Another Great Friend to Laguna Beach Pets

We are always delighted to share big news with our patients and soon-to-be patients. The excitement this time comes from our announcement that we have a great new vet on board here at Laguna Beach Animal Hospital—Dr. Hays Fyke.

Dr. Fyke has loved animals as far back as he can remember, and he has worked with pets ever since his teenage years as a kennel assistant in his native Georgia. In fact, he found working with pets so rewarding that he switched from molecular biology studies to veterinary school so he could devote his life to it. He did much of his coursework at St. George's University on the picturesque island of Grenada, completed his studies at Purdue University, then moved to California and fulfilled a medical and surgical internship at Southern California Veterinary Specialty Hospital. Dr. Fyke possesess considerable knowledge in the fields of surgery, emergency treatment, regenerative stem cell therapies, immune mediated disease processes and orthopedic ailments. We feel very fortunate to him on our team.

Stop By Our Veterinary Hospital and Say Hello

Is your four-legged pal due for spaying or neutering, a vaccination booster, doctor-supervised boarding, rehabilitative treatment or just a general checkup? Whatever your need, come on over and say hello to Dr. Fyke, and rest assured that your pet is getting excellent care from an excellent Laguna vet. If some emergency requires you to rush your pet over to our facility, Dr. Fyke may well be the doctor who extends greetings, comfort, and prompt, skilled treatment when you arrive at our facility, since he is available for after-hours emergency care. Whatever the circumstances, we feel confident that you and your pet will enjoy getting to know him just as we have.

Does your dog or cat make new friends easily, or is a "get acquainted" period more her style? Does she prefer humans or other animals? Tell our readers about your pet's preferences (or quirks) in meeting others!

Hydrosurge is Available at Our Vet Clinic

You love it when your pet is freshly bathed, smells great and is looking beautiful, and your pet loves to receive a soothing massage. Additionally, both of these procedures are important for your pet’s health. Bathing removes oils that can attract bacteria and cause irritation, odor and disease, while massage removes dead skin cells, pest residue, loose hairs and so forth. And now you can get it all done in one session, thanks to the Hydrosurge bathing we provide here at Laguna Beach Animal Hospital!

How does it work? The Hydrosurge method, designed specifically for professional veterinarians and groomers, uses a hand-held sprayer that massages as it cleans. The sprayer propels a mix of water and either regular or medicated pet shampoo in massaging jets that invigorate the skin while removing unwanted debris. This technique not only does wonders for your pet’s skin and fur, but it also feels great -- a far cry, certainly, from the old-fashioned, scrub-down baths that pets traditionally struggle against.

The Veterinary Hospital Advantage

Both you and your pet benefit from the Hydrosurge bath offered at our veterinary hospital. Beyond the obvious benefit of not having to bathe your pet by hand at home, you also have the satisfaction of knowing that your pet is receiving gentle, therapeutic, advanced veterinary care every step of the way. We brush out any mats in the fur before we even start, and after the bath your pet gets an enjoyable drying-off period in a cage drier. During the Hydrosurge bath, our animal hospital can also trim his nails, check and clean his ears, and perform an anal-gland expression. Our Hydrosurge bath is a great way to keep your pet both clean and healthy -- so when your pet needs a bath, put away the hose and sponge and call our vet instead!

Do you have a funny or bizarre story about your previous adventures in pet bathing? Share them with us!

Have you adopted a new pet or do you have a new puppy or kitten? Are you weighing the benefits of spaying or neutering your pet? Although these procedures involve some cost, they carry lifelong benefits both for your pet, your household and the community.

Benefits of Spay and Neuter Procedures

There are many benefits to having your pet spayed or neutered. Female pets will enjoy a longer life, as spaying eliminates the risk of ovarian cancer and complications from pregnancy as well as reduces the risk of breast cancer. Male pets will be better behaved and less likely to roam the neighborhood when they are neutered. There are also health benefits for male pets, if they are neutered before six months of age.

Spaying or neutering your pet also reduces the population of unwanted dogs and cats. Spaying your female pet is less expensive and much easier than dealing with a pregnant animal and the subsequent litter.

What to Expect with a Spay and Neuter Procedure

Although spaying does require surgery, most spay and neuter procedures are safe and easy. Spaying generally necessitates an overnight stay at the vet clinic, but neutering can usually be done with your pet returning home the same day.

