We are excited to announce that Dr. Marcus Dela Cruz has joined our PBVC team! Please help us welcome him to the Central Coast and stop by to say “hi!”
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We’re OPEN LATE every week day!
We are excited to announce that we have expanded our swing shift to Monday through Friday! That means that we are OPEN 
every weekday until 10pm to better accommodate your veterinary needs. We recognize that your pet doesn’t just get sick during the day so Pismo Beach Vet has now made it easier than ever to get the best possible care for your furry companions!
Meet Jenni, Our June Featured Employee!
Jenni has been working in the veterinary field since late 2006. Although originally from the Central Coast of California; Jenni lived in Germany for 3 years, and outside of Washington D.C. after (which is where her veterinary career started). Jenni and her two daughters relocated back to California in mid-2010.
Jenni became interested in veterinary medicine when her horse was diagnosed with a neurological disorder in 2003. Having to be extremely hands on during the diagnostic process and medical care, Jenni learned not only how interesting veterinary medicine could be, but also the importance of client education. She became even more interested in neurological cases and studies when given the opportunity to work at a specialty hospital just outside of Washington D.C.; which included working alongside a neurosurgeon. It’s no surprise that neurological cases tend to be Jenni‘s favorite aspect of her job. Assisting in out of the ordinary and complicated surgeries in a close second! Jenni joined the PBVC team in July 2017, and is now one of our lead technicians.
Along with her two daughters, Jenni also lives with her four dogs (Spicey Pie Rice, Lola, Lolly, and Reeses Pieces), and her mare, Wynny. In her free time Jenni likes to go horseback riding, do CrossFit, go on frequent trips to Disneyland with her kids, and create products for her Etsy shop, Sugar & Scrub Fairytale Co. Jenni completed her bachelor’s degree in 2015, and is returning to school mid-2018 to complete her MBA with a concentration in Marketing.
We’ve been voted BEST VET in SLO County for 2018!
We are so excited and honored to have been voted Best Veterinary Clinic in SLO County for the sixth year in a row for 2018! To read this week’s New Times edition, go to https://issuu.com/ntmg/docs/nsa10a001-128_b_of_only/2
Thank you so much to all of our friends and clients who helped to make this possible. As a token of our appreciation, we will be offering FREE Physical Examinations to New Clients and FREE Dog and Cat Dental Hygiene Kits to existing clients. In order to take advantage of this offer, please bring the coupon from our ad on Page 86 of this week’s New Times.
Thanks again for your support and for entrusting us with your pet’s health management. We will continue to strive to provide you with the compassion, respect, and quality care that your animal family member deserves!
Sincerely,
The Doctors and Staff of Pismo Beach Vet
Meet Elise, Our May Featured Employee!
Elise moved to San Luis Obispo in 2013 to attend Cal Poly, where she received her bachelors of 
animal science. She grew up in San Diego where she volunteered at the local animal shelters and realized her passion in life is to help animals. Elise joined Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic in June of 2015 where she is now a veterinary assistant. You will often see her in exam rooms helping the doctors provide best medicine and assisting with procedures and diagnostics in treatment. She is continuing her education and life long pursuit of helping animals at Vet School this fall.
When she isn’t working, you can often find her at the beach with her fur children, making dog collars, or at Disneyland. She is currently up to 3 dogs, her mini aussie Koda, her failed foster baby Annie, and her new golden retriever puppy, Milo.
Meet Odessa, Our April Featured Employee!
Odessa was born in SLO but moved across the country to Cincinnati, Ohio when she was 6 years old. She returned to the central coast in 2014 to go to Cal Poly, studying animal science with a focus in veterinary medicine. She joined the team at PBVC in August 2016 and has loved it here ever
since! Odessa is one of our veterinary assistants and you’ll frequently find her working with patients in our treatment area or helping the doctors as a room nurse. In addition to her work with animals at the clinic, Odessa also helps behind the scenes with running the Facebook page and Instagram. She also writes blog posts for the website. She loves that she is able to combine her love of animals and social media!
