New veterinary hospital comes to Brentwood
Lone Tree Animal Care, a new veterinary office in Brentwood, is eagerly anticipating the opening of their new location.
Originally slated for a June 2022 opening, construction delays at the 6800 Lone Tree Way location have forced the practice to take up temporary residence at Brentwood Pet Resort. The permanent location is now expected to open in early 2023, and company officials said they are accepting new patients.
Lone Tree Animal Care offers “stateof-the-art medical care” in a welcoming and caring environment, their website says. They believe in nurturing the human-pet bond and creating a harmonious relation ship between people and pets, according to their website. From routine check-ups, microchipping, and spay and neuter appointments to more specialized services such as nutritional counseling and allergy
testing and other needs of your dog and cat. Emergency and urgent care is also offered, including an onsite pharmacy. A list of services can be found on their website.
Dr. Mandeep Sandhu and Dr. Navjot Kaur lead the veterinary staff. Sandhu has been practicing veterinary medicine since 1998, and is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and
Chicago Veterinary Medical Association. Kaur, or as she prefers, Dr. Nav, earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2004, before going on to work as a clinical instructor in Veterinary Biomedical Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan focusing on small-animal anatomy.
“It’s great for me to be a part of this team,” Kaur said. “We just moved in a couple of months back, and I love this
neighborhood.”
Until their new office opens, Lone Tree Animal Care is at 600 Concord Ave. in Brentwood. Their hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. They are closed on Sundays. For more information, or to book an appointment for your dog and/or cat, visit https://www.lonetreeani malcare.com/ or call 925-450-3800.
For more information, email contacthalo@ yahoo.com or visit www.eccchalo.org
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The staff members of Lone Tree Animal Care look forward to the opening of their permanent location. They are thrilled to offer their clients quality pet care options.
Holiday gifts for four-legged family members
Holiday shoppers who are busy making lists and checking them twice should make sure they don’t overlook the family pet. Christmas has gone to the cats and dogs, as more people include their companion animals when select ing gifts each year.
A study for OnePoll conducted by Rover.com, the nation’s largest network of dog sitters and walkers, found that 95 percent of pet owners have bought holiday gifts for their pets. Gifts can range from everyday needs, like food and treats, to more lavish extravagances like spa treatments.
Pet owners who plan to get their pets gifts this year may want to consider some of the emerging pet trends as they browse wares and services. The Balance, a business, career and industry informa tion website, says pet industry trends point toward these segments seeing growth.
Natural pet products
Just as people are interested in protect ing the health of the planet and their own personal health, so, too, are they extending this concern to companion animals. Natural
Pet owners who plan to get their pets gifts this year may want to consider some of the emerging pet trends as they browse wares and services.
pet products, which can include natural flea and tick remedies, holistic foods, organic
items, and all-natural grooming products, can make great gifts.
Specialty pet services
The American Pet Products Association says the demand for high-end pet groom ing and other services is substantial. In addition, personalized training, behavioral consulting, portrait photography, dog sitting, and upscale spa treatments like pet Reiki and massage are booming.
Mobile pet grooming
Mobile pet grooming has become the norm in many areas. Mobile pet grooming can reduce the potential stress on animals, and tends to be very convenient for customers, particularly seniors and others who have mobility issues.
Beyond these growing trends, pet owners have a bevy of other ideas from which to choose. Here are a few different suggestions:
♦ tests to detect pets’ DNA and trace breed and ancestry
♦ interactive puzzles to keep pets engaged and banish boredom
♦ stylish storage baskets for pet toys
♦ hidden cat litter or dog crate items that camouflage commonly used pet items
♦ heated pet bed for cozy nights and mornings
♦ signature vests, coats and sweaters to look good and remain comfortable.
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H.A.L.O. has two problems it wants to solve
Animal care group has too many cats; needs a dog manager
RENE DE AMARALHomeless Animals’ Lifeline Organization, better known as H.A.L.O., is one of the oldest rescues in East Contra Costa County, having successfully placed more than 10,000 cats and dogs since 2001, according to their website. But now, they have too many cats and they need a new dog manager.
H.A.L.O.’s dog program is struggling as they no longer have an acting manager. The program has been without a dog program manager since last year, so it has been on hold, officials said, adding that there is a freeze on new dogs in the program.
Officials said the new dog manager would:
♦ Help recruit fosters
♦ Manage fosters. This would include working with them on what dogs are taken in, making sure fosters are qualified and have some knowledge of basic care and training of dogs,
♦ Manage which dogs go out to weekend adoptions.