At Laguna Beach Animal Hospital, we offer an experienced, caring surgical team and state-of-the-art equipment. We are open early for pet drop-offs and even have Sunday drop-off times. We understand that any pet surgery can be stressful for you, so our vet will discuss the procedure and what to expect before the day you have your pet spayed or neutered. Our Laguna Beach veterinary hospital wants you and your new pet to start on a happy, healthy life together.

Have you had your pet spayed or neutered? Was it beneficial for you and your pet? Share your experiences with our readers by leaving a comment below.

Most of us don't realize there are hazards in and around our home that are potentially dangerous to our pets. Just like a concerned parent will baby proof their home, we at Laguna Beach Animal Hospital believe the same should be done for your furry family members.

The following are some hazards that exist in our homes:

Lawn chemicals.

• Automotive products such as oil, antifreeze and gasoline.

• Fire hazards such as leaving candles burning, or leaving the fireplace burning without a screen In place.

• Trash cans and waste baskets .

•  Standing water.

• Toilet water that contains harsh cleaning chemicals

• Plants such as Philodendrons, Hyacinth and Fichus.

A tip to help with the latter is to sprinkle cayenne pepper in the plants soil from time to time to keep your pets interest away. You can also apply unpleasant-tasting substances to exposed cords to keep pets from chewing on them. These could include bitter apple spray, hot-pepper sauce, menthol, toothpaste, mouthwash or lemon juice. Experiment to find out which taste is the one least liked.

We know you can’t keep your eyes on your pets 24 hours a day but we should be aware that if a pet starts drooling, voimiting, or has respiratory difficulties it’s a almost a sure thing that our pet has ingested something it shouldn’t have.

The good news here in Laguna Beach is that the Laguna Beach Animal Hospital is prepared to handle such pet emergencies.  Please don’t hesitate to use the comment section of this blog to ask questions about your pet if you feel something questionable might have become an appetizer.

And as always, please don’t hesitate to contact us at  949-494-9721 with any concerns!

Upper Respiratory Tract Problems such as Sneezing in Cats and Dogs

Have you heard your cat or dog sneezing lately? There are generally two reasons behind sneezing, whether you’re talking about pets or people; either the membranes of the nose are inflamed or a foreign object (such as dust or a small piece of grass) may become lodged in the nostrils of the nose and is causing irritation. While a foreign object lodged in the nose will naturally work itself out in most cases, there may be times when a veterinarian needs to intervene. The membranes of the nose can become inflamed or irritated for many other reasons, such if your dog or cat was exposed to a chemical irritant or has contracted a respiratory tract infection.

At Laguna Beach Veterinary Hospital, many of cats or dogs that come in to see our vets because they have been sneezing have actually contracted an upper respiratory tract infection. This is similar in many ways to a cold among humans. In some cases, the only signs of the infection are sniffling and/or sneezing. While healthy adult pets in their prime are least likely to develop infections, younger or older pets can be more at risk to develop respiratory tract infections. This may be because the immune system of young pets is still developing, while older pets may be more susceptible to infection due to age-related changes in the nasal membranes.

Symptoms of sneezing in dogs or cats can sometimes (though not always) be caused by an airborne bacteria or virus.

Infections that May Cause Sneezing in Dogs

Among dogs, two of the most common types of upper respiratory viruses are known as the Parainfluenza virus and Type-2 Adenovirus. Both viruses are highly contagious and can be passed through sneezing and by having contact with other sick dogs. Some dogs can carry an infection silently and experience no symptoms, which means they are still contagious and can spread the infection to other dogs even though they appear healthy. When sneezing pets are brought in to our animal hospital to see the veterinarian, we often find out that they were recently exposed within the last two weeks to other dogs, whether it was through through boarding, grooming or at a dog park. Dogs that have recently spent time in an animal shelters are also much more likely to contract respiratory infections due to their proximity with other dogs in the shelter.

Bacterial infections are another common cause of sneezing in dogs. Dogs are susceptible to bacteria-based upper respiratory tract infections such as Pasteurella, Bordetella, Streptococci and pseudomonad bacteria. Many of these types of bacteria can also cause similar respiratory symptoms among humans. Bordatella and Adeno-2 are two of the main causes of kennel cough.

