We have worked very hard with our drug manufacturers and suppliers to bring you the most competitive pricing possible 

All of our medications come with the full manufacturers guarantee (not available when purchased from pet stores or on-line), as well as your assurance that the medications you purchase from your veterinarian are safe and effective, with the most up to date expiration dates and the best price possible. 

For refills, please call ahead-858-453-6312,or

send your request by fax-858-453-8312,or

email your request for refills to; gacoffice@att.net or,

log on to your PetPortal and order your pet's medications, veterinary diets, neutraceuticals, flea control and heartworm preventive, and have it mailed directly to you!    For more information about PetPortals, see our home page.

Also save when you purchase your pets pain/anti-inflammatory medications in these sizes/amounts;  Rimadyl Chewables in the #180 count size, Metacam 100ml, and Deramaxx #90 count size.

For a limited time, if you purchase 12 doses of Frontline and/or Heartgard, you will receive up to a $20.00 clinic credit!!  (For purchases in our office)

This "Veterinary Stimulus" offer will be good through 2011

Our task must be to free ourselves....by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.

Albert Einstein

Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar

Bradley Miller

A portion of the Governor Animal Clinic pharmacy

For Our Patients Needing  Metronidazole

5-4-2011

There is currently only one manufacturer of Metronidazole, a medication used to treat diarrhea and Giardia, as well as some other conditions in pets.  This company has recently decided to increase the cost of the medication by about 700 percent! 

This price increase directly and immediately affected prices in the nation’s three largest veterinary product distributorships, as well as human pharmacy chains.

We still have some stock left at the older prices, so prices should stay stable for awhile, but we wanted to warn our customers that unless the situation changes, a medication that was once relatively inexpensive will become very expensive, within the next year.

More than likely we will be seeing more instances of drug companies buyout/merging/takeovers. The
immense capital involved in these mergers translates into power, and the ultimate effects are price increase with less access to these drugs (less manufacturers, they cut back on stock - the demand goes up).  We will keep you updated with any changes.

Can I get a refund on prescriptions my pet did not take?

California State Health Code forbids the resale of any prescription medication dispensed from the hospital.

Federal law also stipulates that any medications dispensed may not be returned for reuse due to the potential for safety concerns (ie; tampering, incorrect storage and contamination).  

Therefore, we are unable to accept medications for return under any circumstances.
You may wish to request small quantities of medications that your pet has not taken previously so that you can be assured that your pet will tolerate the therapy.

Are Over-The-Counter medications from pharmacies safe to give my pet?

Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications can be dangerous for your pet. The OTC drug that is most frequently responsible for severe toxicity to pets is the anti-inflammatory pain reliever, ibuprofen ( Motrin and Advil).
Pets metabolize medications very differently than people, even in small doses, drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) can kill a cat.
There are also ingredients that are used to flavor drugs that are toxic to pets (Xylitol).
Unless your veterinarian has specifically told you to buy a particular OTC drug from a pharmacy and directions on dosages, do not give OTC medications to your pets.


How long can I keep medications?

Time flies, and it is easy to stash away a medication for later use, only to find that a few months, or years later,  it is way out of date. You should not use expired medications for your pet (or you). 

Certain prescriptions, such as antibiotics prescribed for an infection, should be given as directed and given until the prescription is gone. Other medications are prescribed with more of a "use as needed" instruction.  If there is ever a question about a prescription drug, its possible side effects, storage and handling, administration, etc., you should discuss directly with your veterinarian and as soon as the question arises.

Every animal and every medication is different. There is no universal "rule" on how long a product will last, or if it will still be OK to use after the expiration date printed on the packaging. General safe storage tips include, but are not limited to:

• Keep out of direct sunlight
• Keep at room temperature (or possibly refrigerated - check package)
• Keep dry - high humidity may cause deterioration in some products
• Do not use if it is past the expiration date, unless directed by the dispensing doctor

Drugs are often expensive, and it may be tempting to save money by using an expired product, but consider if it were food -- Besides losing strength and effectiveness, the expired item may become toxic over time (bacterial or mold growth, degradation of chemical components) and that would create more problems that it would solve.

