Choosing a Veterinarian in Fremont, Newark, or Union City

Finding a good veterinarian is hard.  We have made a checklist for you to compare veterinarians when you are looking for a new veterinarian:

1. Is the Veterinarian AAHA Accredited?

You can search on www.healthypet.com.  The top veterinary hospitals in the country tend to be AAHA accredited. This association has been the premier authority on accreditation in the United States.  AACC is AAHA Accredited.

2. How long has the business been in operation? Is this a brand new venture or is it an established business?

We have been in business since 1986.

3. Is the animal hospital a national corporation? Are they family owned? How does the animal hospital give back to the community?

American Animal Care Center gives tens of thousands back to local non-profits in the Tri-City areas.  We started with humble roots and have been a product of Fremont’s success. Community service and giving back are one of the pillars of values at American Animal Care Center. We were awarded small business of the year by the 20th assembly district.

4. Is the animal hospital available when I am? Are they open on weekends? Are they open in evenings? Do they offer early morning drop offs?

American Animal Care Center is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year including weekends and evenings.

Here’s more on why American Animal Care Center is the best veterinarian in the bay area.

Flea Control for Dogs & Cats

Flea Control is essential for pets year-round.  This is especially important in California where the fleas live year round, and never really die during the “winter.”

Prescription flea control available from your veterinarian is superior to the products available over the counter at the grocery store.

American Animal Care Center guarantees our prices on all flea control and we guarantee the product.  This comes with all of the manufacturer warranties.

Flea Products available include:

Advantage – kills fleas only

Advantix – kills fleas, ticks, & mosquitoes, DO NOT use in Cats!

Frontline Plus – kills fleas & ticks

Revolution – kills fleas, ear mites, helps with heartworm, & mange

Comfortis – a beef flavored monthly pill that prevents fleas, without topicals.

Here is a video from the staff at American Animal Care Center

When disaster strikers, pet rescuers respond

Dr. Salwan: When disaster strikes, rescuers respond

By Dr. Raj Salwan
Oakland Tribune

Posted: 09/14/2009 05:06:15 PM PDT

Updated: 09/14/2009 08:08:40 PM PDT

In the event of natural disasters, millions of people rely on the first responders: police, fire and paramedic squads. Until recently, our animals often were left out of evacuations or rescues.

But today, first responders will have help from some very special animal response teams.

When wildfires ravage the West, the teams are there leading horses and livestock to safety. When floods drown the Midwest, they are there rescuing pets and settling them in temporary shelters. And, when the fierce winds of hurricanes and tornadoes devastate whole communities, once again they are there to help with animal rescue efforts.

“They” are the thousands of volunteers who put aside their jobs and family to help save animals when Mother Nature, or human folly, wreaks havoc.

Finding people to help pets has never been difficult, but recent rough storm seasons and continuing wildfires have taught us that disaster responders and temporary shelters often are woefully unprepared to cope with both people and their pets.

Many animal welfare groups and official Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams often are available to lend aid, but coordination with authorities often is lacking.

Fortunately, a landmark meeting between the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and many other groups has led to a proposed plan to incorporate the animal coalition membersinto emergency operations in the event of a large scale disaster.

This means that there will be an increased level of awareness, coordination and efficiency for dealing with animals during these tragic situations.

And even beyond natural disasters, many of these rescue teams will help with large groups of animals freed from puppy mills; and criminal activities such as dogfighting kennels; or even animal-hoarding cases.

These animal rescuers are unpaid volunteers who sacrifice a great deal to help the four-legged victims of disasters.

Red Star Animal Emergency Services, as an example, has a roster of more than 100 deployable volunteers who have undergone intense training and are able to help with urban searches, flood recovery tasks, and even veterinary surgery capabilities in their specialized “Rescue Rig.”

American Humane Association also asks that their volunteers complete online training through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute.

Beyond the need for manpower on-site, disasters often mean that local shelters, veterinarians and other animal agencies are low on medicine and supplies. In addition to logistical and delivery problems, purchasing and delivering relief supplies is also a huge challenge.

Thankfully, the pet and veterinary industries have stepped up to answer the call for money and support through public awareness. After the severe 2005 storm season, the Paws to Save Pets program was created along with the Petfinders.com Foundation and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation.

We should make sure our family, pets and all, are ready to evacuate. Ask you veterinarian about needed vaccinations, preventive care, and proper identification so that you won’t be caught without these when disaster strikes.

Dr. Raj Salwan, a second-generation veterinarian, has been around veterinary medicine for more than 21 years. He can be reached at  www.americananimalcare.com.

