Pomona Valley Veterinary Hospital

My pet the therapist

2010-11-01T12:08:00.000-07:00

After many years of research, it is now known that pets can be a great form of therapy. A pet will not judge, will not give his opinion, but WILL be there to offer love, company and loyalty. Pets are known to help lower one’s blood pressure. They are also of great importance to people suffering from trauma or high stress, by simply offering a distraction. It’s very easy for a pet to stimulate a good mood in a person in need of a boost. Pets are known to offer great company and be great therapists at hospitals, senior homes and even prisons around the country. If you ever feel stressed or come home from a long day, try spending some time with your pet. For example, go for a nice walk, it’s not only a great way to get exercise, but it can help you relax and feel at ease.

Bat Rabies Alert

2010-09-18T14:47:00.000-07:00

As of 9/16/10, the Veterinary Public Health &
Rabies Control Program has detected 15 rabid
bats in Los Angeles County this year, with eight
found in the Santa Clarita Valley. In most
years, only about ten rabid bats are detected for
the entire year. The only other year with a
higher number of rabid bats detected was 2007
when 24 rabid bats were identified.
This year, most of the rabid bats were found in
and around homes, and in two cases, dogs
were found playing with the live bat. The pets
were revaccinated against rabies and
quarantine at home for 30 days. If the dogs had
not been up to date on their rabies
immunization, the owners would have been
given the choice of either euthanizing the pet or
placing in a strict quarantine for 6 months.
Three of the bats were collected in public
locations. Earlier in the year, rabid bats were
found at a golf course and in a judge’s
chambers. This past Tuesday (9/14), a live bat
was collected from the sidewalk in front of a
store in a mall in Stevenson Ranch.

-County of Los Angeles Public Health
Veterinary Public Health & Rabies Control

Heartworm Outbreak

2010-06-07T15:09:00.000-07:00

You've probably seen it on television or read about it, but there has been a recent Heartworm outbreak in dogs and cats living in California. So, the questions begin....

What is Heartworm?

Heartworm is a parasite that begins by burrowing into the animal and undergoes several changes to reach adult form. Then it will travel to the right side of the heart through a vein and await the opportunity to reproduce. Adult heartworms can reach 12 inches in length and can remain in the pet's heart for several years. Once a pet is infected, it can be fetal.

How can my pet be infected?

In heartworms, a mosquito will be the intermediate host for the larval stage of the worm, also known as the microfilaria. The mosquito ingests the larva when it bites an infected animal and deposits its cargo in an uninfected animal when seeking another blood meal.

Can we prevent Heartworm?

Yes. First: Test your pet for Heartworm, testing is available here. Second: Once your pet's heartworm test comes back negative, get heartworm prevention treatment which usually comes in a monthly dosage; Hearguard or Revolution.

PET PORTAL

2010-05-03T17:18:00.000-07:00

GOOD NEWS!

We are happy to announce the arrival of Pet Portal!

Through Pet Portal, you will have a login name and password which will give you access to:

View pet information
Order prescription refills
Request appointments
Update contact information
Post photos of your pet
Print proff of vaccination
And so much more!

In order to have online access to manage your pet's health, we need your email address. Simply e-mail us at pomonavalleyvet@yahoo.com with the pet owner's first and last name along with the pet's name to receive your login information.

This is a huge way to have access to a lot of your pet's health information and stay in contanct with us, don't miss out on this opportunity! And best of all it's FREE!

Your Pet's Allergies

2010-05-03T10:23:00.000-07:00

Spring is the season when all allergies come at its peak for both your dogs and cats. Allergies are basically an overreaction of the immune system. The immune system will take in something that would generally be harmless and act as though it is bad. This can be dangerous to your pet's health.

Flea allergies: Some pets are very allergic to fleas. Just one single bite will trigger this bad reaction. They will chew and scratch the area that was bitten such as the tail. This will make their hair fall out, and their skin very sore and even raw.

Inhalant allergies: Your pets can be allergic to the "Spring scents" such as pollen, ragweed and so on. This type of reaction will make their skin itch, their eyes water and cause mucus buildup and sneezing. Pets will also scratch and chew on their skin.

There are also other allergies not related to the Spring season. Your pet may be allergic to food. These symptoms will usually be digestive symptoms; vomit or diarrhea. Signs of uncomfort along with scratching and biting are also common.

If your pet is scratching, chewing or constantly rubbing his body against the floor chances are it's an allergy related problem. The sooner we get them checked out, the sooner they will feel better.

