It’s been tough these last few days for everybody. What’s worse is knowing that many of our clients are still under mandatory evacuation orders, and unfortunately we fall under the same camp. The Rancho Santa Fe Fire Department has a page they update often and based on that we’re guessing we’ll be able to get in and clean up starting Thursday or Friday (that is, assuming continued favorable weather conditions!).

In the meantime, folks have been calling our main line which gets forwarded to my cell, and I’ve been happy to help with the questions that arise. So, check back later for an update - we’ll know by later tonight regarding our status for tomorrow.

Finally, I just wanted to acknowledge the trials and sense of duty exhibited by our staff. Some have volunteered their time helping less fortunate animals in Qualcomm, while others have and continue to be displaced by evacuation orders. Others still have welcomed families into their homes. Despite that, we’re all in good spirits, and I’m proud to be working with such a great team of individuals.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007, 8:50PM.
So far, we have been fortunate - our hospital and the Helen Woodward Animal Center are still standing. Still, our hearts go out to those less lucky who have lost their homes or have been displaced by these fires.

It does appear that most of the news has taken a positive turn, and while we will be closed on Wednesday October 23, we’re crossing our fingers and hope to be open on Thursday the 24th. We’re going to make a site assessment (if we can get past the national guard) on Wednesday to determine if the air quality and fire fallout are at levels we believe our patients, employees, and clients can cope with. So, please stay tuned until then.

Currently, all calls to our main number at 858-759-8797 are automatically forwarded to the cell phone of Dave (me), the general manager. Please don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions whatsoever.

While it appears that San Dieguito road is open at the moment, surrounding roads have been closed to through traffic around Rancho Santa Fe. Plus, the mandatory evacuation order remains in effect in our area. Sporadic news stories indicate fires around our immediate area, but the extent of these and damage caused is unknown.

While there exists a small chance for us to reopen on Wednesday, much of this will depend on the state of the evacuation order as well as air quality conditions. Please continue to visit this website for updates - as of now we have no way to check messages left on our answering machine.

Alternatively, feel free to email us at info@rsfvets.com as (for now) we have the ability access and respond to email requests.

Best,
Dave Oei
General Manager

Due to the nearby wildfires and heavy smoke coming in from the East, we have evacuated our hospital at the Helen Woodward Animal Center. The evacuation was in effect today, and we are planning on remaining closed on Tuesday, with hopes of opening Wednesday.

If you have an emergency, please contact the Veterinary Specialty Hospital located in Sorrento Valley. Their phone number is 858-875-7500. Of course, we apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.

Best,

Dave Oei
General Manager

The following is based on a true story, but details have been changed to protect the privacy of the clients and patients.

Mrs. Rosner was frantic when she called to report that their cocker spaniel, Monty, had just appeared at the back door with a baby rattlesnake in his mouth. She and her husband were pretty sure that it had bitten him on the muzzle, so they rushed Monty to our hospital right away. As I entered the treatment area, I could see that Monty was panting and uncomfortable. After carefully examining him for any puncture wounds that might indicate a snake bite, I noticed two tiny spots of blood on his muzzle.

To evaluate the severity of this bite, we drew a blood sample to run tests. When I looked at a drop of his blood under the microscope, I found further evidence that the snake venom was at work. The red blood cells, normally round and smooth, had formed spikes on their outer membranes. We sometimes see these damaged cells, called echinocytes, as a result of a rattlesnake bite. Also, the remaining tests showed that Monty’s blood wasn’t clotting properly. [Read the rest of this entry...]