Just a Friendly Reminder . . . . . . That little postcard you get in the mail is our way of helping you remember what preventive care your dog or cat might need. This list might include anything from the annual or semi-annual wellness exam to vaccinations to dental cleaning. Here's a quick reference guide to the Reminders so you know exactly what it is we're recommending and why. Wellness Exam The most important part of a pet's wellness care is the Wellness  Exam. We recommend that every pet has an exam twice a year - especially our senior pets - because pets can't tell us when something is wrong and because they age much faster than humans we need to monitor their health closely. The Wellness exam is a thorough evaluation of 12 body systems from head to toe. We weigh your pet, then the doctor will examine the eyes, ears, teeth, throat and skin. Next they will listen to the heart and lungs for any problems. The abdomen, muscles, lymph nodes and skeletal structure are also examined. For more information on this critical exam see Canine or Feline Examination on our web site. HealthCheck Plus/Senior Screen This is a blood panel which gives us a tremendous amount of information about your pet's health. It can provide early warnings for the onset of disease or other conditions that can be treated or prevented. For a Senior Screen we add a urine sample to the blood test. Urinalysis may also be done separately. Dental Prophy/Polish Just as in humans, dental hygene is an extremely important part of your pets' health. And, just as in humans, annual dental care is imperative. Blood Pressure Hypertension is a very real problem in elderly pets. Kidney, heart and eye damage can occur if left undetected and untreated. Fecal A sample of your pet's stool is examined for a number of parasites, some of which can be harmful to us humans. CAPC (Companion Animal Parasite Council) is a good source of information on these parasites. CAPC recommends a fecal test every 6 months. Heartworm/Tick Disease Test Heartworms, which are are transmitted by mosquito bites, are parasites that infect the hearts and lungs of dogs and cats. We recommend this test be given to all dogs annually. This is to make sure they have not contracted heartworm disease which is easily prevented with a monthly preventative. Heartworm disease can be fatal to dogs. The test also detects 3 tick borne illnesses, including Lyme disease, that can affect our canine friends. Heartworm test for Cats Heartworm disease can also infest cats. The symptoms can be anything from nothing to severe lung disease to sudden death. So please make sure your cats are on heartworm preventative. DH2PPV Distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza. A series of 4 boosters is required for puppies with a booster given one year after last puppy booster. Thereafter this vaccine is given every 3 years. Bordatella The bordetella vaccine is required every six months for dogs who are exposed to other dogs such as in kennels or dog parks. Rabies The puppy vaccination is good for one year, thereafter it is given every three years. Cats are given the vaccination annually. Leptospirosis Required yearly for dogs at risk, i.e. those who drink from sources of water possibly contaminated by the urine of wildlife including rats and mice. They may also acquire this from other dogs so dogs that frequent kennels and dog parks should be vaccinated. FVRCP Vaccination for Feline Virl Rhinotracheities, Calici Virus and Panleukepenia given as a three shot series for kittens, bosstered at one year, then every three years. Leukemia The Feline Leukemia Virus is given as a series of two vaccinations for kittens followed by a booster at 1 year. Deworming Cats that hunt or have any exposure to fleas will most likely have tapeworm and should be dewormed every 6 months. Dr. Rhonda Stallings | 
accessible to those pets that cannot get to us, such as older pets who are not mobile or cats who hate the carrier and/or the car ride; and for those pets whose owners cannot get their pets to the clinic because of lack of a means of transportation, we want to provide the medical care they deserve.
lives in Sonoma with her boyfriend Allen, their dog Danny, and their cat Leo. She has learned the "Arroyo Way" very quickly and has become a valuable part of the team. Always happy to help in any way she can, never complains and is a hard worker.