A New Pet —Vaccinations and Parasite Prevention

Bringing home a new puppy or kitten during the summer holidays is a special kind of joy for many families. With longer days and more time at home, it's the perfect opportunity to help your pet settle into their new surroundings before the hustle and bustle of work and school resumes. But while cuddles, playtime and training are all essential, so too is setting up your new pet for a healthy start in life.

One of the most important things you can do as a new pet parent is to ensure your puppy or kitten receives the necessary vaccinations and parasite prevention. These measures protect not only your pet but also your family and the other animals they’ll encounter.

Vaccinations

Puppies

Vaccinations are a crucial part of ensuring your puppy grows into a happy, healthy dog. At Oakleigh Central Vet, we offer an early finish vaccine schedule for puppies, which includes two vaccinations spaced four weeks apart. The breeder usually administers the first vaccination, covering Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus. We then provide the second vaccination at 10 weeks of age, along with a dose of the Canine Cough vaccine.

Our vaccination for puppies at 10 weeks of age covers:

Distemper
Hepatitis
Parvovirus
Bordetella Bronchiseptica (a strain of Canine Cough)
Canine Parainfluenza Virus (a strain of Canine Cough)

Healthy for Life

Ensuring your puppy stays healthy doesn’t end with their initial vaccinations. Following up with regular health checks and preventative care is essential for their long-term well-being.

Here’s how our schedule works:

14 Weeks - Your puppy will receive a free heartworm injection and a free health check. This injection begins their protection against heartworm, a serious and potentially fatal parasite transmitted by mosquitoes.
6 Months - A heartworm injection booster is administered to ensure continued protection as your puppy matures.
Adult - Once your puppy reaches adulthood, ongoing care includes:
- Annual vaccination: Protects against core diseases Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus and Canine Cough.
- Heartworm injection: Maintains year-round protection against heartworm.
- Flea injection: Provides long-lasting defense against fleas, keeping your dog comfortable and parasite-free.

Kittens

For kittens, the vaccination schedule consists of three injections to provide thorough protection against common and serious diseases. These vaccines are typically spaced 3–4 weeks apart, starting as early as six weeks of age.

The diseases covered by kitten vaccinations include:

Feline Enteritis (Feline Panleukopenia Virus): A highly contagious and life-threatening disease.
Feline Calicivirus: A common cause of upper respiratory infections in cats.
Feline Herpesvirus (Feline Rhinotracheitis Virus): Another cause of upper respiratory infections, which can lead to chronic issues.

By completing this series of vaccinations, your kitten will have a strong foundation for a healthy life. Adult boosters will be needed to maintain immunity.

Parasite Prevention

Protecting your new puppy or kitten from parasites is just as important as vaccinations. Parasites including fleas, ticks, intestinal worms and heartworm can cause discomfort, illness, and even life-threatening conditions. Fortunately, we offer a range of effective prevention options to keep your pet safe.

Fleas and Ticks

For long-lasting protection against fleas and ticks, we recommend Bravecto. Bravecto is available as an easy-to-administer oral chew, which provides up to three months of protection, or as a convenient injection, offering up to 12 months of protection. The injection is a fantastic option for busy pet owners who want year-round peace of mind without needing to remember monthly or quarterly treatments.

By choosing Bravecto, you’ll not only protect your pet but also help prevent infestations in your home.

Intestinal Worms

Regular worming is vital for your pet’s health and your family’s safety, as some worms can be transmitted to humans. We recommend using Milpro or Drontal to target a broad range of intestinal worms, including:

Roundworms
Hookworms
Whipworms
Tapeworms

Our veterinarians will advise the best schedule for worming treatments based on your pet’s age and lifestyle.

Heartworm

Heartworm is a serious parasite transmitted by mosquitoes, and prevention is key. Puppies can begin heartworm prevention with their free heartworm injection at 14 weeks, followed by a booster at six months. Adult dogs require an annual heartworm injection to maintain protection year-round.

Tailored Protection

Our team is here to help you create a personalised parasite prevention plan for your puppy or kitten. By using trusted products such as Bravecto, Milpro and Drontal, you can give your new pet the healthiest start in life. Regular prevention is an investment in your pet’s comfort, well-being and longevity.