Welcoming a new pet into your family and wondering which vaccinations or boosters they might need?
Whilst there are no legally required vaccines for cats or dogs to have for general life in the UK, there are a number that are recommended, as well as some legally required for international travel.
Vaccinating your pet helps protect them from potentially life-threatening diseases that could be transmitted to them by wildlife or other unvaccinated animals they encounter.
Whether or not you vaccinate your pet is your choice, however the benefits of giving them lifelong protection from these sometimes fatal diseases can outweigh the mild symptoms that may present as an initial reaction to getting the vaccine - something that often puts pet owners off vaccinating their furry friend.
We’ve put together a useful guide for new pet parents; with what you need to know about getting your furry companion vaccinated, from how they work, to what they might need.
How do vaccinations work?
A vaccine contains antigens (denatured parts of the disease we are aiming to prevent). When a vaccine is given, the body’s immune system produces antibodies, it then learns and remembers how to produce the correct antibodies if it encounters that antigen again.
Do vaccinations give my pet the disease?
Most standard vaccinations used in the UK are ‘killed’ vaccines, meaning the antigen that causes your pet to produce antibodies has been de-natured or altered and it cannot cause the actual illness in the body.
Will my pet have any side effects?
Though some pets may have a slight reaction to a vaccine initially, such as tiredness, a mild fever or loss of appetite, these usually go away after the first 24 hours. If these symptoms continue past a day or two after the initial vaccine, or your pet still seems out of sorts, it’s always best to get in touch with your vet.
In rare cases, a more serious reaction could occur, and you should contact your vet immediately if your pet has any of these symptoms shortly after receiving a vaccine:
Difficulty breathing
Fainting, seizures or collapse
Persistent diarrhoea or vomiting
Swelling of the face, eyes, nose or throat
Will my vet let me know which are the best vaccines for my pet?
Your vet will consider several factors when suggesting vaccinations, these will include:
Your pet’s age – puppies and kittens will require more vaccines and boosters than adult dogs and cats, as their immune system becomes more stable in adulthood.
Your pet’s lifestyle – if they’re an indoor pet, don’t tend to travel much or interact with other animals often, they’ll be less likely to need certain vaccinations. If they’re an outdoor pet, a frequent traveller, or interact with other animals in boarding houses, parks or other environments often then they’ll be recommended more as their risks of exposure are higher.
Their exposure to certain risks due to their geographic location – the region you’re based in, whether you live in the city or countryside and the pest populations that reside there, will be used to determine what diseases your pet may be at risk of.
Their pre-existing health issues – your vet won’t recommend vaccinations for your pet if they are actively sick or have existing auto-immune issues.
Why do vaccinations need to be repeated?
All vaccines have been through clinical trials to measure how long the antibody-making lasts. After a certain length of time, your pet’s body will produce fewer antibodies or lose its memory of which antibodies to produce. This is when we need to give a ‘booster’ to top up their ability to fight the illness.
Without a booster your pet may not be able to fight the illness if they are exposed to it. The body may lose the ability to produce these antibodies at all, and the booster would not be strong enough to ‘boost’ the body’s immune system back into antibody production. They may need to start again with the original vaccine to start off the process again.
Vaccinations have had years of extensive research and testing, and they are backed by regulations and expertise in the field. It’s important to keep your pet’s vaccines up to date, not only for their wellbeing but for the wider health of the human and pet populations.
Which illnesses are vaccinations recommended for, for dogs in the UK?
Canine Distemper - A fatal condition causing symptoms from a runny nose to fits. Previously uncommon in the UK due to widespread vaccination but now sadly on the rise again.
Infectious Hepatitis - Irreversibly damages the liver and other organs.
Parvovirus - This highly contagious disease causes severe diarrhoea, vomiting with blood, intestinal damage, dehydration and is often fatal even if treated. The virus can live in the environment for many years.
Parainfluenza - One of a group of viruses that can cause kennel cough, fever, and other symptoms. It is highly contagious and usually transmitted through the air.
Leptospirosis - Spread through urine from rats, cattle, deer, unvaccinated dogs, foxes, and other mammals, it damages the liver and kidneys and can be fatal.
Which illnesses are vaccinations recommended for, for cats in the UK?
Cat Flu (Herpesvirus and Calicivirus) - Causes respiratory and upper airway symptoms, fever, mouth and eye ulcers and other symptoms. Affected cats will carry the virus for life but could live without symptoms if vaccinated regularly. Indoor cats still need this vaccine.
Feline Panleukopaenia (Feline Infectious Enteritis, Feline Parvovirus) - Similar in effects to canine parvovirus and almost always fatal. Indoor cats still need this vaccine, as, even though they may not come into direct contact with other cats, this virus can survive on clothing for up to 6 months and surfaces for up to 9 months, so you could unknowingly bring this into the home.
Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) - Can cause immunosuppression, anaemia, tumours, and lymphoma. Widely present in unvaccinated and unneutered cats.
Which vaccines are required for cats, when travelling internationally?
For travel to the EU, your cat must be vaccinated against rabies, at least 21 days before you plan to travel, and can only be vaccinated after it is 12 weeks old.
This vaccine must be documented with an Animal Health Certificate, with this, your cat will be able to enter the EU up to 10 days after its issue and for 4 months from this date for onward travel.
Which vaccines are required for dogs, when travelling internationally?
The same rules as cats, apply for dogs when travelling to the EU. They must be vaccinated against rabies, at least 21 days before you plan to travel, and can only be vaccinated after it is 12 weeks old.
This must be documented with an Animal Health Certificate, with this, they will be able to enter the EU up to 10 days after its issue and for 4 months from this date for onward travel.
An additional requirement for dogs, when travelling to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland (unless you have a pet travel document issued by Northern Ireland) and Norway, is that your dog must be treated by a vet for tapeworm. This must happen at least 24 hours before they travel and no more than 5 days before you intend to arrive in Northern Ireland.
Getting your pet vaccinated requires consultation with your vet and informed consideration of side effects. If you would like more information on this or any other pet health related queries, please contact our team of Registered Veterinary Nurses on our Assist Your Paws careline, anytime.
