California Veterinary Specialists

Thinking of all our Cancer Fighters and their families. The diagnosis of cancer in a beloved pet can be especially difficult as they rely on us for making judgments on their well-being. Empower yourself with information so you can determine how to best meet your pet's needs. For more information, including questions to ask your veterinarian, common causes of cancer, and understanding the grade, type, and stage of cancer, visit our website. http://bit.ly/CancerinPets

Our Ontario hospital has resumed its 24-hour, 7 days a week emergency services with specialty services available by appointment. Hospital check-in and check-out procedures remain curbside. When arriving, please stay in your car and call. We appreciate your understanding and patience so we can continue to provide essential services to our pet families. VCA California Veterinary Specialists-Ontario

Our Murrieta hospital has resumed its 24-hour, 7 days a week, emergency services. Our Murrieta specialty services continue to be by appointment. We are continuing to follow the CDC safety protocols with staff wearing masks and continually disinfecting surfaces. We are also encouraging our staff members to receive the vaccine. Our hospital check-in and check-out procedures remain curbside. We ask that when arriving at the hospital, to stay in your car and call. We appreciate your understanding and patience so that we can continue to provide essential services to our pet families.

Our Ontario hospital is temporarily closed due to staffing challenges brought on by Covid-19. Please know that this is a temporary situation. We will keep you informed as our Ontario hospital's circumstances change. We appreciate your understanding and positive thoughts. VCA California Veterinary Specialists-Ontario

Supporting our Murrieta Family as they ask for help and understanding. https://californiaveterinaryspecialists.com/murrieta-commu/

Why this year, we're incredibly thankful for our pets. No matter the breed or the size, our animal companions give us constant love and a purpose in a confusing time. Pets definitely make a difference in our lives for the better. https://www.npr.org//pandemic-pet-therapy-whats-so-special

Our stockings are hung, and our halls are decked! Kudos to our talented staff at each of our three hospitals for their festive creations! To see pictures of all our holiday displays from our Carlsbad, Murrieta, and Ontario locations, visit our website's NEWS page https://californiaveterinaryspecialists.com/decked-out-for/ VCA California Veterinary Specialists-Ontario California Veterinary Specialists

The chilly temps will continue through the week. Check out the San Diego Humane Society's recommendations for pet care when temperatures drop. https://www.facebook.com/SanDiegoHumaneSociety/posts/10157148356261741

High winds and fires in neighboring Orange County are contributing to this week's poor air quality. Like humans, pets, especially those with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, are at risk from dry winds and smoke. Keep pets indoors with brief outside bathroom breaks, and if possible, invest in a HEPA air purifier. Our latest issue of the Scoop Pet Health newsletter has more information as well as info on a cancer treatment option involving 2D, 3D, and 4D imaging and why certain table scraps are particularly dangerous for your pet. https://californiaveterinaryspecialists.com/fall-pet-healt/

Amber from our Ontario hospital and Sandy from our Carlsbad hospital are Registered Veterinary Technicians specializing in emergency and critical care. Both earned a VTS designation in critical care, requiring an additional 5,000 hours in the ER and Intensive Care Unit, a rigorous application process, and a certification exam. Visit our website to learn more about the work they do and why. http://bit.ly/SuperVetTechs VCA California Veterinary Specialists-Ontario

Honoring our incredible, hardworking veterinary technicians at our Carlsbad, Murrieta, and Ontario hospitals who have worked tirelessly during an especially challenging time. These pictures, taken before the pandemic, are a snapshot of the care they provide. We depend on our technicians and the around the clock, seven days week care they provide. Thank you for all you do. VCA California Veterinary Specialists-Ontario California Veterinary Specialist

Don’t forget! #registertovote #yourvoteisyourvoice

You only have until 5:30 pm this evening to participate in the FACE Foundation virtual Bags and Baubles event. Funds raised from the online auction and raffle benefit pets in need. We're proud to be a sponsor of this 10th annual event! https://www.facebook.com//photos/a.39804/10158740217672384

In honor of National Dog Day, we're giving a shout-out to this handsome boy! You wouldn't have guessed it from these pictures, but last January, Sully was rushed to our Carlsbad hospital after being hit by a truck. Diagnosed with internal bleeding, bruised lungs, a dislocated elbow, nerve damage, and road rash, he was treated round the clock by our ER Critical Care team, given oxygen, and two blood transfusions. Sully's family recently shared that their pup is back to his za...ny self, running around and full of energy. "We call him our miracle dog. It's crazy how healthy and happy he is. He brings so much happiness to our family. We love him. We love you guys for saving him." Thank you, Sully's family, for letting us share your beautiful pictures of your pup. There's no better way to celebrate National Dog Day then hearing how well a former patient has healed.

