Easier Check-in?

Your time is valuable! And we made your appointment check-in at El Gato even easier. When you arrive for the appointment, please note the pink sign adjacent to your parking space which identifies the space number you occupy. Then, simply text that lot space number as well as your last name, to 408-356-2181, and your check-in is complete! We’ll take it from there. Any questions while you wait? Simply text us at the same number. Thank you for your patience and support as we try to make your visit with us as smooth as possible.

Prescription Advisory!

Your pet needs her medication. We fill prescriptions as soon as we receive medical approval, and then we notify you that the prescription is ready to be picked up. Please understand that if you haven’t picked up the medication by two weeks after it was filled, that medication will be returned to stock.

Pet Toxins

Chances are your Thanksgiving was spent with your pets and members of what we like to call your “germ circle”, those individuals in your immediate household. While still festive, it’s also likely that your December holidays will be closer to home as well. No matter how celebratory your holidays are, your pets are likely to be your constant partners. Please remember, while you cherish and love your pets, just don’t indulge them with things that might be poisonous or toxic for them or even too much people food can cause vomiting / diarrhea. If your attention is distracted, even for a short time, while you open gifts, Zoom chat with distant family or friends, or watch a movie, be sure your pets cannot sneak into something they shouldn’t get. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, (ASPCA), provides a detailed listing of the foods to be avoided. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets. If you are concerned about plants that may be poisonous or dangerous for your pets, please also visit the ASPCA’s website:
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/dogs-plant-list

While food and plants can be toxic for pets, there are other items to consider when keeping your pet safe. The Pet Poison Helpline list the top ten most common toxins that they get called about. They are:

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/basics/top-10-pet-poisons/
Do your best to pet – proof your home. If you suspect that your pet may have ingested any of these items, don’t delay, call us immediately, the ASPCA hotline at 888-426-4435, or go to the local pet emergency facility. Take any samples of the product with you. Protect your best friends and have a safe holiday.

by assistant editor, Roo, aka, Super Searcher With a Nose for News.

Dogs Kept Man Warm!

Snuggling with our best k-9 friend is not only comforting, it keeps us warm. Indigenous peoples of the areas of British Columbia took it one step further. According to an October 20, 2020, article in “The New York Times”, scientists from the University of Victoria British Columbia, identified wool collected from a blanket to be from a dog.

“The Journal of Anthropological Archaeology” published a study in September in which the authors evaluated data collected over 55 years from 16,000 specimens from the Pacific Northwest. The study found that there were two distinct dog types, one large and one smaller, this one with wooly fur. These smaller, knee-high dogs far outnumbered the larger dogs were sheared like sheep and their fur was woven into textiles to make the fibers even stronger.

Sadly, demand for these textiles dwindled with colonization and the import of other materials. The small wool dog breed is believed to no longer exist.

Welcome Aboard, Steven!

Because you cannot come into the building yet, you may not have met Steven Trevino, our new receptionist. He is a great addition to the staff, and his arrival is perfect timing given how busy the phone lines are. Next time you call please say hi to him! Steven comes to us from the hospitality industry and brings a wealth of customer relations skills. He is getting started on his four-legged journey with us and is learning the veterinary side very quickly. We can’t wait for you to meet him.

2021 Calendars Are Here!

Our calendars are here and available free for pickup for anyone who desires one. Simply text us that you are here for a calendar and we will deliver it to your car. If you are here for an appointment, let our staff know you want a calendar and we can give it to you then.

Days of Note!

Mutt Day! December 2, 2020

Did you know that over 80% of shelter dogs are mixed breed? These wonderful animals are full of love, fun and can’t wait to be your friend. They are unique with personalities all their own. Please consider adopting a mixed breed dog when looking for your new best friend. By the way, what do you call a magician? A Labracadarabrador! That made me smile too!

Created by Melville Dewey and first used at Amherst College in 1876, the Dewey Decimal system is a method of classifying books in a library. Numbers ranging from 000 to 999 are used to highlight different fields of knowledge. Different fields have different subdivisions and are characterized by decimals and numbers. This is a great system for humans to locate library books; I just use my nose to sniff out a particular book.

Day of the Horse – December 13, 2020

The horse has been a human partner for thousands of years and on December 13 we celebrate that partnership. These majestic animals are our co-workers and friends, just ask our own veterinary technician, Heather. She just loves her horses and, take it straight from the horse’s mouth, they love her too. Why was the little pony removed from class?
Because he was horsing around. (Oops, I just couldn’t resist).

CHRISTMAS DAY! – December 25, 2020

El Gato will be closed both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, (December 24 and 25) and again on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, (December 31 and January 1), so our amazing staff can recoup and spend some quality time with their family. If you need prescription refills or food orders, please plan ahead and let us know in advance. Remember, if you or a friend cannot get your pet’s medication, 360petcab (https://www.360petcab.com/) is available, for a fee, and will deliver your medication to you.

We wish all of you the best holidays ever and pray that 2021 will be a better year for us all. Thank you.