The Holistic Guide To Cat & Dog Vaccinations To Be The Best Pet Parent.

Did you know that by the age of 11, an average Singaporean child would have received 23 vaccinations against common infectious diseases under the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule? Fortunately, we do not remember the majority of the times we were jabbed, because they were mainly administered before we turned 18 months old.

Just like humans, our cats and dogs require vaccinations to prevent them from getting life-threatening or chronic virus infections. This also encourages herd immunity within the Singapore pet community; lowering the chances of other furry friends getting infected with common viruses.

So what are the compulsory (core) and optional (non-core) vaccinations that our cats and dogs need? And how regularly should we vaccinate our pets? Read on to find out more!

What is a vaccination or a vaccine?

A vaccination is a way of administering a vaccine to help the immune system develop protection from a disease. The vaccine usually contains a microorganism or virus in a weakened state, either live or dead, or some part of the organism or virus.

The introduction of this weakened virus into your furkid’s body helps them to gradually build up immunity against the virus. This way, your pet’s immune system will be able to fight the disease when it encounters it in the future.

What vaccines do my cat & dog need?

In Singapore, the Animal and Veterinary Service department mandates that cats and dogs must be vaccinated against certain types of infectious diseases if they are imported.

Cats must have valid vaccinations against Cat Flu (feline calicivirus and feline viral rhinotracheitis) and Cat Enteritis (ie feline panleukopenia/feline parvovirus) supported by vaccination records upon arrival in Singapore.

Dogs must have valid vaccinations against Canine Distemper, Canine Hepatitis and Canine Parvovirus infection supported by vaccination records upon arrival in Singapore.

Did you know that if your furkid was born in Singapore (not imported), there are currently no requirements for them to be vaccinated?
However, we strongly encourage pet vaccination as they help to keep our pet community safe from infectious diseases, and also prevent hefty medical costs if your furry friends ever contract such deadly diseases.

Core & non-core vaccinations that your dogs & cats may require In Singapore.

Vaccinations for Dogs in Singapore

Core Vaccinations

1. Canine Parvovirus
Canine Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that affects the gastrointestinal system. Symptoms include severe bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, lethargy and loss of appetite.

Dogs and puppies contract the virus through contact with faeces of an infected animal, an infected environment or sometimes through humans who have been in contact with an infected dog. It has a very high mortality rate (>80%) especially in unvaccinated dogs and puppies.

2. Canine Infectious Hepatitis (Adenovirus)

3. Canine Distemper
Canine distemper virus is transmitted through body fluids and saliva produced during coughing and sneezing, contaminated food and water bowls, and also from mum to puppies. Symptoms include fever, respiratory disease, neurological signs and loss of appetite. Without vaccination, this disease has a high mortality rate. Dogs that survive often have permanent brain damage.

Non-core Vaccinations

1. Parainfluenza

2. Leptospirosis

3. Bordetella Bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough)

4. Rabies

Vaccinations for Cats in Singapore

Core Vaccinations

1. Feline Parvovirus / Panleukopenia VirusFeline Panleukopenia is a highly contagious virus caused by feline parvovirus. It affects the gastrointestinal system as well as the brain of cats and kittens. Symptoms include severe vomiting, diarrhoea, low white blood cell counts, lethargy and loss of appetite. Like its canine counterpart, the virus spreads through contact with faeces of an infected animal, an infected environment or sometimes through humans who have been in contact with an infected animal. It too has a very high mortality rate in unvaccinated cats and kittens.

2. Feline Herpesvirus-1

3. Feline Calicivirus

Non-core Vaccinations

1. Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)

2. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

3. Rabies

Rabies is an infectious disease that can transmit from animals to humans, and are mostly spread by mammals (including humans). You can get infected if you are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. However, Singapore has not reported any cases of rabies since 1953, and therefore our dogs and cats do not need to be vaccinated for rabies unless they are being exported from Singapore.

How often should I vaccinate my dog or cat?

If you have a puppy or kitten that is less than 16 weeks of age, it is highly recommended to follow the immunisation schedule below to stay up to date with your pet’s vaccinations. Vets generally recommend a series of at least three vaccinations carried out once every 4 weeks from when the puppy/kitten is 6-8 weeks old, until the puppy/kitten is 16 weeks old. Thereafter, annual vaccinations may or may not be recommended.

Recommended Vaccination Schedule For Puppies

6-10 weeks (recommended)

Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza (DHLPP)

11-14 weeks (recommended)

DHLPP (booster)

15-16 weeks (optional)

Lyme disease, Rabies, Canine Influenza, Kennel Cough

Recommended Vaccination Schedule For Kittens

6-8 weeks (recommended)

Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Feline Parvovirus / Panleukopenia (FVRCP)

10-12 weeks (recommended)

FVRCP (booster)

14-16 weeks (recommended)

FVRCP (booster)

18-20 weeks (recommended)

FVRCP (booster)

Do I need to vaccinate my dog or cat annually? What is a titer test?

It is highly encouraged to bring your dog or cat to the vet at least once a year for their annual check-up. During this trip to the vet, you may ask the vet for a titer test instead of an annual vaccine booster for your furkids.

The titer test is an antibody blood test that can tell you if your pup or kitten still has existing immunity to viruses that they have vaccinated against. Their bodies will still be producing antibodies if they are still immune to those viruses. If your dog has a high antibody count, a re-vaccination may not be necessary.

In addition, titer tests are not appropriate for Canine Leptospirosis, Bordetella (also known as kennel cough), or Lyme disease, as these vaccines only provide short-term protection.

Over-vaccination is a common buzzword nowadays in the pet community, and many pet parents want to ensure that they are not giving their furkids annual jabs unless necessary. Most vaccinations actually provide years of protection against these deadly viruses. Therefore, do your research and consult your vet before your pup’s or kitten’s annual check-up to make a sound decision on what you will prefer and what you think is best for your pet.

Are there any side effects to vaccinations?

Yes, there are mild side effects that do occur after vaccinations. The most often side effects include redness or swelling at the injection site over one or two days after the jab. Puppies or kittens may also experience a mild fever, and this may arise about an hour after the injection. However, less than 1% of dogs and cats experience a fever after getting the vaccine.

In the rare event that your furkid experiences severe side effects such as developing rashes, vomiting, difficulty breathing, shock, or hives, do contact your vet immediately.

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate?

It depends.

If your pet cat or dog is going to be at home perpetually, not mingling with any other animals (including yourself), then it may or may not be necessary to vaccinate them. However, if you love bringing your pets out, and would love for them to see the world and live a full life, be a responsible pet parent and bring them for the appropriate vaccinations.

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xo
Nellie