PARVOVIRUS OUTBREAK

2010-04-17T14:45:00.000-07:00

There has been a serious outbreak for Parvovirus in the our local area.

Parvovirus is a viral disease that affects puppies more frequently than adult dogs, but all dogs are in danger. This virus is passed on through contact. For example; if there was a dog that had parvo at a dog park, every dog that visits that dog park can be affected. The virus may persist in the environment for up to 5 months.

Symptoms of this virus will include vomit, diarrhea,suppression of appetite and lethargy. Incubation period for this illness is 4 to 14 days. The sooner you notice these symptoms in your pet, the sooner you need to bring him in. Without treatment approximately 85% of affected puppies will die. Although recovery can not be guaranteed, the sooner treatment is started, the better the chance of overcoming this illness.

The best form of prevention is vaccination. Puppies must get the first parvo vaccine at 6-8 weeks of age. Dogs one year or older need the parvo booster every year.

Frontline Special

2010-03-29T11:10:00.001-07:00

First of all we'd like to thank all of our clients that joined us this past Saturday 3/27. We'd also like to thank Dina from Frontline who gave out free snacks and gifts to our guests. We are proud to say we had a very successful outcome with Frontline products and will be extending their great deal:

BUY A 3 PACK OF FRONTLINE GET ONE 1 TUBE FREE

BUY A 6 PACK OF FRONTLINE AND GET 2 TUBES FREE!

DOES MY PET NEED HEALTH INSURANCE?

2010-03-12T15:22:00.001-08:00

PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. I VISIT MY VET. MORE THAN TWICE A YEAR.....

2. MY PET HAS A CERTAIN HEALTH CONDITION; THYROID, GLUCOSE OR WEIGHT PROBLEM.....

3. MY PET'S BREED IS PRONE TO CONDITIONS THAT NEED VETERINARY CARE OFTEN; COCKER SPANIELS AND EAR INFECTIONS...

4. THE AREA WE LIVE IN IS VERY VOLNURABLE FOR PET INJURIES; BUSY CROSS STREETS....

5. MY PET IS A SENIOR; FIVE YEARS+

IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO AT LEAST TWO OF THESE QUESTIONS

IT IS RECOMMENDED TO GET PET INSURANCE FOR YOUR PET.

SOME HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS WITH VPI PET HEALTH INSURANCE WILL COVER:

ACCIDENTS AND ILLNESSES: If your pet ever gets hit by a car or decides to eat something he shouldn't.

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS: FDA-approved medication prescribed by us for most deseases are covered.

SURGERIES: We hope you'll never need to utilize this part of coverage, but certain plans from VPI will definitely help financially.

VACCINATIONS, SPAY/NEUTER, PRESCRIPTION FLEA CONTROL AND SO MUCH MORE!

Ask us for more details on VPI PET INSURANCE.

FRONTLINE

2010-03-03T15:00:00.000-08:00

JOIN US!

Dina our Frontline representative will be here on

March 27th from 9am-12pm

-she will provide helpful information on flea & tick protection

-Give out free stuff & snacks

BUY ONE THREE PACK OF FRONTLINE

& GET ONE TUBE FREE!

March 27th only

Our pet's pest

2010-02-27T10:28:00.001-08:00

Did you know....

-The leading cause of skin problems in dogs and cats is due to the ordinary flea!

-Spring is the season of renewal, warmer weather, longer days..and fleas

-Fleas will cause intestinal tapeworms in your pet.

-The threat of disease is always present when ticks are found on your pet

-ONE flea will lay thousands of eggs in ONE DAY

-Fleas will eventually fall off your pets and invade your whole house

Scratching Frenzy?

2009-04-15T10:14:00.000-07:00

Skin problems are extremely common during this season. Dogs and cats get allergies just like we do! The discomfort of these allergies is very similar to ours, but there is always medication to help relief this seasonal problem. If you notice any hair loss on certain spots of your pet's body, or any constant scratching or chewing of the skin, it's very important to have your pet checked. Common skin conditions include: mange, fungus, fleas, ticks, mites, allergies and a lot more.

IS YOUR PET A SENIOR?

