VACCINATIONS

Vaccinations help protect your pet against serious and potentially life-threatening infectious diseases. They work by stimulating your pet's immune system to recognise and fight specific viruses and bacteria before they can cause illness. At HIGHlands Veterinary Hospital, we recommend a vaccination schedule tailored to your pet's age, lifestyle, health status, and risk factors to provide the best possible protection.

Puppies and kittens require a series of vaccinations during their first few months of life while their immune systems are still developing. Puppies typically receive vaccinations from 6–8 weeks of age through to 16 weeks, while kittens receive vaccinations from 6–8 weeks through to 16–18 weeks. These early vaccinations help build long-lasting protection against common infectious diseases.

Most adult dogs and cats should have an annual health examination to assess their overall health and vaccination requirements. Depending on your pet's vaccination history, lifestyle, and risk of exposure, your veterinarian may recommend annual vaccinations or discuss alternative options such as titre testing where appropriate.

Core vaccines protect against serious diseases that all pets are at risk of contracting, regardless of whether they spend most of their time indoors or outdoors. Non-core vaccines are recommended based on your pet's lifestyle, environment, travel habits, and contact with other animals. During your pet's consultation, we'll help determine which vaccinations are appropriate for their individual needs.

Yes. Even indoor cats can be exposed to infectious diseases through open windows, visitors, new pets entering the home, or unexpected escapes outdoors. Core vaccinations help protect against diseases that are widespread in the environment, making them an important part of preventative healthcare for all cats.

If your dog visits dog parks, attends daycare, grooming salons, training classes, boarding facilities, or regularly socialises with other dogs, a kennel cough vaccination is strongly recommended. This protection is included as part of a C5 vaccination and helps reduce the risk of developing or spreading canine cough.

Vaccinations are most effective when your pet is healthy. Before administering any vaccine, we perform a comprehensive physical examination to ensure your pet is fit enough for vaccination. If your pet is sick or recovering from illness, we may recommend postponing their vaccination until they have fully recovered.

Vaccinations are very safe and have been used successfully to protect millions of pets worldwide. Most pets experience no side effects beyond mild sleepiness or slight tenderness at the injection site for a day or two. Serious reactions are uncommon, and our veterinary team will discuss any potential risks and answer your questions before vaccination.

Your pet's vaccination appointment includes much more than simply administering a vaccine. Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination, assess your pet's weight, teeth, heart, skin, ears, and overall health, discuss parasite prevention and nutrition, and answer any questions you have about your pet's wellbeing before recommending the most appropriate vaccinations.

Every pet is different. Factors such as age, breed, health, lifestyle, travel, and exposure to other animals all influence which vaccines are recommended. At HIGHlands Veterinary Hospital, we create an individual vaccination plan based on your pet's specific needs, helping ensure they receive the right protection without unnecessary treatments.