Updated November 29, 2020
- Puppies: Protective vaccination is now safely given at 10 weeks of age. This means there are usually only two vaccinations required before a puppy can safely walk, the first with the breeder and the second with you. (We also give a safety-net 16 week parvo shot as per the WSAVA guidelines)
- Adult Dogs: Parvovirus, Distemper and Hepatitis protection can now last for three years, meaning dogs only require annual Canine Cough vaccination.
Why have vaccine protocols changed?
Older protocols are still widely used. These changes only apply to the newer vaccines which have been developed and tested to provide earlier or longer protection.
What Vaccinations Pets Need Annually
Dogs
Annual: Canine Cough vaccination
Triennial (every 3 year): Parvovirus, Distemper and Hepatitis vaccination
Not recommended*: Coronavirus, Leptospirosis
Cats
Annual: Herpesvirus, Calicivirus, Enteritis
Biennial: Herpesvirus, Calicivirus, Enteritis for solitary, indoor only cats who don’t use cat boarding and whose owners have minimal contact with other cats**
Annual: FIV vaccination
Not recommended*: Feline Leukaemia Virus, Chlamydia
Rabbits
Annual: Calicivirus vaccination
Ferrets
Annual: Distemper vaccination
*Please ask us for more information. This advice reflects regional disease prevalence and is not relevant to other parts of Australia. Click here for areas requiring leptospirosis vaccination.
**There is no F3 vaccine available that has label recommendations or has been tested for 2 year intervals. This will require informed consent from the owner. When in doubt, annual is safest
Don’t miss our other articles on pet vaccination:
- Diseases of dogs and diseases of cats that we use vaccines to prevent.
- Vaccine reactions, vaccinating safely and alternatives to vaccination like titre testing.
- The changes to vaccination schedules for your pet.
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By Andrew Spanner BVSc(Hons) MVetStud, a vet in Adelaide, Australia. Meet his team here.