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Vaccines train your pet’s immune system to fight specific viruses and bacteria, preventing disease or making it much less severe. Modern vaccines are the safest and most effective ever made, and keeping your dog or cat on schedule with their pet vaccinations is one of the simplest ways to protect them. But not every pet needs every booster every year. A simple vaccine titer test can show whether your pet is still protected. How Pet Vaccines Work A vaccine exposes the body to a harmless version or piece of a germ. The immune system learns to recognize it and is ready to attack if the real thing shows up later. That’s why vaccines stay important at every life stage, from puppies and kittens to seniors. How Pets Are Exposed to Contagious Diseases Some contagious diseases spread through the air, so your pet can be exposed even through an open window. Other diseases spread through direct contact with bodily fluids (urine, feces, saliva, coughing or nasal discharge) or with contaminated objects like bowls, toys and shoes. Boarding kennels, dog parks and grooming salons carry the highest risk, so make sure your pet’s vaccines are current before any visit. Vaccines Your Dog May Need Every dog should get the core vaccines: rabies, which Florida law requires, and DHPP, which protects against distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Depending on lifestyle, your vet may also recommend Bordetella (kennel cough), canine influenza, leptospirosis, or Lyme for dogs that travel. Vaccines Your Cat May Need Cats need rabies and FVRCP, which covers rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. Kittens and cats that go outdoors should also get the feline leukemia (FeLV) vaccine. If you’re unsure about timing, learn how often cats need vaccines with a guide through the schedule from kittenhood to adulthood. What Is a Vaccine Titer Test? A titer test is not a shot. It’s a small blood sample that measures the antibodies your pet already has against diseases they were vaccinated for. If the antibody level shows your pet is protected, you can often skip the booster. If it’s low, we vaccinate. Titers work much like other blood work and lab testing: one quick sample gives us a clear look at what’s happening inside your pet. When Titers Make Sense Titers are most useful for adult pets that have finished their puppy or kitten series, pets with a history of vaccine reactions, senior pets, and those with chronic health conditions, where avoiding unnecessary vaccines can be especially helpful. What Titers Can’t Replace Titers cannot replace the rabies vaccine. Florida law requires rabies vaccination for all dogs and cats aged 4 months or older, regardless of their titer results. The Most Important Step: Twice-a-Year Exams Vaccines and titers keep pets protected, but regular exams catch problems early. We recommend a physical exam twice a year for life, and we can check whether your pet is due for boosters or a titer at the same visit. Ask about titer testing at your next appointment. Call (813) 994-6929 to schedule.

Major League Baseball uses it.  The NFL uses it.  The US Olympic Team uses it.  Progressive Cutting Edge Veterinarians use it. What is it?  Laser Therapy, that’s what.  So, let me shed some light on the subject. Therapeutic Laser is a new innovative method of treatment that has shown to improve a pet’s circulation, reduce pain & inflammation, speed healing, kill infection and much more, in many ways.

Have you ever gone to the veterinarian and be told that they recommend annual blood work for your pet? There is a reason for this, as most pet owner’s only think about blood work or lab tests when their pet is sick. However just like their human counter parts, pets too should have lab tests done once a year for their overall health evaluation.  Lab work is considered an internal examination for your pet. It is also essential if your pet is sick or having any kind of surgery performed.

Have you noticed your pet scratching a lot lately?  Shaking their head or chewing at their paws?  If so, most likely it is due to allergies (Atopy).  You need to schedule your pet for a comprehensive exam with an experienced veterinarian to determine the cause(s) of their allergy problems.  The most common symptoms that owners will notice from their pet is excessive licking, scratching or chewing, odor from the ears or skin, hair loss, crusted skin lesions, greasy or oily skin, scaly, dry or red skin, stained or inflamed paws.  Recurrence of skin infections and/or ear infections is also common in allergic pets.