Protection That Fits Your Pet
Vaccination is an important part of preventive care, but every pet does not need exactly the same plan. At Jog Lantana Animal Clinic, Dr. Miriam Delbene considers your pet’s age, medical history, previous vaccinations, lifestyle, travel plans, and risk of exposure before recommending vaccines.
Our goal is to protect dogs and cats from serious preventable diseases while helping you understand what each vaccine is for and when it is needed.
Vaccines for Dogs
Essential Protection
Core vaccines protect against diseases that can cause severe illness or pose a broader health risk. These include:
- Rabies: A fatal viral disease that can affect animals and people. Florida requires rabies vaccination for dogs and cats beginning at the age specified by state law, unless a veterinarian documents a qualifying medical exemption.
- Distemper, adenovirus, and parvovirus: These vaccines are commonly given together. They protect against serious infectious diseases that can affect the respiratory system, digestive system, liver, or nervous system.
- Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection that can damage the kidneys or liver and can also affect people. Exposure is possible in urban and suburban areas, not only in rural settings.
Vaccines Based on Exposure
Other vaccines may be recommended depending on where your dog goes and whom they encounter:
- Bordetella and other respiratory disease protection: May be appropriate for dogs that board, attend daycare, visit groomers, or spend time around groups of dogs. Respiratory vaccines reduce risk but cannot prevent every cause of canine cough.
- Canine influenza: May be considered when a dog’s activities, travel, or local exposure increase the risk of infection.
- Lyme disease: May be considered for dogs exposed to ticks in areas where Lyme disease occurs, including dogs that travel with their families.
Some vaccines require an initial series before full protection can develop. Please tell us about upcoming boarding, travel, or daycare plans so we can review the timing with you.
Vaccines for Cats
Indoor cats also need an individualized vaccination plan. They can face exposure through an unexpected escape, contact with another animal, or changes in their living situation.
- Rabies: Protects against a fatal disease that can affect people as well as animals. Florida requires rabies vaccination for cats beginning at the age specified by state law, unless a veterinarian documents a qualifying medical exemption.
- FVRCP: A combination vaccine that protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia.
- Feline leukemia virus, or FeLV: Especially important to discuss for kittens and for cats that may have contact with other cats. Recommendations for adults depend on their exposure risk.
We will review your cat’s age, household, outdoor access, and vaccination history before recommending a schedule.
What About Vaccine Reactions?
Most pets do well after vaccination. Some may have temporary soreness at the injection site, lower energy, or a reduced appetite. Let us know if these signs are significant, persist, or concern you.
Facial swelling, hives, repeated vomiting, difficulty breathing, or collapse may indicate a serious reaction and require immediate veterinary care. Tell our team if your pet has had a reaction to a vaccine in the past so we can take that history into account.
For cats, please contact us if you notice a lump at an injection site, particularly if it is growing or does not resolve. We will advise you on whether it needs to be examined.
Keeping Your Pet’s Records Current
Vaccination records may be needed for boarding, grooming, daycare, travel, or a move. International pet travel can involve additional rules about vaccine timing and microchip identification. If a trip is planned, let us know early so we can review the requirements before your departure.
If you are unsure whether your pet is due for a vaccine, bring any previous records to your visit. We will help you understand what is current, what may be needed, and why.
Call (561) 964-3144 to schedule a vaccination visit or discuss your pet’s preventive care plan.