Despite the somewhat chilly weather and the lingering thoughts of the fires from just last week, we were excited to see hundreds of participants at Helen Woodward’s annual Spooktacular Pet Walk. Just as we did last year, our hospital provided a photo backdrop, took and printed free 4×6 photos of people and their pets. We don’t have a final count, but we must have taken around 200. Also, we sponsored a “Veterinary Help, 5 cents” booth with Dr. Brandes providing veterinary advice and consulting for the price of any donation to Helen Woodward Animal Center.

If you had your picture taken with us this year and would like a copy emailed to you, just let us know. The best way is to contact us at info@rsfvets.com and provide a description of the photo you’d like emailed.

Yesterday, the ASPCA awarded their Cat of the Year award to Winnie, a 14 year old feline of the Keesling family noticed not all was right in the house. It turns out that their gasoline powered water pump malfunctioned and was sending out toxic carbon monoxide fumes through the house while the family slept. Winnie nudged Cathy Keesling’s ear until she awoke - Cathy found herself disoriented, and her husband and son were unconscious. After calling 911 and receiving emergency treatment all were well, thanks to Winnie. [Read the rest of this entry...]

Mrs. Dodson showed up with circles under her eyes for her cat’s annual exam - she was clearly tired. As the cat carrier’s door jostled I heard Tipper yowl and suspected why Mrs. Dodson might be losing sleep.

Tipper was wide-eyed and slightly thinner than I remembered. As I discussed his medical history with Mrs. Dodson, it turned out that indeed, Tipper had been up at night with frenetic meowing by his food dish. Breakfast time in Tipper’s mind crept earlier and earlier, now into the wee hours of the morning. “And,” she included, “he vomits sometimes after he eats.”

During my physical exam I noted that Tipper lost a pound and a half, had an elevated heart rate, and I could feel a small nodule on his throat.

[Read the rest of this entry...]

This week’s San Diego fires defined the meaning of “chaos”.  Especially if you have pets and tried to figure out how to care for them during the calls for evacuation.  If, during the process, you lost your pet, it’s important to act immediately. First, call the San Diego County Department of Animals Services Dispatch at (619) 236-2341 to report your missing pet. Then, call our hospital - we take photos of nearly every patient and can quickly update our Lost Pets folder / board.  And, if your pet has been microchipped, contact either the veterinary hospital which carried out the procedure, or the company that administers the chip registration for your pet.

We maintain a paper record of all the pets we microchip, so don’t hesitate to ring us. Also, all our microchipped patients are registered with HomeAgain - their number is 1-888-466-3242. [Read the rest of this entry...]

Our evacuation order has been lifted, and we’re open! However, so far as we know, access to the hospital is only possible from San Dieguito Road. Please feel free to call us for updates at 858-759-8797 - we’re currently fielding calls for appointments, refill requests, and any pet-related concern you may have.Today, we’ll work on a walk-in basis but hope to return to normal operations by Monday.

Update: All roads around Rancho Santa Fe have opened. Access to our hospital is possible from any road - view the map on our home page for greater detail.