Imagine if you never brushed your teeth or had them cleaned. Pretty frightening, right? As you can imagine, things would eventually start to go very, very badly inside your mouth: teeth would rot and decay, gums would become inflamed and infected. Bacteria from those rotting teeth would eventually travel into your bloodstream and could cause other serious health problems. And we haven’t even mentioned the daily, debilitating pain.

It’s the same scenario for your dog or cat. While some people might laugh at the idea of brushing their pet’s teeth or taking them for a dental cleaning, the fact is that by age three, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some evidence of periodontal disease. Periodic dental exams help maintain proper oral hygiene and prevent future problems.

Because we understand just how crucial your pet’s dental care is, Companion Care Veterinary Hospital & Urgent Care offers complete oral health services, including:

• Dental exams
• Annual dental cleanings
• Extractions

Following American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines, Companion Care Veterinary Hospital & Urgent Care only does cleanings and dental work on anesthetized pets. To ensure your pet is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia, we require a routine blood test before the procedure.

Preventive Dental Care

Brushing your pet’s teeth several times per week is the best way to prevent plaque and tartar build-up. Interested in learning how to brush your pet’s teeth? Just ask and our veterinarians will be happy to help you get started. If you have a pet that won’t tolerate brushing, our veterinarians can also recommend products that will help keep your pet’s mouth healthy in between cleanings.

To make an appointment for a dental exam or cleaning, call us at 858-451-0990.

Every year thousands of stray and unwanted animals are euthanized in shelters across the United States. Many of these deaths are the avoidable result of owners failing to spay and neuter their pets. Even if you keep a close watch on your pet, accidents happen, and unexpected offspring means more animals that won’t be given the chance at full, happy lives.

Spaying and neutering can help end this cycle, and both procedures can have health benefits for pets.

Spaying

Spaying is a common surgical procedure performed on female cats and dogs. The process is called an ovariohysterectomy and involves removing the patient’s uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, rendering the animal incapable of reproduction. Companion Care Veterinary Hospital veterinarians recommend spaying your pet at 3-6 months, depending on your dog’s breed and ideally before the patient’s first heat.

Benefits

• Prevents unwanted pregnancies
• Eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine tumors
• Removes the possibility of uterine infections

What to expect after surgery

Spaying is a major surgery requiring 7-10 days of recovery time. Recovery may also include pain medication. Lethargy is common for the first couple of days following the procedure.

Neutering

Neutering is performed on male cats and dogs. This process castrates the animal, removing their testicles and making them unable to impregnate females. Neutering is advised when your pet is 4-6 months’ old but can be performed on older animals as well.

Benefits

• Placates the animal, reducing aggressive behavior and decreasing dominant tendencies
• Reduces roaming and spraying (territory marking)
• Eliminates the risk of testicular and prostate tumors

What to expect after surgery

Although less invasive than spaying, neutering is still a major medical procedure that requires some recovery time. Recovery may include pain medication, and lethargy is common for the first couple of days following the procedure. It’s extremely important that you monitor your pet to prevent the animal from licking or biting the incision to reduce the risk of infection.

To learn more about spaying and neutering, or to schedule an appointment, contact us at 858-451-0990.

Consider it the non-cutting edge of veterinary science! Laser therapy is an innovative technology used to treat acute and chronic injuries. This non-invasive treatment stimulates cell regeneration by increasing blood flow to the targeted area, which accelerates the healing process. It has been successfully used to alleviate joint pain and treat degenerative diseases.

How it works

Low-level or cold laser therapy focuses red and infrared light on tissue at and below the surface of the skin. The light energizes the cells, producing a structural protein called collagen used to repair tissue. Lasers continue the healing process by supporting vascular dilation and synthesis, increasing blood circulation to the affected region. The stimulation also releases the body’s own pain-relieving hormones.

The process generally takes between 5-10 minutes, with most patients seeing positive effects after 3-5 uses. The treatment continues to relieve pain and fight inflammation for up to 24 hours following the session.

Conditions improved with laser therapy

• Hip dysplasia
• Post-surgical incisions and soft-tissue trauma
• Arthritis and degenerative joint disease
• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Neuromuscular disease

Laser therapy is normally combined with other types of veterinary medicine including pharmaceutical regimens and alternative treatments. The broad biochemical benefits and lack of adverse side effects have made laser therapy the preferred post-operative rehab method in veterinary medicine.

If you would like to know more about laser therapy and if it could benefit your pet, contact us at 858-451-0990.

Surgery is often the most effective way to treat many serious injuries and disorders, and Companion Care Veterinary Hospital is proud to offer state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. Our hospital provides a full range of surgical services ranging from standard spaying and neutering to advanced, highly specialized procedures.

Surgery specialties

• Soft-tissue
• Dental
• Ophthalmic
• Foreign body removal

Patient safety and comfort is our main priority.

Our veterinary team will walk you through the entire process, giving you the tools to make informed decisions regarding your pet’s treatment options. We understand surgery is a stressful time for any owner, and we’re available every step of the way to answer questions and put your mind at ease.

