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Category: Articles

Fourth of July Safety Tips

Posted on June 25, 2018May 1, 2019 by pismobeachvet

Everyone loves to celebrate the Fourth of July. It’s a time for friends, food, and fireworks! While it’s a fun day for people, it can often be a very scary time for our pets. These are some ways to ensure your pet feels secure and stays safe!

 

 

      1. Keep your pets indoors. While you might want to hang out with your pet at your outdoor party to watch fireworks, it’s important to keep your pets indoors during parties and fireworks displays. Loud noises can spook pets to run away and escape from yards, especially with the chaos of extra house guests!

     

      1. Offer a safe space with lots of distractions for your pet. By keeping your dog or cat in a quiet room in the house, you will be able to control the noise levels and stimulus your pets will receive. Try giving a few new toys and treats that night to occupy your furry pals. Stuffing a toy full of treats can keep them busy and their minds sharp! You can also turn on a tv or play some soothing music to drown out the loud bangs of fireworks.

     

      1. Make sure your ID tags are up to date. By wearing a collar and being microchipped, your pet will be easily identified if they get lost. Keeping your contact info updated will ensure that who ever finds your friend will be able to reach you!

     

    1. Talk to your veterinarian about anxiety medication. Maybe no matter what steps you take, your pet still seems to be terrified by the time the fireworks start. Many pets can manage this anxiety with medication that will make that day less stressful for everyone. Try a trial run of the medication beforehand to make sure you’re happy with the level of comfort of your pet.

Hopefully you and your pets can enjoy a festive but safe day with some of these tips! Have any more questions? Give us a call! We can help!

Everything you need to know about Canine Influenza

Posted on February 23, 2018May 1, 2019 by pismobeachvet

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.

Veterinary Recomended Solutions are at PBVC!

Posted on December 20, 2017May 1, 2019 by pismobeachvet

We’re excited to announce that PBVC has partnered with Veterinarian Recommended Solutions to bring a new line of supplements to our clients! All of the products at VRS are backed by extensive clinical research and third party tested for purity and safety. VRS is owned and operated by veterinarians and a team of veterinary specialists. We’re proud to carry their products including: Omega Benefits, Osteo TruBenefits, Entero TruBenefits, and Hepato TruBenefits.

 

One of our favorite products is the Omega Benefits. You add a certain number of pumps (based on your animal’s weight range) onto their food daily. This helps with healthy joints, cardiovascular function, skin, brain, and eye health. Our clients also like that it gives their pets a healthy shine in their coat!

 

Interested in trying one of the products from VRS? Call us! We’re here 7 days a week to discuss which product may be best for your pet.

Don’t Forget Your Pets This Halloween!

Posted on October 31, 2013 by pismobeachvet

Halloween can be a dangerous time for pets. Before you head out to Trick or Treat, here are a few easy things you can do to help keep your pets safe:

  1. Make sure that pets are safely kept away from the front door during trick or treating.  They can easily escape to the great outdoors.
  2. Make sure your pets have some form of ID (preferably a collar and microchip) in case they do decide to take off.
  3. Keep that candy out of reach!  Make sure children are aware that many candies can be toxic to pets, especially raisins, chocolate, or sugar free treats.
  4. Be aware of tip hazards when using lit candles. Inquisitive pets can easily knock these over and start a fire!
  5. Not all pets like to dress up! Be aware that putting a costume on your pet could be a serious source of stress!

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Have a safe and Happy Halloween from your friends at Pismo Beach Vet!

For more pet tips, check out: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/halloween-safety-tips

We Treat All Kinds Of Pets

Posted on March 18, 2013 by pismobeachvet

In addition to dogs and cats, Pismo Beach Veterinary Hospital provides comprehensive medical care for most pet exotics, including small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Several of our doctors and staff have received specialized training in the care of pet exotics and we are equipped to provide clinical diagnostics, radiology, surgery, husbandry counseling, and other medical needs.  We also collaborate with our sister clinic, Cat and Exotic Care, for more complicated medical procedures and treatments.

Along with Cat and Exotic Care, we are one of the few clinics in San Luis Obispo County that provide medical care for exotic species, especially on weekends. Exotic pets have wide and varied medical needs. These can vary dramatically even within different species of the same type of animal. For example, some types of lizards must have a strong source of heat and UV light, whereas others may be nocturnal and not need any additional light or heat supplementation.

