Vaccinations & Diseases
Parvovirus - Hepatitis - Distemper - Coronavirus - Leptospirosis - Kennel Cough - Bordetella

Do not take your puppy to the park, shopping centres, school, work, on public transport or common areas. Keep your puppy in your home, and in your private back yard, until after this third vaccination.
Vaccines
Puppies need be vaccinated regularly as they are prone to disease, and should not be allowed out of your own private property until they are fully vaccinated. Puppies can contract disease either from their surroundings or from other dogs. It is important that pups receive all 3 vaccinations, and do not leave their home environment (other than to go to the vets, and must travel in a carrier and not on a lead, until after the 3rd vaccination). A puppies immune system is not fully established, until 2 weeks after the 3rd needle has been given, adult dogs require an annual booster vaccination.
Vaccinations administered may vary, however a C3 is the core vaccine and must be given as a minimum. Below is some more detailed information on vaccinations, and the diseases we are vaccinating for.
Vaccine: C3
Administered: First vaccine given, generally when puppies are 6 – 8 weeks of age.
Other names/brands include but are not limited to: Canvac3, Protech C3, Nobivac DHP.
Vaccinating for: Parvovirus, Hepatitis, Distemper.
Parvo: Parvovirus is a disease that is fatal to young puppies and older dogs. Symptoms include bloody stained diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of appetite and a dog or puppy with Parvo will be lethargic. Death can easily occur within 24 hours, and there is generally a sudden onset of symptoms. It is rare for a puppy with Parvo to survive, but it can happen. A dog that has overcome the virus will still excrete the disease (also referred to as ‘shedding the virus’) up to 3 weeks after they have stopped showing any signs or symptoms. It is very difficult for puppies to overcome and survive this disease, and there is no cure, hence why it is so important to vaccinate your puppies and keep them at home until all vaccinations have been given. Parvovirus is widespread throughout Australia, and more outbreaks are known to occur during summer.
Hepatitis: Though virtually extinct in Australia, it is still important to be vaccinated for. Characteristics of the disease include but are not limited to; disinterest in food, lethargic/depressed, diarrhoea (generally bloody), acute abdominal pain, runny eyes and nose, jaundice and increased thirst and urination. Hepatitis is incredibly severe with death occurring within 24 – 36 hours after onset of symptoms.
Distemper: Again quite rare in Australia, can still occur sporadically. Distemper is an incredibly contagious viral disease, resulting in permanent brain damage and death. The general signs of infection include depression, fever, loss of appetite and a discharge of pus from the eyes and nose. Pneumonia, vomiting and diarrhoea are also known to follow. Recovery from distemper is unlikely.
Additional vaccinations that can be given include the C5 vaccination.
Vaccine: C5
Administered: Can be given for first vaccination at 6 – 8 weeks of age, though optional and can be given at the second and third vaccination (generally 4 weeks after the prior vaccine).
Other names/brands include but are not limited to: Protech C2i
Vaccinating for: Coronavirus, Leptospirosis.
Coronavirus: Coronavirus is a common yet mild virus. A highly contagious intestinal disease that causes vomiting, diarrhoea and sometimes fever. Death can sometimes occur as a result, though less often.
Leptospirosis: Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, weakness, eye and nasal discharge, muscle pain, decreased appetite and jaundice. Early treatment with antibiotics is beneficial, if undiagnosed kidney and liver failure can occur.
Additional vaccinations that can be given include the C7 vaccination.
Vaccine: C7
Administered: Can be given for first vaccination at 6 – 8 weeks of age, though this is optional and can be given at the second or third vaccination (generally 4 weeks after the prior vaccine).
Other names/brands include but are not limited to: Nobivac Bb/Pi
Vaccinating for: Kennel Cough (Parinfluenza), Bordetella.
Kennel Cough: Kennel cough is a contagious disease, having multiple causes. Puppies or dogs with kennel cough have a dry cough, that occurs can persist for several weeks. It is a long process, but antibiotics can fix kennel cough. It is a preferred option to vaccinate your dogs for kennel cough on an annual basis.
Bordetella: Bordetella is fairly common, and the main symptoms include cough though fever and lethargy has also been noted in cases where dogs are affected. Runny discharge from eyes and nose is also common. Antibiotics are prescribed and symptoms are generally resolved within a matter of weeks.
