Latest News

85% of dogs over 4 years of age and 70% of cats over 3 years of age suffer from some stage of dental disease. 

With statistics like this, dental cleanings should be an integral part of any pet wellness program. At VCA Loomis Basin Veterinary Clinic, we address the dental needs of pets by offering comprehensive oral examinations and dental cleanings which include the most current techniques and materials available. To learn more about preventive oral healthcare for your pet as well as our high-quality professional dental cleanings, please click on the link below

Please join us here at the clinic for a Cat Care Celebration on Wednesday, April 10 from 1-5 PM.  We will have cat adoptions sponsored by FieldHaven Feline Center, a raffle for a cat care goodie basket, free feline treats plus pet care information.

So whether you are looking for a new feline friend or just want to honor the cool cats in your life, please stop by!

For more information, click here

Looking for something fun to do with your pet?  We've got you covered!  Visit the Upcoming Events page on our website.  It lists a variety of local animal and community events. 

We will be at many of these events over the next few months and would love to have the chance to visit with you at our booth.  Please stop by and say hi!

For more information, click here

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Complimentary Office Visit and Examination for your NEW pet – a $28.00 or $49.00 value!

Deciding to welcome a new pet into your home is exciting and one of the most important considerations is to remember that you are making a commitment to care for that new family member for their whole lifetime. This is one of the reasons we at Loomis Basin Veterinary Clinic have never encouraged that pets be given as gifts unless you have come to a careful, considered decision. It is useful to have a discussion focused on age appropriate responsibilities of family members, food, housing, exercise, expenses, preventative care, etc, as well as selecting a species and breed that will complement your lifestyle, schedule and energy level. If, after careful consideration, you have decided that a new pet will make a great gift, we would like to be there for you to support your decision.

Let’s get your new pet off on the right paw! Along with the holiday spirit and our best wishes for you and your family, we would like to offer your new pet a Complimentary Office Visit and Examination with one of our general practitioners – a $28.00 or $49.00 value.

We firmly believe that the most important first step to keep your pet happy and healthy is to start at the beginning with a thorough examination that not only includes discussion of their current health status but any potential congenital, hereditable, or breed specific problems they might be subject to.

Additionally, to name a few, we will discuss the following wellness and preventative care:

• the basic “core” vaccines required to protect pets from the common diseases in our area
• prevention of parasitic diseases that could impact your pet’s and your family’s health
• appropriate timing for spay and neuter surgeries
• training tips to help your new pet become a trusting and trustworthy friend
• how to maintain oral health and forestall periodontal disease

And we will answer any additional questions or concerns you may have about your new family member. For more specific details about our wellness program, please visit our Wellness Care information on our website . By working together, we can help your new pet to have the best health and the best life possible.

Please call (916) 652-5816 to schedule your FREE Office Visit for your new pet and be sure to PRINT this page or the printer friendly offer below and bring it with you to your pet’s first appointment. Feel free to share this special offer with family and friends who have new pets by forwarding them the link to this page.

Offer expires February 28, 2013 (Code: 24140)

Our Fall / Winter Newsletter is now available online. Click on the link below to read articles on:

• Guide, Share & Care
• Yard Hazards & Pet Safety
• Responsible Pet Ownership
• Feline Vaccinations
• Cat Reunited with Owner
• Why Toenails are Important

ENJOY!

For more information, click here

Our Summer Newsletter is now available online. Click on the link below to read articles on:

• The Long Days of Summer
• Beware of Online Advice
• Reliable Pet Care Information
• Benefit of Rattlesnake Vaccination
• Rattlesnake Bite Care
• End-of-Life Decisions

ENJOY!

For more information, click here

In early June, an injured bat was picked up by Placer County Animal Control in South Placer County. A rabid bat in our region serves as a reminder that all pets should be current on their rabies vaccine.

Please check your pet's vaccine history and if a booster is needed, make an appointment immediately with your veterinarian.

For more information, click here

Visit the new Doctors' Journal on our website! This is a great place to check in and see what's new at Loomis Basin Veterinary Clinic.

You can read about our new doctors, state-of-the art procedures, services we offer and get to know some of our amazing patients.

We are looking forward to keeping you informed so bookmark the link below and make sure to check back to see what's new!

For more information, click here

Looking for something fun to do with your pet?  We've got you covered!  Visit the Upcoming Events page on our website.  It lists a variety of local animal and community events. 

We will be at many of these events over the next few months and would love to have the chance to visit with you at our booth.  Please stop by and say hi!

For more information, click here

Our Spring Newsletter is now available online.  Click on the link below to read articles on:

• Dedicated to Veterinary Excellence
• Cat's Night Out
• Arthroscopic Surgery for Dogs
• Medical Boarding
• Prevent Tick Exposure
• Don't Forget Your Feline!

ENJOY!

For more information, click here

Loomis Basin Veterinary Clinic is in need of healthy young cats to become blood donors.  Our feline blood donor patients must be indoor only without any medical conditions and preferably with a body weight over 8 pounds. 