Since exotic pets are typically fairly good at hiding symptoms of illness, it is important that they receive regular check-ups by a veterinarian that is an expert at detecting subtle abnormalities on physical exam.  Husbandry (food, caging, light and heat source, etc) is also incredibly important and creating a more perfect habitat is one of the things that we can help our exotic pet owners to achieve.

Unfortunately, we often only get to see these pets when they are already very sick and in some cases it is already too late for us to help them.  Therefore, preventative medicine is very  important in order for your exotic pet to live a long and healthy life!  Just like dogs and cats, we recommend that these pets be seen annually when they are healthy so that we can detect any problems early, make habitat recommendations, and prevent problems before they occur!

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

Posted on March 18, 2013 by pismobeachvet

The Importance of an Annual Physical Exam:

It’s Not Just About the Vaccines Anymore

Pets can’t talk, so they can’t tell us when they are not feeling well.  They won’t whine when their joints hurt, they won’t usually stop eating when their teeth hurt, and they often show no outward signs in the early stages of chronic disease.  From species to species, clinical signs of illness can vary significantly. Cats are a good example: symptoms can be so subtle that by the time the owner notices that a cat is sick, the animal may already be in serious trouble.  This is the very reason why we recommend that all pets, regardless of their age or perceived health, be seen at least yearly for a physical exam. Older animals, or those with known disease conditions, may need to be seen every three to six months.  Though it may be the vaccine reminder that brings an owner in, vaccination is actually among the least important parts of managing an animal’s health.

At Pismo Beach Veterinary clinic, we are experts in detecting subtle physical signs in an animal patient, and it all starts with a physical exam.  We start at the head evaluating eyes, ears, teeth, mouth and lymph nodes and work our way back: listening to the heart and lungs, palpating internal organs in the abdomen, and of course taking that dreaded temperature!  This quick but crucially important physical exam allows us to make appropriate health care recommendations for your pet.  Since we don’t see your pet everyday, it is easier for us to spot subtle changes like new lumps and bumps, weight gain or loss, and changes in demeanor or attitude.

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The following are some examples of frequently overlooked aspects of managing a pet’s health as well as some common disease conditions that we may diagnose at your annual physical exam:

  1. The practice of protecting your dog from diseases by vaccination and from parasites such as worms, fleas, and ticks should start during puppy-hood and continue throughout his/her lifetime.  Parasites can not only act as a way to spread disease to your pet, but also to family members – especially children and those with weaker immune systems.  Vaccines, especially in young animals, are an important part of assuring that your animal is well protected from serious infectious diseases.
  2. How many people look in their pet’s mouth, especially cat owners?  Over 85% of pets over the age of three have some degree of dental disease.  If we take the idea that a pet year is worth seven human years, a five year old cat that has never had a dental cleaning is like a thirty five year old person whose teeth have never been brushed! Can you imagine? If left untreated, dental disease has been shown to have impacts on the heart, kidneys, and lungs and can take years off your pet’s life.
  3. Itchy skin and skin and/or ear infections are among the most common things that we see in our patients.  Most of these issues boil down to allergies and can in many cases be significantly improved with over-the-counter medication, diet, and parasite control.  The key ingredient is consistency and an open line of communication.  This allows for a custom-catered approach to managing your pet’s allergic conditions.
  4. Unfortunately, just like the rampant problem we see in humans, obesity is a huge issue with dogs and cats.  Our perception of what a “normal” pet is supposed to look like is generally quite skewed because the average pet is now overweight.  Lifespan studies have shown that obesity is a significant risk factor for arthritis as well as other medical conditions, and can actually take years off your pet’s life.  At Pismo Beach Vet, we not only keep an accurate and ongoing record of your pet’s weight, but can advise you on some simple things you can do to improve the animal’s body condition.  It is easy to get offended, but remember that your our job is to help promote long, healthy, and happy lives for all of your pets!

Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, pets are living longer than ever before. However, with this increased lifespan comes an increase in the types of ailments that can afflict senior pets. As pets reach the golden years there are a variety of conditions and diseases that they can face, including weight and mobility changes; osteoarthritis; kidney, heart, and liver disease; hormone or metabolic disorders such as diabetes and hyper- or hypo-thyroidism; and of course cancer.

