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When it comes to vaccinations for dogs, East Sacramento Veterinary Center knows it isn’t one size fits all. Not all pups need protection against all diseases. Our expert team will definitely recommend the ones we think will most benefit your individual pet, but having some basic understanding on your own is a great thing. The Bordetella vaccine, which protects against kennel cough, is one that many pet owners ask about. Read on to learn about the Bordetella vaccine and whether it is right for your pet. 

Parvovirus, or “parvo,” is a very serious and often deadly viral disease seen in dogs. At East Sacramento Veterinary Center, we feel strongly about helping pet owners understand this devastating disease. We hope that through education we can help dog lovers everywhere learn how to prevent parvo. Here are the facts you need to know about parvo in puppies.

Cats are known for being quiet and stealthy, so a loud coughing kitty is certainly cause for concern. When a pet owner notices their cat making a new noise, a lot of thoughts might run through their head. Is it a hairball? Allergies? Cat asthma? Kennel cough? East Sacramento Veterinary Center has the answers you need when it comes to a coughing cat. 

While dogs can certainly be picky eaters, many have less discriminating palates. In fact, plenty of our puppy patients at East Sacramento Veterinary Center have a habit of just gulping down whatever is in front of them without a second thought. When pets eat too quickly, though, problems can ensue. So what do you do when your dog eats too fast? Here’s our best tips to slow them down.

Most dog owners have witnessed an occasional bout of reverse sneezing, officially known as paroxysmal respiration. It’s a fairly common phenomenon in dogs, particularly for miniature and brachycephalic breeds. The unmistakable dog honking sound that accompanies a reverse sneeze is far from an ordinary “achoo,” and often catches pet parents off guard. We understand that it can be alarming to hear your dog honking, but most of the time, reverse sneezing is just a normal part of parenting pooches.

If you have pets, chances are good that you’ll be taking care of them well into their golden years. Thankfully, pets are living longer and healthier lives these days, in part due to better pet nutrition and advances in veterinary care. But if you’ve noticed a little grey around your pet’s muzzle lately, you may be wondering how to keep your senior pet healthy. 

It’s important to remember that aging pets need a few adjustments to their environment to keep them feeling their best. Still, age is not a disease, and senior pets can and do live active, happy, and pain-free lives well into their late teens and twenties. Your veterinarian can help make this happen. 

Read on to find out how! 

Although most dog owners have heard of leptospirosis, and many others make sure their pet is vaccinated against it, the disease remains somewhat of a mystery to many pet owners. This contagious disease that affects both pets and people is on the rise in the United States and Canada, and depending on your pet’s lifestyle, he or she may be at risk. 

Understanding leptospirosis, how it’s transmitted, and what you can do to protect your pet, may be an essential part of your dog’s continuing good health and longevity.

Even if you don’t live with a dog, or never have, you could probably still identify with their distinct stink. Sure, puppies have that sort of sweet-smelling funk to them, but it often wears off as they grow up. Dogs might not always smell, but they can give off a fetid odor as they paw through old age.

The welcoming aromas of pecan-topped sweet potatoes, roasted turkey, and homemade pumpkin pie might attract more than people to your Thanksgiving table! When your pup or cat stares upward in anticipation, it’s easy to cave to their cuteness. But should you?

This holiday season, the team at East Sacramento Veterinary Center reminds all pet families of the importance of Thanksgiving pet safety. With a little pre-planning, your pets can enjoy their own safe and nutritious Thanksgiving dinner. 

The fact that there are many unknowns can make a cancer diagnosis much more challenging. Because each case is unique, it’s not always clear how cancer will affect a pet’s lifestyle and lifespan. There is definitely room for hope, but it’s important to move quickly toward an effective medical plan after the initial diagnosis. Cancer in pets can be treated (and even cured), and many animals maintain a high quality of life throughout the ordeal.