Seven Hills Veterinary Hospital

To our Seven Hills family and beloved critters: We are currently staying open to continue to support you and your pet's health care needs during this current state-of-emergency. In order to continue to offer the safest and most expedient care for your pet, we have implemented some new standards. Our procedures will be fluid at this point and we are very grateful for your understanding and kindness in this challenging time. 1: Patients with illness or injury will be examined b...y appointment. 2: Routine exams, immunizations, spay/neuter surgeries, and dental procedures without significant urgency should be postponed for 2-3 months if at all possible. Please call to reschedule. 3: ALL OWNERS ARE KINDLY ASKED TO REMAIN OUTSIDE OF THE CLINIC, LEAVING ROOM FOR OUR TEAM TO FREELY COME OUTSIDE. 4: Telephone consultations are being offered for the time being for patients which we think might be able to be helped with phone call / advise +/- medication. Pets who qualify for now include dogs and cats with sudden onset of diarrhea, young/middle aged otherwise healthy dogs with a sudden onset of gagging type cough, mild limping, skin rashes, certain medication refills which require rechecks. We are trying to find a balance in advising you without and exam and making sure your pet receives safe care. Please ring the front desk to ask about phone consults and fees. . We are hoping to have a platform or app to facilitate 5: Long term prescription medication refills, heartworm and flea preventatives: Emergency statutes permit the dispensation of these prescription medications with certain guidelines. Telephone consult may be needed for all but flea and heartworm preventative. . 6: If you are not feeling well or have any suspicion of illness, please, take care of yourself at home and have someone else bring your pet in. 7: Even though there is no evidence that pets can become ill from Covid 19, the virus can be carried around on their bodies. We will be doing our best to protect our team and may use a clean sheet or towel to cover your pet for handling. We are currently unable to get any more masks or hand sanitizer. Thank you for your support and please stay healthy! Your team at Seven Hills Vet Hospital.

Hi friends! We are here to support your pet’s urgent concerns as best as we can. Because we have a small, tight knit team who works together in close quarters, for now, we ask that you dress warmly and wait out side. Knock on the window or call us to let us know you are here. If your pet is due for routine care, we kindly ask that it be postponed for the time being so that we may see our furry friends with urgent needs. Hang in there and stay healthy! Now, enjoy Pluto’s... advice from a dog. https://youtu.be/EPJ5xrJpBvg

https://www.avma.org//files/2020-03/covid-19-faq-email.pdf

Unfortunately, it looks like canine influenza is back in the Bay Area. We do recommend giving dogs their influenza vaccine boosters. We can schedule a technician visit for the vaccine as long as your pup has had an examination with one of our doctors within a year. If it has been more than 6 months beyond their influenza booster due date they will have to restart the 2 part series.... Give our front desk team a call if you have any questions about influenza protection and to schedule their shots.

Just for fun- My friend Rob’s dogs Max and Bart celebrate their 6 month birthday today- Pure joy in the form of water dogs!

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx

Foxtails and friends: They are back in full force early this year. Here is a sample from the canyon: The Red-stemmed Filaree or storkbill is a pretty little plant in the geranium family which produces beautiful little purple flowers and nasty medieval looking spiral arrows. There is also an abundance of several varieties of foxtails. Areas between toes, armpits and near ears are particularly susceptible to seed pod penetration.

Leptospirosis Alert: With all of the recent rains, Leptospirosis may once again become an issue as it did last year. We detected a case last week. It is spread by the urine of contaminated mammals, often rodents, so best to avoid areas where rats may congregate such as alleys, near garbage cans, and certain parks where people may eat and leave garbage. Parts of Golden Gate Park, McLaren parking area, behind the Safeway here are areas of concern. Cattle can carry it too so, hiking in areas where cattle may be (like near farms) would also be a concern. Some Symptoms: +/- sick, feverish, lethargic, increased urination, increased water intake, jaundice

Influenza update: There have been 4 cases of influenza in San Francisco that we were aware of in the past week. All of these dogs have mild symptoms, but will be contagious for about 3 weeks. Get 'em the flu shot!

Just for fun... these are images used to teach computers how to distinguish between objects. Blueberry muffin, anyone?

CANINE INFLUENZA UPDATE: To date, there has been one confirmed case (H3N2) in San Francisco. The dog was very sick, with a temperature of 104.5, but as far as we know, recovering well at home. Fact: Approximately 20% of infected dogs have either no symptoms or very mild symptoms. Here is a good link to determine what immunizations your puppy should receive: https://www.aaha.org//canine_vacci/vaccine_calculator.aspx

CANINE INFLUENZA has been detected in the Bay Area so we are now recommending vaccination. Please call to schedule a doctor's appointment or a technician visit (Only healthy adult dogs with no symptoms examined within 1 year). Initial vaccination requires a series of 2 vaccines 3 weeks apart. http://www.sheltermedicine.com/l/resources/canine-influenza https://www.cdc.gov/flu/canineflu/keyfacts.htm