Veterinarians at the University of California, Davis, offer some helpful tips to keep your pets safe this holiday season.

While the holidays are filled with traditional foods and decorations, those same items can cause harm to your pets if ingested. Every year at the UC Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, veterinarians treat pets that get sick from eating the holiday decorations and treats.

“We love to decorate our homes for the holidays,” said Karl Jandrey, an assistant professor of clinical small animal emergency and intensive care at UC Davis. “But, we need to keep in mind that some of our decorations and treats can be hazardous to our pets.

“Thankfully, most of the items ingested are only minimally harmful. However, some seemingly harmless holiday items can cause internal damage or even death to your pet,” he said.

Items to watch out for:... Read More

Community members are invited to spread a little cheer this year by helping UC Davis volunteers fill holiday pet baskets for the four-legged companions of area homeless individuals.

A team of staff volunteers at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital needs help with monetary donations to provide more than 130 holiday-wrapped boxes filled with toys, treats, leashes, food and other pet-care products to animals served at the Mercer Clinic in Sacramento.

Funds are especially needed to purchase pet coats and sweaters to help protect the animals from the wet and cold conditions they and their owners often encounter during the winter months.

“We’re running out of sweaters and coats this year so we are asking folks to please give what they can to help us to continue providing these much-needed items,” said Eileen Samitz, a clinical microbiologist, who uses vacation time annually to coordinate the gift basket program.

Kabang, a dog who lost her snout when she leapt in front of a motorcycle to save two little girls in The Philippines, will be examined on Thursday, Oct. 11, by specialists at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching at the University of California, Davis.    Hospital director W. David Wilson, a professor of veterinary medicine, issued the following statement:    "In light of the horrific nature of her injury and the complexity of potential treatment options, we ask the media to respect Kabang’s needs and welfare in this matter, and allow our veterinarians the time to determine the best course of action for her treatment. Contrary to rumors, Kabang’s treatment will not involve a 'prosthetic snout' or jaw replacement."   UC Davis will provide updated information Thursday afternoon following her initial examination... Read More