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Pet Loss Support Group

Please join us on the first Wednesday of every month from 7pm-8pm for an open discussion on how to cope with the loss
of your beloved pet including time to share comforting, happy memories.



Blue Buffalo Pet Food Recall

Blue Buffalo is voluntarily recalling some runs of Wilderness Chicken-Dog, Basics Salmon-Dog and Large Breed Adult Dog products, as they have reason to believe that the products from these runs may contain a higher level of Vitamin D than is called for in our product specifications.

Please call or visit their website for more information and to arrange a return of the product.

1-877-523-9114

www.bluebuffalo.com

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Iams Pet Food Recall

There has been a voluntary recall on some Iams/Eukanuba brand pet foods. We have been told by representatives that they have found high levels of salmonella in the environment of the plant where the food is made. They have performed thousands of tests and none of the actual food has tested positive for salmonella. There has been no reported cases of salmonella, this recall is strictly a precaution. We have already contacted you if you have purchased any of these foods from our hospital. Please take note that some of these diets are not prescription and may have been purchased somewhere else. Please visit the link below for more information on which foods have been recalled and what symptoms to watch for. Please contact our office if you have any questions 602-277-1464.

www.iams.com

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Monthly Pet Photo Contest


We want to see how your pet is enjoying life! Upload photos of your pets decked out, checking out life, playing, or trying to avoid the camera all together. Share your caption and check out the other photos. The picture with the most votes at the end of each deadline wins a prize.

Prizes: Gift certificates for services, toys or treats for your furry friends, or other prizes. Prizes will be determined at the end of each deadline and you will be contacted by email.

Deadline: 20th of each month.


Visit:
Alta Vista Pet Photo Contest
to submit your photo!

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iVet Pet Food

We would like to introduce iVet Pet Food. This pet food delivers a high quality diet and gives your pet the vitamins they need without the huge price. Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about this pet food or if you would like to try a bag for FREE!

Why iVet Dog Foods?

iVet Healthy Gourmet Canine Formulas contain only Whole Chicken Meat with no chicken or poultry by-products. Many national brands contain chicken or poultry by-product meal consisting of the heads, feet, and viscera of poultry. These are less digestible sources of protein. Because we use no by-products, iVet Healthy Gourmet Formulas offer excellent digestibility and less clean up after your pet.

There's no wheat in our formulas because wheat is one of the top three ingredients in pet foods causing food allergies. These diets contain whole grains like Rice, Oatmeal, and Barley, which are better carbohydrate choices to eliminate possible allergic reactions. Oatmeal is an excellent carbohydrate, fiber, thiamine, and vitamin E source but is not widely used in pet food due to its cost.

This food provides the essential fatty acids that are a necessary component of canine nutrition. iVet has guaranteed high levels of Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acids for excellent skin and hair coat conditions. iVet's sources for Omega-3 Fatty Acids include Fish Meal and Flaxseed.

Why iVet Cat Foods?

iVet Healthy Gourmet Feline Formula provide your cat with nutrient dense ingredients necessary for long-term health and vitality. They use only whole chicken meat for our main protein source. This gives your cat the best protein and amino-acid profile along with the excellent digestibility.

iVet Feline Diets are low in ash and magnesium to promote a healthy urinary tract and bladder with a balanced urine pH. Micronutrients including vitamins and chelated minerals are included at optimal levels to enhance the immune system. Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty acids are supplemented to promote healthy skin and shiny coats. iVet's Feline Adult Formulas contain all natural fibers, which help to move hair through the cat's digestive system therefore helping to reduce hairballs while promoting better gastrointestinal health.

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We are proud to announce that our hospital has received accreditation following a comprehensive evaluation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). The evaluation includes a quality assessment review of our hospital’s facility, medical equipment, practice methods and pet health care management.

Only 15 percent of all small animal veterinary practices in the U.S. have achieved accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association. In order to maintain accredited status, our hospital must continue to be evaluated regularly by the association’s consultants.

“Alta Vista Veterinary Hospital belongs to a select group of practices that are committed to meeting the highest standards in veterinary medicine,” says Anna Worth, VMD, AAHA president. “AAHA hospitals pass a stringent evaluation of over 900 standards covering patient care, client service and medical protocols. By attaining accreditation, we are demonstrating its dedication to offering the best care to its patients and clients.”
Established in 1933, the American Animal Hospital Association is the only organization that accredits veterinary practices throughout the U.S. and Canada for dedication to high standards of veterinary care. Approximately 3,000 AAHA-accredited practices pass regular reviews of AAHA’s stringent accreditation standards that cover patient care, client service and medical protocols.

