San Joaquin Veterinary Hospital

03/15/2025

Springtime Safety Tips

Spring has sprung, and with the change of season, our thoughts turn to more time outside with our furry friends, long walks, longer days and activities like spring cleaning, gardening and much-needed home improvement projects. Before you embark on seasonal chores or outdoor revelry, take inventory of potential springtime hazards for your furry friends.

Safe Screening

Many pet parents welcome the breezy days of spring by opening their windows. Unfortunately, they also unknowingly put their pets at risk—especially cats, who are apt to jump or fall through unscreened windows. Be sure to install snug and sturdy screens in all of your windows.

Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning is a time-honored tradition in many households but be sure to keep all cleaners and chemicals out of your pets’ way! Almost all cleaning products, even all natural ones, contain chemicals that may be harmful to pets. The key to using them safely is to read and follow label directions for proper use and storage. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has a full list of poisonous household products so you can be certain of the products you’re bringing into your home.

Home Improvement 101

Products such as paints, mineral spirits and solvents can be toxic to your pets and cause severe irritation or chemical burns. Carefully read all labels to see if the product is safe to use around your furry friends. Also, be cautious of physical hazards, including nails, staples, insulation, blades and power tools. It may be wise to confine your dog or cat to a designated pet-friendly room during home improvement projects.

Let Your Garden Grow—With Care

Fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides keep our plants and lawns healthy and green, but their ingredients may be dangerous to pets. Always store these products in out-of-the-way places and follow label instructions carefully. Many popular springtime plants—including rhododendron and azaleas—are also highly toxic to pets and can prove fatal if eaten. Check out our full list—of toxic and non-toxic plants for your home and garden.

Fleas and Ticks

Pesky parasites like fleas and ticks start appearing during the spring. Make sure your pet is on year-round flea and tick preventive medication and follow our guide to prepare for flea and tick season!

Ah-Ah-Achoo!

Like us, pets can be allergic to foods, dust, plants and pollens. Allergic reactions in dogs and cats can cause itching, minor sniffling and sneezing or life-threatening anaphylactic shock to insect bites and stings. If you suspect your pet has a springtime allergy, please visit your veterinarian as soon as possible.

ID Tags

Warmer weather means more trips to the park, longer walks and more chances for your pet to wander off. Make sure your dog or cat has a microchip for identification and wears a tag imprinted with your home address, cell phone and any other relevant contact information.

Easter Treats and Decorations

Keep lilies and candy in check—chocolate goodies are toxic to cats and dogs, and all true lilies can be fatal if ingested by cats. And be mindful, kitties love to nibble on colorful plastic grass, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting and dehydration.

Buckle Up!

While most dogs love to feel the wind on their furry faces, allowing them to ride in the beds of pick-up trucks or stick their heads out of moving-car windows is dangerous. Flying debris and insects can cause inner ear or eye injuries and lung infections, and abrupt stops or turns can cause major injury, or worse! Pets riding in cars should always be secured in a crate or wearing a seatbelt harness designed especially for them.

Follow these tips for a happy and healthy spring!

If you think your pet has ingested a toxic substance, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.

12/11/2024

We have two 12 week old male kittens that were born here at the clinic. They are super sweet. They have had all their vaccinations. They’re feline leukemia and AIDS testing and have been neutered. They are free to go home message us or you can call at 661-588-3299 to inquire. 🎅🏼🎄❤️🐱

07/20/2024

San Joaquin got a phone call yesterday that Dr. B had unfortunately passed away in a tragic plane accident. Dr. B was a wonderful man and a phenomenal veterinarian. The veterinarian community will truly miss him as this was a big loss for all. Our prayers go out to his wife and children.

A friend and colleague has identified the pilot and passenger who were killed in a plane crash at the Tofino airport on Thursday.

11/30/2023

Holiday Safety Tips

The holiday season is upon us, and many pet parents plan to include their furry companions in the festivities. As you gear up for the holidays, it is important to try to keep your pet's eating and exercise habits as close to their normal routine as possible. Also, please be sure to steer pets clear of the following unhealthy treats, toxic plants and dangerous decorations.
Be Careful with Seasonal Plants and Decorations
Oh, Christmas Tree: Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn't tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset—from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria, and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.
Avoid Mistletoe & Holly: Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.
Tinsel-less Town: Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching "toy" that's easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It's best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.
That Holiday Glow: Don't leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, put the candle out!
Wired Up: Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws' reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet's mouth and digestive tract.
Avoid Holiday Food Dangers
Skip the Sweets: By now you know not to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising pet will go to chomp on something yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans.
Leave the Leftovers: Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won't lead to costly medical bills.
Careful with Cocktails: If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.
Selecting Special Treats: Looking to stuff your pet's stockings? Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible. Long, stringy things are a feline's dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that's too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer.
Please visit our People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets page for more information.
Plan a Pet-Safe Holiday Gathering
House Rules: If your animal-loving guests would like to give your pets a little extra attention and exercise while you're busy tending to the party, ask them to feel free to start a nice play or petting session.
Put the Meds Away: Make sure all of your medications are locked behind secure doors, and be sure to tell your guests to keep their meds zipped up and packed away, too.
A Room of Their Own: Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to—complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from the hubbub.
New Year's Noise: As you count down to the new year, please keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat's intestines, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage to sensitive ears. And remember that many pets are also scared of fireworks, so be sure to secure them in a safe, escape-proof area as midnight approaches.

07/03/2023

Dogs and 4th of July fireworks; not a great combination. In fact, the sounds of fireworks and firecrackers have been linked to dogs going missing and even deaths of pets that don’t tolerate the unusually loud noises surrounding the festivities. Dogs, in particular, may suffer panic attacks because of their hypersensitivity: not only they do they hear sounds at twice the volume of man – picking up noises imperceptible to us, but they also perceive the smells of the pyrotechnics more intensely and from further afield. For these reasons, it is essential to protect our dogs, adopting measures to make the passing of old to new year less traumatic, such as:

– Do not leave dogs in the garden, on the balcony or close to places where firecrackers are set off.

– Do not leave dogs alone, this will help to prevent accidents caused by their fear and panic. It’s important for our pups to know we are close by without us being too attentive because excess pampering and attention could be seen as an indicator of a dangerous situation and panic them further.

– Deaden outdoor sounds by raising the volume of the TV and closing doors and windows.

– Allow dogs to take refuge where they want, giving them the option to stay in places normally prohibited.

– Do not take them out the day before and the day after of July 4th or keep them securely leashed if you have to go out during this period.

If you know your dog is highly sensitive to these festive sights and sounds, you can seek advice from a veterinarian.