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Sactown Vet, 1900 S Street, Ste 150, Sacramento, CA (2024)

01/09/2024

Unrelated to this adorable kitten we saw yesterday: I’m continuing my education series that stemmed from some negative (but constructive!) feedback we received: today I want to talk about high-stress animals.

Because we are a Fear Free hospital, we prioritize your pet’s emotional health sometimes more than other hospitals. This may mean that your pet will come in, show high levels of fear, anxiety and stress, and leave with sedatives but without much of a hands-on exam. This can be VERY frustrating for owners. Especially when we say, “yes, you do need to pay for today’s exam.”

So let’s get the business side of things clarified: when you make an appointment, you are taking 30 minutes of the doctor’s schedule and designating it to YOU. That is when—as a business—we literally generate the revenue to keep the business running. When you pay an exam fee, you are paying for the walls to stay up and the staff to be present! You are also paying for the doctor’s time: they come in, give their opinion of the pet’s demeanor and make the best call for that pet. They also decide on what sedatives to prescribe and at what dose. That’s doctor work!

Can I be honest? As a vet, I HATE these exams where we only send you away with sedatives. I don’t like accomplishing so little at a visit. It stresses me out because I know it frustrates most owners and I hate seeing such a stressed patient. I promise we don’t do this to “make money” (we’d make more money actually performing services beyond just an exam!). These visits happen because they are in the best interest of the pet.

The alternative? We use two, maybe three people to hold down your pet and get it done. FYI: This is torture and unsafe for everyone, guys. We simply won’t do that to your pets.

Another reminder: exams with animals are EXAMS OF OPPORTUNITY. We are working with ANIMALS! They don’t understand what’s going on and they can get violent and unsafe when scared. This can hurt them AND the humans involved. That isn’t okay!

We hear it a lot: “My pet wasn’t like that the last time they were at the vet.” Who knows what the pet has experienced that day? Maybe they got motion sick in the car, maybe they remember something scary that happened at the last visit, maybe there was a really loud noise they heard walking into the clinic that scared them? Either way, each visit is different. One thing for sure is that fear and anxiety snowballs. If left untreated, it is almost always worse at the next visit.

Our goal? To reduce the stress level so that we can all accomplish more at vet visits. Your pet gets whatever they need done and you don’t have to come back. It's a win-win.

-Dr. Thornton

12/28/2023

Just over here living the dream 😍🎉 So proud that we’re a FEAR FREE CERTIFIED PRACTICE!

12/27/2023

We recently received some constructively critical feedback (if it had been a 1-star review, I would have rated it 5 out of 5 stars for the detailed concerns!). This owner chose not to write a review online, but instead sent us feedback about his poor experiences.

Was it fun to read? No, it sucks to read where you’ve failed. But it was such great feedback! And ultimately, the big take-away was that there were some major communication breakdowns. I believe that 90% of the negative experiences we have result from poor communication and inappropriately set expectations. This is ultimately where we failed this client and his kitty (because, too, I know what great medical care this team provide pets).

This owner walked away thinking we provided poor care. I read his letter seeing exactly where we *failed to communicate* the high level of care we provided.

I am going to discuss some of the points raised in the letter over a few posts. But today I want to talk about cats and blankets.

This owner thought it to be rude and inappropriate that we covered his cat with a blanket. We cover cats with blankets/towels ALL OF THE TIME. Never once did I think that this would be perceived as anything but beneficial to the cat, but thanks to this owner, I now see that someone might perceive it as cruel.

Cats’ anxiety, stress and fear will escalate with stimuli. This includes visual stimuli. Covering a cat with a blanket reduces their visual stimulation so that they are less scared. Also most cats really do prefer to be wrapped in a towel snugly than to be left freely hanging out. I imagine if feels like they’re “hiding” which ultimately makes them feel less vulnerable. Having worked with hundreds (if not thousands?) of cats, I will NOT work with a cat UNLESS they have a blanket because of how much it improves everyone’s experience.

