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The Canine Flu Vaccine
· The best way to protect your dogs from Canine Influenza is to maintain healthy pets, in order to strengthen their immune systems, and to immunize them with the Canine Influenza Vaccine.
· The vaccine has been proven safe and well tolerated in over 700 dogs. The vaccine is initially a series of two injections given 2-3 weeks apart and then annually.
· We recommend the vaccine for dogs that socialize with other dogs in places such as veterinary clinics, boarding facilities, pet stores, daycares, dog parks and obedience classes. Your dog should be at least 8 weeks old and have no history of vaccine reactions in the past. Our team members vaccinated their own dogs to demonstrate our confidence in the safety and importance of this vaccine.
· One of the most disturbing things about Canine Flu is that animals that are in the contagious stage and shedding the virus, show no symptoms. Infected dogs may not show signs until after they are finished shedding the virus to other dogs. Infectious dogs may look perfectly normal, and act perfectly normal, while spreading the disease to other dogs. For that reason, vaccination is really the only practical way of preventing severe disease.
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HOLIDAY HOURS:
December 24th:
7am-6pm
December 25: Closed
December 26:
7am-6pm
December 31:
7am-10pm
January 1: New Year's Day
8am-8pm
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Grooming and Boarding are very busy during the Holidays.
There are still reservations available for December please contact 602-265-3198 to make an appointment or reservation.
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Alta Vista Veternary Hospial will be holding a food drive benefiting St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance.
The food drive will be held from Novmeber 23-December 16.
For every 2 cans of food you bring in $1 will be donated into the Velcro fund.
The Velcro Fund
The Velcro fund was established in July of 1998.
"Velcro" was a gray, domestic short hair, cat
that was presented to the hospital with a projectile protruding from his left eye. The projectile was a six-inch dart from a blowgun. It was determined that we would be unable to save the eye and an eye enucleation was recommended.
The owners of Velcro were unable to afford the surgery.
A client of ours that worked for Channel 3 happened to be in the lobby with his pet. He suggested putting Velcro's story on the evening news. When viewers saw his story the results were heartwarming. The donations exceeded the cost of the surgery and Dr. Jenkins decided to create a fund for sick or injured pets, whose owners were having financial difficulties. It is used at our discretion on a care by care basis. The fund continues because of donations from our compassionate clients and Dr. Jenkins generosity. Velcro's surgery was a success and he was able to live many more years with his beloved family.
Because of our Velcro fund, we have helped countless cats and dogs who otherwise would have been euthanized.
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Happy Holiday's from our staff! We hope that issue can provide you with holiday tips that you find useful for your furry friends.
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Alta Vista Veterinary Hospital is proud to announce a low cost vaccination clinic. We want to make sure that you are not putting your pet's health on hold during the holiday season. This will be a great way to save money.
Low Cost vaccinations will be available during the month of December. You will be able to receive any of the following vaccines during the following business hours:
Sunday, December 6th 2pm-6pm
Sunday, December 13th 2pm-6pm
Sunday, December 20th 2pm-6pm
Sunday December 27th 2pm-6pm
Dogs:
Rabies: $17
Da2L/PPV: $17
Bordatella: $15
Influenza (Canine Flu): $15
Heartworm Test: $30
Cats:
Rabies: $17
FVRCP: $17
Leukemia Vaccine: $17
Leukemia/FIV Test: $35
In addition to the vaccinations we are also offering microchips at $30 and Frontline and Heartguard for prices that are available online.
Please contact our office to schedule an appointment. There will be no office charge visit however, the hospital will only administer vaccinations and not treat other issues with your pet unless you specify, there will be a $45 office call charge in those cases.
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Holiday Hazards For Your Pet
By Dr. Sean Penn
As we enter the holiday season, special attention should be made to prevent your cat or dog from trauma, toxins, or other illness. 
Your pet may also want to say, "I can't believe I ate the whole thing" when it comes to the many new interesting items that come out during the holiday season. Ribbon, tinsel and other ornaments can be seen as attractive items to eat by some dogs and cats. These items can cause simple irritation to the stomach and intestinal tract or can cause life threatening bowel obstruction, which could require surgery by your veterinarian. Potpourri especially in the liquid form should be covered to prevent the curious or thirsty pet from ingesting it. When the Christmas tree comes out, water added to the stand should not contain any chemicals toxic to pets. The lights on the Christmas tree are also a potential hazard. Chewing on the cords can lead to electric shock requiring immediate veterinary attention.
Many food items can lead to illness in pets. While most pet owners are aware of the dangers of certain food items, well meaning visiting guests during the holidays are often the culprits of offering inappropriate "treats" to the pets. Fatty foods, such as that leftover ham should never be fed to pets. Pancreatitis, a potentially life threatening illness involving inflammation of the pancreas has been associated with ingestion of high fat foods in dogs. Bones can also cause injury and illness in some dogs.
There are many holiday items that can be toxic to your pet. Chocolate is toxic to dogs. Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which dogs do not metabolize very well. It acts much like caffeine, but with more serious effects. Depending on the amount ingested, signs of chocolate toxicity may be limited to just vomiting and diarrhea, or could progress to hyperexcitability, seizures and even death. Other potential ingestion hazards to pets are Lillies (kidney failure and illness in cats), Mistletoe (vomiting, diarrhea and potential cardiac problems) and Holly (vomiting and diarrhea). Poinsettias, are somewhat over-rated as a toxin, but can still cause mouth irritation and stomach upset. If there are any questions about a possible toxicity in your pet, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is staffed by veterinarians 24 hours a day and can be reached at 1-888-4ANI-HELP. There is a charge for this call.
Sometimes the use of child gates is helpful to prevent a pet's access to hazards. For those traveling out of town and leaving their pets in the care of family, friends, boarding facilities, or a pet sitter make sure these caretakers are well aware of the medical needs for your pet and the location and phone number of your veterinarian and if necessary emergency animal hospital. Have a happy and safe holiday season.
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This is my favorite time of year and not only because the desert weather is so lovely. This is the time of year to reflect on all the many reasons to be thankful and I am so very thankful for the  people who volunteer for rescue groups and shelters. Some even open their homes to foster these abandoned animals.
It takes a special kind of person to be a rescue group and shelter volunteer. These wonderful people make every effort to help rehabilitate and socialize abused animals, or raise and socialize orphaned, rambunctious youngsters or make certain that an injured animal receives medical attention. Rescue group and shelter volunteers are dedicated, selfless and have an unwavering belief that the greatest reward for this too often thankless job is the honor of finding a permanent and loving home for these precious, innocent animals.
As a veterinarian, I do not know any other group of people who are so wholly dedicated and compassionate to the plight, safety and care of homeless animals. It is nothing short of inspirational. So for those of you who open your homes to foster animals - thank you. For those of you who give your time and energy to volunteer for a rescue group or shelter - thank you. And for those of you who adopt an animal from a rescue group or shelter rather than purchasing a pet from a pet store or breeder - thank you. Your kindness is a true gift.
Dr. Jacquie Allgire
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Adopt a Pet from MASH this Holiday Season 
Our team has recently been able to help the Animal Cruelty Investigative Unit with some of their animal cruelty cases. The animals were victims of animal abuse and now need loving homes.
MASH animals are available for adoption. They have started their shot series and have been spayed/neutered.
Please visit their website at www.mcso.org
You may also contact our office, occasionally we have a furry friend in need of a loving home.
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