Preventive Care

• Dental Care
  Did you know that 80% of cats and dogs have some form of dental disease by the age of three? Providing quality dental care can add years to your pet’s life!
• Vaccination
  An important part of our commitment to practicing exemplary veterinary medicine is providing a comprehensive panel of vaccinations. Vaccinations are one of the most effective ways to protect your pet from serious illness over the course of a lifetime.
• Veterinary Ophthalmology
  We also offer referrals to board-certified veterinary specialists in ophthalmology, dermatology, behavior, acupuncture, physical therapy, and internal medicine specialties such as oncology and neurology. Click on any of the titles below to learn more about each service.
• Behavioral Counseling
  Spaying or neutering your pet is one of the best ways to decrease the chances of both acute and chronic illness. Pets who are “fixed” experience much lower rates of certain types of cancers (such as breast, prostate, uterine, and testicular cancer), as well as a reduction in uterine infections (pyometra) and a wide variety of behavioral problems. Here at Primary Care Animal Hospital, we understand that the decision to spay or neuter your pet is an important one, and our veterinarians are happy to discuss all the benefits and risks involved in your pet’s case to help you decide what is best.
• Nutritional Counseling
  GI issues sound like they are separate from the respiratory syndrome, but in fact the reflux, regurgitation, and even herniation of part of the stomach into the chest cavity stems from the extreme inhalation efforts made against the upper airway due to the brachycephalic head. Medications are helpful for intestinal issues, as is weight control, but often correction of the respiratory obstruction also corrects the intestinal problems.
• Comprehensive Examination
  The team at Primary Care Animal Hospital cares about your pet’s wellness just as much as you do. We offer a full spectrum of veterinary care services to the San Luis Obispo community, including wellness exams, preventative care, in-house diagnostics, dentistry, most soft-tissue and orthopedic surgeries, and emergency care.

Illness Treatment

• Parasites Treatment and Control
  Flea allergic dermatitis is the most common skin disease in cats and dogs. In a flea-allergic patient, 100% flea control is essential to remaining symptom-free. You can learn more about this allergy on our “Flea Allergy Dermatitis” page.
• Behavioral Disorder Treatment
  Canine distemper is a viral disease related to human measles that affects domestic dogs as well as several species of wildlife including raccoons, wolves, foxes, and skunks. Canine distemper is contagious and has no known cure. In domestic dogs, young puppies and unvaccinated dogs are most susceptible to the disease.
• Pain Management
  In order to be AAHA-accredited, hospitals must comply with over 900 guidelines across 18 categories, from pain management and patient care to team training and medical record keeping. As an AAHA-accredited hospital, we receive regular, comprehensive onsite evaluations by AAHA veterinary experts to ensure our compliance with these standards. Our voluntary commitment to AAHA’s standards indicates our level of commitment to your pet’s wellness by providing the highest level of veterinary care available.
• Vomiting Treatment
• Diarrhea Treatment
  The major symptoms of intestinal CPV are severe bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting, lethargy, anorexia and eventually, severe weight loss. The mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth often become enflamed, and the animal may have a rapid heart rate. Infected dogs may respond with pain or discomfort when the abdomen is touched. Another symptom of intestinal CPV can be hypothermia (low body temperature) rather than fever.
• Skin Condition and Allergy Treatment
  Some pets develop hypersensitivities to foods. Various food proteins, carbohydrates, or even preservatives or dyes can all be potential food allergens. There is currently no accurate blood or skin test to determine if your pet has a food allergy. Instead, food allergies are diagnosed via a food trial. During a food trial, your veterinarian will place your pet on a carefully selected prescription or homemade hypoallergenic diet for several weeks and monitor your pet closely for any change in symptoms. If allergy symptoms resolve during this trial, a food “challenge” is performed by feeding your pet their former diet and watching for a return of symptoms. If symptoms return after reverting to the original diet, a food allergy is confirmed.
• Upper Respiratory Illness Treatment
  There is now a vaccine that will protect against both H3N2 and H3N8 strains. The initial dose can be given to dogs and puppies over 6 months of age, and a booster vaccine is required two to four weeks after the initial dose. After inoculation, dogs should receive a booster vaccine annually. As with most infectious respiratory disease viruses, the influenza vaccine does not protect completely against or eliminate the virus, but it does reduce how ill your dog can get as well as lessening your dog’s ability to transmit the virus to other dogs.
• Injury Treatment
• Ingested Toxin Treatment
  Acute kidney disease can be avoided by preventing your pet from accessing any toxins in the home. Some of the most commonly ingested toxins include antifreeze, vitamin D, toxic or tainted foods, and certain human medications such as non-steroid anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and certain cardiac medications.

