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Safety & Health

Out and About

Be sure to follow all of your country’s rules and regulations to avoid fines or disciplinary actions. These laws can concern the keeping of certain breeds, required vaccines, and how pets should be handled in public etc. Mistakes can happen to anybody - so, please be thoughtful and considerate when resolving issues!

Please beware that not all people will behave in your pet’s best interest and may pose a danger by leaving out poison or razor baits. Take care not to let your pet eat suspicious looking food from strange places. In case they do snatch up something from the ground, keep a close eye on them for the next 12 hours and if they show any signs of illness, take them to a vet immediately.

Grooming

Grooming your pet and brushing their teeth is important! Healthy teeth and a clean shiny coat are important to keeping your pet happy and healthy.

Sterilization

In some countries, it is recommended and sometimes required to sterilize your pet to prevent unwanted reproduction, lower the number of strays and help decrease the likelihood of some diseases. The United States in particular has very strict spay and neuter requirement laws.

In many European countries, on the contrary, sterilization surgery is illegal except in the cases of medical necessity. So, when getting a new pet make sure to double check your country’s laws on intact animals!

Keeping an Intact Dog

If you decide to not spay or neuter your dog, be sure to educate yourself on health issues such as pyometra, mammary tumours, and prostate disease.

When your female dog is in heat, she may become aggressive or unmanageable in the presence of other dogs.

While your female dog is in heat avoid dog parks or areas where they may encounter male intact dogs, in order to prevent unwanted puppies!

Dog Vaccinations

When getting a new dog, make sure to take the proper preventative measures by taking your dog to the vet for regular vaccination. On average puppies should be vaccinated starting at six weeks old, but check with your veterinarian as this average can vary depending on what country you are in!

The vaccination recommendations according to the

AAHA⁠

Core Vaccinations

Core Vaccinations

Vaccine

<16 weeks old

>16 weeks old

Boosters

Distemper Adenovirus Parvovirus +/-Parainfluenza

At least 3 doses of a combination vaccine between 6 and 16 weeks, 2-4 weeks apart.

2 doses of a combination vaccine, 2-4 weeks apart.

A single dose of a combination vaccine within 1 year following the last dose in the initial vaccination series.

Administer subsequent boosters at intervals of 3 years.

Leptospira (killed) 4-serovar

Two doses, 2-4 weeks apart, starting at 12 weeks of age.

Two doses, 2-4 weeks apart, regardless of dog’s age.

A single dose within 1 year following the last dose in the initial vaccination series.

Administer subsequent boosters annually.

Rabies

As required by law.

There are no rows in this table

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Non-Core Vaccinations

Non-Core Vaccinations

Vaccine

<16 weeks old

>16 weeks old

Boosters

Borrelia burgdorferi (canine Lyme disease)

Two doses, 2-4 weeks apart.

Two doses, 2-4 weeks apart, regardless of dog’s age.

A single dose within 1 year following the last dose in the initial vaccination series.

Administer subsequent boosters annually.

Bordetella bronchiseptica & canine parainfluenza virus

A single (IN) dose is indicated for dogs at risk of exposure.

Administer subsequent boosters annually.

Bordetella bronchiseptica & only

Parenteral (SQ): Two doses, 2-4 weeks apart. IN: Administer a single dose intranasally. Oral: Administer a single dose into the buccal pouch.

Administer subsequent boosters annually.

Canine influenza virus-H3N8/H3N2

Two doses, 2-4 weeks apart.

A single dose within 1 year following the last dose in the initial vaccination series.

Administer subsequent boosters annually.

Crotalus atrox (Western diamondback rattlesnake)

Dosing requirements and frequency of administration vary among dogs depending on body weight and exposure risk.

There are no rows in this table

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Cat Vaccinations

Getting your cat vaccinated is very important in order for your cat to live a long and healthy life. Kittens should be vaccinated between six to eight weeks of age.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (

AAFP⁠

) have listed these five following vaccines as “core vaccines” for cats.

Rabies Vaccine

FVR - Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis also known as herpes virus type 1 (FHV-1)

FP - Feline Panleukopenia

FCV - Feline Calicivirus

FeLV - Feline Leukemia Virus (considered a core vaccine for kittens only)

Non-Core vaccines are optional and should be considered after speaking to your veterinarian about your cat’s exposure to these specific diseases. Non-Core vaccines include;

Chlamydophila Felis - Causes feline chlamydiosis

Bordetella Bronchiseptica- Causes Feline Bordetellosis

FeLV - Feline Leukemia Virus (only considered non-core in adult cats)