Now that we are all starting to get back to more of our normal routine, many of us are starting to get back on top of our health. Now is a perfect time to also start thinking about our pets' health too.

One thing that Covid-19 has done is raise awareness about vaccination. Vaccination has always been a large part of the service that veterinarians offer to their dog, cat, and rabbit patients; and thanks to vaccinations, we have seen a reduction in many of the diseases that we vaccinate against.

We realise that due to Covid, many of our patients have lapsed on their vaccination. Consequently, we are having a promotion in the Month of May where we are restarting any dog or cat vaccinations for £35 (normally £50)* - this includes the first and second injections that are required for a restart for the core vaccinations (Distemper, Parvo, Hepatitis and Leptospirosis in dogs and Flu and Enteritis in cats).

Vaccinations – Dogs & Cats

Preventative health care is one of our main priorities at Coquet Vets. Vaccinations work by exposing the body to small harmless doses of a specific disease. Your pet’s immune system then reacts by producing defensive antibodies that ‘remember’ the disease in question. These memory antibodies will fade in time and at a variable rate depending on the disease. This is why we need to vaccinate against certain diseases more frequently than others.

Left unvaccinated, dogs will be at risk of contracting a range of canine infectious diseases, some of which can be fatal. You can find out more about the most common diseases that we vaccinate for in dogs here.

It is also very important that our feline friends are protected, regardless of whether they are indoor or outdoor cats. At one time, feline infectious diseases, like canine diseases, were responsible for thousands of pet deaths every year. These deaths are now greatly reduced in incidence because of vaccinations, although sadly they are not eradicated. You can find out more about the most common diseases that we vaccinate for in cats here.

One of the additional benefits of vaccinating your dogs and cats annually is that as part of the consult, the vet will give your pet a full clinical exam and health check.

There are many things that vets look for in these health checks and sometimes we detect issues that have been unnoticed. It’s also a good opportunity for clients to bring up any concerns they may have about their pet’s health.

Microchipping and the law - Dogs

In addition to ensuring that your pet’s vaccinations are up to date, it is also important to ensure that you have microchipped your dog. This is not only important for the quicker identification of a lost or stolen dog; it is also the law.

From April 2016, it was made law in England and Wales that all dogs over 8 weeks old must be microchipped. It is also a requirement to keep contact details up to date.

You can be fined up to £500 if your dog isn’t microchipped. Your pet must still wear a collar with an ID tag with your name and contact details when out in public. All dog breeders are responsible for ensuring puppies are microchipped before selling them.

Unfortunately, dog theft has been on the rise in the UK since dogs became more popular and sought-after during lockdowns. The increased incidence in dog theft has been exacerbated by higher-than-normal prices to buy a dog in the past year. Microchipping can help to prove ownership if your dog is stolen and then found, or the dog thief tries to sell it to somebody and claim original ownership.

Coquet Vets offer microchipping for dogs, cats, and rabbits (from 8 weeks old). Microchipping usually costs £10, but for the month of May, we are offering microchipping for just £5 per dog, cat or rabbit*. Here is everything you need to know about microchipping your pet here. (If you're a Coquet Pet Club member microchipping is free. If you are not yet a member of our Coquet Pet Club, visit our page here to find out more and how to join.)

If this article has raised any questions, or you want to enquire about getting your pet microchipped or booked in for vaccinations using these May offers, please contact us on 01665 252 250 or email us at info@coquetvets.co.uk.

* These ‘May offers’ will start on 1st May 2021 (until 31st May 2021), but you can book your appointment now to make sure you don’t miss out.