2009-03-12T10:27:00.000-07:00

Once your pet reaches five to six years depending on the breed, they become, "seniors". Very much like us, they run into aging complications such as growing fatty tumors, loss of vision and hearing as well as the common osteoarthritis. Like all diseases, the earlier an aging condition is diagnosed the better we can treat and prolong your pet's life. Once your pet is a senior we will do a Geriatric Check-up, a package especially put together for senior pets. This will begin with a physical done by the doctor. A physical helps in detecting any abnormalities such as lumps or bumps growing throughout the body. Most lumps at old age are known as fatty tumors and are typicaly harmless, but a lump can also be a cancerous tumor. We will then do a full blood panel test, which will let us know how the inside of the body is doing; kidneys, liver, thyroids and so on. Blood tests are important in detecting any abnormalitites within the body which if detected early, treatment can help prolong life. We will also do an XRAY. This is to help us detect if your pet has any type of arthrities, which is common at this age and can be really painful. These types of X-rays are so advanced that they help us see any inflammation of the organs, stones in the kidneys, and even cancer in the bones. If your pet is a senior, ask us about the Geriatric Package.

GERIATRIC PACKAGE

This package is for both senior cats and dogs!

Includes:

-3 X-RAYS (CHEST, NECK AND SPINE)

-FULL BLOOD PANEL ANALYSIS

-PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

This month only. No appointment needed. Sedation, if needed is extra.

VACCINATION BASICS

2009-03-12T09:11:00.000-07:00

One can never stress enough the importance of vaccinating your pets annually. The process itself is quite simple and the benefits are well worth the visit. Vaccinations can begin as early as six to eight weeks in both puppies and kittens. Once you have started the vaccination process, it is crucial to keep your pets indoors and away from contact with other pets. If you take your puppy or kitten to a pet store, make sure not to let him/her walk around. We don't recommend walks or visits to parks until the vaccination process is completely finished. This has to do with your pets being new to the world and very vulnerable to viruses. In fact, they must be vaccinated a few times (in series) before they are actually safe enough to freely explore the world, which means one vaccine isn't enough. The rabies vaccine can be given at four months of age and is required by law through out the state of California. The most important vaccines every canine should have are: Bordatella, DHLPP/C and Rabies. These vaccines cover the most common viruses like the Parvo Virus and are definetly worth preventing your pet from. Felines should have: FELV, FIP, Rabies, and FVRCP. These vaccines also cover common viruses, but most importantly incurable diseases like Feline Leukemia. We hope that this basic information is helpful and if you have any other questions please ask us!

DENTAL CARE

2009-01-28T15:11:00.000-08:00

Oral hygiene for your pet is no joke. Pets can get gum disease similar to ours, and organ damage can even result from extreme cases, thanks to the bacteria entering the bloodstream. Dogs and cats are prone to tooth and gum diseases. "An astounding 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3", according to the American Veterinary Dental Society. Here's a few things we could do to help prevent this problem at home 1) choose food that reduces plaque build-up; Science Diet T/D which comes in large pieces than most foods and makes your pet chew more vigorously instead of swallowing food whole, so teeth are in essence scrubbed as they eat. 2) Add helpful compounds to their water; Aqua Dent which helps freshen breath and maintain oral hygiene. 3) Dental cleaning is the most important thing we can do to prevent any gum disease and should be done by our veterinarian at least once a year.

IF YOUR PET CAN CHEW, THEN HE CAN SWALLOW!

2009-01-12T11:30:00.000-08:00

An article published in 2008 by Healthy Pet Magazine reminds all pet owners that swallowing foreign objects is very common in both cats and dogs.

Most Common Objects that are swallowed by pets and require surgery to remove:

Balls

Bones

Chew Toys

Corn Cobs

Hair ties/ribbons

Panty Hose

Rocks

Socks

Sticks

Underwear

Here are some signs that might indicate this type of case:

Diarrhea

Drooling

Lethargy

Persistent vomiting or dry heaving

Refusing to eat

Restlessness

If your pet exhibits any of the above symptoms, please contact us as soon as possible.

Facts about Parvo Virus in Dogs

2009-01-12T10:29:00.000-08:00

Dogs become infected through contact with the stool of an infected dog, or a contaminated environment.

Puppies are most susceptible to this virus, although a dog can catch it at any age.

the Parvo Virus vaccine is the best preventative and can be applied as early as 8 weeks of age.

This virus causes severe & often bloody vomit & diarrhea leading to severe dehydration, shock and death.

All though there is no current cure for the virus, the best chance of survival is hospitalization.

