Examinations
20 minutes that could save your pets life
We recommend yearly checkups for your pets. Senior pets should be assessed more regularly (6 monthly). While vaccinations are a well-known and important component of preventative care, they are a small part of your overall yearly consultation. It is the examination that is the most important part of preventative care for your pet.
While everything may seem perfectly normal to the untrained eye, it is possible that your pet has underlying discomfort or distress. This is why it is so important to have regular physical examinations. The examination with a veterinarian can help detect abnormalities or conditions that may have been missed, by even the most experienced of pet owners. More often than not, your pet will likely show healthy on presentation, but in the instances they are not, early detection can save your pets life.
In addition to annual checkups, we offer sick pet examinations, emergency examinations and USDA health certificate examinations.
Vaccinations
Importance of vaccinations
All of our pets are susceptible to a variety of infectious diseases. Fortunately, we have vaccinations that help protect them against most of these diseases. While cases of some of these conditions may be rare, it is still important to ensure they are up to date on vaccinations.
Unlike immunizations in people, it is essential to have your pet vaccinated annually, as some of the vaccines only provide one year of immunity or coverage. Keep in mind that if you are late for your booster vaccination, you may have to restart the series all over again to ensure adequate protection.
To ensure that your pets are not over vaccinated, we tailor the vaccination protocol according to your pet’s age, lifestyle and any additional risk factors. Read More...
Dentistry
Can you imagine how your teeth would look and feel if you didn’t brush regularly, or at all? Tartar would build up on the visible surfaces of your teeth and potentially extend below the gum line causing gum infection or gingivitis. The infection could grow to affect the root and bony socket, causing periodontal disease.
The same process can affect cats and dogs. In fact, it is estimated that 85% of all dogs and 70% of all cats over 3 years old have some degree of periodontal disease. In the early stage of the disease, many pets may show no symptoms, but as the disease progresses, animals may develop bad breath, bleeding gums, poor appetite, and signs of pain. Eventually bacteria in the mouth can spread through the bloodstream to the rest of the body. Read More...
Dermatology
Allergies are one of the most common issues affecting our pets today. Causes range from fleas to food to environmental to direct contact. Overall symptoms can include itchiness, red skin, hair loss, scabbing, ear infections, red bumps and even vomiting and diarrhea. Secondarily, these can lead to lethargy, inappetence, changes in thirst and general sickness. If you are concerned your pet is exhibiting any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment to have them examined. Read More...
Parasite Control and Prevention
Cats and dogs are susceptible to a number of parasitic infections, several of which can infect people as well. Parasite prevention is not only important for the health of your pet but also for the health of your family. We can help you prevent fleas and ticks, intestinal parasites and heartworm. Read more...
Microchipping
Every year thousands of pets go missing. We always hope it doesn’t happen to us, but the statistics show that many of us are affected. Collars and tags may be helpful, but there is no guarantee they will stay on. While microchipping is not a cure to their disappearance, it can help bring your pet back to you.
A microchip is a tiny electronic chip (about the size of grain of rice) encrypted with an individualized ID number, which we inject under your pets skin. Once injected, the number is placed within our computer system and you are then registered with the microchip company. Once in the database it is there for life, with no additional fees. It is imperative that you update contact information any time it changes. Read More...
Pre-Travel Examinations
If you plan on traveling with your pet, whether it be state to state or to another country, you are required to have a health certificate completed by a USDA certified veterinarian to ensure you pet’s health. This requires a veterinarian to examine your pet and fill out the appropriate paperwork.
All of our veterinarians are USDA certified to provide health domestic and international travel. Read More...
Imaging & Ultrasound
At our hospitals we have digital CR Radiology. This allows for quick turn around on x-rays versus older chemically processed radiographs. We are able to take an x-ray and have an image within minutes. The images are also crisp and clear, allowing for good diagnostic quality. In addition to allowing quick and quality images, it eliminates the need for harmful chemicals to process x-rays. This allows a safer environment for your pets, our clients, our staff and the world as a whole!
Ultrasound is offered as a great way to help visualize areas of the body that we cannot see or even feel on examination. There is a rapidly growing use in veterinary medicine given it is safe, noninvasive, non-painful and provides a great level of information. Read more...
Anesthesia & Surgical Services
Anesthesia and its monitoring is something that is of the utmost importance to us. We take great pride in the level of care we offer. We offer the safest and very best anesthetic medications available. Our protocols are constantly evaluated and each patient is given a protocol that is best suited to his or her particular needs.
While your pet is under anesthesia our trained technical staff are constantly monitoring your pet. Our monitoring includes blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, electrocardiograph, temperature, jaw tone, gum color, oxygenation level and direct listening of the heart and lung character. Read More...
Laboratory Services
If your pet is sick, blood work is one of the most vital diagnostics we have. It helps look at areas we cannot see or feel on examination. We therefore offer many options in regards to our lab services. Even well animals can benefit from blood work.
Did you know 1 in 10 animals under the age of 6, have a laboratory abnormality and no clinical signs? This increases to 1 in 5 for pets over 6 years of age. The sooner we detect any number of diseases, the greater the chance to provide a positive outcome. Read More...
Medical Boarding
While we do not offer regular boarding service, we are available to assist your pet with chronic medical conditions. If you are planning a trip away and your pet has a medical condition, contact us about options available to you. You can rest assure that if you are away and your pet is sick, they are in safe hands.
Cremation Services
While losing our companions is the most difficult time in a pet owner’s life, take comfort that through our trusted crematorium, all pets are handled with dignity and care. We offer our clients a choice of individual or communal cremation and a choice of high quality, handcrafted urns for you to keep the memories of your beloved companions when they are no longer with us. All private cremations are truly individually cremated, so you can know with confidence that your pet's ashes, and only their ashes, are returned to you. Our communal cremations are treated with the greatest respect, as the group ashes are scattered over the central valley of California.
Exotics
In many cases it is difficult for an owner to identify early signs of illness in exotic animals and veterinary treatment is often sought at too late of a stage. It is very important to seek regular veterinary advice through health checks and learn about your pet’s normal appearance, behavior, feeding habits and correct husbandry, as any changes from normal could indicate illness.
Luckily, we not only see your typical dogs and cats, but birds, guinea pigs, rats/mice, ferrets, hamsters, all types of reptiles and even certain small farm animals. A number of our staff have many years of experience dealing with all sorts of animals and are able to handle your exotic pets with care.
In House Pharmacy
We have most medications needed for your pet in house ready for you at the time of your exam. Most others can be ordered within 48 hours. There is no need to worry about where the medications came from or when they are going to arrive. All our medications are sourced directly from our Veterinary Supplier, MWI, right here in the USA. For any medications we do not carry, we are happy to provide a written prescription or source from a compounding pharmacy for you.