♦ Set up files and keep records on the dogs.
♦ Work with veterinarians scheduling appointments, spay/neuter, vaccinations.
♦ Controlling budget and spending for the dog program.
♦ Work with shelters on pulling adoptable dogs to bring into our program.
The dog program manager does not need to foster; it is preferred, but not required, officials said. They would need decent knowledge of dogs, and work well with people, and they are welcome to recruit and assist to help with maintaining dog files and records.
H.A.L.O’s director and vice president Verlene Leonardo encourages anyone who would be interested in assisting with the program to email contacthalo@yahoo.com
H.A.L.O. is an all-volunteer organi zation that works with city and county
shelters to find safe and loving homes for all the animals they rescue and foster. Their vision is to assist with minimizing pet abandonment, ensuring that all pet owners will have their dogs and cats spayed and neutered, reduc ing the number of feral cats in East County and teaching children that every animal has value, according to the organization’s website.
Despite kitten season being over, many young kittens have been welcomed into the organization, Leonardo said.
“We have about 108 animals currently available,” she said. “We are unusu ally full this time of year, and we don’t normally have so many small kittens. We also have a lot of older kittens still with us.”
H.A.L.O.’s volunteers take in kittens and properly care for and socialize them rather than them waiting for adoption in an overcrowded shelter. “It’s such a benefit that they come out of the house because
we know how they are and what they need,” :Leonardo said.
Much of their funding comes from public donations and their weekly adop tion events, but the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult for them to hold fund raisers and events. The money covers the costs of spay and neuter, along with keeping the animals up to date on their required shots. “The problem is that there’s just no low-cost spay and neuter in East Contra Costa,” she said. “We don’t make any money off of this; all the money goes to the cats.”
H.A.L.O. also works with Pet Food Express as the location for their weekly adoption events. Their cats and kittens are seen every Friday from 4-7 p.m. and every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., except the third Saturday of the month. The community can also support H.A.L.O. by shopping their Pet Food Express link found on the organization’s website.
For more information visit http:// eccchalo.org/ and to stay updated on current and future H.A.L.O. fundraisers and events, visit http://bit.ly/3VcoVku
rentwood Veterinary Hospital is an AAHA accredited facility that has been a part of the Brentwood community for forty five years! We offer state-of-the art diagnostic and therapeutic services to care for your pet’s complete health care needs. We balance this with a staff that cares about you and your pets like you are family. We offer modern diagnostics in the form of in-house laboratory testing, ultrasound, and digital radiography. Once diagnosed, we are able to treat your fur-babies with progressive treatments options and medications.
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Tips for traveling with dogs for the holidays
After years living under the cloud of a pandemic that limited where they could travel, many people have a strong desire to head off for parts unknown. As individuals and families ponder business trips or vacations, they may think about bringing a beloved pet along.
According to a AAA/Best Western survey, 85 percent of dog owners travel with their dogs. The most popular vacations to let pooches tag along include going to the beach, camping and hiking. As more people do things with their pets, businesses in the travel and hospitality sector are taking notice and have become more accommodating to four-legged guests. However, there’s still plenty to learn when taking a dog along as a travel compan ion. Explore these dog travel tips.
♦ Buy a crate. Even if the dog does not need a crate at home, it’s best to have one for travel. Crates often are required for airline travel and can keep dogs safer in cars. Many hotels also require that dogs be crated in the rooms to keep them out of trouble and prevent damage. A crate should be large enough that the dog can stand, turn and lie down, according to the American Kennel Club.
Even
to learn
overnight or two-day stay. This way, if the trip turns into a fiasco, checkout isn’t a week away. Shorter trips also help people figure out what works and what will need to change the next time.
there’s
Find restaurants nearby that allow pets. Many that have outdoor seating may en able a leashed pet to stay near the seating perimeter.
♦
Carry copies of pet-related docu ments. It’s important to prove that the dog is healthy and current on vaccinations. Of ficials may ask to see documentation when traveling abroad. Some travelers also may want to investigate pet passports. The U.S. does not require a pet passport, but the European Union pioneered pet passports to enable animals to move more freely throughout its member nations.
♦ Plan a short excursion first. If you have never traveled with a dog before, make the first trip a short one, such as an
♦ Expect some fees. Most hotels charge a fee for doggy clients. A fee of $25 to $50 is pretty standard. There also may be a designated pet floor to minimize the chances that guests without pets will be forced to interact with animals.
