Q: What are your hours?

A: Monday through Friday 7:30-5:30; Saturday 8:00-12:00. We are closed on Sundays.

2.

Q: What is your address?

3.

Q: Do I need a prescription to buy my pet’s flea control?

4.

Q: How many doses of each product are there in a package of flea control?

A: Frontline = 3 doses

     K9 Advantix = 4 doses

     Advantage for cats = 4 doses

     Program = 6 doses

     Capstar = 6 doses

Each dose of each product lasts 1 month, except for Capstar, which is only effective for 24 hours.

5.

Do I need a prescription for my dog’s heartworm medication?

A: Yes. Heartworm medication is available by prescription only. We can dispense it to you if your pet has had a full physical exam by one of our doctors within the last year, and has had a negative heartworm test within the last two years.

7.

Q: Can my pet have a technician appointment on a Saturday?

A: No. Due to our limited hours and staff on Saturdays, we only offer technician appointments on weekdays.

8.

Q: What days does each particular doctor see appointments or do surgeries?

             Dr. Mobraaten sees appointments on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, and she also sees appointments on Friday mornings. Depending on each week's Saturday schedule, she occasionally sees appointments on Friday afternoons, as well. She does surgeries and sees admitted patients on Mondays and Tuesdays. She is not in the office on Thursdays.

             Dr. Trujillo sees appointments on Wednesday mornings and Thursday afternoons. She does surgeries and sees admitted patients on Thursday and Friday mornings. She is not in the office on Mondays or Tuesdays.

                Dr. Rasmussen sees appointments all day on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and in the afternoon on Wednesdays. She is available most Fridays depending on her Saturday schedule. She sees admitted patients and does surgeries on Wednesdays.

                 The Doctors alternate their Saturday schedules. If you have a doctor preference and you wish to make an appointment on a Saturday, please be aware that your pet's regular physician may not be on call on Saturday.

9.

Q: I am taking my pet on an airplane. What documentation do I need?

A: We advise that you always contact the particular airline you will be traveling on for specific instructions; however, most airlines require a health certificate, which we can provide for you. To obtain a health certificate, your pet must be examined on the day the certificate is issued and the certificate is then signed by the doctor. While health certificates are technically valid for 30 days, many airlines request that your certificate be issued no more than ten days ahead of the day you are traveling. Please keep this in mind when scheduling an appointment with us.

10.

Q: Can I buy a dog license from you?

11.

Q: At what age should I consider spaying or neutering my pet?

A: We recommend spaying or neutering at six months of age. 

12.

Q: What is preanesthetic blood work and why do you recommend it?

A: Preanesthetic blood work is an important thing to consider whenever your pet requires sedation or anesthesia. A preanesthetic panel, or PAP for short, is a blood panel focusing on kidney and liver function run here at our hospital before a procedure is done, usually on the same day as that procedure. Because the kidneys and the liver aid in the body’s processing of the anesthesia or sedative, it is important to make sure they are healthy before we put a patient under for a procedure. Anesthesia or sedation always involves a risk. It is important to understand that there is no way to completely eliminate that risk, but a preanesthetic panel can minimize it significantly.

            We recommend preanesthetic blood work in any pet going under anesthesia or sedation, particularly in older animals, but the decision to run the panel is generally up to you as the pet owner. In cases of advanced age, delicate health or extreme anesthetic risk, your pet's doctor may insist on preanesthetic bloodwork before performing any procedure requiring anesthesia or sedation.

13.

Q:  My dog or cat is having blood drawn. Does he or she need to fast?

A: Yes. We recommend a 12 hour fast before all blood collection appointments. Water does not need to be withheld. A member of our reception staff will advise you if any additional instructions need to be followed before a specific test when the appointment is made.

14.

Q: My dog or cat is having a surgical procedure performed. Does he or she need to fast beforehand?

A: Yes. We recommend a 12 hour fast before all procedures requiring anesthesia or sedation. Water does not need to be withheld.

15.

Q: Does my cat have to be in a carrier when I bring him or her into the hospital?

A: Yes! For the safety of our patients, clients, and staff, we require that all of our feline patients be in carriers. If you don’t have a carrier, we would be happy to provide you with one. 

16.

Q: Can I be billed for costs incurred during my pet’s visit?

A: No. Payment is expected at the time services are rendered, and we do not bill. Your understanding is appreciated.