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We would like to inform you about a Canine Healthcare Alert and some proactive steps you can take to protect your canine companions from Canine Flu!

•What is canine influenza (dog flu)?
Dog flu is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs caused by a specific Type A influenza virus referred to as a “canine influenza virus.” This is a disease of dogs, not of humans.


•Where did it originate?: It first presented itself in Florida in greyhounds in 2004 and has now been found in 30 states and the District of Columbia.

•Who is at risk?: One hundred percent of dogs are susceptible and eighty percent of infected dogs will show signs of infection. In about twenty percent of these cases, more severe signs will occur and up to eight percent of clinically ill dogs may die from complications like high fever and pneumonia.

•What are the signs?: The signs of Canine Influenza are similar to kennel cough and can therefore be easily dismissed by a pet’s owner. These include coughing, sneezing, fever, nasal discharge and ocular (eye) discharge. Even dogs that do not show symptoms can still spread the virus. Unfortunately, by the time dogs would show signs of infection, they have unknowingly already been spreading the disease for 7-10 days.

•What do I do if My Dog seems sick?: Please be vigilant and if you notice that your dog is coughing, sneezing, running a fever, has a nasal discharge and ocular (eye) discharge, then immediately isolate your dog from other dogs and call us at 602-277-1464 and arrange to have your dog examined by one of our veterinarians.

The Canine Flu Vaccine
•The best way to protect your dogs from Canine Influenza is to maintain healthy pets, in order to strengthen their immune systems, and to immunize them with the Canine Influenza Vaccine.

•The vaccine has been proven safe and well tolerated in over 700 dogs. The vaccine is initially a series of two injections given 2-4 weeks apart and then annually.

•We recommend the vaccine for dogs that socialize with other dogs in places such as veterinary clinics, boarding facilities, pet stores, daycares, dog parks and obedience classes. Your dog should be at least 6-8 weeks old and have no history of vaccine reactions in the past.

•One of the most disturbing things about Canine Flu is that animals that are in the contagious stage and shedding the virus, show no symptoms. Infected dogs may not show signs until after they are finished shedding the virus to other dogs. Infectious dogs may look perfectly normal, and act perfectly normal, while spreading the disease to other dogs. For that reason, vaccination is really the only practical way of preventing severe disease.

Additional Resources:


www.usatoday

www.cbsnews.com

www.avma.org

www.cdc.gov


www.intervet.com

www.discovery.com

www.abs15.com

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound in cure. Investing in proactive preventative healthcare for our pets, improves their quality of life, increases their longevity, and decreases long-term and unexpected healthcare costs.

If you have any questions about Canine Influenza, the Canine Influenza Vaccination, Alta Vista Veterianry Hospital's Canine Flu Vaccine Clinic, or directions please call and speak to one of our Healthcare Team members.

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Pit bulls filling county shelters


www.azcentral.com







Nutro Products Announces Voluntary Recall of Limited Range of Dry Cat Food Products

www.fda.gov








The following article regarding rabies was featured in the Arizona Republic March 23, 2009.


"Rabies surge in Arizona sparks new alert"

Please click on the following link to read article
www.azentral.com






Please click on the following link to read an article that the American Heartworm Society has written about heartworm:


"Heartworm Disease Prevention Protects Pets, Wallets
-- Rise in Mosquito Population Causes New Warning"








Stray pets on the rise please click on the following article to see how you can help.

Stray dogs and cats on rise during economic down times

The following are links to recent news appearances that Dr. Sean Penn and Dr. Jeff Hesser have participated in at Alta Vista
Veterinary Hospital.


Hartz Recall on Dog Treats

Is buying your pet's meds online cheaper or safe?

Please remember that our office will price match medicaton for most cases.

Online Ad Puts Valley Man in Jail



New bacteria outbreak linked to pet food; how to stay healthy


Grass-growing ingredient could kill Valley dogs

We are pleased to announce the opening of our 7,000 sq ft. facility!
In our new addition we have eight large exam rooms, large comfortable waiting room, two new surgery suites, and a large, four station treatment area. Alta Vista has always had limited parking but with the new addition we have 40 new parking spaces for your convenience. Our new addition will help us to provide a more thorough service in an effort to care for your pets. Below are a couple a pictures of the new building while under construction.
Please check back often as a virtual tour of our beautiful new facility will be coming soon