Additionally: cats have claws. Blankets and towels keep the claws away from our skin. It’s a win-win. It keeps the cats feeling secure while keeping us safe.

Is there the occasional cat that doesn’t like the blanket? Yes, absolutely. But us crazy cat folks usually are able to discern those which benefit from it and those which don’t and re-assess appropriately.

What questions do you have about wrapping up cats? What concerns? Let me answer them for you! -Dr. Thornton

(PS: This is the amazing Fraggles demonstrating perfectly how much cats love to hide! She’s tucked away in her box in the cat ward, preferring to be left out of sight.)

12/14/2023

WE DID IT!!! We are *officially* a Fear Free Certified Practice!

Proud does not even begin to describe how we feel about this accomplishment. This is a tremendously big deal: we are only the second hospital in the Sacramento area to be Fear Free certified.

What does this mean? This means that we are prioritizing your and your pet’s emotional health. We pay attention to subtle signs of anxiety, stress, and fear, and we don’t push your pet past their boundaries. So this means that if you get stressed taking your pet to the vet because THEY get stressed, we’re here to help you both. We want pets to be as calm, cared for, and low-stress as possible when they’re here.

What does that look like for you and your pet? If your pet is showing high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety, and we *need* to accomplish something at your visit for medical reasons, we’re going to recommend injectable sedatives. Holding your pet down for blood draws or x-rays while they fight against us is like torture and we don’t accept that. If it’s not something that is medically necessary, we’re going to send home medications to reduce your pet’s fear, stress, and anxiety so that the vet visit isn’t so awful for them.

Your Fear Free team cares so much about you and your pet, and we can’t wait to see you and show you what a difference Fear Free veterinary care looks like.

Have you had a Fear Free win at our clinic or somewhere else? Tell us about it. We’re all ears!

12/08/2023

Last night I lost my *heart* cat. If you’re unfamiliar with the verbiage, your *heart* animal is the one that you will never have again. The one that you loved differently and in many ways, you loved most of all.

Olimar was a 14.5 year old Maine C**n. One week ago—previously feeling so great on all his pain meds for his joint disease—we found him hobbling around in our home. We assume he tried to jump onto a counter and missed. He fractured his pelvis. I was not ready to give up yet, so I did all the things and he was doing pretty well. Yesterday morning when I checked on him, he could barely walk. But he was still purring and eating and loving all the pets. I think at that moment I knew it was time, but I was not ready. I gave him stronger pain meds and went to work. When I got home, he still hadn’t used the litterbox and when I tried to socialize with him, he painfully hobbled under the bed. But still he ate and purred.

It was the time the make the call that we all dread as pet owners. I know we so often cling to the fact that our pets are eating and seem happy as a way to deny the inevitable, but I know that this life was unfair for my boy. Death would eventually win no matter how hard I tried to escape it, and what would his life look like until then? Even though it seemed impossible, it was my job as a pet owner and veterinarian to advocate for him.

He died purring and eating whipped cream.

We all grieve differently, and I write to grieve. His life was so incredibly big. It filled my house from wall to wall. And now it is gone? He was woven into the fabric of my family and as much of a fixture of my family as my husband and I are.

I realize that in many ways, our pets *are* us. We have cultivated their personalities, their nicknames, their quirks, etc and so much of who they are is because of us. Perhaps that is why their death is particularly hard—it is not the superficial of the animal: their sweetness or softness or whatever that we lose. We lost Olimar and we lost a part of ourselves.

I write this mostly to help me process but also to show you that even a vet struggles with the realities of pet ownership: the last, horribly painful but often most merciful decision that we have to make for our pets.

I will work at the hospital today, and I will surely euthanize someone else’s animal, taking them gently and quietly through the process yet remembering how I cried loudly on the floor only the night prior. I will hold new puppies and old companions and remember how privileged I am that you trust your own version of Olimar in my hands.