Did you know that the temperatures of surfaces such as asphalt, artificial turf, concrete, and gravel can vary significantly? And the extreme surface temps can be dangerous to your pet's paw pads. View the video clip of Dr. Hoggan, our Murrieta Hospital Medical Director, as she demonstrates the significant temperature differences between surfaces. https://californiaveterinaryspecialists.com/surface-temper/

We are continuing to implement our Check-In/Check-Out policy that involves calling us from our parking lot once you arrive. Once your arrival is confirmed, we will check you in as soon as possible from outside the hospital. Our goal is to keep our essential services available, so we may continue to provide the same level of care to your pet and you. We ask for your patience and cooperation as we abide by our safety procedures as we handle increased phone calls. Thank you for doing your part in helping keep pets and people safe. For more information regarding our Check-In/Check-Out procedures, please visit our website: https://bit.ly/CheckInProcedure

Stepping into the 4th of July weekend with a wag and smile cause my pet parents know to avoid the mid-day sun and hot asphalt. During the summer months, we take our walks in the mornings and evenings when the temps and pavement are much cooler. And don’t forget. when going out for a walk, to make sure you touch the pavement first. If it’s too hot for your hands, then it’s too hot for my paws. #pethealth #summerpettips #staycool #lovemywalks #pupsonthego

When faced with the diagnosis of cancer in a beloved pet, it can be overwhelming. Empowering yourself with appropriate information enables you to find the best care for your animal companion and you. Join our veterinary oncologist and radiologist, Dr. David Proulx, on Monday for a FREE webinar on Cancer in Pets. Hosted by the FACE Foundation, Dr. Proulx will share the frequency of cancer in pets, why early detection is essential, and its common signs in small animals. Visit our website's news page to register for the FREE webinar. VCA California Veterinary Specialists-Ontario Vca California Veterinary Specialists-Murrieta https://californiaveterinaryspecialists.com/cancer-pets-we/

With outdoor temperatures rising, be sure your pets have access to fresh drinking water and shade. NEVER leave your pet inside a car unsupervised. Even when parked in the shade or with the windows open, temperatures are much hotter inside a parked car. Signs of severe overheating in pets: -Heavy erratic panting -Heavy drooling -Trouble breathing -Rapid heartbeat... -Weakness -Agitation -Vomiting Heatstroke can cause seizures, organ failure, clotting problems, and even death. Registered Vet Technician in emergency and critical care, Sandy Cosgrove at our Carlsbad hospital, demonstrates the proper way to safely and quickly cool your pet. https://bit.ly/CoolurPets See more

The loss of a beloved pet is so very painful, often coupled with guilt when euthanasia is involved. Join our Murrieta Medical Director Dr. Sarah Hoggan, this Friday on an interactive webinar dedicated to pet loss, guilt, and healing. Hosted by FACE Foundation president and co-founder Cini Robb, the free webinar covers the reality of grief, feelings of loss, emotional echoes, difficult euthanasia, and how to heal. Visit the link to register.https://face4pets.org/event/grief-webinar/

Many of us are in the midst of outdoor gardening and lawn improvement projects, be aware that many of the items utilized are incredibly toxic for pets. Along with fertilizers, herbicides, snail, and gopher bait, various plants can also be lethal. Please visit our website news page to view a list of poisons that routinely cause many of the patient cases seen by our emergency staff at all three of our hospitals. https://californiaveterinaryspecialists.com/poison-awarene/

Spring is the time of year when our rattlesnake cases typically peak. All three of our hospitals have already seen a spike in cases making it vital that our antivenin supply is well-stocked. Last weekend our Murrieta location received a damaged shipment of the antivenin. The company, VenomVet, was contacted last Saturday at 5:30 pm, letting them know of the damaged supply and our Murrieta hospital's critical restocking need of the antivenin. Covering all bases, our Vca Califo...rnia Veterinary Specialists-Murrieta Medical Director, Dr. Hoggan, secured a small quantity of the antivenin from our Carlsbad hospital. At 9:00 pm that same evening, VenomVet's CEO Walter Escobar, called, offering to drive from the greater Los Angeles area and deliver the needed vials on Sunday, Mother's Day. The next day Dr. Hoggan drove to meet Mr. Escobar halfway, who not only hand-delivered the vials but also provided two additional vials. He could not bear the thought of us not being able to treat a rattlesnake case on Mother's Day. Talk about exceeding customer expectations!! Thank you, VenomVet, for going above and beyond. We appreciate you! For pet safety information regarding rattlesnake bites, symptoms, and what NOT to do, please visit our website https://californiaveterinaryspecialists.com/rattlesnake-se/ See more

As we round out our celebration of National Pets Week, we share Carlsbad RVT, Melinda, and her story of overcoming fear. "This is my 8-year-old ball python, B.A.F.O and I. The back story for how I ended up with a snake is a very unusual one. I've always had a fear of snakes and decided one day to overcome my fears.... a normal person would have done that by handling a snake and have been done with it, I, on the other hand, decided owning one was the best way to overcome my fears. An impressive 8 years later, here she is in all her glory!" Melinda RVT ER/CC Floor Lead We have many more wonderful staff pet stories to share. Please visit our website's news page to see how our companions of all shapes and sizes inspire us. https://californiaveterinaryspecialists.com/national-pet-w/