Probably the most common reason your pet will need to see a Veterinarian is for examinations and for vaccinations. We highly recommend that your pet see a veterinarian at least once a year for a physical exam. Remember the general rule of thumb, one human year is equal to seven pet years. Health changes occur much quicker in animals than people. A yearly exam will help pick up some of the changes that occur with age that you may not notice. It is also important to vaccinate your pet. Vaccination for rabies is the law here in Florida and vaccination for other diseases are also important. Not all pets need to have all vaccinations available and when you come in for your annual exam, we will discuss your pets lifestyle with you. We will then recommend the vaccines we feel are most appropriate for your pets lifestyle. For example, if your dog is never boarded, does not go to the groomers and is not in contact with other dogs, then the kennel cough (Bordetella) vaccination may not be warranted. In addition, vaccinations tend to stress out the immune system and if the pet is already sick then we may end up making the immediate problem worse. This is why we will always examine your pet before we vaccinate him/her. You should also tell the doctor if there have been any recent health problems with your pet. If your pet is having a health problem, the doctor will determine if vaccinations are warranted at that time or if it is best for your pet to be treated first and vaccinated after recovering from the problem. For an exam and vaccinations please call and make an appointment. The order in which we see appointments is: Life and Death Emergencies Scheduled Appointments Walk-Ins If you do not have an appointment, you may have to wait a long time before seeing the doctor.