And I will miss my boy. But in the sorrow I will cling to the gratitude that I had him, that he changed my life, that so many people loved him. He did good work, as all of our pets do. We are all so lucky to be able to have these animals and care for them. I am so lucky.

Love your animals, your humans, your everything just a little harder today. And go easy on the people you meet, because who knows what they might be carrying with them. ♥️ -Dr. T

11/29/2023

Yesterday we saw some 10/10 Sactown dogs, am I right? 😍🎉

11/22/2023

Are Henry and his dad Caleb models in a magazine, or is this amazing duo our client and patient? Either way, the way they look is exactly how feel going into our 4-day weekend.

We will be closed Thanksgiving AND Black Friday. We’ll see y’all again next Monday. ❤️

11/21/2023

It’s time for Sactown Vet’s very first BAD REVIEW RATING! �
There are many things that can go into a bad review to imbue it with beautiful internet flavor and life. Some one-star reviews are wonderful entertainment: full of creative accusations and hyperbole. Some are mediocre at best. Rarely are reviews truly top-notch: constructively critical to provide the “reviewee” with helpful feedback to improve.

Now, let’s take a look at our latest 1-star review to see how it stacks up! 🥳

Here’s what I like about it: It starts off with an actual learning lesson for the general public.
👉“I don’t trust them.”
Everyone needs to hear this: if you do not trust your medical provider (be it your physician, vet, dentist, etc) DON’T GO TO THEM. No good medical relationship can be fostered without trust. So please, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, stop seeing the provider you don’t trust! Ya ain’t doing anyone any favors by sticking around (least of all yourself 🤦🏻‍♀️).

“They did not treat my kitty properly… I had to come back pay more and ask them to do the same thing and still their information was incorrect.”
🚨 You heard it here first everyone! Here at Sactown Vet we let YOU dictate everything that happens at your appointments (don’t worry, you’ll get no feedback from the vets) and better yet? We make you pay for it! Even if you’re telling us to do the exact same thing as last time we say, “Yes sir!” And get right on it. It’s just such a bummer when the person is telling us to do everything gets it wrong (…because, just saying, how did I get the info wrong when I was told what to do?). Oh WAIT! It was a test wasn’t it? And I failed. Gosh darnit. (Also: This is sarcasm.)

Creativity: ⭐️⭐️
Length: ⭐️⭐️
Hatred level: ⭐️⭐️
Photo: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (this takes extra effort and I applaud the commitment to anger!)

FINAL RATING OF THIS 1 STAR REVIEW: ⭐️⭐️
I would like it to have been longer with more frills and fighting words. I know it’s often too much to ask with 1-star reviews, but constructive feedback is always helpful, too.

Rater of 1-star reviews, vet, and human being,
- Dr. Thornton

11/20/2023

Some girls just deserve the special treatment. Meaya had her urinary bladder and colon “pexied” (or attached) to her body wall today to prevent them from herniating. A big surgery for this little one! Luckily she got to recover in Kendall’s arms and now she’s on her way to her happy place: home! 🥰

11/15/2023

🍂 Thanksgiving Giveaway 🦃

We would like to give thanks to all of our fellow followers and to our amazing cat people that we love so much.
We are giving away a Felaqua Connect along with its hub connecter, which is needed to connect to your phone. Track your kitty’s water intake for better overall health !

HOW TO ENTER:
1. You must be following our IG page❗️
2. Comment your fur baby’s name below!! 🐱
3. Like & share this post on your story/ TAG US!!

GOODLUCK! Winner will be announced on Nov. 24th ! 🍂🦃

11/09/2023

Boris (ahem, we mean LIEUTENANT Boris) is charming ALL the ladies now. Even Ashlynn, who is a certified horse and cow gal, admitted Boris was pretty perfect.

