so direct contact or recent indirect contact are not necessary to contract disease.

Kennel Cough

Contains B. bronchisepta and Parainfluenza virus vaccines. These vaccines are recommended for dogs that may come into contact with infected dogs or objects contaminated by infected dogs.

Dogs that get out and about should be covered eg. dogs that go for walks, to dog parks, to kennels etc. Vaccination should also be considered for situations where other dogs can contaminate through fencing for stay at home dogs.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis vaccine. This vaccine may be appropriate in dogs that live on farms or visit farm areas regularly. Otherwise not considered necessary in our area.

Feline

Contains Feline Panleukopenia (FPV), Feline Calicivirus(FCV) and Feline Rhinotracheitis (FHV-1) vaccines. These are core vaccinations recommended for all cats.

All are highly contagious. Feline Panleukopenia is often fatal. The latter 2 generally have low mortality rates (except for virulent form of calicivirus which is often fatal).

The signs of these can persist for very long periods causing upper respiratory signs, oral, nasal or ocular ulcers and distress. Some cats become chronically infected and continue to shed virus.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)

This vaccination may be appropriate for cats that are allowed to wander and may come into contact with other cats.

FIV is transferred through scratches and bites and may progress to terminal feline AIDS overtime which acts very similar to human disease.

The immune system is heavily weakened leaving cats susceptible to many other diseases that they cannot fight off. Vaccination is only about 60% protective. To prevent infection the best option is to keep your cat indoors / create an outdoor enclosure.

Other feline vaccines

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) vaccination. This vaccine may be appropriate for cats that come into contact with other cats.

Chlamydophila felis vaccination. This vaccine may be appropriate for cats that come into contact with other cats.

Parasite Prevention

Heartworm

Transferred through mosquito bites. Can cause fatal disease.

Preventatives include: Monthly tablet, spot-on or injection eg. milbemax tablet, advocate monthly spot-on, Bravecto plus 2 monthly spot-on for cats only. Yearly proheart SR12 injection for dogs only. If there has been a lapse in treatment a heartworm test will be required prior to the SR12 injection.

Intestinal worms

Intestinal worms are most commonly transferred through ingestion and include the following:

Round worm. Preventative example: Milbemax (also prevents Tapeworm. When used monthly prevents Heartworm).
Tapeworm. Preventative example: Popantel tapewormer

Intestinal worming schedule changes with age.

Fortnightly: kittens and puppies up to 3 months old
Monthly: kittens and puppies from 3 to 6 months old
3 Monthly: Cats and dogs 6 months and older

Fleas, paralysis ticks and mites

Fleas, Ticks, and Mites are easily transferable parasites. Fleas and mites cause itchiness, while tick toxicity can be fatal. Prevention is key – check your pet regularly, keep their hair short, and use a reliable preventative treatment.

Preventative examples:

3 weekly: eg Frontline spray

1 monthly: eg comfortis tablet (not ticks), Nexgard chew* (dog), Advocate/Revolution spot-on^ (not ticks)

3 Monthly Bravecto Chew (dogs only)

3 Monthly Bravecto spot–on^ Cat only or 6 monthly Bravecto spot-on^ for dogs

There are a number of products available. Certain products should not be used for animals with certain conditions, stages of life or in combination with certain medication. Ideally you should give the ingestible preventative with food.

*For Nexgard chew if your dog does not swallow and you need to give it like a tablet ensure you break it up.

^For spot-on treatments it is best not to wash your pet 3 days before or after placement of spot-on.

At My Companion Vet, we provide hassle-free at-home pet vaccinations – book an appointment with us today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take my puppy outside before vaccinations?

Taking your puppy outside before they’ve had their vaccinations may not be the best idea. Their vulnerable immune system puts them at risk of picking up viruses or infectious agents that can cause illnesses, some of which can even be fatal. It’s important to wait until your puppy has received its necessary vaccinations before introducing it to other animals or outdoor spaces. That way you can ensure that the environment you are exposing them to is as safe and healthy for them as possible! As positive socialisation is important while they are young, speak to your veterinarian about timing and ways to safely provide positive social experiences.

What is a 5-in-1 dog vaccine?

Also known as a C5, a 5 in 1 dog vaccine is a great way to protect your pup from some of the most common and serious dog diseases out there. It works by introducing small amounts of either killed or weakened disease-causing organisms into the dog’s body so that their bodies can build immunity against them. This means that your furry friend will be protected from Parvovirus, Distemper virus and Canine Adenovirus vaccines along with infectious agents that cause kennel cough.