Benefits of your pet being a blood donor are: yearly well pet examinations, vaccinations, heartworm and flea prevention.  Please see our feline blood donor brochure on our website for all the criteria and benefits at http://www.loomisbasinvet.com/downloads/Feline%20Donor%20Brochure.pdf.  

Please call us at (916) 652-5816 if you are interested or would like more information.  We can schedule an appointment for a complimentary exam, temperament testing and blood typing at your convenience.  Thank you!

 DON’T BRING PARVO HOME TO YOUR DOGS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

(A new variant (strain) is surfacing around the U.S.)

Canine Parvo Virus – 2 (CPV-2) has been around since the early 1970s.  It causes loss of appetite, vomiting, severe enteritis (often bloody diarrhea) and may cause cardiac problems in puppies.  All ages and all breeds are susceptible and without treatment many affected animals may die.  The combination vaccine DHLPP protects against Parvo, as well as Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, and Parainfluenza.

A new mutated strain of Parvo, CPV-2c, is now causing clinical disease in inadequately vaccinated dogs in our area; it can be more difficult to diagnose because many dogs infected with the 2c strain are negative on the commonly used Parvo Elisa test.  Parvo viruses are highly contagious through direct dog to dog contact or by people exposed to a contaminated environment.  So with holiday travel, the selection of pets as Christmas gifts, and the mixing of pets and guests over the holiday season, it is imperative that your dogs be current on their vaccinations.

Current vaccines provide excellent immunity when administered appropriately and when your pet builds an adequate titer.  Even vaccinated pets can contract Parvo in the face of overwhelming infection.

If you do not already have a primary care veterinarian, please call us at (916) 652-5816 if you have any questions or to set up an appointment to have your dog vaccinated. 

The FDA wants pet owners to be aware that chicken jerky products from China may be associated with Fanconi-like syndrome in dogs.  

"Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be fed occasionally in small quantities.

FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs that may occur within hours to days of feeding the products: decreased appetite; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; increased water consumption and/or increased urination. If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died."

To read the full alert, go to http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/11/fda-repeats-warning-on-chicken-jerky-for-dogs/

Please call us at (916) 652-5816 if your dog is exhibiting any of the above signs after eating chicken jerky.

Canine Influenza Virus Threatens Dog Community

Do you have travel plans for the holidays and upcoming winter vacations?  We highly recommend that all dogs taken to boarding facilities and kennels be vaccinated against canine influenza.  Canine influenza virus (CIV) is an emerging threat and a relatively new virus, so dogs have no natural immunity to it.  In an outbreak, infected dogs will shed virus for several days before clinical signs appear.  Just one case of infection can expose many dogs to the virus.  80% of infected dogs will develop signs which may include coughing, a runny nose, watery eyes, lethargy, and/or loss of appetite. Most dogs will recover within a couple of weeks, but 8% die of secondary life-threatening infections.

Like the human flu vaccine, the canine influenza vaccine doesn’t completely prevent infection, but can dramatically reduce the severity of the disease.  We have vaccine available and strongly recommend vaccinating all dogs that are taken to boarding facilities, kennels as well as pet stores, shows or sporting events, doggie daycares, or breeding facilities. Dogs whose owners work at any such facilities are also at risk, as the virus can survive on clothing for up to 12 hours. The initial vaccination requires two doses of vaccine given two to four weeks apart, followed by a single booster dose given annually.  Please call us if you have any questions or to set up an appointment for vaccination.

Your pet's health and your satisfaction are our number one priority, which is why we are pleased to announce the arrival of the FRONTLINE Plus Satisfaction Plus Guarantee from Merial.

This exclusive guarantee, available only at veterinary clinics, ensures you're covered when it comes to fleas. It's simple: if you're not completely satisfied with FRONTLINE Plus, Merial will refund your money, or offer you product replacement, or provide free professional in-home inspection and, if necessary, treatment by Terminix.

Take advantage of this opportunity and don't let your pets go unprotected. Ask us for more details when you're next here or call us at (916) 652-5816. 

Great news!  MAGGIE was able to go home yesterday to continue her recovery with her family. She will be limited to on-leash walks for exercise for at least two months as she continues her rehabilitation but will no doubt be glad to be back home.

All of us at Loomis Basin and Maggie's owner, John Reader of Nevada City, have been incredibly touched by the enormous outpouring of community support for MAGGIE. John and Maggie were sent home with a large envolope full of cards and notes of well wishes from the supporters who contributed funds to help pay for her medical treatment.

Thank you to everyone for your support in helping to care for this incredible dog!    

MAGGIE is getting stronger every day. She is now walking with use of her operated leg without support. We are working on stretching her leg to maintain motion as she continues to recover at Loomis Basin.

We are hopeful MAGGIE will be able to return home to her family next week.

Once again, we are grateful for the outpouring of community support and concern for this amazing dog. Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who has generously donated funds to help pay for Maggie's extensive medical treatment here at Loomis Basin.  She is continuing to do well and may be staying with us for another week or so at the hospital as she continues to recover. 