Infection Treatment

• Leptospirosis Treatment
  Leptospirosis is a disease that can affect human and animals, including your pets. For many years occurrence among pets was rare, but the disease has been diagnosed more frequently in the past few years. This may be because the increased building and development into areas that were previously rural is leading more pets to be exposed to affected wildlife.
• Parvovirus Infection Treatment
  The DAPP vaccine, sometimes called “distemper” or “distemper-parvo,” inoculates against four major canine contagions: distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Puppies should receive an initial vaccine at 6 to 8 weeks old, with boosters given every 3 to 4 weeks until the puppy is 4 months old and its mother’s immunity is wearing off for good. Unvaccinated adult dogs will initially require two vaccines, given 3 to 4 weeks apart. Dogs should receive a booster vaccine every 1 to 3 years thereafter, depending on your pet’s specific risk factors.
• Feline Retro Virus Treatment
  Lymphoma is a common form of cancer in dogs and cats, characterized by swelling of one or several lymph nodes in the body. In cats, one cause of lymphoma can be the contagious feline leukemia virus.
• Bacterial and Viral Infection Treatment
  Dogs suffering with the mild form of influenza develop a soft, moist cough that persists for 10 to 30 days. They may also be lethargic and have reduced appetite and a fever. Sneezing and discharge from the eyes or nose may be observed. Some dogs have a dry cough similar to the traditional kennel cough. Dogs may also have a thick nasal discharge, which is usually caused by a secondary bacterial infection.
• Ear Infection Treatment
  Environmental allergies are a common cause of skin and ear conditions in pets. People with allergies usually have “hay fever” (watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing) or asthma. However, pets with allergies rarely have respiratory signs from their allergies and instead usually have red, itchy skin, hair loss, or recurring skin or ear infections.
• Anal Gland Infection Treatment
  The location of a hot spot may help your veterinarian determine the underlying cause of the problem. For example, a hot spot over the hip could indicate flea infestation, hip arthritis, or anal gland infection, while a hot spot near an ear could indicate an ear infection, allergy, or dental irritation.
• Urinary Tract Infection Treatment
  Bladder infections are usually diagnosed by a urinalysis to identify the type(s) of bacteria in the urine. If a bladder infection is the cause of incontinence, most patients show improvement after only a few doses of antibiotics. In some pets, bladder infections can become chronic, although the use of urinalysis can prevent this issue by ensuring the use of the most effective antibiotic. (For more information on this condition, see the page for “Urinary Tract Infection.”)

Chronic Condition Treatment

• Arthritis Treatment
  Cartilage is a slippery substance which acts as a buffer or “cushion” between the bones in a joint. It allows the bones to move over or around each other without pain. Arthritis occurs when the cartilage within a joint becomes damaged. Eventually an arthritic joint becomes inflamed and painful. There are over 100 different types of arthritis recognized in humans. In pets, the most common form is osteoarthritis, sometimes called degenerative joint disease. Other types include rheumatoid arthritis and septic arthritis, which is caused by joint infection.
• Hip Dysplasia Treatment
  Some cat breeds are more susceptible to arthritis than others. Hip dysplasia (abnormal development of the hip joints) is seen especially in Maine Coons, Persians, Siamese, and other breeds. Patella luxation (dislocation of the knee cap) is more common in Abyssinian and Devon Rex breeds. In dogs, the larger breeds such as Labradors, Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Alaskan Malamutes are more susceptible to hip dysplasia than smaller breeds.
• Obesity Treatment
  According to recent findings by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), more than 45 percent of dogs and 58 percent of cats can be classified as overweight or obese. A gain of even a pound or two of additional fat on some dogs and cats can place significant stress on the body. Some of the conditions that can occur as a result of excess weight are...
• Diabetes Treatment
  Diabetes mellitus is a disease caused either by a lack of insulin, or an inadequate response of the body to this hormone. After your dog has eaten, the digestive system breaks down the food into various parts. One of these is carbohydrates, which are further converted into simple sugars such as glucose. Glucose is absorbed from the gut into the blood, where it is transported around the body.
• Vestibular Disease Treatment
  Vestibular disease, also known as “old dog” syndrome, is a condition that affects your pet’s sense of balance and spatial orientation. If the organs of the inner ear and parts of the brain, collectively called the vestibular system, become diseased, the animal may become symptomatic.
• Thyroid Disease Treatment
  Sometimes the cause of incontinence is excessive water consumption, in which pets drink so much water that their bladders simply overflow. This could be the result of an underlying condition such as diabetes, Cushing’s syndrome, hyperthyroidism, or kidney failure. To treat this form of incontinence, more extensive diagnostic tests are usually required to determine if there is a medical cause for excessive thirst, or if it is behavioral in origin.
• Epilepsy Treatment
• Knee Problems Treatment
  Medial luxating patella, commonly called a trick knee, is an extremely common problem in toy dog breeds. Owners typically notice a little skip in their dog’s step, and the dog may even run on three legs for a moment, holding one hind leg up, before returning to four legs. What has happened under the surface is that the kneecap (patella) has slipped out and away from the smooth groove it usually sits in.
• Heart Disease Treatment
  An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a safe, non-invasive test that records the electrical activity of the heart. The ECG is used commonly to evaluate heart rhythm and can help doctors identify any abnormal heartbeats, also known as arrhythmias. It may also be helpful in identifying heart enlargement, which is a common symptom of many heart diseases.
• Kidney Disease Treatment
  It is important to note that dogs can also experience reactive seizures, not related to epilepsy, which arise secondarily in response to metabolic problems such as low blood sugar, kidney failure, or liver failure. Pets that have experienced a seizure of any severity should be evaluated by your veterinarian to determine whether your pet is suffering from epilepsy or another condition that causes similar symptoms.
• Periodontal Disease Treatment
  The good news is, with regular at home-care and professional dental cleanings as needed, you can lower or even eliminate your pet’s risk of periodontal disease.
• Cancer Treatment
  Skin cancer (melanoma) is common in older dogs, although developing tumors are usually benign. Cats also develop skin cancer tumors, most of which are malignant. If you find a lump on your pet, your veterinarian should be consulted to determine whether it is of concern.