Why Pet’s Who Roam Don’t Come Home – Microchipping & your pets

Salwan: When pets who roam don’t come home
By Raj Salwan
Oakland Tribune
Posted: 08/25/2009 12:00:00 AM PDT
Updated: 09/01/2009 08:05:16 AM PDT

WITH our impressive array of technologies, like GPS and “smart” phones, you might think that finding a lost pet is getting easier each year.

Sadly, the odds are still against many missing pets ever making it back home.

Isn’t there some way to ensure that your pet will return safely from his wandering?

Everyone loves the amazing stories of dogs and cats that travel long distances to find their way back home or even locate their owners in a new city.

Unfortunately, these happy tales are the rare exception to the rule. For every pet that makes it back after leaving, there are tens of thousands who never live to see home again.

Humane groups and pet industry experts estimate that more than 5 million pets will be lost this year. One pet in every three will be lost at some point in his or her lifetime.

Of those that roam away from home, less than 17 percent of the dogs and only 2 percent of the cats ever make it back to their owners, according to the American Humane Association.

Sadly, most of the rest will be euthanized in overcrowded animal shelters. Newspapers and online ads still tell the sad story of some youngster’s lost pet every day.

Why do we see a continuation of this problem year after year?

First, despite leash laws and other ordinances, many families are reluctant to chain their dogs or attempt to keep their cats from roaming. This is especially true in rural
areas.

Compounding the issue is that there are more than 200 million pets in North America and only a very small percentage have some form of permanent identification.

ID tags and collars are easily removed by unscrupulous individuals or even by the pet in some instances. Microchips help to ensure that the pet has some means of identification, but even these implants aren’t foolproof.

In fact, it is a rare pet that actually has a microchip. According to industry data, only about 5 percent of all pets in North America have microchips. And even the pets with chips aren’t necessarily any safer.

When owners fail to register their pet properly, reunions are delayed or even prevented in many instances. Again, experts from all major microchip companies state that less than 50 percent of chipped pets are registered with correct and current information.

Other forms of identification, such as tattooing, are very rare and obscure. This fact means that a shelter employee or veterinary office may not even note the presence of a tattoo.

Finally, even though they have good intentions, shelters and rescues are often overwhelmed with pets. A microchip could be missed during a hurried exam, or a description of your lost pet might not match what the employee sees in front of him.

Despite these overwhelming odds, you can proactively help ensure that your pet will make it safely home.

First, like so many things, prevention and preparation go a long way.

Neuter your pet to decrease his roaming urges and consider using both ID tags and a microchip.

We all want our family members to stay close to home and to heart. But, like all children, our pets love exploration and adventure, too.

Work with your veterinarian to make sure all your pets are properly identified with tags and/or microchips.

Dr Salwan is a veterinarian at American Animal Care Center

#meowmondays @morriscat @JavaTheCat @katieboocat HenrytheCat2002 @GrandmaStormy @Luckzilla @Mocha_Kitten @BenzenetheCat @ForrestTheCat

What is Cats in Sinks? It’s obvious. It’s about cats. And kittens. Who like sinks. And basins. Please submit photos ASAP. http://catsinsinks.com/

American Animal Care Center

American Animal Care Center is being recognized as the Best Small Business in the district by the assembly in Sacramento.

Abscess Surgery in Cats

ABSCESS SURGERY AT AMERICAN ANIMAL CARE CENTER

Abscesses are a common skin condition in cats. They frequently occur as a result of bites during fights. A cat’s mouth has many bacteria, and when a cat bites, the bacteria enter the puncture wound. Because cat teeth are sharp and relatively narrow, the wound often heals over, but the bacteria are trapped inside. The bacteria multiply and the cat’s body reacts by trying to kill the bacteria. White blood cells, mostly neutrophils, enter the area. As the neutophils die, more and more of them move to the area. The result is an abscess.

What is an abscess?
An abscess is a localized accumulation of pus. In the case of abscesses caused by cat bites, the pus also contains many bacteria

Which cats are at risk for abscesses?
Unneutered male cats who are allowed outdoors are at highest risk of abscesses since they are the cats that are most likely to fight. Abscesses can also occur in indoor cats in multicat households. Cat fights and, therefore, abscesses are more likely when new cats are introduced into a household that already has cats.

What are the signs of an abscess?
Abscesses are often swollen, hot, and painful to the touch. If they open, a thick yellowish discharge may be seen, and it often has a foul smell. If an abscess does not open, the cat may become ill. In cats, an abscess is often hidden under the fur, and the first sign of illness the owner may see is that the cat is acting depressed and not eating. The cat usually has a fever.

