Vaccines | Florence, FI | Il Poggetto Veterinary Clinic

Vaccinations

The vaccination

Considering that puppies and kittens are around seven to eight weeks old when they join a family, it's important to note that they are not yet fully protected against many infectious diseases. Thus, attention should be paid to interactions with other animals.

The mother provides protection against many infectious diseases through colostrum, but these 'passive' antibodies tend to decrease in the first few months of life.

Therefore, it's crucial to schedule a vaccination protocol starting around the second month of age. This should be done in a way that does not interfere with the antibodies provided by the mother but is capable of stimulating the 'active' immune defences of our young furry friend.

Read more
Vaccination is a vital component of preventive medical practices essential for an animal's health. Although there is no single vaccination protocol followed by all veterinarians, the most recent guidelines include a basic vaccination programme and an additional one recommended under certain circumstances (where there is a real risk of contracting a specific disease).

Vaccinations should be administered by a veterinarian, who can ensure the puppy’s good health and the absence of concurrent diseases, including intestinal parasites. These are fundamental conditions for ensuring a good and lasting antibody response and, most importantly, for preventing unwanted side effects.

Vaccinations are recorded in a special booklet, which includes details of the vaccine type, series number, administration date, and the date for the booster.

This booklet, stamped and signed by your vet, will serve as the vaccination and clinical history of the dog and cat. It should always be brought to subsequent visits and carried with the pet during their family’s travels or stays in boarding facilities. Considering various vaccination protocols, the puppy will be fully covered after the third month of life. Additionally, to maintain vaccination protection, it is advisable to repeat the stimulation annually or semi-annually to ensure a high concentration of active antibodies capable of defending against viruses present in nature.

Basic protocol

Cat
For all cats, the basic protocol includes coverage against:

Herpesvirus (causing feline infectious rhinotracheitis)
Feline Calicivirus (causing calicivirus infection)
Feline Panleukopenia Virus (causing a gastrointestinal disease)
For cats with access to the outdoors and the possibility of contact with other cats, vaccination against FELINE LEUKAEMIA is recommended.
Dog
For all dogs, the basic protocol includes immunisation against:

Canine Distemper Virus (responsible for respiratory and neurological signs)
Canine Hepatitis Virus (Adenovirus Type 1, with a preference for the gastrointestinal system)
Parvovirus (causing a severe gastrointestinal disease)
Parainfluenza (Adenovirus Type 2, which, in conjunction with other pathogens, causes so-called kennel cough or infectious tracheobronchitis)
Leptospirosis (infections caused by Leptospira bacteria affecting the kidneys and gastrointestinal system)
Rabies
It is important to remember that rabies vaccination is mandatory for obtaining a passport if the dog needs to travel abroad.

Additionally, airlines or shipping companies may, at their discretion, require rabies vaccination. In these cases, departure is only allowed 30 days after the first vaccination.

Therefore, if you plan to take your dog on holiday or on a trip, it is advisable to arrange this vaccination in advance and to repeat it regularly every year.