Dog & Puppy Vaccinations in Perth 

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) categorises dog vaccines into core and non-core. Here is a general guide for dog vaccine costs in Australia:

• Core booster (C3): typically costs between $70 and $120, including vaccine and administration.
• C5 vaccine (includes kennel cough): generally runs between $115 and $170 per dose, usually including a health check.
• Non-core add-ons (such as Bordetella or leptospirosis): typically an extra $40 to $70 each, depending on the clinic.
• Full puppy series (C3 and C5 rounds): generally $170 to $250 in total, depending on location and clinic.

Costs vary between clinics, and the consultation fee may or may not be included, so it’s always worth confirming with your vet what’s covered in the quoted price.

For adult dogs, annual booster appointments typically cost between $70 and $120 for a core vaccine, or $115 to $170 for a C5 vaccine that includes kennel cough protection.

Kennel cough protection needs topping up every year, while core C3 antibodies can last up to three years. Depending on the vaccine brand your vet uses, they may give the full C5 annually or split the schedule, delivering kennel cough yearly and the C3 every three years.

Your vet will recommend the most appropriate schedule based on your dog’s lifestyle, particularly how often they socialise with other dogs.

The core vaccines for dogs in Australia are canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus and canine parvovirus, combined into a single injection known as the C3 vaccine. Non-core vaccines are given based on an individual dog’s risk, lifestyle and location.

• C3 Vaccination: protects against canine distemper (a fatal nervous system disease), canine adenovirus (hepatitis, affecting the liver, eyes and kidneys) and canine parvovirus (a severe and rapidly progressing intestinal disease that can be fatal, particularly in puppies).
• C5 Vaccination: builds on the C3 by adding protection against parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica, both contributors to kennel cough.

The C5 is particularly recommended for dogs that regularly come into contact with other dogs, such as at parks, day care, puppy preschool or boarding facilities.

Puppies receive their first vaccinations between six and eight weeks of age because the maternal antibodies passed on from their mother begin to wear off around this time. The standard schedule in Australia runs as follows:

• 6 to 8 weeks: C3 vaccination covering parvovirus, canine hepatitis and distemper. This first injection is usually given by the breeder or rescue centre.
• 12 weeks: C5 vaccination, adding protection against Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza (kennel cough). This is typically the first vaccination you’ll organise at your own vet.
• 16 weeks: Final C5 vaccination. This must be given at a minimum of 16 weeks because maternal antibodies can still be present before this age and may interfere with how well the vaccine works.
• 12 to 15 months: A booster is required approximately one year after the final puppy vaccination, after which regular boosters continue for life.

Mild, temporary side effects following vaccination are common and are usually a sign that the immune system is responding as it should. Most reactions are mild and resolve on their own within a day or two.

• Lethargy or low energy: the most common reaction, sometimes accompanied by a very mild fever. Most owners describe their dog as seeming slightly “off.”
• Injection site tenderness: redness, mild swelling or a small firm lump at the vaccination site. This should begin to shrink within 14 days.
• Mild digestive upset: a slight decrease in appetite or a soft stool shortly after vaccination. These symptoms are generally short-lived.
• Cold-like symptoms: sneezing, coughing or a runny nose, more likely following an intranasal kennel cough vaccine. Most dogs recover within a day or two.

In rare cases, more serious reactions such as severe anaphylaxis are possible. Contact your vet immediately if your dog shows signs of facial swelling, difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting or collapse following vaccination.