Emergency Care

• Seizure Treatment
  Epilepsy is a neurological condition occurring in many animals that causes sudden, uncontrolled, and recurring seizures. Seizures can vary from being brief and nearly undetectable episodes, to long periods of vigorous shaking. These physical attacks often but do not always involve loss of consciousness.
• Wound and Fracture Care
  FeLV transmission occurs most commonly through close social interaction: contact with saliva from infected cats is a primary mode of transmission, but the virus is also shed in blood, urine, feces, nasal secretions, and milk. Sharing food and water dishes, using the same litterbox, mutual grooming, and bite wounds are all possible methods of transmission.
• Poisoning Treatment

Surgery

• Dental Surgery
  Dental care is a critical component of prolonging your pet’s life, as dental disease is known to affect not just the mouth but the kidney, liver, and heart muscles too. At every exam, your vet will assess your pet’s oral health and make suggestions for treatment such as cleanings, extractions, and available preventative treatments. We perform all of our dental procedures in-house, including full-mouth radiographs and oral surgery.
• Veterinary Surgery
  When your pet needs to undergo surgery, we understand how important it is to feel confident you’re both receiving the best care available. We pride ourselves in maintaining an impeccable facility and practicing the highest standards in veterinary small tissue and orthopedic surgery. Your pet is kept calm and comfortable, and is carefully monitored throughout their stay with us to ensure complete healing.
• Spaying and Neutering
  FPV can survive and persist in environments where an infected cat has been for many years. It is therefore extremely important to practice sterile methods of cleaning an infected cat’s environment. Establishments that house large numbers of cats, such as shelters and kennels, may harbor the virus more easily, and thus require extensive sterilization protocol to fully eliminate the virus. Proper human hygiene, including thoroughly washing hands after handling an infected animal, minimizes the possibility of transmitting the infection between healthy and sick animals.

Lab and X-Rays

• Laboratory Services
  In order to diagnose your pet quickly and accurately, we are proud to offer same-day, in-house laboratory diagnostics including bloodwork, urinalysis, cytology, and a variety of specific diagnostics via ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). We also work with a local clinical veterinary laboratory to process more complicated diagnostics within 12 to 24 hours. The result is patient-specific treatment with less expense to the owner and a better overall recovery rate for the pet.
• X-Ray
  Our digital radiography (X-ray) services are performed in-house so we receive instant feedback about your pet’s health. We also send all of our radiographs out to a board-certified radiology interpretation specialist for a second opinion.
• Microchipping
  A microchip is a small, electronic chip implanted under the skin that carries a link to your personal identification information. Microchipping your pet greatly increases the chance and speed with which your pet is returned to you after being lost. We can place your pet’s microchip during a routine vet visit, and the lifetime registration of your pet’s chip (and your ability to update your information) is included in the initial cost.

General Pet Care

• Boarding
• Grooming
  Whether your pet requires sedation for grooming, or you simply prefer the convenience of coming into your regular vet, we’re happy to offer a variety of grooming services to keep your pet looking and feeling their best! We are able to provide nail trims (clip and dremel), ear cleanings, ear plucking, anal gland expression, medical baths (except skunking), sanitary clips, and even full lion cuts for our long-haired feline friends. If you pet needs grooming and you need assistance, give us a call at 805-489-4307 to see how we can help you.
• Senior Pet Care
  Vestibular disease in senior pets is often mistaken for the animal having a stroke. The signs of vertigo caused by the disease can be more intense in older pets, which may show a complete inability to stand in addition to nausea and circling. The disease can make eating and drinking, or even going outside to urinate or defecate, very difficult, if not impossible. Therapy in the form of intravenous fluids and supplemental nutrition is usually necessary.