In other news, Boris had a very loud heart murmur discovered by Dr. Nunes at one of his appointments. Turns out he was in heart failure due to a congenital heart defect called a PDA. His owners are amazing and took him to UC Davis where the PDA was repaired! It saved his life. This perfect puppy will now go on to live a full and happy life free of heart disease ❤️ Yay Boris—you keep charming those ladies!

10/28/2023

We want to start this post off by saying JUST BECAUSE YOU DON’T SEE TICKS DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE/WERE NOT THERE.

Ticks are really one of the more heinous parasites that we deal with, because they seem so commonplace (“Oh, just found a tick on him again!”) but they transmit truly awful diseases.

Every animal should be on tick-prevention. PERIOD. Some of the diseases ticks transmit are LIFELONG and can be DEADLY (lyme, anyone? 😭). And what else? Tick-borne diseases can be REALLY HARD to diagnose, so your pet just goes on being sick while we scramble around trying to figure out what the heck is wrong with him.

We will reiterate: people think that because they don’t “see” ticks on their pet, their pet is fine. WRONG. Ticks can be TINY (like… a few millimeters long). And what else? YOUR PET IS COVERED IN FUR. What the heck makes you so confident your pet doesn’t have ticks?! AND YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE? Ticks are everywhere: INCLUDING IN DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO. So we don’t want to hear that just because your pet “doesn’t go to the mountains” they aren’t at risk for ticks. Ticks are waiting in the wings to jump on your pet’s warm body even when you step outside your adorable midtown apartment so your dog can wee on the concrete.

THEY’RE THERE. THEY’RE WAITING. Put your dogs and cats on prevention. PLEASE 🙏.

10/26/2023

Is your schedule getting crazy busy this time of year? We get it! That's why Sactown Vet offers same-day appointments for both sick and wellness visits. Give us a call at 916-538-5380, and we'll work you in. We know life gets hectic, but your pet's health should never have to wait.
We're here for you when you need us!

10/23/2023

Let’s talk about ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE. Media has made bacteria with antibiotic resistance (think MRSA and MRSP) *super spooky,* and while it definitely is NOT something we want to deal with, the reality is that it is SO COMMON.

The way we learn a pet is infected with a resistant bacteria is via a culture and sensitivity. We take a sample of the infected site (whether that be urine for a UTI or a swab for infected skin) and send it to the lab. In a few days the lab sends us a report of the bacteria that was grown and what antibiotics the bacteria is sensitive to. More often than not, the culture comes back with some antibiotic resistance.
 What exactly does that mean? Well, if the bacteria is resistant to antibiotic A and we prescribed antibiotic A, guess what? That infection isn’t going anywhere! Your pet will still be infected. If we *never* did a culture, we would never have known. We would have treated 1-2 weeks without resolution. How frustrating would that be, and how much would your pet be suffering? That’s why we culture. If I started antibiotic A and got culture results telling me that antibiotic B was the right choice, I would be able to switch meds immediately and your pet would get relief so much sooner.

Sometimes we’re dealing with really serious infections and we *NEED* to make the right antibiotic selection as quickly as possible (think bad wound, complicated urinary tract infections, internal infections, etc).

In an ideal world, we’d culture EVERY SINGLE infection to ensure we’re treating appropriately. Does that happen? No. Sometimes it’s for financial reasons (it’s not the cheapest diagnostic!), sometimes it’s simply because the vet decides to do a trial of antibiotics first (maybe it’s a mild skin infection that’s being treated for the first time). Either way, if you have questions about culturing, please ask your vet!

(PS: this is a photo of bacteria under a microscope 🔬🤓)

10/18/2023

There is so much more to pain management than prescription medications. In fact, that is usually our second or third recommendation depending on the issue.  
At Sactown Vet, we are equipped with many ways to help. It starts with an exam where you’ll discuss the foundation of a pain free lifestyle (…yes, weight loss is a big part of this conversation if you’ve got a BIG BOI!). From there, you’ll be given a myriad of options to address pain, and the recommended order to take the options. We’re talking about things ranging from supplements to acupuncture to physical rehabilitation. We can even take things as far as joint injections and referrals for more advanced procedures. There is SO MUCH we can do for your painful pet.

