In Australia, responsible pet ownership involves ensuring that your furry companion receives essential vaccinations to safeguard their health and well-being.
Puppies between 6 and 9 weeks old should receive a C3 vaccination to protect against Parvovirus, Distemper, and Hepatitis. At 10 weeks of age, they should receive a C5 vaccination, which adds further protection against other diseases.
If a puppy is between 9 and 10 weeks old, it's advisable to wait until they reach 10 weeks before administering the 10-week vaccine. Puppies must be kept away from public areas and other dogs until they receive their final 10-week vaccine.
At 10 weeks of age, puppies are ready for their C5 vaccine, which includes protection against Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Bordetella. This comprehensive vaccination protocol ensures that your puppy can safely explore the world while developing immunity against common canine diseases. The vaccine is administered through a combination of injection and intranasal spray.
The final vaccines for puppies represent a repetition of the C5 vaccine, covering Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Bordetella, along with optional vaccination against leptospirosis. These vaccinations are administered when the puppy reaches a minimum age of 16 weeks. Before this age, maternal antibodies acquired during nursing may still be present in the puppy's bloodstream, potentially interfering with vaccine efficacy.
The vaccination protocol for adult dogs depends on their previous vaccine history:
Additional Vaccines:
Complementary vaccines are necessary when your puppy's living conditions, including its geography, environment, and lifestyle, may put it at risk of contracting other infectious diseases.
Common complementary vaccines include:
The above vaccines protect against kennel cough and leptospirosis, which are contagious diseases commonly found in dogs exposed to certain environments. In addition to routine vaccinations, it's crucial to discuss rabies prevention with your veterinarian, especially if you live in areas where rabies is prevalent. It's worth noting that Australia is a continent free of rabies, thanks to stringent control measures. Despite this, vaccination against rabies may still be recommended for travel or other specific circumstances.
Rabies Prevention: In addition to routine vaccinations, it's crucial to discuss rabies prevention with your veterinarian, especially if you live in areas where rabies is prevalent. It's worth noting that Australia is a continent free of rabies, thanks to stringent control measures. Despite this, vaccination against rabies may still be recommended for travel or other specific circumstances.
In addition to routine vaccinations, it's crucial to discuss rabies prevention with your veterinarian, especially if you live in areas where rabies is prevalent. It's worth noting that Australia is a continent free of rabies, thanks to stringent control measures. Despite this, vaccination against rabies may still be recommended for travel or other specific circumstances..
Depending on the vaccine brand used, your veterinarian will design a personalized vaccination program for your pet.
| Age | Vaccination | Diseases Covered |
|---|---|---|
| 6-9 weeks | C3 Vaccine | Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus |
| 10-12 weeks | C5 Booster Vaccine | Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Bordetella |
| 14-16 weeks | Final Puppy Vaccination 5-in-1 C5 vaccine | Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Bordetella (Depending on brand used, puppies may not require Parainfluenza and Bordetella at this age.) |
| Annually after | Annual Boosters | Your adult dog will need annual vaccination boosters for the rest of their life to remain immune to these diseases. |
Caring for your dog's health is a crucial investment for their well-being throughout their life. Here's an estimate of vaccination costs for dogs in Australia:
Here's a breakdown of some specific vaccine costs for dogs:
| Vaccination | Price (AUD) |
|---|---|
| C3 Vaccine 6 - 9 weeks | $100 - $150 |
| C5 Vaccine Puppy | $150 - $250 |
| Adult C5 Vaccination anual | $100 - $150 |
| C7 Vaccination | Approximately $200 |
| Kennel cough vaccine (years 2 & 3) | $110.90 |
| 3-year C3 Vaccination | Approximately $150 |
| 3-year C5 Vaccination | Approximately $160 |
| Adult C5 Vaccination if >3 months overdue | Approximately $190 |
| Rabies Vaccine | Approximately $150 |
Please note that these are estimates and prices may vary depending on the veterinarian, location, and other factors. It's always advisable to consult with your veterinarian for accurate information on vaccination costs for your specific dog.