Abscesses are usually found in those areas that are often bitten during a cat fight – limbs, head, neck, and the base of the tail. If the abscess is on a leg, the cat may limp. The cat may try to bite if the area is stroked or touched because the abscess is painful. Because of the pain, some cats may appear irritable or aggressive.

How is an abscess diagnosed?
If your cat is not eating, has a fever, and a history of contact with other cats, your veterinarian will be alerted to the possibility of an abscess. Upon examining your cat, the veterinarian may be able to see a small amount of matted fur over the abscess. The veterinarian will palpate the cat, searching for areas of inflammation. The fur will be clipped over the affected area, and often a small healing puncture wound can be found. It is often necessary to clip a wide area, to look for multiple puncture wounds, but caused by different teeth.

How are abscesses treated?
After the area is clipped and cleansed, the abscess will be lanced (an incision made by cutting), and drained. A relatively large opening is generally made, so the wound will continue to stay open and drain. The wound will be flushed numerous times with an antiseptic solution. Often antibiotics will be prescribed. In most cases, cats respond well after the abscess is opened.

If the abscess is very large, or deep, it may be necessary for the veterinarian to close the incision after the pus has drained, and then place a latex tube through the abscessed area. The latex tubing is placed through two small incisions above and below the main incision. The tubing keeps two openings in the skin to allow any newly formed pus to drain. The drain also provides a way to flush antiseptic solution through the area for several days, if necessary.

In addition to bacterial infections, other infections can be transmitted by cat fights. These include feline leukemia (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and rabies.

How can I prevent abscesses?
The main way to prevent abscesses is to prevent your cat from being involved in cat fights. Keep your cat indoors. If your cat is an outdoor cat, have your cat spayed or neutered, since this will make your cat less likely to fight. When introducing new cats to each other, do it slowly.

To prevent transmission of other diseases, keep your cat’s vaccination status current

AAHA Accredited Veterinarian Fremont

What is the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)?

In 1992, American Animal Care Center became accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Among other functions, the Association publishes Standards for veterinary practices. Those practices that choose to undergo periodic on-site evaluation by AAHA staff may become Accredited by the Association. Membership in AAHA and participation in the Accreditation Program is voluntary.

The Standards and the Accreditation Program
The Standards developed and published by AAHA are widely accepted as representing those components of veterinary practice that constitute the highest quality care. The Standards are periodically reviewed and updated to ensure that they remain consistent with evolving knowledge and technology. They cover physical facilities, equipment, patient and staff safety, staff continuing education and training, medical record keeping, and medical protocols. Those practices that wish to be accredited complete a lengthy application process, which culminates with on-site visits by veterinary professionals employed by AAHA. Those practices that are found to be in compliance with the policies and Standards requirements established by the Association are awarded AAHA Accredited Practice status. In order to maintain accreditation, the practice must undergo periodic review and additional on-site evaluations.

What Accreditation Means for Pet Owners
Choosing an AAHA accredited veterinary practice for your pet’s medical care assures you that the practice you have selected has the facilities, equipment, staff, and medical protocols that AAHA believes are important for the delivery of high quality care. Further, voluntary commitment to the AAHA Standards and the Accreditation Program demonstrates that the practice has chosen to have itself measured by an outside organization against the most rigorous published standards in the profession.

Why does this matter to you? Here are a few examples of how AAHA’s standards impact you and your pet.

• The Standards require hospitals to provide diagnostic services (x-ray and laboratory) so that they can quickly and accurately diagnose your pet.
• The Standards focus on the quality of care in the areas of: anesthesia, contagious diseases, dentistry, pain management, patient care, surgery and emergency care.
• Accredited hospitals have an onsite pharmacy (another standards area) so they can begin treatment immediately.
• AAHA Standards require that medical records be thorough and complete to help practitioners better understand your pet’s medical history and how past health issues might be impacting their current medical status.

The AAHA Standards of Accreditation, developed and published by AAHA, are widely accepted as representing those components of veterinary practice that represent high-quality care. The Standards are periodically reviewed and updated to ensure that they remain consistent with evolving knowledge and technology.
Accreditation helps veterinary hospitals stay on the leading edge of veterinary medicine and provide the quality and range of services you and your pet deserve.

