Country Oaks Veterinary Hospital

08/22/2024

Who can scan a microchip?

Anyone who owns a low radio frequency scanner CAN scan for a microchip. These can be purchased online as desired. Official scanners provided by the microchip companies are stronger and more attuned to the appropriate frequencies. Due to cost considerations these are often located at Police departments, fire departments, Animal shelters, and veterinarians.

08/20/2024

How can I track my pet?

Microchips are registered with your name, address and phone number. Even once registered the microchips do not act as a tracking agent. Microchips need to be manually scanned. This provides a microchip number and allows the scanner to look up if the number is registered and access contact information. Depending on who calls, you may be contacted by the microchip company or by the finder’s themselves if the scanner is associated with a police department or veterinary facility.

If you want to actively track your pet, you can use apple AirTags, GoPet, Tractive, etc to attach to your pet's collar. Some of these can be large and disruptive to the smaller animals. They can also have a limited range in some instances. However, there are several options to explore over the counter.

08/16/2024

How is a microchip Implanted?

The microchip is implanted by injection with a larger version of a vaccine needle. This can be done by any trained personnel at any appointment. The microchip is typically implanted between the shoulder blades and directly under the skin. It can move a bit as the animal grows when given young, but usually it is found on the shoulders or back of the neck.

08/14/2024

Clinic closed 12:00 PM- 3:00 PM Today

The world of veterinary medicine is constantly changing and evolving. In order to provide you and your furry family the most up to date information and best treatments or recommendations we need to continuously learn. Country Oaks will close every 2nd Wednesday of the month to have a staff meeting and learning opportunities. Please keep this in mind when planning to pick up medications, food, or pets.

08/12/2024

What is a microchip?

A microchip is a small implant under your pet’s skin that emits a slight radio frequency that can be read by most attuned scanners. This provides a permanent ID tag for your pet. The microchip itself is the size of a rice grain and has no battery or internal power source. However, this will last the life of your pet. (In most cases)

07/16/2024

Hello the social media- We need your help. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had a beautiful cat "Pepper" surrendered to our care. He is currently living in one of our kennels, but desperately needs a home. Please pass this on, call or text (209-745-3200) if you are interested in giving this boy a home. He is a 9 year old neutered male.

03/29/2024

Prevention: Bravecto

There are several different types of prevention offered at COVH here in Galt. For those clients who prefer to use a less frequent application, Bravecto is the only product for fleas and ticks that provides 12 weeks of protection. This is particularly helpful for patients who have a flea allergy and need consistent protection. For flea and tick prevention, apply a tube treat once every 12 weeks- easiest to pick a day of the month (my guy is given his prevention on the 1st of every month). Response is seen within 48 hours. This is a prescription medication and requires a current examination.

03/27/2024

Prevention: NexGard Combo

There are several different types of prevention offered at COVH here in Galt. For those FELINE patients who prefer to use a topical application, we offer Nexgard Combo. The extra benefit is that this will protect from heart worms as well. For flea and tick prevention, apply a tube treat once every 4 weeks- easiest to pick a day of the month (my guy is given his prevention on the 1st of every month). Response is seen within 48 hours.

03/25/2024

Prevention: Nexgard

There are several different types of prevention offered at COVH here in Galt. For those patients who like a monthly meaty treat, NEXGARD is our first recommendation. For flea and tick prevention, give a chewable treat once every 4 weeks- easiest to pick a day of the month (my guy is given his precvention on the 1st of every month). Response is seen within 48 hours. This is a prescription medication and requires a current examination.

03/18/2024

Happy Birthday Niki! We are celebrating our office manager today! She ensures we can stay open and on track. It can be a bit of work- we are all a little cat-like in the office. Thankfully Niki is a champion cat herder and we are thankful for all she does!

03/17/2024

Happy Saint Patrick's day! While we celebrate the life and death of St Patrick in whatever tradition you prefer (or don't!) just remember it is not safe for pets to celebrate with us. Avoid sharing any chocolate, alcohol and leprechaun traps. All three can cause various gastrointestinal issues and severity is dependent on the individual. If someone sneaks something behind your back please call for advice!

03/15/2024

Tapeworms are not seen very frequently but are the most easily recognized intestinal parasite. We will get a phone call from panicking owners (because ew!) that there is something moving in the p**p they were picking up! These gross little rice grains are the egg sacs of tapeworms and are typically the first indication that your pet has a parasite. Treatment for tapeworms is a special dewormer and treating for fleas. We do this because fleas are how the tapeworm makes its way into your pet.

