Congratulations on the new addition to your family! At Bluestar Pet Hospital & Grooming in Jacksonville, Florida, we are thrilled to get your puppy off to the best, healthiest possible start. We do so with guidance on everything from nutrition to preventive services. Notably, it is crucial to get your pup on a vaccine schedule. Vaccines protect dogs and cats from contagious diseases. They do so by building the pets’ natural immune defenses. In turn, a properly-maintained routine of vaccinations reduces the risk of pets developing deadly diseases and the severity of those infectious illnesses.
Core Vaccines
During your puppy’s wellness examination, we can assess the vaccines that will need to be administered to keep your maturing pet healthy and happy. Some vaccinations may be administered to your pet due to their risk of acquiring certain diseases (based on factors such as lifestyle). However, there are generally a series of “core vaccines” recommended for most dogs. These vaccines include:
- Rabies Virus
- Canine Distemper Virus
- Parvovirus
- Adenovirus
- Parainfluenza Virus
The last four vaccines are generally administered in combination with each other. Your puppy may undergo the first series of vaccines as early as six weeks. Additional doses are usually given every two to four weeks until the 16-week mark. A “booster” is also recommended within the first year and following the last dose of initial vaccinations. Specific to vaccinating against rabies, American Animal Hospital Association guidelines dictate that the dose be administered no earlier than 12 weeks. By the time another year rolls around, the second dose will be given.
Recommendations for non-core vaccines are tailored to the needs of your pet. We will discuss those needs with you during your visit and after examining your pet and consulting with you. Non-core vaccines include those to protect against leptospira and Bordetella bronchiseptica.
Vaccinations will be administered throughout your pet’s life. The schedule may evolve as your pet’s needs and lifestyle change. Call us today at 904-720-4272 to schedule an appointment and to start your puppy off on the “right paw.”
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Dr. Venkat Gutta
Bluestar Pet Hospital & Grooming
At Blue Star Pet Hospital and Grooming, Dr. Venkat Gutta provides high-quality and modern veterinary services to all your furry friends! At Bluestar, Dr. Gutta and his team are committed to providing your pets with both a full-service Veterinary Hospital and a modern grooming salon (St. Johns location only) for dogs and cats. Our primary commitment is to provide your companion animals with the highest quality medical care. Dr. Gutta strongly believes in treating your four-legged companions as family members and providing them with excellent yet affordable veterinary care. At Bluestar, we also think that it is important to educate you, as a pet owner, and ensure that the unique needs of you and your pet are met at all times. Through Bluestar, Dr. Gutta and his team serve clients in Durbin Crossing, Jacksonville, St Augustine, St Johns, CR 210, and other areas. Whether it is pet vaccinations, surgery, techniques, advanced diagnostic testing, or even flea and tick control products, we give you access to the best and most cutting-edge treatments and technologies. At Bluestar, we believe that your pet is the STAR!