Kidney Failure

2009-01-07T11:53:00.000-08:00

Kidney disease in the dog and cat is a common and difficult disorder to manage. Often called CRF (Chronic Renal Failure), it is seen most often in the older dog or cat. This disease is extremely bad in any animal because the Kidneys are responsible for filtering and removing waste material from the blood stream. There are different causes for Kidney disease including inherited defects, infections or toxic substances entering the body such as Anti-Freeze fluid for cars. We can't often determine the exact cause, but with careful care and treatment by both our doctors as well as their owners, the disease can be managed. Most treatments are aimed at decreasing the workload of the kidneys, reducing the severity of symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease. The newest solution in this case was recently introduced, a Kidney transplant. Because this type of surgery is extremely dangerous, consultation to a specialist is needed. Kidney disease is something that can be extremely painful to your pet and devastating to thier owners, so we recommend constant visits and extra care for any of our patients with this type of disease.

YOUR PET'S ANAL GLANDS

2008-11-10T16:42:00.000-08:00

Every dog and cat has two anal glands or sacs (one on each side of the anus). These glands are also known as "scent glands", because they enable the pet to mark its territory and to identify each other.

The anal sacs are normally expressed (emptied) by rectal pressure during defecation. The sacs can also be emptied by involuntary contraction. This involuntary contraction my be due to the pet being upset, frightened or under pressure.

When the anal glands fail to empty normally, the result can be impaction. Impaction is most common in small dog breeds, but can occur in any dog. In this case, the anal glands must be emptied both manually and regularly.

What to look for:

First sign of impaction is when your pet begins to scoot his/her rear along the carpet or floor.

Licking of the anal area can also signalize impaction.

Not only is impaction very frustrating and uncomfortable for your pet, but it can lead to an abscess or if necessary, complete removal of the anal glands.

KENNEL COUGH

2008-11-05T16:51:00.001-08:00

Kennel Cough in dogs (also known as Infectious Tracheobronchitis of Dogs) results from inflammation of the upper airways. It is a mild, self-limiting disease but may progress into something fatal in puppies and adult or aged dogs. Kennel Cough is most commonly transmitted via the air (just like our common cold) and tends to be most popular during this season.

One of the biggest myths heard about kennel cough is that people tend to associate it ONLY with dogs who are being boarded. THIS IS FALSE! Truth is, your dog need not be boarded to catch kennel cough, and he may be exposed to this virus anywhere where there are other dogs, even in your own neighborhood!

If your dog is infected, the incubation period is about 8-10 days. This means you won't actually see any symptoms of sickness right away.

Symptoms to look for:

- The most common symptom is the dry almost gagging coughs. The dog will sound as if there is something stuck or caught in the throat.

-Other signs may include watery eyes, sneezing and some nasal discharge.

A vaccine is available to help prevent your pet from getting this virus. This vaccine is known as the Bordatella. It is usually advised to vaccinate your pet every six months if he/she often boards, goes to dog parks or is exposed to an area with other dogs. Otherwise, a yearly Bordatella booster should be administered.

Helpful Hint:

If you plan on adopting a pet, chances are he/she will have Kennel Cough. We advise that you vaccinate any other dogs at home before hand to prevent the spread!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR PET AND ARTHRITIS

2008-09-06T09:58:00.000-07:00

Arthritis in dogs and cats is just like in humans, it is when a joint becomes inflamed. This generally occurs when your pet gets older and in fact it is one of the most common ailments seen in aging dogs and cats.
Arthritis can be very painful to any pet. Swelling occurs and it becomes harder for your pet to move about normally. Dogs can have different types of arthritis as well, like hip dysplasia, which is a form of osteoarthritis but just as painful if not more.
There is no way to really cure arthritis, but there is definitely treatment and help to reduce the pain available. To begin with, make sure to have us check your pet to better decide the right form of medication for him/her. Your pet will also benefit from taking glucosamine, a substance which works to stimulate joint function and repair. We also have J/D prescription diet which is specifically made for pets with arthritis. The right nutrition can help manage this condition and keep your pet active and comfortable. For the pain, we have great medication that is known to effectively help keep your pet active like Rimadyl and Previcox.
Remember, all though arthritis is very common in aging dogs and cats, their pain and suffering can be set to a minimum, so please ask us how we can help your pet be happy again.

BENEFITS OF DIGITAL X-RAYS

2008-09-03T12:39:00.000-07:00

Digital x-ray technology has become the most significant breakthrough in x-ray imaging in the last 25 years, and is now available in this hospital. The x-ray image is now displayed on a monitor screen which gives the viewer endless amount of options. One of the best features available is the quality of the picture. The picture is so clear that we are now able to see torn ligaments, or even diagnose bone cancer. If your pet is a senior we strongly recommend an x-ray to looks for any signs of arthritis, which is most common in aging pets. Now you can also take a copy of an x-ray on a disk home with you!

