Oceanside Animal Hospital

We pride ourselves on communication and education with regards to your pet's needs. Medical recommendations are tailored to your pet's breed and lifestyle. There is tremendous variation in the needs of a Chihuahua who spends most of their time indoors and a German shorthair pointer hunting dog who is constantly in the woods and grasses. As a result we try to give the best recommendations for your pet based on their needs, not by grouping them into large categories.

For our exotic pets we make recommendations based on the most current information available and the most reliable research into what is the best way to care for these special animals. Each species has different and specific needs which, if not met, can mean significantly decreased life spans.

At your initial pet visit we will go over preventative and wellness care of your new pet. We will discuss feeding, socialization, behavior, and training. Typically we will recommend a series of visits to allow us to provide you the information you need, acclimate your new pet to visiting the hospital, and customize care to fit the needs of your pet.

As we all know, pets age much more quickly than humans. One year going by for us is similar to 8 years passing for them. Factor in a 8 year old dog turning 9 - that is like a 56 year old man aging to 63 over the span of one year. A lot can happen in 8 dog years. As a result, more frequent examination are recommended for our senior pets, as well as diet and lifestyle changes. Dogs are considered seniors at 7 years of age, and cats at 8 years of age. Please ask us for more information regarding our senior pet plans and recommendations during your pet's visit.

At Oceanside Animal Hospital we do believe in the importance of vaccination. Vaccines have drastically reduced animal illness and suffering over the past 50 years. Instances of distemper and parvovirus have been significantly reduced due to the use of effective vaccination strategies. That being said, these deadly viruses are still present in our everyday world and infect unprotected individuals, resulting in potentially deadly illnesses and costly treatments. It is important to understand that we vaccinate for a reason and a risk-benefit analysis is done for each and every vaccination that is recommended. Just as importantly, we do not believe in recommending unnecessary vaccinations. Each vaccine protocol is tailored to the needs of your pet and your pet alone. We follow recommendations for vaccination intervals based on the American Association of Feline Practitioners guidelines as well as the American Animal Hospital Association guidelines.

If you prefer a minimalist vaccination protocol we are happy to provide blood test titering to assess the need for a vaccination prior to administration.

Rabies vaccination is required by law for ALL dogs, cats (including indoor cats), and ferrets. It is required that these pets stay up to date on rabies vaccinations due to public health concerns. These vaccines are given at between 1 and 3 year intervals. Please let us know if you have questions or concerns regarding these protocols.

One in three pets will become lost in their lifetime. Without microchips, 90% will not make it home. Microchips are designed to last your pet's entire lifetime and they link to a permanent listing in a national lost pet database. This means anytime/anywhere pet recovery service no matter how far your lost pet has traveled.

Dog and cat microchipping is a simple procedure. The veterinarian simply injects a microchip, about the size of a grain of rice (12mm), beneath the surface of your pets skin between the shoulder blades. The process is similar to a routine shot, takes only a few seconds, and your pet will not react any more than he would to a vaccination. No anesthetic is required.

Avian and exotic pet microchipping is very similar but due to the smaller size of our patients, a short acting anesthesia is recommended. In our avian pets we recommend removal of bands which will prevent band related injuries (leg fractures, infections, constriction of blood supply). Anytime we remove a leg band a microchip is recommended as a permanent ID. In birds the microchip is placed in the pectoral / breast muscle.

If your pet gets lost and is taken to a vet clinic or animal shelter, your pet will be scanned for a microchip to reveal his unique ID number. That number will be called into the pet recovery service, and you will be contacted using the contact information on file with your pet's microchip.

The most important part of what we do is preventative and wellness care for our animals. Particularly with the exotic species (avian, reptile, small mammal), it is crucial to have a firm understanding of what these pets need on a daily basis in order to prevent many medical issues. At your pet's initial consultation we will go over species-specific recommendations including diet, behavior, heating, UV lighting, and caging. We understand that it is sometimes difficult to know which information is the right information to help keep your pet happy and healthy and we will gladly answer any questions you may have regarding their care.