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Dogs and cats infected with Dipylidium caninum shed egg-laden proglottids in their f***s. These eggs are consumed by a flea larvae (or rarely, immature lice), and develop into a compact structure referred to as a cysticercoid. As the flea or louse matures to the adults the cysticercoid is maintained...

03/13/2024

"Clinic closed 12:00 PM- 3:00 PM Today

The world of veterinary medicine is constantly changing and evolving. In order to provide you and your furry family the most up to date information and best treatments or recommendations we need to continuously learn. Country Oaks will close every 2nd Wednesday of the month to have a staff meeting and learning opportunities. Please keep this in mind when planning to pick up medications, food, or pets. "

03/11/2024

Fleas are a frequent unwelcome visitor in households with dogs and cats. Our slightly odd weather means we can see flea infestations all year round, though our big ones will occur as the weather warms.

A common misconception is that an indoor animal can not get flea. It can happen as fleas are little local hitchhikers. They will take a ride into the house on your clothes and shoes and then jump onto your dog or cat as they greet you or you walk past them. Regular flea prevention is the only way to truly keep your home flea free.

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03/08/2024

Puppy/kitten deworming protocol:
Start with a simple dewormer at age 2-3 weeks or when you first adopt your new addition. You will want to repeat the deworming every few weeks for at least 2 treatments.
Once the puppies or kittens are old enough you can keep them on a monthly flea/tick or heartworm prevention. Many of these contain ingredients that prevent intestinal parasites even though the main target is fleas, ticks and heartworms.

03/05/2024

Roundworm is a very common worm found in the intestines and f***l material of puppies and kittens. The roundworm is passed to animals through nursing on an infected mother, eating prey animals, or cleaning infected dirt off themselves. Roundworms can cause vomiting and/or diarrhea. Heavy infections can cause a “pot-bellied” appearance and malnourishment as the worms steal some of the food. Severe cases can cause pneumonia or intestinal obstruction. This disease is diagnosed by a simple f***l float and is easily treated with most dewormers both over the counter and prescription. A major concern is that roundworms can infect humans and are a particular risk to children. Please deworm your puppies, use a flea, tick and heartworm prevention and pick up f***s in your yard regularly.

02/29/2024

Prevention of the most common oral disease in pets consists of frequent removal of the dental plaque and tartar that forms on teeth that are not kept clean. Regularly brushing your pet’s teeth is the single most effective thing you can do to keep their teeth healthy between dental cleanings, and may reduce the frequency or even eliminate the need for periodic dental cleaning by your veterinarian. Daily brushing is best, but it’s not always possible and brushing several times a week can be effective. Most dogs accept brushing, but cats can be a bit more resistant patience and training are important.
There are many pet products marketed with claims that they improve dental health, but not all of them are effective. Talk with us about any dental products, treats, or dental-specific diets you’re considering for your pet, or ask for a recommendation. With patience and positive reinforcement training, most dogs and cats will accept brushing.

02/27/2024

What about anesthesia free dental care?

The American Veterinary Dental College does not recommend dental cleanings without anesthesia because they do not allow cleaning or inspection below the gumline, where most dental disease occurs, and can result in injury to the pet or the person performing the procedure.

02/26/2024

Happy Birthday to our amazing technician ANDER!

Share your appreciation here or in person. We would not be as successful as we are without Ander working busily in the background. Ander is our main surgical technician and our head technician. He has lots of responsibility, so let's hope he balances that with an amazing birthday.

02/23/2024

When you go to the dentist, you know that what’s being done is meant to help you and keep your mouth healthy. Your dentist uses techniques to minimize pain and discomfort and can ask you how you are feeling, so you accept the procedures and do your best to keep still. Your pet does not understand the benefit of dental procedures, and he or she reacts by moving, trying to escape, or even biting.
Anesthesia makes it possible to perform the dental procedures with less stress and pain for your pet. In addition, anesthesia allows for a better cleaning because your pet is not moving around and risking injury from the dental equipment. If radiographs (x-rays) are needed, your pet needs to be very still in order to get good images, and this is unlikely without heavy sedation or anesthesia.
Although anesthesia will always have risks, it’s safer now than ever and continues to improve so that the risks are very low and are far outweighed by the benefits. Most pets can go home the same day of the procedure, although they might seem a little groggy for the rest of the day.