YOUR PET, AND THEIR EARS

2008-08-07T15:47:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while you will find your pet scratching away at his ears. Ear problems are really common in both dogs and cats. There are many different causes as to why your pets have been scratching, and just as many different types of treatments.
Some canine breeds are more liable of getting ear infections such as cocker spaniel or shitzu, but all breeds are at risk. During the summer, it's common for dogs to get infections due to the water, which enters the ear canals. If you have a pool at home, or your dog loves the water; make sure you dry those ears one they're out to avoid infections. You can also place cotton balls in their ears before they get wet. Foxtails are one of the most common ways dogs get ear infections. They usually get in their ears when they roll around or play in the grass. Over time and scratching, they go deeper into the canal causing a really bad smell and pain for your pet. If you have any foxtails in your back yard, please clean them up and keep a good eye on your dog's ears.
Ear mites are the most common ear problem we find in cats. Ear mites are tiny crab like parasites, which if left untreated, can cause bacterial and yeast infections. Ear mites would be in waxy, dirty and smelly ears. A good way to prevent ear mites would be by applying Revolution on your cats. Revolution not only helps treat and control ear mites, but also fleas, hookworms, heartworm prevention and roundworms. If you notice your cats scratching or his ears are smelly, bring them in right away before the situation worsens.
Any type of ear problem if not taken care of as soon as possible, can and will only get worse. A good sign to look for would be scratching. Too much scratching can tear open tiny blood vessels in the ear flap, which can lead to swelling (known as hematoma), which requires treatment in itself. If you have any questions about your pet's ears, please let us know!

OUR VACCINATION OUTLINE FOR DOGS

2008-07-02T17:30:00.001-07:00

Vaccinated our dogs is extremely important and keeps them from risk of getting some of the most dangerous viruses. Here is a vaccination guideline that will help you as an owner, see what vaccines your dog needs.

6-8 WEEKS

1ST DHLPP/C VACCINE

1ST DEWORMING

9-11 WEEKS

2ND DHLPP/C VACCINE

2ND DEWORMING

12-14 WEEKS

3RD DHLPP/C VACCINE

1ST BORDATELLA VACCINE

16-18 WEEKS

2ND BORDATELLA VACCINE

RABIES VACCINE

1YR AND OLDER

DHLPP/C BOOSTER VACCINE

BORDATELLA VACCINE

RABIES VACCINE IF NEEDED

DEWORMING

VACCINATING YOUR PET IS VERY IMPORTANT!

REMEMBER IT IS EASIER (AND LESS EXPENSIVE) TO PREVENT, THAN IT IS TO TREAT!

OUR KITTEN PLAN!

2008-06-26T10:38:00.001-07:00

WE ALSO HAVE A KITTEN PLAN WHICH IS GOOD AND NEEDED FOR BOTH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR CATS..REMEMBER, EVEN IF YOUR CAT IS INDOOR, HE/SHE IS STILL VULNERABLE OF GETTING FELINE DECEASES!

THIS PLAN INCLUDES:

FRVCP+CHLAMYDIA (4-1).............SERIES OF 3 VACCINES
DEWORM ROUND WORMS......SERIES OF 2 DEWORMINGS
FELV (FELINE LEUKEMIA)............SERIES OF 2 VACCINES
FIP............................SERIES OF 2 VACCINES
RABIES VACCINE
COMBO TEST (FELINE LEUKEMIA AND FELINE AIDS)

PLUS:

ONE FREE TUBE OF FRONTLINE, ADVANTAGE OR REVOLUTION

AND FREE HILL'S SCIENCE DIET FOOD

SPECIAL PRICE $197.95!

REGULAR PRICE $275.00

OUR PUPPY PLAN

2008-06-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

OUR PUPPY PLAN IS A GREAT WAY TO SAVE MONEY AND GIVE YOUR PUPPY ALL THE VACCINES IT NEEDS TO LIVE A HEALTHIER, SAFE LIFE.

THIS PLAN INCLUDES:

DHLPP/CORONA (7-1)..............SERIES OF 3 VACCINES
DEWORM ROUND WORMS.....SERIES OF 2 DEWORMINGS
BODATELLA................................SERIES OF 2 VACCINES
RABIES..........................................1 VACCINE

PLUS:

ONE FREE TUBE OF FRONTLINE, ADVANTAGE OR REVOLUTION

FREE FOOD FROM HILL'S SCIENCE DIET

SPECIAL PRICE: $197.95!

regular price: $305.00