In the UK, annual boosters have been common practice for cats and dogs. Kennels and catteries request to see the veterinary record when boarding an animal to ensure they are up to date with vaccinations.
Over the years many of the pet owners using VacciCheck have expressed their frustration at over vaccinating their dogs in order to use the service of a kennel.
Now in the UK, The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has issued the following statement:
“E5.2 An up-to-date veterinary vaccination record must be seen to ensure that dogs boarded have current vaccinations against canine parvovirus, canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis (adenovirus) and, leptospirosis. The date of the most recent vaccination must be recorded preferably with a valid until date.
Certification from a veterinary surgeon of a recent protective titre test may be accepted in individual cases as evidence of protection against adenovirus, distemper and parvovirus.
The certificate must state that it is valid for the period of stay at the kennels.
It is the decision of the kennel proprietor whether to accept such a certificate.”
To read the full document, please click here.
Woodley Equipment supplies the ImmunoComb® VacciCheck Antibody Test Kit from Biogal, which monitors serological status, reduces vaccination failure and prevents over vaccination consequences for dogs and cats.
ImmunoComb® VacciCheck is a user-friendly, in-practice kit, which tests for antibody titres to the three core infections:
| Canine | Feline |
| Infectious Hepatitis (ICH) | Panleukopenia (FPLV) |
| Parvovirus (CPV) | Herpes Virus (FHV) |
| Distemper (CDV) | Calici Virus (FCV) |
The VacciCheck titre test for dogs and cats is a simple blood test that tests for circulating antibodies to the core infections. If antibodies are present, the dog/cat is immune to the core diseases and revaccination (with core vaccines) is not required.
WSAVA guidelines recommend a titre test once a year rather than routinely giving dogs/cats an annual booster. If the animal is immune, an extra booster at this point would be surplus to requirements and would not provide any additional immunity.
For further information, contact Woodley Equipment Company:
Email: sales@woodleyequipment.com
Tel: 01204 669033
Fax: 01204 669034
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