Vaccination Guide for Your Pet
WSAVA Guidelines Tailored for Brisbane
We are dedicated to providing the highest standard of care for your pets. A cornerstone of our preventative health approach is a tailored, evidence based vaccination strategy.
To ensure your pets receive the best possible protection without unnecessary medical interventions, our protocols are aligned with the latest guidelines published by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA).
Brisbane’s subtropical climate, frequent heavy rains, and lush local environments mean our pets face unique local risks. We have developed the following tailored strategies specifically for our patients in Bardon and the greater Brisbane area.
Guidelines for Dogs
The Global Core (DHP): All dogs must be vaccinated against Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), Canine Adenovirus (CAV), and Canine Parvovirus (CPV).
The "Brisbane Core" (Leptospirosis): Leptospirosis is regualry diagnosed in dogs to the north and south of Brisbane. It is endemic in northern Queensland; in fact, case numbers reported in humans are among the highest in the developed world. Furthermore, after an apparent absence of disease, 79 cases of canine leptospirosis were reported in New South Wales between 2017 and 2023. Clusters have been geographically concentrated in Greater Sydney and the South Coast, with rat populations and periods of high rainfall driving outbreaks. In South East Queensland, it is traditionally recommended to vaccinate dogs living on, or visiting farms, or for dogs travelling north. Leptospirosis is, however, also an emerging threat in Brisbane with both climate change and wetter conditions implicated; it is likely only a matter of time before a significant outbreak occurs here. It is a life-threatening, zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to people. As the disease is increasingly present in our local environment, WSAVA guidlines dictate that Leptospirosis protection should be considered a core vaccine for every dog.
Leptospirosis Protection - What You Need to Know:
- The Schedule: To provide full protection, dogs require an initial course of two doses, administered 2 to 4 weeks apart.
- Annual Protection: Unlike some other vaccines, Leptospirosis immunity is shorter-lived and requires an annual revaccination to remain effective.
- Lapsed Protection: If your dog's booster is 18 or more months overdue, the protocol recommends restarting the two-dose series to ensure their safety.
Non-Core but Highly Recommended (Canine Cough): For dogs visiting dog parks, groomers, or boarding kennels, we strongly recommend vaccination against Bordetella bronchiseptica and Canine Parainfluenza Virus (CPIV).
Our Recommended Dog Schedule
- Puppies: We start vaccines at 6 to 8 weeks of age, administering doses every 2 to 4 weeks.
- The Critical Milestone: The most important puppy dose is given at 16 weeks of age or older.
- The 6-Month Booster: We administer an additional core vaccine at 26 weeks (6 months) of age to protect the small percentage of puppies whose maternal antibodies might have interfered with earlier doses.
- Adult Dogs: Core viral vaccines (DHP) only need to be boostered every 3 years. However, Leptospirosis and Canine Cough vaccines require an annual booster to maintain protection.
Guidelines for Cats
The Core (F3): All cats must be vaccinated against Feline Panleukopenia (FPV), Feline Calicivirus (FCV), and Feline Herpesvirus-1 (FHV).
Outdoor & Social Cats (FeLV & FIV):
- Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV): The Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) vaccine is available, however, because FeLV is relatively rare in Australia (although more common in Western Australia), it is classified as a "non-core" vaccine.
- Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV): Australia is one of the few places where an FIV vaccine is commercially available. While WSAVA considers it a non-core vaccine, we highly recommend discussing it with us if your cat roams outdoors and is at risk of cat fights.
Our Recommended Cat Schedule
- Kittens: Initial core vaccines start at 6 to 8 weeks of age, with doses given every 2 to 4 weeks.
- The Critical Milestone: The series must continue until 16 weeks of age or older.
- The 6-Month Booster: A subsequent dose is given at 26 weeks (6 months) of age to ensure full immunity.
- Adult Cats: For strictly indoor, solitary cats, 2 of the three core viral vaccines (FCV & FHV) are recommended anually, while FPV is given every 3 years. For cats that go outdoors or live in multi-cat homes, FIV +/- FeLV (if living in or visiting Western Australia) may be indicated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why So Many Puppy Shots?
