Vaccinations

Dogs are susceptible to many infectious diseases for which there is a vaccination. The most common vaccines include antibodies or live vaccines against the distemper virus, hepatitis contagiosa canis, parvovirus, parainfluenza virus and leptospirosis. Puppies should be given primary immunization 3 times at the age of 8, 12 and 16 weeks and after 12-15 months. After that, the vaccination should be refreshed annually with a booster.

During the annual vaccination visit, two types of vaccinations can be carried out: the large vaccination and the small vaccination. With the major vaccination (DHPPI + Lepto 6; Distemper = distemper virus, Hcontagious epatitis, Parvovirosis, Parainfluenza and Leptospirosis) is vaccinated against each of the above mentioned pathogens. The antibodies against distemper virus, hepatitis contagiosa and parvovirus remain in the body for about three years. The antibodies against parainfluenza virus and leptospirosis (Pi + Lepto) only remain in the body for one year, so the small vaccine is given every year and the large vaccine is given every 3 years.

If dogs have to go to a hotel or dog school where other dogs are staying, we recommend (and it is also usually required by the hotel provider or dog school) that you treat your beloved four-legged friend for kennel cough (KC = KEnnel Cough) vaccinates. This vaccination is administered via the nose, is valid after 72 hours and lasts for one year.
‍

There are special rules for traveling with your dog outside Switzerland, which you can read about on our travel advice page.

Like all other animal species, cats are susceptible to infectious diseases that can be avoided with vaccination or alleviated the course of the disease. Therefore, every cat, whether indoor or outdoor, benefits from the available vaccinations. The combination vaccination of RCP (Rhinotracheitis = herpes virus, Calicivirus, Parvovirus) and FIV/FeLV (FElines IimmunodeficiencyVirus, felines LeukemiaVirus), we recommend a triple primary vaccination at the age of 8, 12 and 16 weeks and annual booster vaccinations. This means that protection is adequate at all times and your beloved four-legged friend can move around without worries.

If you travel outside Switzerland with your cat, there are special rules, which you can read about on our travel advice page.

Rabbits, like all other animals, can become infected with diseases that can be avoided with good and timely vaccination protection. Vaccination protection against VHD (viral hemorrhagic disease, also known as Chinese disease) is once again important (although not mandatory) for keeping small groups. Unfortunately, more animals have fallen ill again in recent years, as the disease can spread rapidly.

Vaccination is recommended primarily as an emergency prophylactic measure in contaminated areas and when holding exhibition animals. However, since there are two variants (rhDV/rhDVa and RHDV2) and no cross-immunity is imparted, vaccination must be carried out against both variants. The vaccine is approved for rabbits aged 10 weeks and over.

We would be happy to vaccinate your hopping four-legged friends, but would be grateful if you would contact us in advance, as we unfortunately do not have the vaccine in stock. There is a vaccine against myxomatosis (also known as rabbit plague), but it is not approved in Switzerland (no detection between infected and vaccinated persons is possible).

Ferrets are also susceptible to some viral and bacterial infections that occur in dogs and cats. For example for the dreaded distemper, but also for rabies and leptospirosis. On the other hand, they are not susceptible to cat cold, cat disease, feline panleukopenia, hepatitis contagiosa canis and, according to previous findings, canine parvovirus.

Unfortunately, there is still no approved vaccine in Switzerland. The live vaccines must therefore be used in combination vaccines for dogs. The vaccination schedule is similar to that for dogs and cats: The basic vaccination (2x with an interval of 3-4 weeks) should be carried out from 8 weeks of age for young ferrets from unvaccinated mothers and from 12 weeks of age for young ferrets from vaccinated mothers. After that, revaccination is carried out once a year (booster vaccination).