Thanks to the generous outpouring of widespread community support, we are pleased to share with you that the cost of her medical treatment to date has been fully covered by donations from the public. 

We continue to receive calls from caring people wishing to show their support for Maggie.  Thankfully the cost of her care and treatment at our hospital have been met, however if you would like to help pets and families that find themselves in similar situations you may consider donating to the Loomis Basin Helping Pets Fund.  For more information about our Helping Pets Fund click on the link below.  Alternatively, you may wish to consider donating the funds to a local charity of your choice in Maggie's name. 

Thank you once again.

For more information, click here

Thank you to everyone who has shown their concern and support for MAGGIE, the cattle herd dog who was hit by a car. She is stable and recovering well. Maggie is receiving lots of TLC from doctors and staff here at Loomis Basin.

Many people have generously donated funds to help pay for Maggie's extensive medical treatment.  Your support is greatly appreciated!   

It may seem that summer is just around the corner, but the abundant rain and cool weather this winter and spring has resulted in a larger than normal crop of ticks just waiting to bite our pets. 

Tick can transmit infectious diseases such as Lyme, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma when they bite.  The best source of protection is medication to prevent ticks from feasting on your pet.  We recommend FRONTLINE PLUS which controls flea and tick infestations on dogs and cats when applied monthly or  REVOLUTION which controls fleas, ticks, ear mites, and heartworm disease on  dogs and cats, and is also applied  monthly.  Alternatively, PREVENTIC tick collars can be used on dogs, and will kill ticks for three months.

We understand you want to protect your pet and are here to answer any questions you have about what product would best suit your pet.  Please contact us anytime.     

In addition to treating your pet with a preventive medication, it is also important after spending time outdoors near tall grasses or fallen leaves, to check your pet and yourself for ticks and have them removed as soon as possible to minimize the risk of disease transmission.

Our Spring / Summer Newsletter is now available online.  Click on the link below to read articles on:

• Refining Loomis Basin -- The Focus of 2011
• Loomis Basin's New Look
• Comparing Pet Health Insurance
• Grooming and Wellness
• Board Certified Surgeons Join LBVC
• Feline Vaccines
• Going on Vacation?

ENJOY!

For more information, click here

Loomis Basin is pleased to welcome two full time surgeons who have recently joined our distinguished staff. 

Drs. Mike Dearmin, MS, DVM, DACVS and D.W. Griffin, MS, DVM, DACVS bring with them more than 25 years of board-certified surgical experience. With these two surgeons on staff, at least one of them will be availalbe at Loomis Basin Monday - Friday for consults and surgeries. 

FREE RABIES VACCINE when you purchase 6 doses of FRONTLINE Plus

With the arrival of spring, fleas and ticks become a growing health concern as they threaten to infest your dogs and cats – and they’re not alone.  Rabies also poses an increased health risk to pets as the weather begins to heat up and they become more active.

FRONTLINE Plus is a complete killing force.  What makes FRONTLINE Plus complete?  It annihilates the flea life cycle by killing fleas as adults, eggs, and larvae. It kills ticks too, and FRONTLINE Plus keeps killing for 30 days.

From April 1– May 31, 2011, we will be offering a FREE RABIES vaccination to one of your pets with each purchase of 6 doses of FRONTLINE Plus.  You may combine any size, dog and/or cat.  (Note:  If your dog or cat is not due for a Rabies vaccine at this time, you will receive up to a $20 credit towards any other needed vaccines with each purchase of 6 doses of FRONTLINE Plus.)

Be careful – the rattlesnakes are out! The first weekend of April, we admitted a dog from the Grass Valley area with a rattlesnake bite to the face and, in a separate incident, a high school boy was bitten near Cool.

A rattlesnake vaccine was introduced for dogs in the fall of 2003, and appears to often reduce the severity of the damage done by the venom, shortens the patient stay, and thereby saves the client money. Dogs bitten on or near the face or torso tend to develop more severe clinical signs.  Dogs bitten during the spring or during a provoked attack tend to have the worst reactions due to a larger volume of venom.

The vaccine protocol for an initial series is two vaccinations four weeks apart; these are optimally given in the spring and followed with boosters every six to twelve months thereafter, depending on potential exposure. The two shot series is priced at $49; this simple preventative can often save hundreds of dollars in treatment costs.

Please keep in mind that some dogs can have life-threatening reactions despite vaccination, and we still recommend that any rattlesnake bite wound suffered by a dog or cat be treated as a medical emergency and the patient brought to Loomis Basin Veterinary Clinic as soon as possible for evaluation and possible treatment.

Please call us at (916) 652-5816 if you have any questions or to schedule an appointment to protect your dog. 

Loomis Basin is thrilled to announce that two full time surgeons are joining our staff. 

Drs. Mike Dearmin, MS, DVM, DACVS and Dave Griffin, MS, DVM, DACVS will be starting on April 11th and May 2nd respectively.  Together they bring with them more than 25 years of board-certified surgical experience. 

We are pleased they will be joining the Loomis Basin team!