"Every 2 to 4 weeks until at least 16 weeks"; is it really necessary to have so many vaccinations in such a short amount of time? For maximum protecton, the short answer is yes; this schedule is driven purely by your puppy's biology, specifically their mother's antibodies.
When puppies are born, they get protective antibodies from their mother's milk, which is fantastic for keeping them safe early on. However, these exact same maternal antibodies will actively block vaccines from working. As these maternal antibodies naturally fade over time, your puppy enters a dangerous "window of susceptibility". During this window, their antibody levels are too low to protect them from a real virus (like Parvovirus), but still too high to allow a vaccine to trigger an active immune response.
Because it is impossible to predict exactly when this window opens and closes for an individual puppy without constant blood testing, giving a vaccine every 2 to 4 weeks is the safest way to ensure we catch the exact moment their immune system is ready. These repeated shots aren't "boosters" building on top of each other; we are simply trying to get one of them to perfectly bypass the fading maternal antibodies so your puppy can make its own immunity!
What will happen if my pet just has the "traditional" 3-vaccine course?
Your pet will most likely be absolutely fine; with the caveat that there may be windows of minimal protection. If exposure to one of the vaccinated diseases corresponds with a window of minimal protection, your pet will be at risk. There is also a small chance of negligible ongoing immunity if the last dose is given before 16 weeks; according to the WSAVA, finishing a puppy vaccination series before 16 weeks of age is not advised, as there is an increased risk of inadequate immunity as persisting maternal antibodies could interfere with that final dose. This interference may leave them unprotected against life-threatening diseases once those maternal antibodies eventually fade. To ensure reliable immunity for the vast majority of dogs and cats, the final primary core vaccine must be administered at 16 weeks of age or older.
Why does my pet need another shot at 6 months of age?
As mentioned above, maternal antibodies drop at different rates for every pet. While most puppies and kittens can respond to vaccines by 16 weeks, a small percentage will still have maternal interference at that age. The 26-week booster ensures that even the "late bloomers" are fully protected once their maternal antibodies have completely faded.
Do I need to vaccinate my pet against Rabies in Brisbane?
No. Rabies vaccination is only considered a core vaccine in areas of the world where the disease is endemic. Australia is rabies-free, so this vaccine is only necessary if your pet is travelling overseas.
I have a very small dog. Will they get a smaller dose of the vaccine?
No. Vaccine manufacturers recommend that adult dogs of all sizes—and even young puppies—receive the exact same dose. While small breeds do have a slightly higher risk of minor adverse events, WSAVA guidelines do not recommend giving half-doses, as a full dose is required to ensure they develop proper immunity.
Can we run a blood test instead of giving a booster shot?
Yes! Serological testing (or "titre testing") is a great option to check if an adult animal is still protected against core viral diseases like Canine Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, and Feline Panleukopenia. If the test shows they have antibodies, they do not need that specific booster. Keep in mind, titre testing is not a reliable way to measure protection for Leptospirosis, Canine Cough, or Cat Flu, so those annual boosters are still necessary.
If my pet doesn't need core vaccines this year, should I still bring them in?
Absolutely. We view your annual visit as a comprehensive health check rather than just a "vaccination consultation". Even in years when core vaccines aren't due, we need to administer annual non-core protections (like Leptospirosis), perform a full physical exam, and discuss vital preventative care like Brisbane's year-round tick and flea prevention.
Scientific Sources & Further Reading
Our clinical recommendations are grounded in the latest veterinary literature:
- WSAVA Guidelines: Squires, R. A., et al. (2024). "2024 guidelines for the vaccination of dogs and cats - compiled by the Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)." Journal of Small Animal Practice.
- Feline Retrovirus Guidelines: Little, S., et al. (2020). "2020 AAFP Feline Retrovirus Testing and Management Guidelines." Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.
- Canine Leptospirosis: Sykes, J. E., et al. (2023). "Updated ACVIM consensus statement on leptospirosis in dogs." Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.