Most importantly? This is a discussion. This is not a set plan of care. You will have the opportunity to choose what feels right for you and your pet and how aggressive or conservative you want to be.

We know there’s nothing worse than seeing your dog or cat moving slowly and stiffly when they used to be agile and full of energy. Let’s bring back that life for your pet and help you sleep at night knowing that you’re doing everything you can for your baby.

10/18/2023

Feline leukemia virus (aka FeLV) is a disease we often test your cat for, and you be might be wondering why. It’s one of the more common infectious disease (however its prevalence has decreased dramatically—especially in cats that don’t come from colonies).

When FeLV infects a cat, it invades the cat’s healthy cells and can result in various forms of cancer (leukemia and/or lymphoma most commonly). It also results in immune suppression so the kitty is susceptible to more severe infection. The vast majority of cats who are infected with FeLV will die within a few years of diagnosis.

It is usually transmitted when two cats live closely together (ie in colonies) for a longer period and often groom each other or share food/water bowls.

There are numerous forms that FeLV comes in because it does such weird things in the body (Progressive, Regressive, and Abortive), and some of these forms results in false NEGATIVE tests. This is why we will often test multiple times (so telling us your cat was tested last year doesn’t change our mind: we still want to test again if it’s relevant to what’s going on!).

Luckily a vaccine for FeLV exists. We recommend it for all kittens because they are so susceptible to infection. After that, we recommend for any cat that goes outdoors (even if it’s for short stretches).

If you need to get your cat’s FeLV vaccine up-to-date, give us a call. Questions about FeLV? Ask away!

10/15/2023

We had such an amazing turnout for our open house! Thank you both clients and Sactown Vet family for coming and showering us with love and support. We wouldn’t exist without y’all, so thank you, thank you, thank you!

❤️ Dr. Thornton

10/15/2023

Leptospirosis is an ugly bacterial infection dogs get from water and soil. And guess what? We can get it, too 😩 (It’s “zoonotic,” meaning it can spread from animals to people). Dogs are affected (rarely cats) when they are exposed to infected water, wildlife, or farm animals.

Dogs infected with leptospirosis get very sick and can develop kidney failure and/or liver failure. If caught early, dogs treated for lepto have a good prognosis; however, sometimes lepto is really tricky to diagnose and/or owners miss signs of illness in their pet and we diagnose it too late. When dogs are treated in the late stages of disease, they can die (so can people).

Luckily, we can vaccinate dogs for leptospirosis. There are many different forms (“servers”) of lepto, and the vaccines don’t cover all of them, but it covers enough that vaccinated dogs have a significantly decreased risk of contracting the disease. Leptospirosis is so prevalent in California that we recommend ALL dogs, regardless of lifestyle, be vaccinated against leptospirosis.

10/12/2023

Okay, we know we said that Coccidia should be the Sactown Vet mascot, but we take it back: it should be fleas. WE HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY FLEAS BEFORE. It is out-of-control.

FLEAS ARE DISGUSTING, GUYS. Why on earth do you not want your kids on flea prevention? I don’t care what type of house you live in, what sort of environment your pet does or doesn’t go in. IF THEY ARE LIVING ON THIS PLANET, THEY NEED FLEA PREVENTION. Also, why on earth do you want fleas coming into your house so they can lay eggs and set up shop on your couch?

Do you know what transmits THE PLAGUE? Fleas. And that’s not all! Fleas are the carriers for all sorts of disgusting diseases that your pet can get. And if for whatever reason you don’t care about the disease aspect of fleas, care about your pet’s comfort. Fleas can make them miserable. At best, they just get bit by a flea here and there and act itchy for a short period of time. At worst, they get an infestation or have a hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction that makes them insanely itchy. Nevermind that sometimes they itch themselves into serious skin infections and you get to have a costly vet visit on top of everything else. Just think, that could have been avoidable!