17.

Q: I have a new puppy. At what age do you recommend beginning puppy shots?

A: We generally recommend beginning puppy vaccines at 8 weeks of age. A vaccine schedule specific to your puppy will be made at the time of his or her first visit.

18.

A: We generally recommend beginning kitten vaccines at 8 weeks of age. A vaccine schedule specific to your kitten will be made at the time of his or her first visit.

19.

A: Most adult dogs receive vaccinations for DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza and Parvo) every 2 years and Bordetella (commonly called “kennel cough”) every year. Rabies boosters are given every three years. Please note that the first rabies vaccine your dog ever receives will only last one year. Subsequent boosters will last three years.

20.

Q: How often does my adult cat require shots?

A: Most adult cats receive vaccinations for rabies every year. Vaccinations for FVRCP (upper respiratory disease and panleukopenia) every 3 years and Feline Leukemia every 2 years.

A: We recommend that indoor cats receive regular FVRCP vaccinations even if they are strictly indoors due to airborne transmission. Leukemia and rabies vaccinations are optional but not usually necessary.

22.

Q: Why does my dog or cat have to stay in the hospital overnight after being spayed or neutered?

A: All boarding cats must be current on FVRCP, FeLV (feline leukemia) and Rabies.

25.

Q. My older or chronically ill pet is having a procedure done that requires anesthesia or sedation. Are there extra steps taken to help ensure my pet's safety during the procedure?

A: Pets that are seven years of age or older are considered geriatric; animals age at a faster rate than humans. Geriatric dogs and cats, like elderly people, are at a higher risk for complications under anesthesia. Our hospital requires that extra precautions are taken during any anesthetic procedure on a geriatric animal, particularly if the patient has any history of chronic or serious medical conditions, such as cardiac or renal (kidney) abmormalities. A catheter (IV) will be placed into your pet's leg, and fluids will be administered during the procedure to assist the body in flushing the anesthesia out. A special anesthetic called Propofol may be used to further minimize the risk taken with anesthesia. Propofol is administered into the catheter and allows patients to wake more quickly than they would with our regular Isofluorane anesthesia alone. Your pet's veterinarian or a receptionist can discuss these procedures with you before your pet's procedure. It is always important to remember that there is no way to completely eliminate the risks of anesthesia, but measures like fluids, a catheter, and Propofol anesthesia can significantly minimize those risks.

26.

Q: My dog or cat is boarding with you. Can I pick him or her up on a Sunday?

27.

A: Your dog or cat will be kept in a roomy cage of the appropriate size; larger dogs are kept in runs. The cages are located indoors. Dogs are walked twice a day for elimination purposes; unfortunately we do not have the staff availability to provide a more extensive walk. We stock Science Diet, Hill’s Prescription, and a selection of Iams, Purina and Royal Canin Veterinary diets. If you prefer your pet to eat a different brand of food, feel free to bring some in at the time he or she will be boarding. We provide bedding and dishes. It is important to note that we are a veterinary hospital before we are a boarding facility; space available for boarders is always determined by room needed for hospitalized animals.

28.

Q: Who is the current owner of the hospital?

A: As most of our clients are sadly aware, Dr. David Mutti, the previous owner of Santa Barbara Pet Hospital, passed away in April of 2006. Shortly before his passing he sold the hospital to Dr. Sally Mobraaten, who is our new Hospital Director. Dr. Mobraaten is working hard to uphold Dr. Mutti's high standards of excellence in veterinary care while bringing her own preferences, ideas and improvements to the hospital. One of our Associate Veterinarians and our Practice Manager worked extensively with Dr. Mutti and have stayed with the practice. We invite you to learn more about Dr. Mobraaten, and our staff, on our "Staff" page by clicking on the link to your left.

29.

Q: My pet saw Dr. Karen Sama at your practice while Dr. Mutti was on medical leave. Does Dr. Sama still work with you?

A: Dr. Sama was our relief veterinarian who kindly filled in while our previous Hospital Director was unable to practice. Because we have a new Hospital Director, Dr. Sama is no longer seeing patients at Santa Barbara Pet Hospital. Dr. Mobraaten, Dr. Trujillo and Dr. Rasmussen are always glad to see patients who saw Dr. Sama while she was working with us.

30.

What is your fax number?

(805) 963-0826