One of the most misunderstood aspects of accommodating the furry members of your family in kennels is the requirement for specific vaccinations to have been given within a certain time to ensure a particular level of cover against chosen evils. It’s a scary subject for most of our Pet Parents, one that is not understood well, with conflicting information from vets and different requirements from different boarding establishments. I am going to try to explain what the vaccinations are for, why we insist they are current, and why we will not compromise for any guest.
There are two vaccinations that we MUST have in place :
DHP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo Virus) – valid for 3 years from the date of vaccination
This is a multi-vaccine providing cover for three viruses in the same jab.
Distemper is a nasty virus that causes a wide range of symptoms including a cough, runny eyes/nose, diarrhoea, high temperature, tremors and fits. Distemper spreads in the air through contact with infected dogs and on items they have touched.
Infectious Hepatitis is a virus that attacks the liver, blood vessels, immune system, kidneys, eyes, lungs and heart. It spreads in bodily fluids (urine, stools and saliva) and most dogs catch infectious hepatitis from an infected dog, or from going somewhere an infected dog has been.
Parvovirus (Parvo) is a very nasty virus particularly for young dogs. Parvovirus is still common in the UK and can be deadly if it’s left untreated. It attacks the intestines causing severe vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration. It’s very contagious and spreads in poo particles. Unvaccinated puppies, less than 6 months old, are particularly prone to Parvo infections and often get the most severe symptoms.
Leptospirosis (Lepto) – valid for 1 year from the date of vaccination
This is a bacterial disease, causing serious illness by damaging organs such as the liver and kidneys. Lepto bacteria can spread in urine, and can enter the body through the mouth, nose or wounds. Regrettably it is often fatal.
Dogs can catch leptospirosis from another infected dog, sniffing or licking the ground where an infected dog has urinated, from urine from an infected farm animal/mouse/rat, or infected wet ground or fresh water (rivers / lakes). Lepto can live in wet ground and freshwater for several months.
Lepto is transmissible from dogs to humans (zoonosis) and, if contracted by a human, it is called Weil’s disease.
Kennel Cough (Infectious Bronchitis) - valid for 1 year from the date of vaccination
There is of course the ever-present question about Kennel Cough and if you should get your dog vaccinated for this (valid for 1 year from the date it is given). Kennel cough is an infection of the airway that causes a dry hacking cough in dogs. Similar to human colds, kennel cough can be caused by a number of different germs (viruses and bacteria). It’s most common in areas where lots of different dogs gather (such as kennels, dog shows and doggy day care) and can survive in the environment for several weeks. Kennel cough spreads by direct contact between dogs, in the air and on surfaces (such as food bowls and leads). Dogs with kennel cough should be kept away from other dogs and public spaces while they are coughing, and for two to three weeks afterwards. Coughing is the most common symptom of kennel cough, but in more severe cases, it can cause symptoms such as a high temperature or a reduced appetite.
Here at Moss Croft, we do not insist on the kennel cough vaccine as it doesn’t cover all the different strains of the infection, so your dog can be vaccinated and still contract kennel cough. We would always advise owners to seriously consider it, though, as it will provide a level of protection against the strains of the virus included in the vaccine, and reduce the symptoms in your dog should they get kennel cough. However, if at any point you are unsure, please phone us to discuss it before taking your dog to your vet to get the vaccine, particularly if there is less than THREE WEEKS until your dog’s visit to us. We insist on this clear 21-day period to ensure that the live vaccine is not transmitted to any area where kennel guests could come into contact with it. This could likely introduce kennel cough to the kennels, and no-one wants that !
Prior to ANY visit to Moss Croft, ALL vaccinations for EACH dog will be checked and verified with the owners. This also includes a Meet & Greet visit so please be prepared to provide photographic evidence of current vaccinations when contacting us for an appointment to view the kennels, meet the staff and see our facilities if your dog is to accompany you to this appointment (which we would recommend !)
I hope this helps to understand a little bit about the vaccinations that we require and why we ask for them. We don’t compromise on these at all, so any “negotiations” on vaccinations will be politely declined. They’re there to keep everyone safe and instil confidence in the environment in which your pet will stay while they are with us.
On the other hand, if you have any questions or need advice, we will do our best to help. If we don’t know the answer, we will always consult with our kennel vets to get the most up to date information to help you with your query.
Stay safe and see you soon !
