Do you take emergencies?
Yes. Emergency services are available 7 days a week. Since we are not open 24- hours, when we are closed our answering machine will direct you to a 24-hour emergency referral center.

Why is pre-anesthetic testing important?
Blood chemistry tests provide information concerning your pet's vital organs such as kidneys, liver, pancreas, thyroid, parathyroid, and intestinal tract. These tests can also indicate conditions such as anemia and dehydration as well as endocrine diseases and certain types of tumors.

White blood cells (WBC'S) are the body's primary defense against infection. Platelets play a major role in the blood clotting process and are essential for halting the bleeding process.

If the results of the pre-anesthetic tests are within normal ranges, we can proceed with confidence knowing the anesthetic risk is minimized. On the other hand, if the results are not within the normal ranges, we may alter the anesthetic procedure. In some cases, we may proceed as planned, yet provide medical support during and after the procedure to ensure your pet's health. In other cases, the test abnormalities may be significant enough to postpone the procedure in order to monitor and medically treat your pet.

Although performing these tests cannot guarantee the absence of complications, it can significantly minimize the risk to your pet and provide you and us with peace of mind.

Should flea prevention only be done in the summer?
No. In Southern California, flea prevention should be done year round. The weather here is perfect for flea eggs to hatch and it just never gets cold enough here to freeze out the fleas. Topical or oral flea medication is recommended. You can use the two types together or separate. If you notice a large amount of fleas, a topical flea prevention will kill the fleas a lot faster. If you notice no or only a few fleas the oral prevention is recommended to prevent the flea eggs from hatching. We can help you choose the right preventative for your pet.

Which shampoo is best for my pet?
Choosing a shampoo is as important as choosing the proper food for your pet. Some shampoos are for routine use, while others are medicated for specific purposes and needs. Do not use human shampoo on your dogs and cats. Your pet's skin is quite different from your own skin. A common belief is that shampooing your pet is harmful to the skin and hair. Not true. But using the wrong shampoo can be harmful. Bathing a pet too often can also dry the skin. You can wash your pet using only water between bathing with shampoo.

Is there Pet Insurance?
Yes. We highly recommend pet insurance. The insurance company we recommend is VPI Pet Insurance. You can call them for more information at 1-800-USA-PETS.

Is there any thing I should know about my child growing up with a pet?
Yes, there is. For some great information, you can log on to a Sentinel sponsored website  www.growingupwithpets.com. Pets can play a very important role in a child's life. This information will be very helpful for you and your family.