Infections that Cause Sneezing in Cats

Among cats, sneezing is often caused by one of two viruses; the rhinotracheitis virus (Herpes-1) and Calicivirus. Sneezing is a common symptom of a cat suffering from one of these two viruses, but other signs of infection include conjunctivitis (swelling around eyes or eyelids) and a low-grade fever. As with dogs, many apparently healthy cats can be the silent host of these viruses and unintentionally spread them to other animals. The rhinotracheitis virus is a major cause of sneezing among cats and can be serious if left untreated though is generally not life-threatening. After a cat is exposed to the rhinotracheitis virus, there is an incubation period of about 2-6 days. Unfortunately, many cats which harbor this virus are infected for life, much like the cold sore virus among people. As with cold sores, high levels of stress can cause a reoccurrence of symptoms for these cats as well as causes them to be more contagious. These aspects of the virus can make it tough to control in catteries and animal shelters where pets are highly stressed and live in close proximity to many other cats.

After the rhinotracheitis virus, the next two most common origins of sneezing in cats are the organisms Chlamydia psittaci and mycoplasma. Usually sneezing begins 5-10 days after exposure and both of these organisms can cause nasal irritation and discharge.

Bacterial infections are another common cause of sneezing in cats. Cats are susceptible to bacteria-based upper respiratory tract infections such as Pasteurella, Bordetella, Streptococci and pseudomonad bacteria. Many of these types of bacteria can also cause similar respiratory symptoms among humans. Bordatella and Adeno-2 are two of the main causes of kennel cough.

Noninfectious Causes of Sneezing:

Household or Cleaning Products
The same sorts of household or cleaning products which can cause people to sneeze also can sometimes cause your pet to sneeze. The most common household cause for sneezing in cats is dusty cat litter. Other nose irritants include fragrances, cigarette or other smoke, household cleaners, fiberglass, bug spray and hairspray. If your dog or cat has recently started sneezing, it may be a good idea to think about whether any new household products have been introduced into your home around the onset of the sneezing symptoms.

Allergies
Itching is one of the most common symptoms of allergies in cats or dogs, but some pets will experience sneezing or sniffling due to pollens and mold in the air.

Foreign Bodies in the Nose
Most pets are constantly sticking their noses in everything. Sometimes a pet will poke their nose into a grassy or dusty area and end up getting a small piece of grass or dirt lodged in their nostril. Most pets will sneeze until these objects are dislodged naturally, but sometimes a stubborn or large foreign body must be physically removed by a veterinarian. If your pet has a foreign body in their nose and has been sneezing, you may notice nasal discharge from only one nostril (the one which contains the foreign body).

Tumors and Polyps
As a pet gets older, it becomes more likely that they will suffer from nasal polyps, tumors and degenerative changes in their nasal passages or airways. As with foreign objects, the problem is usually confined to one nostril.

Tooth Abscesses
With both dogs and cats, some of the teeth have roots which penetrate close to the nasal passages. When these teeth become infected in your pet’s mouth, one of the most common symptoms is sneezing and nasal drainage.

Breed Characteristics
Certain breeds of dogs or cats have flattened faces with compressed nasal passages. These physical characteristics can make cats or dogs more susceptible to respiratory complaints such as sneezing. For example, Persian cats and other cats with a flat face are more likely to experience sneezing due to infection or irritating products. Any of the dog breeds that snore share this problem, such as Pekingese, pugs, bulldogs, Lhasa Apsos, and Shia Tzus.

Treatment:

Many upper respiratory tract infections can be prevented in dogs and cats by ensuring your pet gets yearly vaccinations against the organism or infectious disease involved.
One of the best ways to tell if a sneezing problem is minor or more major is to take the pet’s temperature with a rectal thermometer. The “normal” temperature of a cat or dog is around 102.5F. If the temperature is over 103.5, it might be an indication that there is a problem. In that case, you should contact your veterinarian right away as your pet may need to be prescribed antibiotics or some other treatment. If your pet has been sneezing for longer than a few days, and you’ve already determined that their sneezing isn’t being caused by some sort of household product, it’s always the best idea to call your veterinarian for advice.

At Laguna Beach Animal Hospital, we are dedicated to providing excellent veterinary care for your pets. We offer same-day appointments as well as emergency vet services to better suit your needs. In addition to Laguna Beach, we also commonly see pet owners from Newport Coast, Corona Del Mar, and Aliso Veijo.

Laguna Beach Animal Hospital is a full service animal hospital conveniently located in Laguna Beach on Forest Avenue. Please call us today at 949-494-9721 to make an appointment or Request an Appointment online!