Vaccinations and Worming
Dogs & Puppies
Vaccinations are an important part of preventative health for pets; Vaccinations reduce the likelihood of contracting the disease and decreases the severity of the symptoms.
Please keep in mind that vaccination protocols can differ between clinics, especially interstate. All information below is based on PVC vaccination protocols and updated information directly from Nobivac vaccination company.
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Vaccination schedule
Puppies
6-8 weeks - C3 (DHP) vaccine
10-12 weeks - C5 (DHP + BB/Pi) vaccine
14-16 weeks - C5 (DHP + BB/Pi) vaccine
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If an intranasal kennel cough vaccine (INKC) is given at 2nd puppy vaccinations, the second KC vaccine won't be needed. The booster is only needed for injectable KC.
Socialisation after vaccinations
Socialisation with other puppies and dogs should ideally begin at least a week following the third and final vaccination. You can have your puppy around another dog after the second vaccination only if that dog is up to date with vaccinations and worming with the understanding that there is still a risk to the puppy.
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Adult dog
Annual vaccinations
1st adult vaccination will be C5 (DHP + BB/Pi) vaccine.
What vaccinations are given and what they protect against
C3 (DHP) vaccine – Parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis viruses. This vaccine is administered triennially (every 3 years).
Kennel cough (KC – BB/Pi) also known as Canine Cough – Bordetella Bronchiseptica, Canine Parainfluenza virus. This vaccine is administered annually (every year).
Intranasal KC (INKC) - Bordetella Bronchiseptica, Canine Parainfluenza virus. This vaccine is the live version of the injectable KC vaccine. This can be given in place of the injectable version if your pet is overdue for vaccinations as it typically begins working faster than the injectable.
C5 (C3 + KC / C3 + INKC) – this is what will typically reflect on vaccination records every 3 years when C3 is also due in conjunction with KC.
Leptospirosis (C2i) vaccine – This vaccination is administered annually. Your pet will require 2 initial booster shots one month apart. After this initial course, the vaccine is given every year.
This vaccine is highly recommended for dogs who live or are visiting a high risk area such as the coast, farms; or if they are coming into contact with mice/rats. See here for more information regarding Leptospirosis.
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Worming
Worming is an important preventative measure for your pets health. Regular worming decreases the likelihood of the contraction and transmission of intestinal worms and heartworm. Worm infestations will cause abnormalities in your pets health and behaviour and if left untreated, can lead to illness and disease. Note: Untreated heartworm is fatal which is why it is important to ensure your worming product includes prevention.
Additionally, humans can contract worms via their pets, so it is best to worm both yourself and your pets.
Please keep in mind that worming protocols can differ between clinics and brands of worming products. It is important to read the product that you purchase for your pets worming as different brands have different worming scheduling and cover different things. If you are unsure, please contact your veterinarian for advice.
Puppies
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Worming (oral) should begin at 2 weeks of age.
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Worming (oral) should be done every 2 weeks for intestinal worms until 12 weeks of age
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From 12 weeks of age onwards, puppies should be wormed monthly for intestinal worming and heartworm prevention.
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Once your puppy is 6 months of age, there is the option to administer an injectable heartworm prevention which is then administered annually. I.e., If your puppy has the injection at 6 months, they will need a booster at their 1 year vaccinations, then the injection is done each year at their annual vaccinations. This injection often aligns with desexing as this is typically performed at 6 months of age unless your dog is a larger breed, then they tend to be desexed a bit later (1 year onwards). Note: If your pet is having the injectable heartworm prevention, intestinal worming will only need to be administered every 3 months; It is important to check your wormer doesn’t include any heartworm prevention as they will be receiving this prevention from the injection.
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If you opt to continue giving oral worming: Intestinal worming = 3 monthly
Heartworm prevention = typically monthly treatments depending on the product.
Intestinal worming and heartworm prevention is commonly combined into one product which are generally monthly treatments.
There is a blood test that can be performed to determine whether your dog has heartworm – if they do, they will need immediate treatment.
Adult dog
Worming should be done every 3 months for intestinal worming if already on Heartworm prevention.
Heartworm prevention schedule depends on the brand of product – most are monthly treatments that also include intestinal worming, therefore you worm every month.
Worming Products and what they cover
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Nexgard - fleas, ticks, flea tapeworm, mites. This can be administered monthly in dogs at least 8 weeks of age and weighing 2+kgs.
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Nexgard spectra – fleas, ticks, mange, mites, heartworm, roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, flea tapeworm infestations, flea allergy dermatitis. This can be administered monthly in dogs at least 8 weeks of age and weighing 2+kgs.
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Bravecto Spot-On or Chew – fleas, ticks, mites. This can be administered 3-6 monthly (every 3 months for the Chew and every 6 months for the spot-on treatment) in dogs at least 8 weeks of age and weighing 2+kgs.
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Nuheart - Heartworm prevention only. This can be administered monthly in dogs at least 6 weeks of age and weighing 2+kgs. Dosing is dependent on weight – this product comes in different weight ranges (please refer to product packaging).
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Milpro - Intestinal worming only; roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, and tapeworm (including hydatids). This can be administered monthly – 3monthly (monthly for intestinal worming and heartworm prevention; 3monthly for intestinal worming only) in dogs at least 2 weeks of age and weighing 0.5+kgs.
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Symparica - fleas, ticks, mange, and mites. This can be administered monthly in dogs at least 8 weeks of age and weighing 1.25+kgs. This product kills 100% of alive adult fleas within 8 hrs after administration.
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Symparica trio – fleas, ticks, heartworm, roundworm, and hookworm. This can be administered monthly in dogs at least 8 weeks of age and weighing 1.25+kgs.
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Troy Puppy Worming Syrup – Roundworm only. The dosage is dependent on weight and age, and is given on the bottle of the product.
Please note: This is not an extensive list; there are other worming brands, but these are the most commonly used.
Please note2: Some products may not be suitable for certain breeds so it is advised to check with your veterinarian before administering any products to your pets.
Where to buy?
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Pet stores
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Veterinarian clinics
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Online
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