Vaccinations
Before Boarding your Pet with Grand Haven Pet Resort please take a few minutes to read this important information for the Health and Wellbeing, not only for your own beloved pets, but others holidaying with us.
*Failure to comply with the following requirements will result in being refused entry to our Pet Resort*
YOUR PETS’ VACCINATION CERTIFICATE/S MUST BE EMAILED TO US PRIOR TO ARRIVAL
This can be either Photo or PDF format but must clearly show the DATE, TYPE & BRAND of Vaccination, your Pet’s NAME and the Administering Vet Clinic.
Any pet not adhering to our Vaccination Policy will be refused entry.
Vaccinations must be administered at least 14 days prior to arrival at our Pet Resort.
If your Pet has not been vaccinated at least once in the preceding 15 months you may be refused entry. Owner’s will be required to provide a copy of the previous vaccination certificates and Pets may only be admitted at Management’s Discretion.
Before reading this article owner’s need to be aware that while vaccines are designed to limit your pets’ risk of contracting a disease from other animals or their environment and reduce the severity of any infection or disease they may contract no Vaccination program is 100% reliable and your pet my still contract or incubate an infection through contact.
Some pets may be more susceptible than others (for example aged, puppies/kittens, or pets with compromised immune systems or under stress).
All care is taken to ensure our Pet Resort is maintained in a hygienic and professional manner and we adhere to strict Vaccination requirements – any Pet not adhering to our policy will be refused entry for the safety and well-being of other Pets in our care.
WHY SHOULD WE VACCINATE OUR PETS?
Vaccination has been one of the great success stories of veterinary medicine, and has saved countless thousands of animals. Thanks, largely, to vaccination – infectious disease these days are much less obvious.
Remember, a child with chicken pox will almost certainly get better, an unvaccinated dog that contracts parvovirus can easily die. Only vaccination can prevent these diseases in animals exposed to infection.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU VACCINATE?
In recent years, some vaccines for dogs have been able to extend the duration of immunity to three years for canine parvovirus, infectious canine hepatitis, and canine distemper components. For cats the duration of immunity for Panleucopaenia of some vaccines has been extended to three years. So, if an animal has been vaccinated for one of these, re-vaccination against these diseases will be due 36 months later, not 12 months later.
However, re-vaccination against kennel cough or Parainfluenza and Bordetella for dogs, and ‘flu for cats in the form of a booster will be due 12 months later.
MY PET WILL SOON BE DUE FOR THEIR ANNUAL VACCINATION.
HOW LONG BEFORE THEIR STAY SHOULD BOOSTERS BE GIVEN?
Vaccinations are required to induce sufficient immunity to protect the animal against infection. Depending on the vaccine, it will take 3-14 days before this immunity has been established. As the animal may also have been incubating a contagious disease at the time of the booster, it is necessary to allow at least 14 days between booster and boarding.
The incubation time of most infectious diseases is seven to ten days, which means that for the first seven to ten days after the animal is infected, no clinical signs are present. Because of this, it is difficult to be sure that an animal is not carrying disease. To avoid boarding animals that are at risk of carrying disease, and potentially affect other pets in boarding, we advise owners whose animals are not protected by earlier vaccinations or those that would fall due for their booster during their Holiday to vaccinate their animals at least 14 days before boarding.
“KENNEL COUGH” – CANINE INFECTIOUS TRACHEOBRONCHITIS
Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis, also commonly referred to as Kennel Cough is a highly contagious, multifactorial disease of the dog’s respiratory tract. It is generally transmitted through coughs and sneezes, or by nose to nose contact. Dogs kept together in close confinement are therefore at greatest risk of infection.
The disease can spread rapidly where dogs gather such as Dog Parks, Beaches, Obedience Clubs, even in the best run Boarding Kennels. Lasting up to six weeks, it is extremely unpleasant for the dog and a responsible dog owner should bear responsibility for protecting their dogs, as effective vaccines are widely and easily available.
Bordetella Bronchiseptica and Canine Parainfluenza Virus are the most common bacterial and viral agents associated with the disease, but environmental factors such as stress, ventilation and climate can also contribute.
Dogs of all ages can be infected and exhibit a characteristic dry, harsh, paroxysmal cough – sometimes accompanied by retching. Complications such as Bronchopneumonia may develop and can be fatal in old, weak or very young dogs and those suffering from other illnesses or stress.
VACCINATION
Even if your dog is on a “3 Year Vaccination” Program or has had Titer Testing done, it is important to know that neither of these will cover your Dog against Parainfluenza. All dogs should receive these boosters annually and to avoid the risk of boarding Dogs that may be incubating this disease and potentially infect other dogs, boosters must be given at least 14 days prior to boarding your dog.
CAT ‘FLU’
Cat ‘flu remains a depressingly common experience, despite the important contribution made by vaccines. The disease can vary in severity, although kittens are particularly at risk.
WHAT CAUSES CAT ‘FLU?
Despite the name, the causes of cat ‘flu bear no relation to those of human influenza. Whereas influenza is caused by a single virus, cat ‘flu is a syndrome: the signs of this disease may be caused by one or more of several different infectious agents (pathogens).
However, there are only three known primary pathogens, capable of causing the disease on their own. These are the viruses Feline Herpesvirus (FHV), and Feline Calicivirus (FCV), and the bacterium Bordetella Bronchiseptica. Respiratory disease problems within a household or cattery environment may involve one or more of these infectious agents. Both of the viruses that cause cat ‘flu can only cause disease in members of the cat family. Bordetella Bronchiseptica, on the other hand, can cause disease in a range of species and, importantly, is the principal cause of kennel cough (infectious Tracheobronchitis) in dogs.
VACCINATION
We suggest all cats be vaccinated against Feline Herpes Virus, Feline Calicivirus and Feline Panleukopaenia. This is often referred to as a F3 vaccination.
For outdoor cats, we recommend vaccination against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
In addition to dogs, cats are also required to be vaccinated at least 14 days prior to boarding.
The Minimum Vaccination required for Dogs staying with us is referred to as a C5.
C5 protects against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Kennel Cough, and Bordetella.
Annual, ‘3 Yearly’ Boosters are accepted for Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus.
Vaccinations for Kennel Cough (Bordetella and Parainfluenza) are required annually.
Titer Tests are accepted for Bordetella, Parvovirus and Distemper. Booster Certificates must be provided for Hepatitis and Parainfluenza.
The Minimum Vaccination required for Cats staying with us is referred to as an F3.
F3 protects against Herpes Virus, Calicivirus and Panleukopaenia. For outdoor cats we recommend vaccination against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
Annual & ‘3 Yearly’ Boosters are accepted for Panleukopaenia.
Vaccinations for Herpes, Calicivirus and FIV are required annually.
All our clients must note that any Pet due for a Vaccination must be done so at least 14 days prior to Boarding with us at Grand Haven Pet Resort.
Any pet vaccinated within 14 days of their stay will only be admitted at Management’s Discretion and the owner must be able to provide a previous Vaccination Certificate or contact details of their Vet.
Admission of any animal at Grand Haven Pet Resort is at Management’s Discretion.
