DOG VACCINATIONS

Protecting Your Dog From Preventable Disease

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to help protect your dog from serious infectious diseases.

At Boundary Road Veterinary Hospital, we recommend vaccination as part of a comprehensive preventive healthcare program. Vaccinations help protect your own dog while also reducing the spread of infectious diseases within the wider dog community.

Whether you have a new puppy or an adult dog due for a booster vaccination, our veterinary team can recommend a vaccination schedule tailored to your dog's age, lifestyle and risk factors.

WHY ARE DOG VACCINATIONS IMPORTANT?

Many infectious diseases affecting dogs are highly contagious and can spread rapidly through direct contact with other dogs or contaminated environments.

Vaccination helps reduce the risk of:

  • Serious illness

  • Hospitalisation

  • Emergency treatment

  • Long-term health complications

  • Expensive veterinary treatment

  • Premature death from preventable diseases

Vaccination remains one of the safest and most effective forms of preventive healthcare available for dogs.

PUPPY VACCINATIONS

Puppies receive temporary immunity from antibodies passed from their mother. As these antibodies decline, puppies become increasingly vulnerable to infectious diseases.

Because maternal antibodies can interfere with vaccination effectiveness, puppies require a series of vaccinations to ensure reliable immunity develops.

Most puppies commence vaccinations from around 6–8 weeks of age and receive additional vaccinations every 2–4 weeks until approximately 14–16 weeks of age.

Our veterinarians will recommend the most appropriate vaccination schedule for your puppy.

ADULT DOG BOOSTER VACCINATIONS

The protection provided by vaccination gradually decreases over time.

Regular booster vaccinations help maintain ongoing immunity against important infectious diseases.

Annual vaccination appointments also allow your veterinarian to perform a comprehensive health examination and identify health concerns before they become more serious.

During your dog's health check we assess:

  • Weight and body condition

  • Teeth and gums

  • Heart and lungs

  • Skin and coat health

  • Mobility and arthritis

  • Eyes and ears

  • Lumps and skin changes

  • Overall wellbeing

Many medical conditions can be managed more effectively when detected early.

WHAT DISEASES DO DOG VACCINATIONS HELP PROTECT AGAINST?

Canine Parvovirus

Parvovirus is one of the most serious infectious diseases affecting dogs, particularly puppies.

It can cause:

  • Severe vomiting

  • Bloody diarrhoea

  • Dehydration

  • Septicaemia

  • Death

Parvovirus remains present within Australia and outbreaks continue to occur.

Canine Distemper

Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect multiple body systems including:

  • Respiratory system

  • Gastrointestinal system

  • Nervous system

Symptoms may include coughing, vomiting, diarrhoea, neurological signs and seizures.

Distemper can be fatal and survivors may suffer permanent health problems.

Canine Hepatitis

Canine Hepatitis is caused by Canine Adenovirus and can affect:

  • Liver

  • Kidneys

  • Eyes

  • Blood vessels

Clinical signs can range from mild illness through to severe disease and death.

Kennel Cough (Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease)

Kennel Cough is a common respiratory infection that can spread wherever dogs gather.

Affected dogs may develop:

  • Persistent coughing

  • Gagging or retching

  • Nasal discharge

  • Reduced exercise tolerance

Vaccination helps reduce both the likelihood and severity of infection.

Kennel Cough vaccination is commonly required for:

  • Boarding kennels

  • Doggy daycare facilities

  • Grooming facilities

  • Puppy preschool classes

DOES MY DOG NEED KENNEL COUGH VACCINATION?

Many dogs benefit from Kennel Cough vaccination, particularly if they:

  • Visit dog parks

  • Attend puppy preschool

  • Go to boarding kennels

  • Attend doggy daycare

  • Socialise regularly with other dogs

  • Visit grooming salons

Our veterinarians can advise whether Kennel Cough vaccination is appropriate for your dog.

CAN MY PUPPY GO OUTSIDE BEFORE FINISHING VACCINATIONS?

Socialisation is extremely important during puppy development. However, puppies are also more vulnerable to infectious diseases before their vaccination course is complete.

The safest approach is usually controlled socialisation with healthy, vaccinated dogs and avoidance of high-risk public areas where unknown dogs may have visited.

Your veterinarian can discuss appropriate socialisation strategies for your puppy's age and vaccination status.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A VACCINATION APPOINTMENT?

A vaccination appointment involves much more than simply administering an injection.

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough health examination and discuss:

  • Nutrition

  • Parasite prevention

  • Dental care

  • Exercise requirements

  • Behaviour and training

  • Weight management

  • Arthritis and mobility

  • Any concerns you may have noticed at home

Vaccinations are only administered if your veterinarian believes your dog is healthy enough to receive them.

ARE DOG VACCINATIONS SAFE?

Vaccinations have an excellent safety record and serious reactions are uncommon.

Most dogs experience no side effects at all.