  1. Degenerative joint disease (arthritis) is the number one cause of chronic pain in dogs and cats.  A friend of mine was asking me for weeks about her dog who had begun “sitting funny” but showed no other signs of pain or illness.  I encouraged her to see her regular vet.  She eventually scheduled a physical exam and the pet was put on anti-inflammatory pain medications.  She saw such an enormous improvement in her animal’s activity level that she actually thought the pain medications must include some sort of stimulant!  What really happened is that her dog had been living with chronic pain for months or years and she had not noticed because he did not complain.
  2. Nearly 20% of senior female dogs are walking around at any given time with a urinary tract infection but may show little or no outward signs. A simple urine panel can enable us to diagnose and treat this problem.
  3. Over 10% of cats over the age of ten have the beginnings of chronic kidney disease.  The earlier we diagnose this condition with routine blood work, the better our chances of slowing the progression of the disease.

These are but a few examples of the importance of regular check-ups with your veterinarian.  Ultimately, with advances in diagnostic testing and training, our focus in veterinary medicine has shifted from reactive to preventative medicine.  Annual examinations and periodic blood screening allow us to diagnose or prevent disease before it becomes advanced or even occurs at all, thereby improving both the quality and the length of life for those important members of your family.

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We Are An AAHA Hospital!

Posted on March 18, 2013 by pismobeachvet

AAHAA few weeks ago, we underwent our regular AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) inspection and were evaluated on over 900 standards including: quality of care; diagnostic & pharmacy; management; medical records; and facility.

We are proud to say that we once again received our accreditation, making this the 17th year that we have been recognized as an AAHA hospital, thus maintaining our place among the top 15% of veterinary hospitals in the United States!

To read more about what it means to be an AAHA hospital, click here…

 

 

What is AAHA?

Posted on March 17, 2013 by pismobeachvet

AAHASo you are probably wondering, “what is an AAHA hospital and why should I care?”

In the 1930s, a group of veterinarians created standards to help bring common guidelines, practices and procedures to the veterinary profession. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), along with a group of veterinary experts, developed the AAHA Standards of Accreditation as benchmarks of excellence. The AAHA Accreditation Program helps veterinary hospitals incorporate these standards of quality care and procedures into their day-to-day practices, ultimately raising the level of care being provided to companion animals while also increasing loyalty among veterinary staff members. Being AAHA-accredited also provides a way for veterinary hospitals to show their commitment to excellence in their communities and to their clients.

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is an international association of more than 42,000 veterinary care providers who treat companion animals. Established in 1933, AAHA is well known among veterinarians and pet owners for its standards for hospitals and pet health care. Approximately 3,200 veterinary hospitals voluntarily participate in the AAHA hospital evaluation program (about 15% of veterinary clinics in the US). Consultants regularly visit these hospitals to ensure compliance with AAHA’s standards for services and facilities.

AAHA is the only organization that accredits animal hospitals throughout the U.S. and Canada. AAHA-accredited hospitals voluntarily choose to be evaluated on standards in the following areas: quality of care; diagnostic & pharmacy; management; medical records; and facility. Why does this matter to you? Here are a few examples of how AAHA’s standards impact you and your pet.

  • The standards require hospitals to provide diagnostic services (x-ray and laboratory) so that we can quickly and accurately diagnose your pet.
  • The standards focus on the quality of care in the areas of: anesthesia, contagious diseases, dentistry, pain management, patient care, surgery and emergency care.
  • Accredited hospitals have an onsite pharmacy (another standards area) so we can begin treatment immediately.
  • AAHA standards also require that medical records be thorough and complete which helps us to better understand your pet’s medical history and how past health issues might be impacting their current medical status.

The Standards developed and published by AAHA are widely accepted as representing those components of veterinary practice that represent high quality care. The Standards are periodically reviewed and updated to ensure that they remain consistent with evolving knowledge and technology.

Accreditation helps veterinary hospitals stay on the leading edge of veterinary medicine and provide the quality and range of services you and your pet deserve.

In March, we underwent our regular AAHA inspection and were evaluated on over 900 standards.  We are proud to say that we once again received our accreditation, making this the 18th year that we have been recognized as an AAHA hospital!

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