There is no reason NOT to have your pet on flea prevention. And those of your with INDOOR ONLY CATS. Yep, still need it. Because fleas can hitch a ride on you and be introduced right into your house. They’re smart little guys.

PS: Flea baths do nothing except wash off fleas for that moment. Guess what happens when you plop your pet back down with their beautiful new shiny clean fur? THEY GET THE DANG FLEAS AGAIN. Just put them on prevention. I AM BEGGING YOU. Have questions about what preventions are the best? Ask in the comments below, because we really want to help your pet not get one of the most easily avoided parasites. Promise.

10/10/2023

If your nose isn’t on Callie’s nose, she ain’t happy. Here Dr. Thornton is doing very important TLC time with Callie so that she feels appropriately attended to 💁‍♀️

See the squinty eyes? Callie was happy 😍🐷

10/10/2023

Let’s talk about “kennel cough,” officially known as infectious tracheobronchitis. This is a very common infectious disease and *usually* not too serious. It can cause cough (sometimes with a “retch” at the end of the cough), conjunctivitis, and/or nasal discharge

Here’s the first misunderstanding about kennel cough: it’s not just the Bordetella bacteria (a vaccine your pet receives) that causes it. There are numerous bacterias/viruses that cause kennel cough and sometimes multiple infectious agents are contributing to your pet’s kennel cough.

The good news is that the vast majority of the time kennel cough is self-limiting. This means that if your pet is eating, drinking, and otherwise acting normally, YOU DON’T NEED TO DO ANYTHING (this routinely surprises owners)! Just give them time and they’ll clear it on their own. If they’re lethargic, not eating well, or there are other concerning signs (coughing so hard through the night no one is sleeping), then bring your pet in and we can figure out what more is going on.

Kennel cough is usually acquired from areas with lots of dogs: dog parks, daycares, boarding facilities, etc. If you take your pet to these places, make sure they’re vaccinated for Bordetella canine influenza, and parainfluenza. These cover a few of the causes of upper respiratory infections but not all (because we don’t have vaccines for more!).

Has your dog had kennel cough? What did you do for it?

(Photo used from Boca Midtowne Animal Hospital website!)

10/07/2023

Introducing Phovia: Illuminating a Path to Wellness and Healing ✨

Phovia is a new and improved way to promote healing within the dermis and epidermis at a faster rate.
Ask about our new Phovia treatment next time you visit !

10/06/2023

Coccidia (aka cystoisospora) should really be the mascot of Sactown Vet, because it really seems that every other f***l sample we are running comes back positive for this parasite.

Coccidia is a common parasite that causes diarrhea and is acquired when a dog eats something in the environment that has been contaminated with coccidia eggs. It’s straight-forward to treat: give a daily medication. BUT sometimes clearing the infection can take some time.

It can live for a long time in the environment, though, so picking up p**p daily is essential in keeping the environment clean.

10/04/2023

Join Us for an Spooktacular Evening at Sactown Vet's Open House on Friday, October 13th! (Okay, it’s not really going to be that spooky, but we’re Halloween obsessed so we have to pretend, right?)

Calling all pet lovers and fur parents in the Sacramento area! Get ready for a pawsitively fantastic event that you won't want to miss. Sactown Vet is thrilled to invite you to our Open House on Friday, October 13th, from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

🐾 What's in Store for You at Sactown Vet's Open House? 🐾

✨ Meet the Vets and the Team: This is your chance to get to know the dedicated and caring professionals who keep your pets happy and healthy. Our veterinarians and staff are excited to connect with you and answer any questions you may have about your furry family members' well-being.