How do I get rid of old medications?

The Office of National Drug Control Policy in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Environment Protection Agency has issued consumer-driven guidelines for the proper disposal of unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs.

When possible, all medications put in the trash should be treated in some way to prevent people and animals from eating them. You can do this by simply adding water and then salt, coffee grounds, kitty litter, ashes from the fireplace or barbecue pit, or dirt from the yard to pills or capsules in a bottle or by adding salt, ashes, or dirt to liquid medications.  It is also wise to place the medications in the trash as close to the pick-up time as possible so there is less chance that the medicine can fall into the wrong hands.  

The guideline instructs patients to refer to printed material accompanying medication for flushing restrictions.

We urge you to take advantage of community pharmaceutical take-back programs. San Diego and surrounding counties offer these programs.

Information can be found at the California Integrated Waste Management website at http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/HHW/PharmWaster/

or refer to the California Board of Pharmacy recommended disposal methods listed in the flyer http://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/publications/dont _flush_meds.pdf

Video;  How to pill a cat

Governor Animal Clinic carries the safest products in flea control protection.  Please call today to find out more about;

Available only through your veterinarian, Comfortis, a once-a-month chewable prescription flea control tablet for control of fleas on dogs and puppies 14 weeks and older.

Sentinel, a once-a-month beef flavored tablet that prevents heartworm disease and controls fleas, protects against three common intestinal worms, and is convenient and safe for households with children.

Capstar, an oral tablet that provides immediate, short term flea relief (starts working within 30 minutes).  A single dose should kill the adult fleas on your pet, and is so safe, can be used as often as once per day, even for puppies and kittens four weeks and older, weighing two pounds or greater.

Frontline, a once-a-month topical application that kills fleas and ticks, is long lasting and waterproof, approved for puppies and kittens 8 weeks of age and older.

Advantage, an easy to apply topical application that controls fleas all month long, killing fleas and larvae within 20 minutes of contact.  Safe for use on dogs and cats.

Trifexis, for use in dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older, and 5 pounds of body weight or greater, this once a month chewable tablet prevents heartworm disease, kills fleas within 30 minutes of administering, and treats and controls hookworm, roundworm and whipworm.

Pets Said to Outnumber People in U.S.

Pets outnumber people in the United States by 60 million, according to an article published by CNN.comon March 14, 2006. The article quotes dollar investments in pets – which totaled $36.3 billion in 2005, and the types of pampering services that have become more popular, such as massage.

Flea Product Dangers

With so many products to choose from, it is very important to discuss your pet's flea medication needs with your veterinarian.

Not all flea and tick products are suitable for both dogs and cats.  A perfect example is a flea, tick and mosquito "spot treatment" called K-9 Advantix, made exclusively for dogs.  One of the active ingredients is permethrin, which can induce a serious adverse reaction in cats.  The packaging of K-9 Advantix is similar to Advantage and Frontline (both of which have safe, feline-strength sizes) and may be mistakenly applied to a cat.  This could potentially cause a fatal permethrin toxicity. 

However, a mistaken application may not be the only danger to your cat.  Indirect contact may also pose a major health risk if just after receiving an application of Advantix, your dog rubs onto furniture that your cat naps on then grooms himself, or your cat grooms your dog, ingesting the product, or in some other manner has contact with the Advantix.  Separating resident canines from the felines does not seem to be a solution, as we don't know for sure how many hours after application it is safe for the cat. (For these reasons, we do not carry K-9 Advantix here at Governor.  We do, however, have many safe and effective choices for flea control).

It is our opinion that the safest and most effective way to control fleas in your environment is;

1. Evaluation of your pets health by your veterinarian on a twice-yearly basis

2. Appropriate choice of medication and dosage.  Depending on your pet's needs, this will be determined by your veterinarian after the health exam is completed.  Together you will make certain that your pet is on a safe, effective flea control program for your household.

3.  Purchasing your flea control medication through your veterinarian.  This way you will be sure that you are well educated on the specific program chosen especially for your pet, and have the backing of the manufacturer for *safety, freshness and money-back guarantee for effectiveness. 

