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  • Dog Vaccinations

Dog Vaccinations

The primary vaccinations for puppies helps to overcome the remaining anti-body protection that they still have from their mothers and ensures reliable protection at an early age. 

The first vaccination is usually given at 8 weeks old, followed by a second two to four weeks later (no earlier than 10 weeks old), allowing for an early socialisation programme.

At the second vaccination appointment we will provide you with your certificate of vaccination.

Oak Barn Vets recommends that yearly boosters are obtained to ensure immunisation is up to date. We can provide the following vaccinations for your dog:

A full health check is booked for every dog that is having a vaccination to ensure that they are in good health before giving the injection.

Book a vaccination appointment for your dog

Dog Vaccinations FAQs

Do dogs need to be vaccinated?

Vaccinations are essential for providing your dog with adequate protection from life-threatening and debilitating diseases. There is the option of Titre testing, which involves blood samples to determine your dog's immunity. Unfortunately, this is not always 100% reliable, it is costly to perform and leptospirosis would still need to be vaccinated against. This is why we would recommend core vaccinations on the whole.

Is it OK to not vaccinate my dog?

As veterinary professionals, we would always recommend vaccinations; the risk is not worth taking when it comes to the harmful diseases.

What vaccines do dogs legally need?

It is not a legal requirement to have a dog vaccinated, but it is highly advisable. Some kennels, dog trainers and day-care require vaccinations for all dogs to use their services. Insurance can also be invalidated if dogs are not vaccinated.

At what age do you stop vaccinating your dog?

Dogs require annual booster vaccines throughout their lives; this is to ensure maximum protection against life-threatening diseases. We base our choice of vaccines on the lifestyle of the dog rather than age.

What vaccinations does my dog need?

Annual boosters usually cover leptospirosis and kennel cough (can be given every six months). However, distemper, parvovirus and canine hepatitis are usually needed every three years. Therefore, a dog would need a vaccine every year to have maximum protection against diseases.

Because of yearly vaccinations, this is why our health plans are popular – they break down these costs into monthly payments. The plan also covers various preventative treatments, including flea treatments, worming treatments and anal gland expressions - if you haven't already signed up - click here to find out more.

What do vets use to deworm dogs?

There are many ranges of worming treatments that we can prescribe, including tablets, liquids, granules and spot-ons. The products can vary with the latest recommendations, we would advise contacting us to discuss our various products so we can give you the most appropriate recommendation. Flea treatment and worming regimes are not a one size fits all, so it's best to speak to us.

What is the best worming treatment for dogs?

There are many products available as well as new products emerging each year. We are here to help with selecting the best-suited protection for you and your dog. We have the most up to date advice and treatments available. We dispense prescription-only parasite treatments which are more effective than over the counter treatments and are often combined to tackle other parasites in one medication.

Under UK law, only veterinary surgeons can prescribe prescription medications as they are required to health assess a dog before prescribing them. For flea and worm treatments, vets usually require a health check every 12 months, which can fall under your pet's annual booster health check. Please note other classes of medications vary with the frequency of health checks required.

What do dogs do when they have worms?

Worms (excluding tapeworm) are rarely seen, so it is difficult to know if your dog does have worms. Therefore, prevention is much safer for your dog. Tapeworms can appear as rice-like grains around the anus or in faeces. It is essential that you give regular treatments, especially if you have children. Puppies are also at a higher risk of worms. Worms are zoonotic meaning they can pass from animals to people.
Symptoms usually occur in high levels of infestation – these symptoms include:
 
  • diarrhoea
  • vomiting
  • swollen abdomen
  • lethargy
  • nutritional deficiencies
  • dehydration
  • cough (in roundworm and hookworm infections).
  • pneumonia (in serious cases of roundworm). 
If you would like to discuss a worming treatment plan with our vet, you can contact us, and we can provide the most up to date and evidence-based recommendations.

Are there any schemes/offers to help with covering the cost of my pets’ vaccinations?

Our Pet Health for Life Plan offers the best value way to vaccinate your pet to ensure they have the preventative health protection they need over the course of their lifetime. Being a member allows you the opportunity to spread the cost over 12 months whilst also receiving discounts on other services at Lida Vets. If you would like further information on vaccination programmes for your pet, or our Pet Health for Life Plan, please contact us.