Pet Vaccinations

Vaccines protect your pet from some of the most contagious and dangerous diseases out there; many of which can be life-threatening or incredibly hard to treat once symptoms appear.

For dogs, the core vaccines we recommend help prevent:

• Parvovirus: a highly contagious virus that causes severe vomiting, bloody diarrhoea and often death in young dogs.
• Distemper: a viral disease affecting the lungs, brain, and other organs.
• Infectious hepatitis: a liver disease caused by canine adenovirus.
• Canine cough: also known as kennel cough, it’s a mix of viral and bacterial infections that cause a harsh, persistent cough.

For cats, vaccines protect against:

• Feline herpesvirus and calicivirus: both can cause sneezing, nasal discharge, mouth ulcers and fever.
• Panleucopenia: also known as feline distemper, this is a highly contagious and often fatal disease.
• FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus): recommended for outdoor cats, FIV lowers the immune system’s ability to fight off other infections.

Your veterinarian will work with you to choose the right combination based on your pet’s lifestyle, risk level and local disease prevalence.

Kittens get a head start on immunity through a series of vaccinations spaced out over several weeks. We generally recommend:

• First vaccination at 6–8 weeks of age
• Second at 10–12 weeks
• Third at 14–16 weeks
• Boosters every 12 months after that

If your cat is going to be an indoor-only cat, their vaccination needs may differ slightly. But even indoor cats can be exposed to viruses indirectly, so it’s worth having a conversation with your vet about what’s right for your situation.

Puppies are vulnerable to diseases from a young age, which is why we follow a similar staged approach:

• First vaccination at 6–8 weeks of age
• Second at 10–12 weeks
• Third at 14–16 weeks
• Boosters every 12 months after that

Depending on the vaccine and your dog’s lifestyle, some boosters may only be required every three years. Your veterinarian will personalise a schedule that keeps your pup protected without overdoing it.

It depends on your pet’s lifestyle, health status, species, age, and even your local area. Some diseases, like parvovirus or FIV, are more common in certain parts of Queensland. When you come to MustCare Vets, we take the time to understand where your pet goes, what other animals they interact with, and any upcoming activities such as boarding or travel. Based on that, we tailor a vaccination plan that protects your pet without giving anything unnecessary.

This is a common concern. While staying indoors lowers the risk of disease, it doesn’t remove it. Many viruses can still make their way into your home on clothing, shoes, or visiting animals. For cats, airborne viruses are especially tricky and don’t require direct contact to spread. There’s also the unexpected to consider. If your pet ever escapes, needs emergency care, or has to be boarded suddenly, vaccinations will ensure they’re protected. Think of it as quiet insurance that keeps their world a little safer.

You’re not behind – you’re just restarting. Life gets busy and vaccine schedules are easy to forget. At MustCare Vets, we focus on helping you move forward, not judging the past.

We’ll review your pet’s history, talk you through any catch-up plan, and explain what’s recommended now and why. If needed, we can run a titre test to check their immunity before vaccinating. It’s all about making it easy for you to do the right thing now.

For the vast majority of pets, yes. Some experience mild effects like tiredness or a sore spot where the injection went in. These symptoms usually resolve within a day or two.

Severe reactions are rare and we take your concerns seriously. If your pet has had a previous reaction or you’re feeling unsure, we can spread out their vaccines, monitor them more closely, or explore alternatives like titre testing. The risks of diseases like parvovirus, leptospirosis or distemper are far higher than the risks of a properly administered vaccine.

Routine isn’t our reason; evidence is. Veterinary vaccine guidelines have changed significantly in recent years. We stay on top of the latest research so your pet gets what they need and nothing more. If a vaccine isn’t recommended based on your pet’s history or risk level, we’ll discuss this with you.

It depends, but often yes. Older pets or those with chronic conditions can be more vulnerable to the diseases we vaccinate against. That said, we’ll never recommend something that doesn’t make sense for your pet’s individual health. If their immune system is too compromised, we’ll look at alternatives, adapt the schedule or delay it. The goal is always to protect them in the safest way possible.