🍔 Free Food
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kids and Pets Welcome
🐶🐱 Costumes Encouraged
🎉 Info and Games
🏥 Tour Our State-of-the-Art Facility
✅ Learn About Our Services

Save the date – Friday, October 13th. We are so excited to meet you!

Remember, this event is open to everyone, so spread the word and invite your friends and family. Mark your calendars, gather your costumes, and get ready to make precious memories with us at Sactown Vet!

📅 Date: Friday, October 13th
⏰ Time: 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
🏢 Location: Sactown Vet, 1900 S St, Ste 150, CA 95811

For more information and updates, be sure to follow us on social media and visit our website. We can't wait to celebrate this special evening with you and your furry companions. See you there! 🐾✨

10/04/2023

Feline immunodeficiency virus is one of the most common infectious diseases we see in kitties.
 Cats with FIV appear normal on the outside, but on the inside their immune system is weak. For an indoor-only cat, this often doesn’t matter. Indoor-only, FIV+ cats can live long, normal lives. It’s the outdoor kitties that can suffer with FIV because they’re exposed to *all* the diseases.

The virus transmitted when an FIV+ cat bites another cat. Recently we’ve learned that in multi-cat households where the hierarchy/social structure is stable, FIV+ cats can live among non-FIV cats with extremely low risk for infection.

We diagnose FIV with a simple blood test, so recommend testing all new cats to households (if they haven’t already been tested), and we recommend testing annually for indoor-outdoor cats.

There is no treatment or cure for FIV, just management of the kitty with the virus and reducing their risk of spreading it to other cats (ie keep the kitty indoor only!).

Do you have a kitty with FIV? What questions do you have about it?

10/03/2023

Sactown cat Sansa would like all cats to know that she has sampled the various seating locations of the cat room at Sactown Vet and she approves of NONE OF THEM.

In fact, she is furious with her mother for carting her to this hell-hole of an institution that caused her to vomit on her perfect toe beans. Because feeling nauseous and un-fresh she had to be subjected to the ministrations of Dr. Thornton, who clearly lies when she says she is a crazy cat-lady as a true cat lady would never abide by such torture and claim it is medicine.

Sactown Vet rates one star.

Well... there was the churu. She did have two. But we won’t talk about that.

10/02/2023

Our first disease of Infectious Disease month is a doozy. It’s a deadly virus that tends to only wreak havoc on puppies. Can you guess what it is?

Yup, it’s parvovirus. Parvo is the reason your puppy gets so many vaccines. It’s the reason your vet recommends that your puppy not walk in high dog-traffic areas until fully vaccinated.

Parvo is a virus that destroys the bowel. It causes severe vomiting and diarrhea and wipes out the immune system. It’s deadly because puppies get severely dehydrated and/or septic secondary to parvo. When we’re treating the disease, we’re typically just supporting puppies so that they *don’t* become dehydrated and septic and give their body time to get rid of the infection on their own.

Puppies aren’t considered fully vaccinated for parvo until 16-18 weeks of age (when we assume maternal antibodies are out of the system and puppy has gotten its own immunities to parvo). This means that WE DON’T CARE HOW MANY VACCINES YOUR PUPPY HAS RECEIVED (did you note that? Read it again one more time!), it’s about how old they are when they receive the last one. So if your puppy got its first vaccine at 2 weeks, your pup still needs vaccines until 16-18 weeks of age. You start vaccinating early to ensure your puppy is protected from parvo, but it does mean that he will need numerous vaccines to reach fully-vaccinated status.

Parvo is HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS and lives in some environments for YEARS. This is why we recommend keeping your puppy away from high-traffic areas until fully vaccinated.

And lastly? Keep your vaccines with your vet. Feed stores sell this vaccine, which is great until the vaccine isn’t handled appropriately and the puppy still gets parvo. We’ve seen it, and it sucks. If your puppy gets parvo when vaccinated by a vet, the vaccine manufacturer will help to cover the cost.

What questions do you have about parvo?