♦ Normal behavior may go out the window. A dog who is calm at home may be out of sorts while traveling. It’s not uncommon for a dog unphased by people at home to suddenly be anxious and bark at sounds in a hotel hallway.
♦ Bring water from home. When pack ing food, pack a few gallons of water as well, even though it can be cumbersome. Some dogs with delicate digestive systems may be upset by drinking the local water. A case of diarrhea is compounded further by having to make it into an elevator and outside the hotel in time.
♦
Look into pet-friendly restaurants. Smarter Travel says that some hotels won’t allow a guest to keep the dog alone in the room. That means meal time can be tricky.
♦ Tire the dog out. Exercised dogs tend to be well-behaved dogs. Make time to go on long walks, visit a dog park or engage in other activities that will make the pup tired so it’s less likely to cause problems at the hotel.
Learn the ropes of traveling with a dog to increase the opportunities for having lots of fun with Fido in tow.
the American Kennel Club (AKC), dog anxiety can affect all breeds. As a result, it behooves all dog owners to learn about dog anxi ety so they can be in the best position possible to help their furry friends.
What is anxiety?
The anxiety dogs feel is not much
when
different than that felt by humans. MerriamWebster defines anxiety as “apprehensive uneasiness or nervousness over an impend ing or anticipated ill.” Although the AKC acknowledges that all dogs feel anxiety at one point or another, the organization warns that disproportionate levels of anxiety that go untreated can produce an anxiety disorder in dogs. Such disorders can pave the way to behavioral and other issues.
What causes anxiety in dogs?
The Merck Veterinary Manual indicates that fear, separation and aging are some of the most common causes of dog anxiety. Some dog owners may recognize that their dogs are fearful of loud noises, strangers (including both people and animals they don’t recognize), veterinary visits, and certain visual stimuli. Though that fear is often temporary, it could lead to significant anxiety in some dogs.
Tips for safe entertaining in pet-friendly households
The holiday season brings added dangers for pets.
The American Veterinary Association notes that, by keep ing hazards in mind, pet owners can ensure their four-legged friends enjoy the season as much as everyone else.
♦ Secure the tree. Securely anchor the Christmas tree so that it won’t tip over on anyone, including rambunctious pets. Also, stagnant tree stand water can grow bacteria. If a pet should drink the water, it may end up with nausea or diarrhea. Replenish the tree basin with fresh water daily.
♦ Skip the candles. When creating mood lighting, opt for electronic or batterypowered lights instead of open flames. Pets may knock over candles, and that can be an instant fire hazard.
♦ Keep food out of reach. Put food buf fets beyond the reach of hungry and curious
animals. Warn guests to promptly throw out their leftovers so that dogs and cats do not sneak away with scraps that may cause stomach upset or worse.
♦ Avoid artificial sweeteners. Exercise cau tion when baking sugar-free desserts. The ar tificial sweetener xylitol can cause dogs’ blood pressure to drop to dangerously low levels.
♦ Be cautious with cocktails. If the celebration will include alcoholic beverages, the ASPCA says to place unattended adult beverages where pets cannot reach them. Ingested alcohol can make pets ill, weak and even induce comas.
♦ Be picky about plants. Mistletoe, holly and poinsettias can be dangerous in petfriendly households. These plants can cause gastrointestinal upset and may lead to other problems if ingested.
♦ Watch the door. Guests going in and out may inadvertently leave doors open. In such instances, pets who get scared or are door dashers may be able to escape the house. Put a note by the door to watch for escaping pets.
dog is anxious
The AKC estimates that around 14 percent of dogs are affected by separation anxiety. These dogs cannot be comfortable when their owners leave, and they may engage in various negative behaviors as a result. Such behaviors include chewing or destroying furniture, urinating or defecating in the home even if they’ve been trained, and excessive barking.
Age-related anxiety has been linked to cognitive dysfunction syndrome, or CDS. In such instances, dogs with CDS experience anxiety as they deal with issues affecting their memory, perception and awareness. What are some symptoms of anxiety in dogs?
The AKC advises dog owners to be on the lookout for these important symptoms of dog anxiety: ♦ Aggression ♦ Urinating or defecating in the house ♦ Drooling
Panting
Destructive behavior
Depression
Excessive barking
Pacing
Restlessness
Repetitive or compulsive behaviors
Anxiety can be a serious issue for dogs that harms their quality of life. Various approaches can be tried to treat dogs with anxiety. Dog owners who suspect their dogs
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