Dog VAccinations
Vaccinations for a Lifetime of Tail Wags
Our team at Belmont Vet Hospital provides tailored vaccination plans to safeguard your dog at every stage of life.
Why Dog Vaccinations Are So Important
Vaccinations have transformed the way we prevent serious infectious diseases in dogs. To protect not only your pet but the wider pet population, it’s essential that all dogs are kept up to date with their vaccinations.
Puppies need an initial course of vaccinations to build their immunity — but those early vaccines don’t last forever. Adult dogs require regular booster shots to maintain protection against diseases like parvovirus, distemper, and kennel cough.
At Belmont Vet Hospital, we tailor vaccination schedules to suit your dog’s age, lifestyle, and risk factors.
Have questions about vaccinations? Give us a call to discuss the best vaccination plan for your puppy or adult dog.
VACCINATIONS
Your Dog’s Vaccination Schedule: What to Expect at Every Life Stage
Puppy Vaccinations
Puppies are initially protected by maternal antibodies, but these decline over the first few weeks, leaving them vulnerable to infections. To ensure lasting immunity, puppies need a series of vaccinations, as the timing of antibody loss varies. At Belmont Vet Hospital, we provide a tailored vaccination schedule to keep your pup protected from serious diseases.
Adult Dog Vaccinations
The immunity provided by puppy vaccinations gradually weakens over time, leaving your dog susceptible to preventable diseases. To ensure your pet remains protected, regular annual health checks and booster vaccinations are essential. At Belmont Vet Hospital, we recommend scheduling booster shots as needed to maintain your dog’s immunity and keep them healthy throughout their life.
Vaccination Aftercare
It’s common for dogs to feel a little off-colour for a day or two after vaccination. Some may experience mild swelling or tenderness at the injection site. Typically, access to food, water, and a comfortable resting area is all your dog needs to recover quickly. However, if your dog’s reaction seems more severe or lasts longer than expected, please contact Belmont Vet Hospital for guidance and advice.
Diseases we Vaccinate Against
Canine Parvovirus
Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease that affects dogs of all ages, but it’s especially dangerous for puppies and senior dogs. The virus attacks the intestines, causing symptoms like bloody diarrhoea, severe vomiting, and intense abdominal pain. Even with intensive veterinary care, some dogs may not survive.
Parvovirus spreads through infected dog faeces and can remain in the environment for months — even after waste is removed. Dogs don’t need direct contact to become infected. Because the virus is so persistent, contaminated areas must be thoroughly disinfected to prevent further spread.
In Australia, parvovirus outbreaks are common, particularly in summer, with around 20,000 dogs infected annually.
Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease that affects dogs of all ages, with puppies at the highest risk. The virus attacks multiple body systems, making it especially dangerous.
Symptoms can vary and may include fever, coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, and lethargy. In more advanced stages, dogs may experience muscle tremors, seizures, or paralysis.
Unfortunately, treatment is often ineffective, recovery rates are low, and dogs that do survive may suffer from permanent brain damage.
Canine Cough
Canine cough (commonly known as kennel cough) is a highly contagious condition caused by several infectious agents, including Bordetella bronchiseptica, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus type 2, and canine distemper.
It spreads easily wherever dogs mix — such as parks, grooming salons, boarding kennels, doggy day care, and obedience schools.
Infected dogs usually develop a dry, hacking cough that can last for weeks. It’s distressing for pets and owners alike, and a serious issue for working and sporting dogs. In some cases, it may lead to pneumonia.
Canine Leptospirosis
Canine leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease that can cause high death rates in dogs. It’s spread through the urine of infected rats and commonly transmitted when dogs drink contaminated water (like puddles), eat rats, or are bitten.
The risk is higher in areas with large rat populations — such as cities, rubbish dumps, sugar cane regions, and after heavy rain or construction, when rats are displaced.
Leptospirosis is also a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be passed from animals to humans. People can become infected through contaminated water, food, or open wounds.
Canine Infectious Hepatitis
Canine infectious hepatitis is a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease that affects dogs of all ages. While severe cases are uncommon in dogs over two years old, the disease can still be serious.
Symptoms include high fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, and severe abdominal pain. In critical cases, death may occur within 24 to 36 hours.
Dogs that survive may suffer long-term liver or kidney damage, and can continue to spread the virus to other dogs for months.
Canine Coronavirus
Canine coronavirus is a contagious viral infection that mainly affects young dogs. It causes symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhoea, which may persist for several days.
Most dogs recover with supportive care, but the virus can be life-threatening, especially if combined with other infections like parvovirus.