September is Animal Pain Awareness Month

Animals feel pain in much the same way that humans do, and it is our responsibility as pet owners to understand animal pain so that we can provide proper care for our beloved furry friends.

Assessing pain in animals isn’t easy because our pets can’t talk. But they can demonstrate pain or discomfort in other ways. The most common sign of pain in animals is a decrease in activity level. If your pet usually loves to run around and play, but suddenly seems lethargic and unwilling to move, this could be an indication that they are in pain. Other telltale signs include restlessness, changes in grooming habits, panting or rapid breathing, licking an affected area excessively, difficulty standing up or walking, and vocalizing more than usual.

Isolating where the pain is coming from is one of the first steps in being able to treat it. Observe your animal: Does the pain appear to be coming from the joints, the back, the mouth? Or could there be abdominal pain? If you don’t know, don’t worry. Your veterinarian will ask you specific questions at the time of your visit and perform a hands-on exam to help pinpoint the problem.

If the issue can be fixed through medications or surgery or dentistry, this will be discussed. For the chronic pain situations we see with arthritis, vets have various options. Bloodwork is often used to ensure that certain medications are safe for administration to your animal.

New medications are constantly being developed to help our furry companions. Historically, there were more pain medication options for dogs than there were for cats. However, there are now some newer medications for cats, and most are relatively low-stress to administer. We all know how difficult it can be to medicate cats!

It’s important to remember that animals aren’t able to communicate their pain in the same way that humans do, so it’s up to us as pet owners to recognize signs of discomfort and take action right away. If you suspect your pet is in pain, don’t hesitate to bring them into the veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment. With vigilance and prompt care, we can ensure that our pets remain healthy.

Fleas, ticks, and foxtails

Pets that spend time outdoors can end up with foxtails in their fur, their eyes, their ears, and their feet this time of year. The best prevention is to avoid areas where there are foxtails, but if you can’t, carefully screen your pet when they come inside. If your dog or cat is shaking their head or sneezing violently or licking their feet, please call us for an appointment. It’s important that we see your pet quickly, as foxtails can migrate throughout their entire body and be difficult to find.

As we all begin to move about more this summer, it’s very important to keep up with our pet’s parasite prevention plan. Fleas don’t take a vacation, and if you start hiking the trails again, there will be ticks to worry about too.

Simparica Trio or the combination of NexGard and Heartgard will kill fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites and also prevent heartworm disease. For any of these flea/tick medications, we are cautious with dogs that have a seizure history, but there are few side effects otherwise.

Appointments

Alameda Pet Hospital is now hosting in-person examinations for pets of vaccinated clients on a limited basis. We are also continuing our curbside care. We still require all clients to call or text us upon arrival, even for those who plan to enter our building for their animal’s examination.

When you arrive, please call us at 510-523-1626 and select option 2

-OR-

text the phrase “I’M HERE” to 510-523-1626. Be sure to include your first name, last name, and your pet’s name.

Exams & Non-Urgent Questions

We are utilizing several alternatives to phone calls due to our extremely high call volume. Please reach out to us via email at alamedapetstaff@gmail.com or text us at 510-523-1626 for refill requests, non-urgent questions, or appointment requests.  Please include your full name and your animal’s name when texting us. We will get back to you within 1-2 business days.

We require 24 hours notice minimum when canceling an appointment. There may be a fee for a violation of this policy. Please communicate with our staff if you are unable to keep your appointment.

Due to increased demand for services, we require a deposit for new clients. This fee will be applied to the first veterinary visit. If the appointment is canceled more than 24 hours in advance, the funds will be refunded to the card used. If the appointment is rescheduled, the deposit will roll over to the new appointment.

Prescription Refills

If your pet needs a prescription refilled, you might want to try our online pharmacy so that your order can be delivered directly to your home. Medication refill requests may also be submitted via email or text (510-523-1626). Requests received before 12 pm for medications with refills previously authorized will be available for pick-up after 4 pm the same day, otherwise the next day. Medications without previously approved refills must be approved by one of our veterinarians. Please allow an additional business day for approval.

Coronavirus Information

For the very latest information on COVID-19, you can check these sites:

CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
WHO – World Health Organization
WSAVA – World Small Animal Veterinary Association