Mar Vista Animal Medical Center

3850 Grand View Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066

(310)391-6741

marvistavet.com

WHAT'S NEW

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September 2017

Monthly Newsletter

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SEPTEMBER IS PET INSURANCE AWARENESS MONTH

Thinking Girl
(Photocredit: Morguefile.com)

As medical technology becomes more advanced, pet care expenses rise especially when a serious illness is involved. The benefits of pet insurance are being considered by more and more pet owners but where to start?

No one wants to find out in time of need that their insurance didn't cover what they needed.

The most common question we get about pet insurance is "how much does it cost?" Well, that depends on what coverage you choose to get. So what are the choices and how do you find out how much those choices cost? It turns out that every pet insurance company (there are about 12 of them) have a calculator on their web page to help you figure out how much a policy would cost monthly. But choosing what to get is still pretty confusing if you don't know the lingo. What is a good plan for a young pet might not be the best choice for a senior pet.

CONTRARY TO COMMON BELIEF, A PET OF ANY AGE CAN GET INSURANCE.

We have put up a new web page to help sort it out. Click here to see all the details or ask one of our receptionists to help guide you. Once you know what the choices are, it is much easier to decide what you want.

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MORE ON THE CANINE INFLUENZA SITUATION

We receive regular updates from the L.A. County Health Department regularly but this is the first time we have received a fax saying "Vaccinate every dog in contact with other dogs" (yes, they underlined it, too). This is a serious health concern for dogs and it is very contagious.

WHAT DOG INFLUENZA SITUATION AND WHAT HAPPENED IN CHICAGO IN 2015?
While the current outbreaks have been reported in the news, it is easy to miss the information amid more pressing national news. Asian Canine Influenza had never been reported in the U.S. until a huge outbreak (more than 1000 sick dogs) occurred in Chicago in 2015. Because no one expected a novel virus, it look time to figure out what was happening. In that time the virus spread rampantly and Chicago had to be quarantined to canine travel for a time. Finally, the outbreak was contained and everyone assumed it was just a one time thing. The virus had been introduced when a rescue group brought some dogs from Asia for adoption. We thought it was over. We were very wrong.

THE L.A. COUNTY OUTBREAK
This past March some rescue dogs came up positive after a similar Asian rescue situation. Thirteen areas were quarantined and the L.A. County Public Health issued a recommendation to vaccinate all dogs that have contact with other dogs so as to build up enough herd immunity to avoid another Chicago crisis. The L.A. County outbreak has been contained.

Group of influenza viruses

Group of influenza viruses

(Photo Credit: CDC Public Health Image Library)

THE EAST COAST OUTBREAK
Shortly after the L.A. County outbreak was contained, Asian Canine Influenza popped up in a dog show circuit in Florida. Because many show dogs travel long distances for show, this outbreak spread quickly to Georgia, The Carolinas, Kentucky and Louisiana. Over 300 dogs have been involved and it does not appear contained.

THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY OUTBREAK
A new Southern California outbreak has emerged this month, this time in a boarding facility in the San Gabriel Valley. The L.A. County Public Health Department has re-issued its memo encouraging vaccination for any dog that has contact with other dogs.

Canine influenza is most contagious in the first few days of infection which is before clinical signs of coughing (and potentially pneumonia) result.

Our hospital offers a "bivalent flu vaccine" which means it covers both regular canine influenza as well as the Asian variety described above. We have vaccination clinics every Sunday so your dog can get vaccinated at a discount. The initial series is 2 vaccines 2-4 weeks apart and an annual booster thereafter.


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Three Dogs(Photocredit: Morguefile.com)

DID YOU KNOW....

...that the Los Angeles County planners have increased the number of dogs you may legally own from three to FOUR!

The idea is to reduce pet homelessness and reduce shelter crowding. Are you looking to adopt a dog? Visit our list of local rescue groups: click here.

Four Dogs(photocredit: Bonnie van den Born via Wikimedia Commons)


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Featured External Link: CATIO KING

A catio is an outdoor atrium for safe feline and human entertainment. Indoor cats can enjoy the sun, shade, and fresh air in an attractive custom home area.
  
In case you missed the L.A. Magazine article (www.lamag.com/culturefiles/cat-patio-catio-king/), here is the actual link to the Catio King himself:
   
http://www.catioking.com

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Our Hospital Would Like To Thank Everyone Who Has Referred A Friend!

This month we would especially like to thank for referrals in June, July and August:

David Faulkner
Graciela Escalera
Darwin Gacula
Luna Gooding
Linda Groene
John Horn
Jennifer Skidmore
Laurie Stoeckli
Patricia Villah

A $25 thank you credit is applied to your account when your friend comes in the first time for medical services for their pet.

Ask our receptionist for more details.

Blue Present Gif

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Dr. Jenny Johnson's Next Day For Chiropractic Is
THURSDAY OCTOBER 26TH.

Please call for a space in her schedule.

Dr. Johnson also performs shockwave therapy for arthritis with great success. If this exciting non-drug treatment is of interest to you, please contact us for further information.

Dr. Jenny Johnson with dog

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Please allow 24 hours for processing of medication refills. Thank you.

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DON'T FORGET TO "LIKE" US ON FACEBOOK SO YOU CAN GET TIPS AND LINKS

TO HELP BRING YOUR PET THE BEST POSSIBLY CARE.

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