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Frequently Asked Questions:

Why does my dogs ear smell? Or Why is my dog shaking his head?

A common cause of ear odor is a yeast infection, some dogs with heavier ear flaps (such as cocker spaniels) can trap air flow and yeast grows in a moist environment. There are also your frequent swimming breeds that love the lake and/or pool. The dog's ear is an “L” shape so dogs will shake their heads to try and release any water that has entered. Dogs will often shake their head if there is a foreign body such as a piece of grass or foxtail in the canal. In any of these cases, we recommend an Otic (Ear) Exam by the Veterinarian.

My cat is shaking his head?

Yeast infections are not common in cats, however, they can get debris in their ears from rolling around outside. They can also get ear mites from other cats in the neighborhood that they may come into contact with if they spend any time outside. We can take a sample from the debris (dirt in the ear) and examine it under a microscope to rule out ear mites and/or bacterial infection. An exam would be required.

Why does my cat/dog have stinky breath?

Pets commonly have a slight odor to their breath since they do not brush their teeth as often as people. However, some odors can indicate tooth decay or an oral infection. It is always a good idea to schedule an oral exam when you are concerned about your pet's bad breath to be sure there is not a serious condition that needs to be addressed.

My male cat is spending a lot of time in litter box but nothing is happening?

Male cats that have been neutered can get a serious condition called FUS (Feline Urological Syndrome). They are unable to urinate and can become toxic within a 24-hour period. This is a life-and-death situation. If your neutered male cat is not able to urinate you should take it to urgent care immediately.

My female cat is urinating outside of the litter box?

Female cats sometimes show us that there is something wrong by urinating in strange places. To rule out a behavior issue we recommend you schedule an appointment with the Veterinarian. We will likely run a Urinalysis to rule out a urinary tract infection. If the urine test turns out normal we will then try to help you figure out what could cause this behavior, whether it is a new person in the household. A new baby, a visitor, or a new pet member. Cats can be very sensitive to any change in their environment and since they can’t speak our language they resort to strange behavior tactics. It is important to keep this in mind when making changes to your home. You can plan to desensitize your cat by preparing them for changes to come. Please ask your Veterinary team for additional advice.

When is the next available appointment for a Wellness/Annual Exam?

We are currently booking 6-8 weeks out. If your pet appears to have an urgent care condition please text our office for an urgent care appointment. There is an additional urgent care fee. Text us at (209) 835-0626 Monday-Friday. We are open the 2nd and 3rd Saturday of every month from 8 am-12 pm.

My dog/cat is itching and keeping us awake at night.

We are entering the prime season for fleas and ticks. Be sure your annual exams are current so we can dispense flea/tick prevention. Even if you do not see fleas all it takes is one flea to bite your pet and cause an allergic reaction. The best defense is prevention. If the veterinary team determines your pet's itchiness may be due to environmental exposures such as blooming flowers, grass, trees, and shrubs they may recommend an allergy treatment plan.

Why is my dog scooting?

There are a couple of common reasons for dogs to scoot, one is they may have a stool parasite such as tapeworms which they get from fleas. The second most common reason is their anal glands are full and need to be expressed. Dogs and cats have 2 glands on either side of the anus opening. Usually, pets can express themselves on their own with each bowl movement, however, some dogs and cats need assistance. They can get too full and cause pet irritation in that area. This is an appointment that can be done with one of our Veterinary Technicians, call/text for an appointment.

My dog is licking his/her feet.

As mentioned above we are entering the prime season for fleas/ticks and other allergens. Your pet may need to be evaluated for allergies and our Veterinarian can set up a treatment plan to help relieve your pet from their discomfort.

Are you excepting New Clients/Patients?

Yes, we are happy to acquire new clients and patients. We strongly advise collecting all previous records prior to your appointment to help us set up accurate records for your pet in our system.

It is time to say goodbye to our beloved pet and the office is closed.

If this time comes when our office is closed or our Doctor is not available.

Peaceful Pet Passing is an in-home euthanasia service (925) 384-2210.

If your pet passes away at home and you need aftercare assistance. Blue Creek Pet Cremation (209) 814-4888.