Alameda – Veterinary

It’s always best to look for veterinary services before an emergency occurs. If you have a vet and are looking for a new veterinarian, ask yourself what you want to be different. Do you want more time to speak with the doctor? Do you want less pressure to perform expensive procedures? Do you need more information about costs? Do you feel uncomfortable asking for more details of what tests are being performed and why? What specific issues can you pinpoint that are making you dissatisfied with your current pet care provider? The more you can identify exactly what’s wrong, the more you’ll know what to look for in your next veterinarian. You’ll also have a good idea of what to ask to find a veterinarian who offers high-quality services.

If your animal experiences an emergency and you don’t already have a veterinarian, it can be easy to panic. In this case, it’s a good idea to have some questions already noted down. That way, you’ll have less to think about and can focus on the answers you’re getting. To evaluate veterinary advice, it’s worth considering:
 

• Do I want a Diamond Certified company that is rated best in quality and backed by the Diamond Certified Guarantee?
  
• What are my animal’s exact symptoms? (coughing, bleeding, diarrhea, vomiting)
  
• How long have the symptoms been present? Have they happened before?
  
• Has your animal’s behavior changed in any way? (sleeping habits, eating habits, grooming, itching)
  
• Has your animal’s appearance changed in any way? (coat condition, eye discharge)
  
• What are you feeding your animal? (brands, amount, type – wet or dry)
  
• Have you noticed any change in your animal’s movement? (hesitations, missed jumps)
  
• How old is your animal?
  
• What vaccines does your animal have?
  
• Does your animal have any chronic illnesses (diabetes, heart problems) or other conditions the veterinarian should know about?

It’s best to choose a Diamond Certified veterinarian because all certified companies have passed an in-depth ratings process that most other companies can’t pass. If you want quality from a veterinarian in Alameda County and the greater Bay Area, you can have confidence choosing a Diamond Certified company. Diamond Certified reports are available online for all certified companies. And you’ll never be fooled by fake reviews. That’s because all research is performed in live telephone interviews of actual customers.

If you can’t find a Diamond Certified veterinarian within reach, you’ll have to do some research on your own. If you do, it’s wise to call some references provided by your veterinarian. Keep in mind, though, that references provided to you by the veterinarian are not equal in value to the large random sample of customers surveyed during the Diamond Certified ratings process. That’s because references given to customers from companies are cherry-picked instead of randomly selected from all their customers. So the veterinarians will likely give you a few customers to call that they know are satisfied.

If you do call references on your own, specifically ask for a list of the practice’s 10 most recent customers. This will help avoid them giving you the names of only customers they know were satisfied. Some useful questions include:

• Why did you visit the veterinarian? Was it routine care, or a critical issue?
• Were you satisfied with the way the visit or problem was handled?
• If you had emergency care after hours, were you satisfied with the availability and the response times?
• Are costs made clear up front? In your experience, do you think the costs are fair?
• Did you feel that your concerns were listened to?
• Do you think that any tests run on your animal were useful? Did you understand why they were run and what the outcome was?
• Were you ever referred to a specialist? Was communication between the veterinarian and the specialist good?
• Are you still with this veterinarian or are you looking for a new veterinary clinic?
• Would you recommend this veterinarian? Have you recommended to friends?
   

Caring for pets is a big responsibility at any time. But once you’ve found a veterinarian you can trust, some of that burden is lifted. You’ll have a partner to help you keep your pet healthy every day. If an emergency does come up, you’ll know that you can trust your veterinarian to give the best advice for your pet, based on knowing it – and you.

When you take your animal in, be very clear about why you are there. If it’s a routine check up, and you are unsure what that means, don’t be shy about asking for a detailed description of what will happen. If it’s for a specific problem, describe the problem clearly. Mention any changes in behavior or anything that you think might be related. Don’t be intimidated into skipping what you feel is important.

