Hope you are all coping ok with the self isolation and social distancing! I would like to say a huge thank you to you all for being so understanding with the changes we have had to implement.
I would also like to thank our amazing staff, we knew they were fantastic but recently they have all gone above and beyond so thanks guys and I promise the mother of all staff BBQs when this is all over!! Maybe the clients can come too!!!
I wanted just to put some guidance about the vaccinations here so we all know the plan. The reason we have decided to stop all vaccinations is to comply with the rules to have only essential contact with our clients.
But I appreciate this will mean you are now worried about the immune status of your pets. The following is some guidance on how delaying vaccination will impact immunity and some advice on how to keep your pet as safe as possible during this time. Obviously we have initially been given a 3 week period of isolation, we realise puppy and kitten vaccines are important and so I will keep an eye on advice etc and update you all as anything changes.
PUPPY VACCINATIONS
- If your puppy has not yet had any vaccinations we would advise that the puppy does not have contact with any unvaccinated dog and is allowed only to exercise in your garden. I appreciate this isn’t ideal for socialising etc but under current social distancing rules outings should really be for essential purposes only.
- The puppy can interact with other household dogs.
- Do not let other dogs into your house if vaccination status is unknown or lapsed. This should not be happening anyway under the current government guidelines as presumably the dogs won’t be visiting on their own!
- Avoid stagnant or slow moving water as these can be reservoirs for leptospirosis.
- You can socialise your puppy at home by exposing it to as much as possible at home and in the garden with toys and various situations within the household environment
- If your puppy has had the first part(s) of its vaccination course then there is evidence to suggest 6 weeks can elapse between first and second vaccine. If this time frame elapses then a re-start will be required, and the cost of the additional dose will be covered by the practice.
KITTEN VACCINATIONS
- We would recommend that you do not let your kitten out until their vaccination course is completed, regardless of whether they have had the first part or not.
- Avoid bringing new cats into the household.
- Be mindful of loitering stray cats.
- As above any additional costs to restarting vaccinations will be covered by the practice.
RABIES VACCINATIONS
Rabies is considered a non core as the disease is not present in the UK and therefore is not considered an essential vaccine. Travel is obviously restricted at this moment in time and pet travels schemes are due to change by next year, so you or your pet will not be put at risk by delaying this vaccine.
ADULT DOG VACCINATIONS
- If your dog has always been kept up to date with its vaccinations then it is likely they will have immunity for up to 3 months.
- If you have gone over the 3 month window then avoid walking in highly populated areas or areas with high foot fall.
- avoid stagnant or slow moving water as these can be reservoirs for leptospirosis.
- avoid contact with dogs of unknown vaccination status
- If restarting the vaccination course is the outcome of the delay then the additional cost will be covered by the practice.
- kennel cough vaccination is a non core and therefore non essential vaccine. Due to current social isolation rules as we are not out and about so much then infection risk should be lower.
ADULT CAT VACCINATIONS
- If your cat has been kept up to date with its vaccinations then it is likely they will have immunity for up to 3 months.
- If you have gone over the 3 month window then avoid letting your cat outside.
- If restarting the vaccination course is the outcome of the delay then the additional cost will be covered by the practice.
RABBIT VACCINATIONS
- Rabbit diseases that we vaccinate against are spread by vectors and so if your rabbits vaccine lapses during this period of isolation we recommend that you bring the rabbit indoors to prevent contact with wild rabbits. Also good parasite control is advised and you can use repellent or barriers to try to prevent the risk from biting insects.
- Regular cleaning of the hutch is advised.
- Do not bring any new rabbits into the household.
I hope this has been helpful, we can always have a chat through things if you are still worried or confused. Again thank you for your patience in this difficult time.
Stay home and stay safe
Charlotte xx