Del Valle Pet Hospital

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Del Valle Pet Hospital is committed to providing the highest quality of veterinary medicine to the animals of the Tri Valley area of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Each veterinarian and team member is deeply committed to the health and well-being of your pet. We love dogs and cats as much as you do! We believe healthy pets make happy people.

Our veterinarians and staff use on-site x-rays, EKG, blood pressure, pulse oxygen, and laboratory tests to diagnose pet diseases, and have veterinary specialists on-call for in clinic orthopedic surgery and ultrasound exams.

Twice daily outside vet laboratory pick-ups provide the doctors with the latest technology at a nationally recognized veterinary laboratory staffed by board certified veterinary specialists.

In a further effort to offer cutting edge veterinary medical technology our doctors may consult with or refer pets to a local network of veterinary specialists in surgery, radiology, internal medicine, neurology, dermatology, cardiology, ophthalmology, and orthopedic surgery.
Our Mission Statement is to practice the highest quality medicine at an affordable price and provide a professional clinical setting to better benefit our clients and patients.

Our practice is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). This means that we are in accordance with the highest standards available for the small animal veterinary practice.

We belong to an elite group of accredited practices that voluntarily meet or exceed the association's standards for patient care, equipment, and quality procedures. Only 17% of all animal hospitals in North America are accredited by AAHA. As part of our accreditation, we are regularly evaluated by an AAHA consultant to assure continuing compliance.

AAHA accredited practices are truly distinctive in providing the highest quality care for pets. AAHA standards are recognized around the world as the benchmark for quality care in veterinary medicine.

When you are looking for a veterinary professional for you and your animals, look to Del Valle Pet Hospital for your pets' health care.

To learn more about AAHA and view thier online magazine click on the link below:
www.healthypet.com

Zoonotic Disease: What you need to know to protect your family.
As warm weather approaches, we're all itching to get outdoors. But many of us are just scratching the surface when it comes to choosing and using the proper flea, tick, heartworm protection and dewormers for our pets.
Parasites can cause a variety of problems in animals ranging from mild to severe. In some instances, parasites can even cause death. Unfortunately, humans can pick up parasites from our four legged friends.

Fleas and ticks are the most common external parasite of dogs and cats. Heartworms, roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms are the most common internal parasites.
As weather warms and families head outdoors, remember that sandboxes, gardens and lawn areas may be home to potentially dangerous parasites. The tiny organisms are introduced to areas where pets go to the bathroom.
These parasites are zoonotic, which means they can be transmitted from pets to people and can penetrate the skin if someone walks barefoot through sand or soil that contains parasites. Protect yourself and your family from these parasites, which can cause serious health problems, such as blindness in children. Talk with your veterinary professional today to learn how.
An easy way to protect family members from parasites is to clean-up pet waste from outside areas, including your lawn. Before bringing a new pet home, schedule a thorough exam so that your veterinarian can recommend the right vaccines and provide a de-worming service.
The following parasites pose risks to pets and people: roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm, ringworm, whipworm, Toxoplasmosis, Giardia, and mange infections. To learn more, visit the Companion Animal Parasite Council online.
Roundworm (Toxocara) infection is the sixth most common reported disease in people in the United States, said Elizabeth S. Maimon, DVM, MPH, of Hills and Dales Veterinary Clinic, an AAHA-accredited practice in Dayton, Ohio.
Hookworm infections represent a reported 4,000 or more cases annually. We know that hookworms and roundworms may live for years in soil, she added, referring to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Trust the Experts
Maimon warns pet owners that the best medicine comes from veterinarians.
The de-worming process can take at least three weeks or more to be effective, she said. Clients are mistaken when they believe over-the-counter de-worming medication is efficacious. Without a proper fecal [poop] evaluation, one is hard pressed to know what specific intestinal parasites the pet has and [prescribe] the right de-worming agent. Sadly, many intestinal parasite infections go undetected, because they are not visible to the naked eye.
Jeff Bender, DVM, MS, DACVPM, suggests de-worming for puppies and kittens as early as three weeks of age. Pets should get routine checks for internal and external parasites, said Bender, a professor of veterinary public health at the University of Minnesota. [Exams are] one of the most important public health measures, Bender explained. Early evaluation is essential.
In addition to vaccinations and check-ups, Bender stressed the importance of limiting contact between pets and wildlife, including raccoons and coyotes, to prevent the spread of disease to domestic pets.
Prevention of infection is the best way to keep family members safe, Maimon said. Raccoons can leave behind Baylisascarids, a dangerous member of the roundworm family that people can inhale, causing dermal [skin] infection and neurological disease.
Tips to Prevent the Spread of Parasites between Pets and People
· Take pets to your veterinarian regularly to check for internal and external parasites
· Over-the-counter de-wormers may not work. Veterinarians should do de-worming
· Avoid interaction between pets and wildlife
· Do not leave pet food outside; it may attract wildlife
· Pick up after pets; obey No Pet signs for beaches and playgrounds
· Cover your childs sandbox when not in use, and avoid public playground sandboxes
· Do not let children touch pet litter boxes
· When changing litter, wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterward
· Pregnant women should wear gloves and masks when gardening and avoid litter boxes
· Use disposable liners, and change litter daily

· Do not feed pets undercooked or raw meat
· Control fleas, lice, flies and other insects in your pets environment
· When traveling, bring water for your pet, and do not let him/her drink from puddles or standing water
· Wear shoes and socks indoors and outdoors

Please bring in a fresh fecal sample on your annual visit to check for parasites. Remember to use a heartworm, flea and tick preventative as well as a dewormer all year round.