To make an appointment at either Westgate Hospital or Laytown Veterinary Clinic call us on:
041-9838718 / 041-9837658
You can also contact us by Fax on 041-9830050
To make an enquiry you can complete our Enquiry Form, Email Us or simply just give us a call at the above numbers.
To make an out of hours Emergency appointment call us at the above numbers.
When a new pet joins the family one of the first concerns should be if the animal has been vaccinated?
Dogs
The main diseases that are covered by vaccinations are:-
Canine Parvovirus: This is the most commonly contracted virus amongst dogs. It causes severe vomiting and dysentery (bloody diarrhoea). Usually fatal unless treated intensively (hospitalisation, intravenous drips etc.) which is expensive.
Canine Distemper: Is less common in this country nowadays thanks to the success of vaccination but if contracted is often fatal.
Canine Hepatitis: This virus attacks the liver and can cause sudden fatality in acute cases, and if treated can be a very long road to recovery.
Leptospirosis: This bacterial infection can cause liver and kidney failure, jaundice, acute illness and death. If presented early it is treatable, but again it can be quite a long road to recovery. It is also a major zoonosis (can be transmitted to humans). It is usually contracted from rats urine.
Canine Parainfluenza: This virus is rarely fatal, however it can cause a very distressing, harsh cough that can continue for many weeks. The disease is commonly known as 'Kennel Cough'. Most kennels will insist on this vaccine being given before they will admit the animal as it is highly contagious. The viral part of Kennel Cough is covered by injection but the bacterial part of the disease is a separate vaccine which is given Intra Nasally.
Cats
The main viruses covered by vaccinations are:-
Panleucopenia: This is also known as Feline Enteritis. This virus can cause 'rapid onset', vomiting, bloody diarrhoea and listlessness. It is very difficult to treat and usually fatal in young cats.
Feline Rhinotracheitis/Feline Calicivirus: Known commonly as Cat Flu these viruses attack the upper Respiratory System causing flu-like symptoms which if left untreated can become very severe.
Feline Leukaemia: This virus is the most serious as it attacks the immune system. This can lead to various cancers and other serious illnesses which will cause death.
We must remember that we cannot treat a virus, just the symptoms, so the old cliché 'prevention is better than cure' rings true.
If you have any queries on vaccinations for your pet please do not hesitate to contact our nurses directly by telephone, email us at info@westgatevets.com or fill in the Enquiry Form.