02/21/2024

It is important to have assessments of your pet’s teeth under anesthesia occasionally. Even Beautiful teeth can get infections at the tooth root and require extraction. Here is the picture of some lovely teeth and the associated radiographs before any veterinary dental care. This particular patient has his teeth brushed on a regular (nightly) basis. We extracted 10 teeth that were beyond saving due to bone loss.

02/19/2024

Dental disease is defined as a stage 1-4 on examination. Stage 1 periodontal disease: There is visible tartar build up on the teeth and slight swelling and redness of the gums.
Stage 2 periodontal disease: The gums are more swollen in stage 2, and there can be mild loss of bone around the tooth roots, which is only visible on X-rays.
Stage 3 periodontal disease: The gums look similar to stage 2 on the surface, but X-rays show more severe bone loss.
Stage 4 periodontal disease: Stage 4 is very serious, with severe tartar accumulation, receded gum lines, tooth damage and decay, and bone loss.

02/16/2024

Happy spring (maybe? Almost?) to our extended family! We are hosting another raffle, this time in support of our canine charity- CalPaws. Please come in to the clinic to buy raffle tickets February 26th to March 29th. Winner will be announced before Easter.

Tickets are $5 for 2 tickets and all proceeds go directly to CalPaws!

02/15/2024

Periodontal disease is the most common dental condition in dogs and cats. By the time your pet is 3 years old, he or she will very likely already have early evidence of periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition of the structures that surround and support the teeth. Early detection and treatment are critical because advanced periodontal disease can cause severe problems and pain for your pet. Periodontal disease doesn’t just impact your pet’s mouth; other health problems associated with periodontal disease include kidney, liver and heart muscle changes.
Periodontal disease starts with plaque that hardens into tartar. Tartar above the gum line can often easily be seen and removed, but the plaque and tartar below the gum line are damaging and set the stage for infection and damage to the jawbone and tissues that connect the tooth and jawbone. Periodontal disease is graded on a scale of 0 (normal) to 4 (severe)
The treatment of periodontal disease involves a thorough dental cleaning and x-rays may be needed to determine the severity of the disease. Your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary dentist will make recommendations based on your pet’s overall health and the health of your pet’s teeth, and provide you with options to consider.

02/14/2024

Clinic closed 12:00 PM- 3:00 PM Today

The world of veterinary medicine is constantly changing and evolving. In order to provide you and your furry family the most up to date information and best treatments or recommendations we need to continuously learn. Country Oaks will close every 2nd Wednesday of the month to have a staff meeting and learning opportunities. Please keep this in mind when planning to pick up medications, food, or pets.

02/09/2024

Some pets become irritable when they have dental problems, and any changes in your pet’s behavior should prompt a visit to your veterinarian. Always be careful when evaluating your pet’s mouth, because a painful animal may bite. Have your pet’s teeth checked sooner than their annual appointment if you observe any of the following problems:
Bad breath
Broken or loose teeth
Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
Pain in or around the mouth
Bleeding from the mouth
Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth

02/07/2024

Here is a sample of a Dental Grade 1 before a dental cleaning.

Later in the month we will show a higher grade dental disease. It is important to complete dental assessments early in the disease process (Grade 1 or 2) to minimise or avoid extractions.

Dentral Grading will be explained in more detail later in the month, but for now Dental grade 1 is a pet with minimal tartar and no gingivitis, as seen below.

02/05/2024

Steps of a dental exam at Country Oaks:
1- The veterinarian will complete an oral exam to look for any abnormalities in the teeth, gums, tongue, or other tissues.
2- Radiographs (X-rays) are taken to evaluate the health of the jaw bone and tooth roots below the gum line. Exceptions can be made in the cases of strict cleaning in young pets.
3- After physical and radiographic evaluation, extractions are completed on infected, broken, or dead teeth. Anything we can save we will!
4- Dental cleaning under anesthesia includes scaling that will remove dental plaque and tartar above and below the gumline, followed by polishing.

02/01/2024

February is dental awareness month.
Dental health is a very important part of your pet’s overall health, and dental problems can be associated with other health problems.Your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian for early signs of problems and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy. Veterinary dentistry, like human dentistry, includes preventive care, cleaning, extraction, and repair of teeth. There are specialists who provide advanced care, such as root canals and tooth replacements. In our practice, dental procedures are performed by a veterinarian or a trained veterinary technician.

01/22/2024

While training is important, it should be noted every animal is unique. Much like we tailor the health care, diet plans, care and love to each individual, training should be tailored as well. Not all dogs have the same motivation or response to a typical training regimen. If one trainer or style does not work, DO NOT give up. You and your dog can do this. Try another trainer or program.