Vaccines
Puppies need be vaccinated regularly as they are prone to disease, and should not be allowed out of your own private property until they are fully vaccinated. Puppies can contract disease either from their surroundings or from other dogs. It is important that pups receive all 3 vaccinations, and do not leave their home environment (other than to go to the vets, and must travel in a carrier and not on a lead, until after the 3rd vaccination). A puppies immune system is not fully established, until 2 weeks after the 3rd needle has been given, adult dogs require an annual booster vaccination.
Vaccinations administered may vary, however a C3 is the core vaccine and must be given as a minimum. Below is some more detailed information on vaccinations, and the diseases we are vaccinating for.
Vaccine: C3
Administered: First vaccine given, generally when puppies are 6 – 8 weeks of age.
Other names/brands include but are not limited to: Canvac3, Protech C3, Nobivac DHP.
Vaccinating for: Parvovirus, Hepatitis, Distemper.
Parvo: Parvovirus is a disease that is fatal to young puppies and older dogs. Symptoms include bloody stained diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of appetite and a dog or puppy with Parvo will be lethargic. Death can easily occur within 24 hours, and there is generally a sudden onset of symptoms. It is rare for a puppy with Parvo to survive, but it can happen. A dog that has overcome the virus will still excrete the disease (also referred to as ‘shedding the virus’) up to 3 weeks after they have stopped showing any signs or symptoms. It is very difficult for puppies to overcome and survive this disease, and there is no cure, hence why it is so important to vaccinate your puppies and keep them at home until all vaccinations have been given. Parvovirus is widespread throughout Australia, and more outbreaks are known to occur during summer.
Hepatitis: Though virtually extinct in Australia, it is still important to be vaccinated for. Characteristics of the disease include but are not limited to; disinterest in food, lethargic/depressed, diarrhoea (generally bloody), acute abdominal pain, runny eyes and nose, jaundice and increased thirst and urination. Hepatitis is incredibly severe with death occurring within 24 – 36 hours after onset of symptoms.
Distemper: Again quite rare in Australia, can still occur sporadically. Distemper is an incredibly contagious viral disease, resulting in permanent brain damage and death. The general signs of infection include depression, fever, loss of appetite and a discharge of pus from the eyes and nose. Pneumonia, vomiting and diarrhoea are also known to follow. Recovery from distemper is unlikely.
Additional vaccinations that can be given include the C5 vaccination.
Vaccine: C5
Administered: Can be given for first vaccination at 6 – 8 weeks of age, though optional and can be given at the second and third vaccination (generally 4 weeks after the prior vaccine).
Other names/brands include but are not limited to: Protech C2i
Vaccinating for: Coronavirus, Leptospirosis.
Coronavirus: Coronavirus is a common yet mild virus. A highly contagious intestinal disease that causes vomiting, diarrhoea and sometimes fever. Death can sometimes occur as a result, though less often.
Leptospirosis: Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, weakness, eye and nasal discharge, muscle pain, decreased appetite and jaundice. Early treatment with antibiotics is beneficial, if undiagnosed kidney and liver failure can occur.
Additional vaccinations that can be given include the C7 vaccination.
Vaccine: C7
Administered: Can be given for first vaccination at 6 – 8 weeks of age, though this is optional and can be given at the second or third vaccination (generally 4 weeks after the prior vaccine).
Other names/brands include but are not limited to: Nobivac Bb/Pi
Vaccinating for: Kennel Cough (Parinfluenza), Bordetella.
Kennel Cough: Kennel cough is a contagious disease, having multiple causes. Puppies or dogs with kennel cough have a dry cough, that occurs can persist for several weeks. It is a long process, but antibiotics can fix kennel cough. It is a preferred option to vaccinate your dogs for kennel cough on an annual basis.
Bordetella: Bordetella is fairly common, and the main symptoms include cough though fever and lethargy has also been noted in cases where dogs are affected. Runny discharge from eyes and nose is also common. Antibiotics are prescribed and symptoms are generally resolved within a matter of weeks.
If your pet is showing any of the above signs or symptoms, or you are concerned enough to research the symptoms your dog or puppy is displaying, please contact your vet immediately.