Vaccinations 
DOGS
The most common preventable diseases we see in unvaccinated dogs are parvovirus and leptospirosis. Parvovirus causes a severe and often fatal vomiting and diarrhoea and although it can be seen in any age of unvaccinated dogs it is often seen in unvaccinated puppies. Leptospirosis can be spread in rats urine, and so in this area (being in the countryside) where dogs can come into contact with contaminated water, it can especially be a problem. Signs of leptospirosis infection include vomiting, high temperature and lethargy leading to kidney and liver failure. This is a highly fatal disease and many dogs do not recover despite intensive treatment. Distemper and Infectious Hepatitis are diseases which thanks to vaccination are rarely seen in the UK.
Thankfully we have annual vaccinations in our armoury to fight against these fatal diseases. Dogs are vaccinated against Distemper, Infectious Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza and Leptospirosis. This involves injections at 8 and 10 weeks of age in puppies followed by annual boosters. Kennel cough can also be vaccinated against. This is a highly infectious cough, it is rarely life threatening but can be very unpleasant as it causes a severe retching cough, the cough is so severe that owners often think their pet has something stuck in its throat. Vaccination against kennel cough involves placing a few drops of vaccine down the nostril of the dog, this provides protection for 12 months so an annual booster is necessary.
CATS 
Cat vaccinations protect against flu, enteritis and feline leukaemia. Cat flu is an extremely unpleasant and highly infectious condition that can be fatal in young kittens. Older cats are in danger of becoming carriers, passing infection onto other cats and suffering from repeated infections throughout their lives. Feline enteritis can cause a severe and often life threatening vomiting and diarrhoea disease. Feline leukaemia virus is a condition which usually starts off with vague symptoms of weight loss and lethargy/poor appetite. It can cause immunosuppression leaving the cat prone to infections and can also lead to a type of cancer called lymphoma. Some cats will be infected at birth if their mother is affected, the disease can also spread from cat to cat through saliva contact e.g. mutual grooming or sharing food/water bowls. These conditions can be prevented by annual vaccinations. Kittens are vaccinated at 9 and 12 weeks of age followed by annual vaccinations.
RABBITS 
Rabbits can be vaccinated against myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD). Myxomatosis is a virus spread by fleas/biting insects. A reservoir of infection exists in the wild rabbit population which can then be spread by insects to unvaccinated pet rabbits. In this area because there are many wild rabbits it is recommended that pet rabbits are vaccinated every 6 months to maintain immunity. VHD causes a bloody discharge from the mouth and nose and usually leads to sudden death. Rabbits can be vaccinated to prevent this disease and require a yearly booster vaccination. Baby rabbits can be vaccinated from 6 weeks of age against myxomatosis then boosters every 6months and from 10weeks of age against VHD with yearly boosters.