If you are considering veterinary surgery for your pet, please contact us at 858-451-0990 to schedule a consultation with your Companion Care Veterinary Hospital & Urgent Care veterinarian.

Vaccinating your pet is a relatively inexpensive but very important way to protect his or her health. In addition to preventing many life-threatening illnesses, vaccinations can prevent diseases prevalent in wildlife and those that can be passed to humans. It’s important to administer vaccinations when pets are puppies and kittens because their young immune systems are still developing and need protection to remain healthy.

While any medical treatment involves some degree of risk, in the case of vaccinations, the benefits far outweigh any potential side effects. Adverse reactions are rare and usually mild and short-term when they do occur.

Which vaccines should your pet have? Core vaccines are those recommended—and possibly mandated by law—for most pets. Core vaccines include:

• Rabies (dogs and cats)
• DA2PPV – Distemper, Hepatitis, Adenovirus 2, Parvo and Parainfluenza (dogs)
• FVRCP – Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia (cats)
• Leptospirosis (dogs)

Other non-core, but highly suggested vaccinations for cats include FeLV to protect against feline leukemia. For dogs, bordetella shots are recommended if they frequent dog parks, boarding kennels, or any place where they’re socializing with other canines.

It’s also important to note that even pets who live primarily indoors should be vaccinated, as they can still be exposed to a disease. Dr. Satowski can advise you about which vaccinations are required or recommended for your pet based on age, health, and lifestyle. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at 858-451-0990.

Pets are family, plain and simple. We understand this. We have furry families, too, and our goal is to empower you with the support, knowledge and tools to give you as many healthy years with your animal companion as possible. You and the pet you love will not be just another number, just another account at Companion Care; we believe in taking the time to not only get to know our patients, but their families as well.

That includes supporting the bond you have with your pet by involving you in the development of a customized plan tailored to meet the specific needs of your animal companion. The plan will be based on a holistic approach to veterinary care that integrates traditional, state-of-the-art medicine along with proven alternative therapies and rehabilitation services.

Any plan we create for your pet will start with preventive and wellness care that protects your pet against illness and disease, which includes: 

• Comprehensive physical exam including dental health
• Vaccinations
• Blood, fecal, and urine screenings
• Parasite prevention
• Assessment of nutritional needs
• Discussion about behavioral issues and/or changes

We recommend that healthy adult pets visit the vet once per year. Puppies and kittens will initially need to come more often to ensure they get their needed vaccinations, and seniors (pets over about seven) should see us twice per year. Of course, you are always welcome to contact us any time you have questions or concerns about your pet’s health and behavior, as that’s part of the commitment we make to you and your pet when you choose us as your veterinarians.

We’re here for you and the pet you love—make an appointment online or call us at 858-451-0990.

Digital Radiology and Ultrasound

Companion Care Veterinary Hospital & Urgent Care uses advanced imaging technologies guaranteeing the highest quality of care for our patients.

Radiographs, or X-rays, use electromagnetic radiation directed towards the body to highlight internal objects. They can detect abnormalities including skeletal fractures, soft tissue damage, foreign bodies and dental disease. Digital X-rays also use less radiation, decrease exposure, and supply more detailed images.

Some radiographs and contrast studies require the patient remain completely still to work correctly, necessitating sedation. Other specialized procedures may require anesthesia. The duration of sedation or anesthesia is usually short and patient recovery is swift.

We also offer in-house ultrasound, a powerful diagnostic tool that creates a real-time internal image of systems and areas of concern in an animal’s body.

An ultrasound works by broadcasting high-frequency sound waves that reflect off your pet’s internal structures. A small probe held against the skin collects the returning signals to create an image of the internal body, most commonly used to examine abdominal organs like the stomach, kidneys, liver, spleen, and gallbladder.

Completely painless and non-invasive, ultrasounds usually require some sedation because the patient must remain completely still.

To schedule an appointment or to learn more about our radiology and ultrasound services, call us at (858) 451-0990.

Companion Care Veterinary Hospital & Urgent Care offers the best in diagnostic care for your pet, including an in-house laboratory and a doctor who is trained in internal medicine.

Our on-site lab gives us the ability to perform various blood tests, pre-anesthetic bloodwork, and other types of testing here at the hospital instead of sending samples to an outside lab. This saves time, money, and most importantly, you don’t have to wait overnight for results—meaning your pet gets a diagnosis and needed treatment sooner. Testing provided in the hospital includes:

Chemistry Panels

• Liver enzyme screening
• Pancreatic evaluation
• Renal (kidney) profiles

Wellness Screenings

• Complete blood counts
• General chemistries
• Blood gases
• Urinalysis
• Fecal testing (parasites)
• Blood pressure

 Viral Screenings

• FelV, FIV in cats
• Parvovirus in dogs

In addition to laboratory testing and screening, our doctor welcomes complex cases. She will work with you to assess symptoms, test results and other information to diagnose health issues and offer the best treatment options.

For more information on our advanced diagnostics or to schedule your pet for testing, call us at (858) 451-0990.