Occasionally dogs may experience:

  • Mild tiredness

  • Temporary reduction in appetite

  • Mild discomfort at the injection site

These signs generally resolve within 24–48 hours.

If you are concerned about your dog following vaccination, please contact our veterinary team for advice.

AFTER VACCINATION CARE

Following vaccination:

  • Allow your dog to rest if needed

  • Ensure fresh water is available

  • Monitor for any unusual symptoms

  • Continue normal observation at home

Most dogs return to their normal routine very quickly.

VACCINATION REMINDERS

We provide convenient vaccination reminders via SMS, email and mail to help keep your dog's vaccinations up to date.

If you are unsure whether your dog is due for vaccination, our team can quickly check their records for you.

BOOK A DOG VACCINATION

Whether you have a young puppy requiring their first vaccinations or an adult dog due for a booster, our experienced veterinary team is here to help.

Contact us today to arrange a vaccination appointment and help keep your dog protected throughout every stage of life.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How often do dogs need vaccinations?

Most dogs require regular booster vaccinations to maintain protection against infectious diseases. The exact vaccination schedule can vary depending on your dog’s age, health and lifestyle.

Our veterinarians can recommend the most appropriate vaccination program for your dog.

At what age should puppies start vaccinations?

Puppies generally begin their vaccination course from around 6–8 weeks of age. Additional vaccinations are then usually given every 2–4 weeks until approximately 14–16 weeks of age.

This staged vaccination process helps ensure reliable immunity develops as maternal antibodies decline.

What vaccinations do dogs need?

Core dog vaccinations commonly protect against:

  • Canine Parvovirus

  • Canine Distemper

  • Canine Hepatitis

Many dogs may also benefit from Kennel Cough vaccination depending on their lifestyle and level of contact with other dogs.

Is Kennel Cough vaccination necessary?

Kennel Cough vaccination is commonly recommended for dogs that:

  • Visit dog parks

  • Attend boarding kennels

  • Go to doggy daycare

  • Attend puppy preschool

  • Socialise regularly with other dogs

  • Visit grooming salons

Kennel Cough is highly contagious and spreads easily wherever dogs gather.

Can vaccinated dogs still get Kennel Cough?

Yes. Similar to human colds and flu, Kennel Cough can involve multiple infectious organisms.

Vaccination helps reduce the likelihood and severity of infection, but vaccinated dogs may still occasionally develop mild respiratory symptoms after exposure.

Vaccinated dogs generally experience milder illness and recover more quickly.

Can my puppy go outside before vaccinations are finished?

Puppy socialisation is extremely important during early development, however young puppies are also more vulnerable to infectious diseases before their vaccination course is complete.

Controlled exposure to safe environments and healthy vaccinated dogs is generally recommended, while avoiding high-risk public areas frequented by unknown dogs.

Our veterinarians can discuss safe socialisation strategies for your puppy.

When can my puppy go to the dog park?

Most puppies should avoid public dog parks until their vaccination course is completed and immunity has had time to properly develop.

Dog parks can present a higher risk of exposure to infectious diseases including Parvovirus and Kennel Cough.

Your veterinarian can advise when it is safest for your puppy to begin visiting dog parks and public areas.

Are dog vaccinations required for boarding kennels?

Most boarding kennels, doggy daycare facilities and puppy preschool classes require dogs to be up to date with their vaccinations, including Kennel Cough vaccination.

Requirements may vary between facilities, so it is important to check directly with the provider.

What happens if my dog's vaccinations are overdue?

If vaccinations become overdue, your dog may no longer have adequate protection against infectious diseases.

Depending on how overdue the vaccinations are, your veterinarian may recommend restarting part of the vaccination schedule.

What happens during a vaccination appointment?

Vaccination appointments involve a full health examination as well as the vaccination itself.

Your veterinarian will assess your dog’s overall health and discuss areas such as:

  • Nutrition

  • Weight management

  • Dental health

  • Parasite prevention

  • Mobility and arthritis

  • Behaviour and training

  • Any concerns you may have noticed at home

Vaccination appointments are an important part of your dog’s preventive healthcare.

Are dog vaccinations safe?

Vaccinations have an excellent safety record and serious reactions are uncommon.

Most dogs experience no side effects at all.

Some dogs may experience mild tiredness, temporary reduced appetite or slight tenderness at the injection site for 24–48 hours after vaccination.

If you have any concerns following vaccination, please contact our veterinary team for advice.

Does my senior dog still need vaccinations?

Older dogs may still require ongoing vaccination protection depending on their health status and lifestyle.

Senior dogs can remain vulnerable to infectious diseases, particularly if they socialise with other dogs, visit boarding facilities or have underlying medical conditions.

Our veterinarians can discuss the most appropriate vaccination plan for your senior dog.

Why are annual health checks important even if my dog seems healthy?

Many health conditions develop gradually and may not show obvious symptoms early on.

Annual health examinations allow veterinary problems to be detected earlier, often improving treatment outcomes and helping maintain your dog’s quality of life as they age.