Your veterinarian may ask questions to get a better idea of what is going on, and you may have to repeat answers you’ve already given to a receptionist or veterinary technician. Remain calm and patient – remember that everyone is trying to help your pet. Your veterinarian may have several options or care plans for you. If it’s not clear to you, don’t be shy about asking about the differences between them – what each one involves, what different outcomes might be expected, what are the costs associated with each. Most veterinarians will provide an estimate. You should be clear that you understand what is covered under the estimate. For example, if your animal is being operated on, does the estimate cover boarding costs for any nights the animal must stay in the facility? Be aware that costs for specific tests may be charged by outside laboratories. Remember to ask if there may be other charges that the veterinarian is not yet able to estimate.

Keep In Touch with Your Alameda County Veterinarian
Once you’ve worked with your veterinarian to determine the course of care for your animal, make sure you are clear on the next steps expected. Clarify what you must do as the owner – do you have to give medications? If so, what is the best method for giving them and what is the schedule? If the animal is undergoing surgery, how long is the operation expected to last? Confirm that the veterinary clinic will call you once the operation is completed, if you are leaving the facility. Make sure that you have numbers to contact the veterinarian at all times.
 

Veterinarians treat all kinds of animals for all kinds of reasons – preventative care, accidents, diseases, improved production in agricultural animals, accidental poisonings, to name a few. The reasons for veterinarian visits also vary according to the species involved. The following are some of the most common reasons that patients see a veterinarian.

Preventative Care
Pets see a veterinarian for routine examination and care, which can include vaccines against contagious diseases. All states require the rabies vaccination. Other vaccine laws vary by state. Routine care can also include neutering or spaying, or follow-up care for more common medical conditions. Preventative care schedules vary based on the species and age. For example, a young puppy may need several visits a year to get all required vaccines, while a dog from one to five years may only require an annual visit, if generally healthy. After five years, more frequent visits may be required to monitor health, especially in large breeds.

Accidents
Accidents that trigger a visit to the vet can range from bruising and broken bones to accidental poison ingestion. Vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea may be signs the animal has eaten something he should not have.

Ear Infections
Ear infections usually occur when bacteria causes inflammation. Other causes include tumors or polyps in the ear, foreign objects in the ear, or trauma, from an auto accident, for example. Ear infection symptoms range from no visible symptoms, to head shaking or pawing at the infected ear, to balance problems. Most bacterial infections are treated by antibiotics. Cleaning your animal’s ears regularly may help prevent infections, but at the same time, too vigorous and frequent cleaning can damage the ear.

Skin Allergies in Pets
Pets with skin allergies are prone to itching, licking, scratching, and rubbing. There can be an association to a family history of skin allergies. Pollen from weeds, trees, grass and other airborne sources can cause problems for allergic animals. Mold spores and dust mites, as well as animal dander can also excite allergies. If the allergy source can be identified, veterinarians may be able to inject the allergen into the animal, decreasing sensitivity to the allergen. In other cases, anti-itching treatments are applied. Diet may also contribute, and changes to what your pet eats may be recommended.

Pet Stomach Upsets
Stomach upsets happen for a variety of reasons. Often the animal has eaten something he should not, but other causes include parasites and irritable bowel syndrome. A noisy stomach, diarrhea, bad breath, bloating, pain, no appetite, and vomiting are all signs of an upset stomach. Resolution depends on what the underlying cause is.

Intestinal Inflammation
Intestinal inflammation can be caused by parasites, sudden changes in what your animal is eating, or by foreign objects. Signs your animal suffers from intestinal inflammation include not only frequent defecation or runny stool, but also a failure to defecate. Treatment often includes medication and fluids to replace any lost. Change in diet may also be prescribed.

Pet Eye Infections
Eye infections show up as redness in the eye, swollen eyelids, discharge, and scratching at the eyes. Eye infections can turn serious quickly, eventually causing permanent vision damage, so it’s best to act as soon as you see signs. Eye infections have many causes, from allergies to conjunctivitis. Treatment depends on the underlying cause but usually requires medications or steroids.

