Veterinarian in Jacksonville, FL describes the importance of routine vaccinations for your dog

When pet parents in the Jacksonville, FL area are responsible pet owners, they need to work with a veterinarian who offers routine vaccinations for dogs and cats. Dr. Venkat Gutta and the team at Bluestar Pet Hospital and Grooming are committed to helping pet owners maintain their pets’ health. There is great importance in maintaining a pet’s vaccinations as needed to protect them from preventable conditions and to keep them healthier, longer. To extend your pet’s lifespan, our team of professionals will encourage you to schedule them for routine inoculations.

What is vaccination?

A vaccine is an antigen which is used to fight organisms that are introduced into the body and can cause disease. Vaccinations work with the immune system to protect it from specific conditions that are often completely preventable. These vaccinations will prepare the immune system in the event the dog or cat is ever exposed to the actual disease, ensuring the body will fight it off. In most cases, vaccinations will either fight off the condition entirely or can reduce the severity of the illness if the pet is exposed. They can help in reducing the risks of several problems and is the safest and most effective way to protect your pet and extend their lifespan.

When pet parents obtain their pet, they need to work with a veterinarian team that understands the importance of routine vaccinations and examinations when managing a pet’s overall health and wellness. Speaking with a professional about the vaccinations your pet should obtain will help you choose the inoculations you provide for your dog or cat. There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration when choosing vaccines that are not considered “core vaccinations,” such as:

• The pet’s age
• The environment the pet is living in
• Traveling habits of the pet and pet family
• Medical history of the pet

What are the core vaccinations?

Core vaccinations are routine vaccinations that are given at specific intervals during a pet’s life to reduce their risk of exposure to severe diseases, as well as those that can be transmitted to or from humans. These “core vaccinations” for dogs include vaccinates for:

• Canine hepatitis
• Rabies
• Canine parvovirus
• Distemper

How often should my pet receive a vaccination?

Dogs that have been obtained as puppies should begin vaccinations around the time they are being weaned from their mother’s milk, as antibodies are received through the mother’s healthy immune system. Around the age of six to eight weeks of age, puppies should start receiving the core vaccinations. Many of these are offered in smaller doses and administered in intervals of three or four weeks until approximately 16 weeks of age. After that, most adult dogs will receive specific vaccinations on an annual basis, and others every three to five years. Discussing which vaccinations are necessary and how often they should be administered is an important conversation pet owners need to have with a veterinarian.

Are there laws regarding my pet’s vaccinations?

Every state has laws regarding the vaccinations needed for a pet. In the state of Florida, there are specific statutes that regulate the vaccinations a pet requires. The statute in Florida is that of 828.30 that covers rabies vaccinations of dogs, cats, and ferrets. All dogs four months or older must have received vaccination from a licensed veterinarian against rabies and should receive these vaccinations annually to maintain their overall health and wellness and reduce the risk of rabies if a bite to a human were to occur. Our team of professionals are well-versed in the rules and regulations regarding vaccinations and can educate pet parents on the necessary medical treatments required to keep a pet healthy in the state of Florida.

Interested in discussing vaccinations for your pet with a veterinarian in the Jacksonville, FL area?

Contact Dr. Venkat Gutta and the team at Bluestar Pet Hospital and Grooming today to learn about vaccinating your dogs and cats for a longer lifespan and better quality of life free from preventable conditions. Call the office at and visit the office conveniently located at 11048 Baymeadows Road of Jacksonville. We welcome new pets and their families into our office for quality care.

Back To Blog Page