Odessa has had lots of different pets throughout her life. Back home with her parents lives her yellow lab, Humphrey, two newfoundlands (June and Chief), a dachshund (Dickie), and her cat, Petunia. In late 2016, Odessa adopted her best friend, Moose, from Animal Services in SLO County. When she’s not at PBVC, Odessa can be found on the dog beach or hanging out around SLO with Moose. After graduation, she plans to continue working at PBVC until possibly going to vet school!
Care for Senior and Disabled Pets
We are so excited and proud to support one of our long term clients in her new venture in caring for senior and disabled pets. Margaret Camara, an advocate of rescuing pets and keeping them out of the shelter, has just started CSADA, a local non profit organization focused on providing care to elderly and disabled pets.
CSADA can provide monetary assistance with adoption fees, medical treatments, special food, prosthetics, and procedures. The main goal of CSADA is to keep senior and disabled pets where they belong: in a loving forever home.
Open House is April 21st!
Wish your vet bill was as predictable as your cell phone bill?
We know you strive to give your furry friends the best – but sometimes it’s a challenge. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce Petly Wellness Plans are here! We will be having an open house April 21st from 5pm to 7pm at the clinic.
Come learn about our Wellness Plans, take a tour of our facility, and meet our staff, doctors and vendor partners!
Check out our event on Facebook to learn more or ask us any questions! Can’t wait to see you there!
Meet Melissa, Our March Featured Employee!
Melissa will be one of the smiling faces to greet you as you come into Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic. Coming to Central Coast California when she was 4, she stakes the claim and pride of considering herself a native Californian. With a combined total of over 11 years experience, we happily welcomed her to our clinic in March of 2017 and in May she became our customer service representative supervisor. In her past, Melissa has worked in both general practice and emergency veterinary clinics. She feels that her experience allows her to assist in educating clients and co-workers on a daily basis.
In her spare time, Melissa can be found soaking up the sun on the sand, the green hills or maybe even a comfy couch! Melissa has recently gained a liking to exploring the central coast hiking trails. The weather and views that we have here are breath taking; And how can we not mention the warm sand and sun on our coastline?
Making up her pack of four-legged-family is a fun bunch! Mia: Black Lab mix, Trixi: Rat Terrier mix, and Cookie: Taco Terrier (Chihuahua/Terrier Mix)
Everything you need to know about Canine Influenza
Canine influenza (dog flu) is a contagious viral infection affecting dogs and some cats. There are two main strains seen in the United States: H3N8 and H3N2. Canine H3N8 was first identified in 2004 in racing greyhounds in Florida. Since 2004, H3N8 has been identified in most states. The H3N2 strain was first identified in March of 2015 following an outbreak of respiratory illnesses in dogs around Chicago. In May 2017, canine H3N2 influenza was diagnosed in dogs in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Louisiana, and Illinois. This was the same strain of H3N2 involved in the 2015 outbreak in Chicago.
Canine influenza is transmitted through droplets or aerosols with respiratory secretions from coughing, barking, and sneezing. Dogs that are in close contact with infected dogs are at an increased risk in places like kennels, groomers, daycare facilities, or shelters. It can also be spread indirectly through objects like toys, kennels, bowls, leashes, etc. It’s important to thoroughly clean and disinfect objects that have come in contact with infected dogs. The virus can survive on a surface for up to 48 hours, on clothes for 24 hours, and on hands for 12 hours.
Dogs will typically start to show signs of infection between 2 to 8 days after exposure. Virtually all dogs exposed to canine influenza will become infected but only about 80% will develop clinical symptoms. The symptoms look similar to kennel cough, with nasal and eye discharge, sneezing, lethargy, and anorexia. Many dogs will also develop a fever.
The vaccine we offer here at PBVC is bivalent, meaning it offers protection against both strains. There are currently no canine influenza vaccines approved for use in cats.
The canine influenza vaccine is a “lifestyle” vaccine meaning it is not necessarily recommended for every dog. It is used to protect those who are most at risk of exposure (dogs who are social or frequent kennels or groomers). The vaccine must be boostered 2 to 4 weeks after the first vaccination and is then effective for 1 year.
Think your dog may be a good candidate for the Canine Influenza vaccine? Call us! We can schedule it.