American Animal Care Center belongs to several other associations and memberships including:

• American Veterinary Medical Association
• California Veterinary Medical Association
• American Animal Hospital Association
• Veterinary Information Network
• Fremont Chamber of Commerce
• Centerville Business Association

American Animal Care Center is AAHA accredited veterinary hospital

Health Care Recommendations for your dog

These suggestions will enable you to provide the best health care allowing your cat to live as long as possible. Annual physical examination A year between physical examinations for your dog is like four to seven years between annual examinations for us. Nutrition Feed the highest quality food you can afford. Premium pet foods such as Science Diet are much more digestible and result in a healthier pet with less stool volume. DO NOT feed table scraps and snacks. Internal Parasites . . . Threaten your dog’s health. In large numbers they can cause intestinal blockage, bloody diarrhea and even death. Certain types can also affect you and your family. Microscopic examination of your pet’s stool needs to be done regularly. Provide a constant supply of fresh, clean water Keep your pet under control Don’t let it run loose. Purchase an I.D. Tag to place on your pet’s collar and keep it on at all times. It is your pet’s “ticket home” if lost. Consider a microchip or tattoo for permanent identification. Vaccinations and boosters Unfortunately there is no safe, effective drug available to combat any of the major viral diseases of dogs. Vaccination is the only effective form of protection. Vaccination enables your dog to fight infection by stimulating the immune system so it makes antibodies against the viruses. To maintain this protection, dogs must be vaccinated regularly so the level of immunity is always high enough to prevent disease. Immunity produced by vaccination does not last forever. It is very important that your dog be re-vaccinated every year. Distemper, Hepatitis, and Leptospirosis are all widespread, contagious and deadly diseases. Nearly every dog will be exposed during its lifetime. Parainfluenza and Bordetella cause “kennel cough”, a common and debilitating upper respiratory infection. The more your dog comes in contact with other dogs (at the groomer’s, boarding, meeting other pets on the sidewalk or in the park) the greater the risk. Your Pet’s Approximate Age In Human Years 6 months = 12 years 1 year = 15 years 2 years = 24 years 3 years = 28 years 4 years = 32 years 5 years = 36 years 6 years = 40 years 7 years = 44 years 8year s = 48 years 9 years = 52 years 10 years = 56 years 11 years = 60 years 12 years = 64 years 13 years = 68 years 14 years = 72 years 15 years = 76 years 16 years = 80 years 17 years = 84 years 18 years = 88 years 19 years = 92 years 20 years = 96 years 21 years = 100 years (Larger dogs age more quickly than small ones) Parvovirus causes bloody diarrhea as it destroys the immune system and intestinal lining. It is often fatal even with costly intensive care. Worldwide, Parvovirus is the deadliest virus, killing more dogs than any other disease. Coronavirus is the second leading cause of viral diarrhea in dogs of all ages. Rabies is a fatal infection of the nervous system that attacks all warm-blooded animals including humans. There is no cure. Rabies has been on the rise for the past several years. Lyme Disease, carried by ticks, poses a serious health risk to both dogs and people. Lyme disease causes crippling arthritis and heart, kidney and nervous system damage. Heartworm Disease . . . Is serious and deadly. It is carried by mosquitoes. An annual blood test is needed to check for these parasites and daily or monthly medication is given to prevent this disease. Dental Care . . . Is just as important for your pet as it is for you. The average lifespan of a dog that receives timely dental care is 10-20% longer than one that doesn’t. Infected teeth and gums are very painful to your dog, and also spread infection to the kidneys, heart, liver and elsewhere. Dental cleanings are a necessary component of a long, happy life for your pet. Prevent Obesity Extra pounds burden the heart, kidneys, joints & muscles, decreasing life expectancy 30-50%. Exercise Most dogs don’t get nearly enough exercise. Poor health, obesity and boredom-related behavior problems often result. Groom and trim nails as needed Keep an eye out for fleas, dandruff, sores, lumps or bald spots. Report any skin problems to your veterinarian. Flea Control . . Is essential. Preventing fleas with regular use of effective flea products is much less costly than treating a full blown infestation of fleas in your home. DO NOT waste your money on over-the-counter flea products. Many do not work and some can even be harmful to your pet. Our products provide good control and we will take the time to individualize a flea program to suit your requirements and budget. Never give human medications to your dog without checking with us Report any changes . . . Or problems in your dog’s health or behavior to your veterinarian as soon as possible. Diseases or behavior problems usually are more successfully treated the earlier they are addressed. As your dog ages. Geriatric Workups help detect many of the problems caused by aging (kidney, liver, heart, arthritis, dental etc.) Early detection can lengthen your pet’s life. Proper treatment will improve your pet’s quality of life. Preventative health care is much more than just vaccinations! We are here to help you assist your pet in living a long, healthy life at the lowest cost to you. From American Animal Care Center website.