Vaccinations

Protecting your pet against deadly diseases is, of course, of the utmost importance. We ensure that you always receive a reminder for the annual vaccination on time. This reminder is sent via email. Please let us know if your email address changes.
We also handle all the necessary vaccinations and/or (blood) tests required for you to take your pet abroad.
Animals traveling abroad must also be microchipped and have a European pet passport; we can arrange this for you as well.

Most dogs and cats in the Netherlands are vaccinated according to a set schedule, in which, after a primary series of vaccinations (at 6, 9, and 12 weeks of age for dogs, and at 9 and 12 weeks for cats), they receive annual vaccinations against a number of deadly diseases.
Thanks to this consistent vaccination program, diseases such as distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis in dogs, and feline panleukopenia and feline herpesvirus in cats have been virtually eradicated.
Yet there are still quite a few owners who never have their pets vaccinated, citing the strange line of reasoning: “My pet is never sick, so why should I have it vaccinated?” Such animals often escape unscathed for years because most people around them do have their pets vaccinated, thereby preventing the deadly viruses from spreading; however, if these unvaccinated animals ever come into contact with the distemper or feline panleukopenia virus, it’s a real problem! This usually results in a lot of veterinary bills, and in the worst-case scenario: a dead dog or cat…
A properly administered series of core vaccinations, followed by annual boosters, provides virtually foolproof protection against distemper, parvo, hepatitis, and Weil’s disease (leptospirosis) in dogs, and feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus in cats. In some areas, it may be advisable to have dogs vaccinated against Weil’s disease once more in the spring, because it has been shown that the risk of infection is highest in the spring and summer, and because the vaccine against Weil’s disease, in particular, does not provide full 12-month protection in many dogs.

More and more sick puppies!
In recent years, we’ve seen a new phenomenon: the large-scale import of puppies from Eastern Europe. These animals arrive in large numbers through various channels to dealers, often accompanied by vague vaccination records signed by fictitious veterinarians. You can be sure that none of them have been vaccinated. This is all about making money. The consequences are obvious: last year, we saw puppies with distemper again during our clinic hours—something that hadn’t happened in years!

It’s a different story when it comes to kennel cough. Kennel cough is frequently seen in animals that have been vaccinated according to schedule—whether via the nasal spray method or the injection method. The kennel cough vaccine protects against Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza. Animals that have been vaccinated will generally not develop laryngitis caused by these pathogens. However, laryngitis can be caused by many other pathogens, especially if an animal barks and pants excessively, causing the mucous membranes in the throat and larynx to dry out and become sensitive. Regardless of the pathogen, the symptoms of laryngitis are generally the same: a dry, harsh cough, followed by retching, possibly combined with a poor appetite.
Why, then, is vaccination against kennel cough so strongly recommended?
Because the Bordetella infection is highly contagious and can spread very quickly, especially in groups of dogs (boarding facilities/kennels, dog clubs, shows, etc.).
In addition, a Bordetella infection is often much more severe than a throat infection caused by another pathogen.

This viral disease (which is also fatal to humans), also known as rabies, does not occur in our country. An infected bat is found very rarely, but the last cases in larger animals date back to the mid-1980s. This does not mean there is no cause for concern: in the countries surrounding us, many thousands of infected animals are found and killed every year. That is why these countries are very vigilant about vaccinating dogs and cats. Therefore, have your pet vaccinated against rabies if you are traveling abroad, even if your dog only visits Belgium occasionally. Moreover, it is still mandatory abroad, just like the pet passport and the microchip! Click HERE for more information about traveling with your pet.