Lower Urinary Tract Diseases
Especially common in cats, lower urinary tract disease has no known cause, though there are theories about why it happens, including viruses. Cats with the disease have a hard time urinating, may have blood in the urine, may urinate frequently, or may urinate in inappropriate places. The treatment depends on the severity of the condition, and some require surgery, for example, if the urethra is blocked. In other cases, medicines are used, while in some cases, changes in diet designed to increase urine volume to improve bladder flushing are sufficient.

Pet Hypothyroidism /Hyperthyroidism in Pets
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid does not produce enough of the thyroid hormone, which regulates metabolism. Symptoms for hypothyroidism include weight gain without increased food, droopy eyelids, flaky skin, dull coat, baldness, and stiff joints. The remedy is thyroid supplements, required for the life of the animal.

Hyperthyroidism occurs when there is too much of the thyroid hormone that regulates metabolism. Symptoms can include weight loss, bigger appetite, poor appearance, breathing problems, heart murmur, lump on the next indicating an enlarged thyroid gland, or hyperactivity. Medication can reduce the amount of excess hormone produced.

Pet Diabetes
Diabetes can occur in animals, including dogs and cats. In early stages, animals will be very thirsty and hungry. They will lose weight even if eating the normal amount of food and will have lots of urine. Later on, they may lose all hunger and show depression and lethargy. Diabetes can be treated with diet and exercise, though in some cases, insulin therapy is required.
 

Below are some terms you may come across in your veterinary adventures. Use the definitions below to help understand your animal’s issue, but never be shy about asking the veterinarian for further explanation about any term or phrase you would like explained.

acre per animal unit month
For livestock, a measurement that describes how many acres a single animal requires to easily find food for one month, with a proper amount of food available.

acute renal failure
The animal’s kidneys no longer function.

Also known as: ARF

anorexia
A refusal to eat or decline in appetite. In animals, often a signal of an underlying medical condition.

bumblefoot
In guinea pigs, condition where a guinea pig’s feet become red, swollen, overgrown, or have sores. In very severe cases, amputation may be required, so quick treatment is recommended. The simplest remedy and preventative is to keep the guinea pig in a smooth-bottomed cage, instead of a wire-bottomed cage, and to keep the environment clean and dry. In cases that have gone beyond the basic remedies, the feet may have to be cleaned and treated and medications prescribed.

Also known as: pododermatitis

caudal
The region on the animal toward the tail, or cauda. The region toward the head is called the “cranial” region.

cloaca
In lower vertebrates, turtles, birds, a tube used to pass body fluids include excrement and reproductive matter.

cruciate
A “cruciate injury” refers to damage to ligaments in the animal’s knee, often signaled by limping or refusal to walk on the leg. Treatment, up to surgery, is required to prevent long-term damage.

Also known as: ruptured cruciate

decubital ulcer
This kind of ulcer appears when the animal has had pressure applied to a specific point for too long – a skin or tissue is lost and a sore appears.

Also known as: bedsore

dystrophy
A phenomenon that occurs when a body part or muscle grows in a way that is not expected, or that is defective.

epizootic catarrhal enteristis
In ferrets, this viral disease attacks the intestinal lining, so that the animal cannot absorb or digest food. Symptoms include watery greenish diarrhea, black stools, weakness, or weight loss. ECE is treated with medication and possible changes to diet.

Also known as: ECE

fungal infections
In fish, fungal infections can attack several body systems, including the brain, liver, and kidney. The Saprolegnia fungus appears as cottony growths on the fish, light grey in color. The fungus appears when dead and decaying organic matter is present in the environment.

The Ichthyophonus hoferi fungus is less common, and symptoms vary by fish species. All fish show small growths, black in color. It is most often caused by infected raw food.