* Each year there are thousands of reported incidents to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center of adverse reactions with over-the-counter/ internet flea and tick products, and a large percent results in pet death.

Flea Facts

Flea saliva is considered one of the most irritating substances on earth.

Fleas account for more than half of all dermatological conditions requiring veterinary assistance, and even a single fleabite to a hypersensitive animal or person may cause intense itching and irritation.

Fleas are capable of transmitting disease to humans and pets.

Fleas have changed history....as carriers of bubonic plague, fleas were responsible for killing one third of the population of Europe in the 14th century.

A female flea consumes 15 times its body weight in blood daily.

More than 2,400 flea species exist worldwide.

Fleas accelerate the equivalent of 50 times faster than the space shuttle's speed after liftoff.

Great jumpers- fleas can jump 150 times the length of their bodies.

Fleas reproduce rapidly at room temperature, making your home, pet and carpet the perfect year-round breeding environment.

Tick Facts

 There are more than 850 tick species, about 100 of which are capable of transmitting diseases such as Ehrlichiosis, Lyme and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Ticks are not insects, they are arachnids.  They have eight legs and two body segments.

Ticks require a habitat with a very high humidity, so they are seldom found living indoors.

Ticks will generally drop off the animal when full, but this may take several days. In some cases ticks will live for some time on the blood of an animal.

Ticks are more active outdoors in warm weather, but can attack a host at any time.

Ticks can be found in most wooded or forested regions throughout the world.

Ticks are especially abundant near water, where warm-blooded animals come to drink, and in meadows wherever shrubs and brush provide woody surfaces and cover.

The Story of Greyfriars Bobby

In 1858, a man named John Gray was buried in old Greyfriars Churchyard. His grave levelled by the hand of time, and unmarked by any stone, became scarcely discernible; but, although no human interest seemed to attach to it.

The sacred spot was not wholly disregarded or forgotten. For fourteen years the dead man's faithful dog kept constant watch and guard over the grave until his own death in 1872.

The famous Skye Terrier, Greyfriars Bobby was so devoted to his master John Gray, even in death, for fourteen years Bobby lay on the grave only leaving for food.

It is reported that a daily occurance of people from all walks of life would stand at the entrance of the Kirkyard waiting for the one o'clock gun and the appearance of Bobby leaving the grave for his midday meal.

The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous.....is his dog.

When all other friends desert, he remains.

When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.

George Graham Vest  

FDA NEWS RELEASE

 Oct. 14, 2009

Media Inquiries: Christopher Kelly, 301-796-4676, christopher.kelly@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA Web Page Lists Disposal Instructions for Select Medicines

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today launched a web page for consumers with information on how to dispose of certain drugs, including several high-potency opioids and other selected controlled substances. These medicines have the potential to be harmful, even deadly, in a single dose if taken by someone other than the intended person. 

The FDA recommends that these medicines be disposed of by flushing down the sink or toilet. The goal is to keep them away from children and others who could be harmed by taking them accidentally.

Medicines not listed should be thrown away in the household trash after mixing them with some unpalatable substance, such as coffee grounds, and sealing them in a bag or other container. Another option is to dispose of them through drug take back programs, if federal and state law permit.

“The safe disposal of medicines from the home after they are no longer needed is an important concern for the FDA,” said Douglas Throckmorton, M.D., deputy center director of FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

All medicines listed have disposal instructions in their professional prescribing information; however, this information is targeted to health care professionals. The Web page provides clear instructions for consumers on whether a medicine should be flushed or disposed of in the trash.

Throckmorton also said, “The FDA is working with other groups to improve the use of several drug disposal methods, including drug take back programs. However, for some potent medicines that can cause harm or death if inadvertently taken by family members, the FDA currently recommends flushing them down the sink or toilet to immediately and permanently remove them from the home. Simple precautions like these can reduce the likelihood of accidental and potentially dangerous exposure to unused medicines.”

The FDA worked with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to develop the first consumer guidance for proper disposal of prescription drugs. The ONDCP federal guidelines were first issued in February 2007. The 2009 version of the federal guidelines is available at http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/prescrip_disposal.pdf.