Do I need to have my dog vaccinated for it to go into kennels?

Are you wondering “Do I need to have my dog vaccinated for it to go into kennels?” Then you’re not alone. Many dog owners who are thinking of putting their pets into kennels for the first time ask this question. Read on to find out if your dog needs vaccinating before they use boarding facilities. 

Do kennels require dogs to be vaccinated? 

Yes, they do. Vaccinations help to prevent your dog from catching and spreading a number of serious infectious diseases, some of which can be fatal. When your dog is vaccinated, a small quantity of the disease, which has been modified so that it can’t lead to illness, is injected into them, helping their body learn how to destroy it. This ensures that if they do catch the real disease, they’re better equipped to fight it and are unlikely to become very unwell. Now you know the answer to the question, “Do I need to have my dog vaccinated for it to go into kennels?”, keep reading to find out which diseases they need to be protected against.

What vaccinations does my dog need? 

There are a number of ‘core vaccines’ that all dogs living in the UK should have. These include:

• Parvovirus. The canine parvovirus (CPV) infection is a very contagious viral illness that affects dogs of all breeds. The virus manifests in two different forms, with the more common being the intestinal form. Common symptoms include vomiting and diarrhoea, weight loss and poor appetite. Parvovirus boosters are necessary every three years.
• Distemper. Canine distemper is a very contagious virus resulting from the paramyxovirus. The virus affects the gastrointestinal, respiratory, immune and central nervous systems and symptoms tend to display around 14 days after exposure. These include fever, nasal discharge, eye discharge, sneezing, coughing, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhoea. Distemper booster vaccinations are usually given every three years.
• Hepatitis. Canine hepatitis is a disease which causes liver inflammation and damage to its cells. This prevents them from functioning properly, resulting in a variety of symptoms. Whilst it’s usually caused by a virus, there are other possible causes, including autoimmune disease. Infectious hepatitis booster vaccinations are given every three years.
• Leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can find its way into a dog’s blood, liver and kidneys. The bacteria are normally carried by rats and other rodents, however, dogs that become infected can infect other dogs as well. Leptospirosis often displays no symptoms, which is due to bacteria being defeated by the dog’s natural defences. If there are symptoms, these usually include sudden fever, sore muscles, lethargy, muscle stiffness, shivering and weakness. Leptospirosis booster vaccinations are usually given every year.

Dog Vaccination

Whilst all dogs need to have vaccinations for the above diseases, many kennels will also require additional vaccinations, for kennel cough for example. 

Kennel cough is a respiratory infection caused by several different bacteria and viruses. Whilst it’s not usually dangerous and tends to clear up on its own without treatment in a few weeks, it can make elderly dogs, puppies, and those with medical conditions more at risk of complications from the infection. They may develop pneumonia, for example. A kennel cough vaccine is available, with most kennels requiring dogs to have this before accepting them.

Dog vaccination schedule

To make sure your dog has full protection, they will require a ‘primary course’ of vaccinations followed by annual boosters throughout their life.

Primary course: The primary course of vaccines includes two or three injections two to four weeks apart. Whilst most dogs have these as a puppy when they’re around eight to 10 weeks old, adult dogs that haven’t been vaccinated or are not up to date with their annual boosters can have them at any time. A few weeks after their primary course of injections, your dog will be fully protected. 

Annual boosters: Your dog needs annual booster injections to prevent its immunity from decreasing over time. Furthermore, whilst some diseases will need to be protected against every year, other vaccinations can be given every few years. Your vet will let you know which vaccines your dog needs each year. 

Are dog vaccines a legal requirement?

Dog vaccines are not required by law in the UK. However, vets strongly recommend that every dog receives the core vaccines mentioned above. Also, these can help to keep dogs safe and healthy. The exception to this is the vaccine for rabies. Dogs must have if they’re travelling in and out of the country. Even though your dog legally doesn’t need to have the core vaccines that most vets recommend, they will require them if you want to put them in boarding kennels in Doncaster.  

Dog boarding in Rotherham 

For dog boarding in Rotherham or the surrounding areas, look no further than Jaycliffe Pets. We provide well-equipped boarding facilities for dogs of all ages and breeds, providing them with all the care and attention they need during their stay. At Jaycliffe, we require dogs to have had their vaccinations before they come to our kennels. As well as having all the core vaccines, your dog should also have had the kennel cough vaccine. We may ask you to show a fully up-to-date vaccination certificate before we can accept your dog into our facilities.  

Contact us 

If you’re still wondering “Do I need to have my dog vaccinated for it to go to kennels?”, get in touch. Furthermore, one of our friendly team can discuss our vaccination requirements with you in further detail, providing expert advice and guidance. Call us on 01709 645 046, or alternatively, send us a message via the website and we’ll get back to you right away.