Pet Care Services in San Francisco
Pet care services in San Francisco keep your dog or cat protected and comfortable through every season of life. At Ocean Avenue Veterinary Hospital, our preventive care program covers vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, heartworm prevention, microchipping, deworming, nail trims, ear cleaning, and anal gland expression. San Francisco's mild, year-round climate means parasites stay active in every month. Consistent preventive care helps avoid many common health problems and is a core part of responsible pet ownership. Walk in any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Vaccinations for Dogs and Cats in San Francisco
Vaccinations protect your dog or cat from serious, often fatal diseases. At Ocean Avenue Veterinary Hospital, our team follows current AAHA and AVMA guidelines to build a vaccination schedule matched to your pet's age, lifestyle, and exposure risk. Core vaccines for dogs cover rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus. Core vaccines for cats cover rabies, panleukopenia, herpesvirus, and calicivirus. California law requires rabies vaccination for all dogs three months and older. We also provide lifestyle vaccines for pets that visit parks, boarding facilities, or dog-populated areas of Ingleside and the Outer Sunset. Triennial schedules are available for eligible adult pets.
Flea and Tick Prevention for Pets Year-Round
San Francisco's mild climate keeps fleas active throughout the year, making 12-month preventive care the standard for dogs and cats. Fleas cause skin irritation, anemia in young pets, and tapeworm infections. The Western black-legged tick, found in Marin Headlands, Mount Tamalpais, and Golden Gate Park, can transmit Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses to dogs. At OAVH, we match preventive products to your pet's size, species, and outdoor habits. Our team can also advise on managing an active flea infestation and protecting the rest of your household.
Heartworm Prevention for Dogs and Cats
Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause severe lung, heart, and organ damage without early intervention. Cases across the Bay Area have increased in recent years, and year-round preventive care is now the recommended standard. Ocean Avenue Veterinary Hospital provides safe, effective preventive options for both dogs and cats. Annual heartworm testing for dogs confirms there is no existing infection before preventive products are started or continued. Cats are also susceptible and benefit from preventive care even though the condition presents differently in feline patients.
Tick Prevention and Monitoring
Tick prevention at OAVH goes beyond monthly preventive products. Our team guides you on safe tick removal, checks your pet for ticks during wellness visits, and monitors for signs of tick-borne illness including lethargy, joint swelling, fever, and appetite changes. Dogs that hike or visit parks in and around San Francisco are at elevated risk. We assess each pet's exposure risk and recommend the most appropriate preventive product, checking for compatibility with any other products your pet receives.
Microchip Pet Identification in San Francisco
A microchip gives your dog or cat a permanent, unlosable form of identification. At Ocean Avenue Veterinary Hospital, microchipping is a quick, safe procedure performed during any regular visit with no recovery time needed. San Francisco Municipal Code requires all dogs to be microchipped and licensed. Shelters and rescue organizations throughout the Bay Area routinely scan for microchips. We register each chip with a national database and can help you update contact information if you move or change your phone number.
Deworming for Dogs and Cats
Intestinal parasites, including roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms, are common in dogs and cats and can be passed to people. At OAVH, deworming is included in every puppy and kitten wellness program. We recommend annual or biannual fecal testing for adult pets to detect infections early. Our team selects the appropriate deworming protocol based on your pet's parasite history, lifestyle, and risk factors in San Francisco. Some parasites are not visible to the naked eye and are only detected through microscopic fecal analysis.
Nail Trim for Dogs and Cats
Overgrown nails cause discomfort, difficulty walking, and progressive joint stress over time. They can also split, crack, or curl into the paw pad, causing pain and infection. At Ocean Avenue Veterinary Hospital, our team provides gentle nail trimming for dogs and cats during wellness visits. For pets that are very anxious or resistant, we can discuss sedated nail trims through our medical grooming program. Regular trims every four to eight weeks keep your pet comfortable and mobile.
Ear Cleaning for Dogs and Cats
Regular ear cleaning removes debris, excess wax, and moisture that create conditions for painful ear infections. At OAVH, our team cleans ears gently and thoroughly during wellness visits. If we notice redness, odor, or discharge during cleaning, we will perform an ear assessment and recommend the appropriate next steps. Ear cleaning is especially important for floppy-eared breeds and dogs that swim or spend time near water in areas like Crissy Field or Ocean Beach.
Anal Gland Expression
Anal glands are small scent glands located on either side of the rectum. When they do not empty naturally during defecation, they become uncomfortable, and in some pets they can become impacted or infected. At Ocean Avenue Veterinary Hospital, our team provides routine anal gland expression during wellness visits and assesses for signs of impaction, infection, or abscess. If your dog is scooting, licking at the area, or showing discomfort when sitting, a prompt anal gland check is recommended.
FAQs
Keep your dog or cat protected with preventive pet care at Ocean Avenue Veterinary Hospital in San Francisco. Walk in any time on Ocean Avenue or book online. Questions? Call (415) 586-5327. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.