In this guide
To choose a vet in Santa Rita, start with what you need: a clinic for your dog or cat, an agroveterinaria (farm vet supply store) for livestock, or a pet shop for food and accessories. Then check there is a registered vet in charge, ask who handles night emergencies, and bring the vaccination card. In a farming town like Santa Rita, several agroveterinarias mainly serve farms, so ask first whether they see pets.
Clinic, agroveterinaria or pet shop?
Santa Rita is Paraguay's top soybean-producing area, with high-genetic-quality cattle and significant pig and poultry farming (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). That shapes what you will find:
- Veterinary clinic: consultations, vaccines, surgery, lab tests. This is what a sick dog or cat needs.
- Agroveterinaria: veterinary products for farms, such as vaccines, wormers and feed for production animals. Many have a vet, but not all see pets.
- Pet shop: food, accessories and sometimes grooming. If it also has a consulting room, ask who the vet is and when they are in.
How do you know a vet is licensed?
- Clinic: according to SENACSA, the national animal health service, every vet clinic must have a veterinary technical adviser with a professional registration, be set up as a company and hold a trade licence, with all documents filed with SENACSA (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
- Vet: under Law 6810/2021 and SENACSA Resolution 1434/21, every vet must register their degree and renew the registration every year; renewal without surcharge is due by 31 March (Ferrere (opens in a new tab)).
- If something goes wrong: complaints about abuse or malpractice go to the Dirección de Salud y Bienestar Animal or the public prosecutor (ABC Color, 2022 (opens in a new tab)).
Asking the name of the vet in charge is normal and helps with follow-up.
Vaccines and diseases to keep in mind
- Rabies in pets: the rabies vaccine is recommended from three months of age, with boosters at 30 days and six months, then once a year (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
- Rabies in cattle: in April 2026 SENACSA confirmed bovine rabies in Paraguarí and recorded outbreaks in other departments; it is distributing free doses to every department and asks farmers to report cases (La Nación, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). If you keep livestock, ask your agroveterinaria or SENACSA about the vaccination plan.
- Leishmaniasis: watch for gradual weight loss, hair loss and skin ulcers, overgrown nails, swollen lymph nodes, nosebleeds or eye problems. The Centro Antirrábico Nacional on the UNA campus in San Lorenzo tests dogs from six months old for free (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). If you are heading to Asunción, use it; otherwise ask your vet for the test.
Heat and long weekends
Highs in Santa Rita reach 38 °C (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). In summer walk your dog early or at dusk, leave water and shade, and if it seems listless or is panting heavily, call the vet before it gets worse. Before a long holiday weekend, save the number of whoever covers emergencies.
Crossing into Brazil with your pet?
Almost half of Santa Rita's population is Brazilian and Portuguese is also spoken there (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), so taking a dog or cat to Brazil is common. Entering Brazil requires an International Veterinary Certificate (CVI) or an official pet passport issued by the veterinary authority of the country of origin, and Brazil's model CVI has been mandatory since 6 September 2025 (Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture (opens in a new tab)). Talk to your vet weeks ahead so vaccines are up to date.
What to bring and ask before you go
- Vaccination card, names of any medicines and when symptoms started.
- Whether they work by appointment or walk-in, and whether there is night or weekend cover.
- Whether they treat your pet's species (dogs and cats, birds, exotics).
- If you are more comfortable in Portuguese, whether they can see you in that language.
- Payment: 7 in 10 electronic payments in Paraguay are by QR (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)), but bring cash just in case.
FAQ
What is the difference between a vet clinic and an agroveterinaria?
A vet clinic handles pet consultations, vaccines and surgery. An agroveterinaria sells veterinary supplies for farms and does not always see dogs or cats, so ask first.
How often does my dog need a rabies shot in Paraguay?
From three months of age, with boosters at 30 days and six months, then once a year.
What do I need to take my dog to Brazil?
An International Veterinary Certificate (CVI) or an official pet passport from the origin country's veterinary authority. Plan it with your vet weeks ahead.