Treatment varies but may include medicating the fish’s water or adjusting salt, calcium, and electrolyte levels, or even raising the tank’s temperature.

glycosuria
A condition where the animal’s urine contains glucose.

heartworm
Heartworm develops when an animal is bitten by an infected mosquito and acquires the parasite Dirofilaria immitis. Symptoms vary based on the species involved, and can include anything from coughing to weight loss and lethargy. Once established, heartworm can be difficult to diagnose or treat, depending on the species. Prevention offers the best approach, and medications are readily available to prevent heartworm.

histology
The medical science devoted to knowing how body tissue behaves.

immunization
When an animal is immune from a disease, they are protected against contracting that disease. It’s important to know that if a vaccine fails or the animal does not react properly to the vaccine, the animal is not protected against the disease. A vaccination must succeed to product immunity.

inflammatory airway disease
In horses, inflammatory airway disease shows itself as a loss of energy or performance, along with nasal discharge, mucus in the airway, and coughing. No one knows exactly what causes this respiratory condition, but horses of all types can get it. There seems to be a correlation between horses that spend large amounts of time in dusty stables and the presence of the disease. Antibiotics typically clear the disease.

Also known as: IAD

low passage vaccine
Vaccines are biological products that contain microorganisms designed to prevent animals from contracting the disease contained in the vaccine. A low passage vaccine is used on young animals. The disease in the vaccine has been less weakened than that used in a “normal” vaccine, which may work more effectively with young animals.

lymphocystis
In fish, lymphocystis is a viral disease that attacks both freshwater and saltwater fish. The fish develops growths that look like cauliflower. Sometimes medication is prescribed, but often no steps are taken because the disease does not harm the fish, and the medicine may not be effective.

mange
Mange occurs in dogs and cats and is caused by mites. Animals may show patches where lesions occur. If more generalized, manage can be characterized by red skin, loss of coat, or lesions and scales.

Also known as: demodicosis

metabolic bone disease
In reptiles, metabolic bone disease occurs when animals do not have the proper balance of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorous. The disease appears most often in reptiles that eat plants and insects only or primarily. Reptiles that eat whole prey typically do not suffer from the imbalance. Symptoms can include a soft lower jaw, limping, lumps on the jaw, legs, or spinal column, or bowed legs. Treatment can range from changes in diet to supplements.

Also known as: nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism

mucosa
Membrane covering body cavities or passages that are exposed to the air, for example, the nose and mouth. These specialized membranes often provide diagnostic signs – for example, dryness can indicate dehydration, while yellowing may indicate liver problems.

Also known as: mucous membranes

nephrosclerosis
Hardening of the kidneys.

parvo
A viral disease that attacks dogs. It is spread most often through contact with an infected fog or through an infected dog’s feces. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and significant weight loss. Young canines are especially vulnerable to catching it and are more likely to die from it. Some breeds are similarly susceptible, including Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and English Springer Spaniels.

Also known as: canine parvovirus, CPV

pet insurance
Pet insurance provides insurance for cats and dog to reduce the costs of pet health care. Most companies cover only cats and dogs, but one company is available to cover exotics. Pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions and may require participation in a network of providers.

Also known as: pet health insurance

pleurisy
Pleurisy occurs when the membranes lining the inside of the lungs become inflamed.

rabies
A disease transmitted by virus spread by saliva from infected animals. Can be fatal and can pass to pass and infect humans.

raddle
In sheep breeding, a ram is marked with colors on its chest- known as a raddle. These colors are transferred to the ewe during mating.

Tyzzer’s Disease
In hamsters, this bacterial infection appears as watery diarrhea and pain. The hamster may also have hunched posture and not want to eat. The disease is highly contagious, since spores disperse throughout the environment. Treatment includes antibiotics and possibly supplements.

Also known as: Clostridium piliforme

urinary tract infections
It’s not known exactly what causes this disease of the bladder and urethra. Sufferers may have blood in the urine, painful urination, frequent urination, or blocked urine flow. They may also urinate in unusual places. Treatment can be a simple as diet change to moist food or may require surgery for a blocked urethra.

Also known as: Idiopathic Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (IFLUFD), Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC), Interstitial Cystitis, Feline Urologic Syndrome (FUS)

vaccine
A biological substance introduced to make the animal resistant to a specific disease. The vaccine often includes substances that are or are similar to the microorganism that actually causes the disease.

vital signs
The vital signs indicate the presence or lack of life. They are temperature, respiration, and pulse.