Veterinary clinics in San Lorenzo: how to choose pet care that fits

To choose a vet in San Lorenzo, first decide whether it is an emergency, a checkup or a vaccine, then call ahead to confirm a vet is available today and treats your species. Besides private clinics, two public services on the UNA campus, on Ruta Mcal. Estigarribia, are worth knowing: free rabies vaccination at the national rabies center and the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences clinic.

What kind of care does your pet need today?

Sorting this out saves trips and money:

• Emergency: hit by a car, trouble breathing, seizures, bloody vomit or diarrhea, can't urinate, ate poison or something toxic. Call on the way and go to the clinic that confirms a vet can see you right now.
• Consultation or checkup: weight loss, skin problems, limping, annual check. Book an appointment; pick the clinic with a clear time slot, not just the closest one.
• Vaccines and deworming: these can be planned, and the rabies shot is free (see below).
• Surgery or spaying/neutering: ask for a written quote, what it includes (pre-op tests, anesthesia, overnight stay, medication) and fasting instructions.

Are there 24-hour vets in San Lorenzo?

It's one of the most searched questions, and the answer depends on each clinic, so check by phone before an emergency, not during one. Ask three things: is a vet on site all night (not just someone answering the phone), can they keep animals overnight, and do they have X-ray or ultrasound on site. Save two after-hours numbers on your phone: one near home and one along the highway. San Lorenzo has heavy traffic most of the day⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠, and travel time changes a lot at night.

Where can you get a free rabies vaccine in San Lorenzo?

Paraguay's National Zoonosis Control Program and National Rabies Center vaccinate dogs and cats free of charge on the UNA campus⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠, Monday to Friday 7:00 to 22:00, and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 7:00 to 19:00. Bring dogs on a leash, cats in a carrier, and the vaccination booklet.

The recommended schedule starts at three months of age, with boosters at 30 days and at six months, then one dose a year for life. This is a vaccination service, not an emergency vet.

Why get your dog tested for leishmaniasis?

Canine visceral leishmaniasis spreads through the bite of a sand fly and can also infect people. On the same campus, the zoonosis program offers a free rapid test⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠ for dogs six months and older, first come, first served.

Ask for the test if your dog shows progressive weight loss, hair loss or skin sores, overgrown nails, swollen lymph nodes, nosebleeds or eye problems. To prevent it, use a repellent collar or spot-on, don't let your dog sleep outdoors, and keep the yard clear of leaves and organic debris.

What does the UNA Faculty of Veterinary Sciences offer?

The faculty, on the San Lorenzo campus, offers consultations, vaccines and deworming, low- to medium-complexity surgery, and diagnostics such as lab tests, X-rays and ultrasound. According to ABC Color, capacity is limited in time and number of animals, and it offers low-cost care for families with financial difficulties. Book ahead and ask about costs and requirements. It is not an emergency service.

What should you ask before choosing a private clinic?

Send a short message with species, age, approximate weight and the problem. Then ask:

• Are you open today and until when? Appointment or walk-in?
• Do you treat cats, rabbits, birds or other species, or only dogs?
• Do you have lab, X-ray or ultrasound on site, or do you refer out?
• How much is a consultation and how can I pay?
• If my pet needs to stay overnight, is someone there at night?

A clinic that answers these quickly and clearly is usually the one that stays organized when something serious happens.

What should you bring?

The vaccination booklet, a list of current medications, photos or videos of symptoms that come and go (coughing, seizures, limping) and, if your pet ate something unusual, the packaging or a photo of it. In summer, travel with the air conditioning on or at cooler hours: midday heat is hard on flat-faced breeds and older pets.