Contact Information:
Primary Care Service
Telephone: (530) 752-1393
Location: UC Davis Health Science District, VMTH1 Garrod Drive, Davis, California 95616
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Providing Expert Primary Care at UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
Welcome to the Uc Davis Primary Care Program, a dedicated service within the renowned UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. We appreciate you entrusting us with your pet’s health and contributing to the education of future veterinarians. Our program’s core mission is to deliver exceptional, empathetic veterinary primary care throughout your pet’s life, from their first days with your family through their golden years.
As a comprehensive veterinary clinic operating within the larger Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, we offer a complete suite of routine and preventative healthcare services for both dogs and cats. Crucially, our program provides fourth-year veterinary students with invaluable hands-on experience in real-world primary care scenarios.
Our UC Davis Primary Care Program encompasses a wide range of essential services, including:
- Comprehensive Wellness and Preventative Care: This includes annual health examinations, customized vaccination protocols, effective parasite prevention and control, nutritional counseling, oral hygiene strategies, pain management solutions, and behavior modification advice.
- Puppy and Kitten Wellness Visits: Specialized evaluations designed for the unique needs of young pets to ensure a healthy start in life.
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Outpatient Illnesses and Minor Injuries: Expert care for common pet health issues, delivered with compassion and efficiency.
- Weight Management Programs: Personalized consultations and plans to help your pet achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
- Routine Surgical Procedures: Outpatient surgeries such as small mass removals performed with the highest standards of care.
- Advanced Dental Care: Professional dental cleanings and necessary dental extractions to maintain your pet’s oral health.
- Geriatric Pet Healthcare: Specialized care and considerations for senior pets to enhance their comfort and quality of life in their later years.
A friendly cat in a veterinary examination room, symbolizing feline-friendly practice and UC Davis Primary Care Program's commitment to gentle animal care. Click on image to learn more about our feline-friendly approach.
Understanding Your Visit to the UC Davis Primary Care Program
To ensure a thorough and educational experience, appointments at the UC Davis Primary Care Program are structured to provide both excellent patient care and valuable learning opportunities for our veterinary students.
In preparation for your visit, a senior veterinary student assigned to your pet’s case may contact you by phone the day before your appointment. This pre-appointment call allows the student to gather a preliminary medical history, ensuring we are well-prepared for your pet’s specific needs.
Upon arrival at our clinic, you and your pet will be greeted by one of our senior veterinary students. The student will conduct a detailed interview to collect your pet’s comprehensive medical history and discuss the planned care for the day. Following the history taking, the student will perform a thorough physical examination of your pet.
The student will then consult with one of our experienced veterinary clinicians who are actively involved in overseeing your pet’s medical care. The supervising clinician will also perform an independent, comprehensive physical examination, adding another layer of expertise to your pet’s assessment.
After a complete evaluation, we will discuss a detailed care plan with you, outlining our findings and recommendations. Working collaboratively, we will determine the most appropriate next steps for your pet’s health and well-being, taking into account your family’s needs and preferences.
This in-depth approach, while crucial for the educational development of our senior veterinary students, means that appointments at the UC Davis Primary Care Program may be longer than those at a typical private primary care veterinary clinic. For routine visits, please anticipate a minimum appointment duration of 90 to 120 minutes, and potentially longer if your pet requires more extensive care or diagnostic procedures.
As a family practice committed to comprehensive care, the UC Davis Primary Care Program may sometimes require a follow-up visit on a subsequent day if your pet needs a more extensive diagnostic workup or treatment plan.
If your primary intention for seeking veterinary care at UC Davis is to obtain a referral to a specialist service within the VMTH, we kindly request that you contact the relevant specialty service directly to schedule your appointment. Our primary care practice maintains the same referral relationships with specialist services as your local primary care veterinarian.
In the event of urgent or emergency medical needs for your pet, please contact the nearest emergency veterinary hospital for immediate care.
Valuable Pet Health Resources from UC Davis
To further support pet owners, the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital provides a range of informative pet health information sheets, including:
- Allergies in Pets – Learn about common pet allergies and management strategies.
- Diabetes in Cats – Information on feline diabetes, symptoms, and treatment options.
- Diabetes in Dogs – Understand canine diabetes and how to manage this condition in your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pet Health
Our clients often have questions about pet health. Here are answers to some common inquiries:
Q: My dog missed heartworm prevention for two months. Should I test before restarting medication?
A: No test is immediately needed. Simply restart the heartworm preventive medication. A heartworm test is recommended six to twelve months after restarting prevention.
Q: Does my indoor cat need vaccinations?
A: Yes. Even indoor cats are at risk. Some diseases spread indirectly via contaminated items or people. Indoor cats may also interact with outdoor cats through screens. Vaccination against Rabies, feline viral Rhinotracheitis, Calici virus, and Panleukopenia is recommended for all cats, including indoor cats, due to potential accidental outdoor exposure.
Q: I’m moving overseas with my pet. What are the requirements?
A: Research destination country requirements well in advance, as many countries have specific animal import regulations. Consult government websites of your destination country or the USDA website. Allow ample time for rabies vaccinations, blood tests, microchipping, and other requirements within specific timelines.
Q: My indoor cat is gaining weight despite portion control. What should I do?
A: Overfeeding and decreased activity are common causes of pet obesity. While medical reasons exist, overfeeding is most frequent. Consider scheduled, measured meals two to three times daily instead of free-feeding. Contact us for personalized weight loss plans or consider UC Davis Nutrition Service’s Healthy Weight and Nutrition Clinic (http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vmth/local_resources/pdfs/HealthyWeightNutritionClinicBrochure.pdf).
Q: My dog is stiff after walks. What can help?
A: A veterinary exam is crucial to diagnose the cause of stiffness. Osteoarthritis is common in older dogs, causing stiffness, especially after exercise or in cold weather. Management options are available to improve your dog’s comfort and mobility.
Q: I found a lump on my dog, and I’m worried about cancer.
A: Many lumps are benign, but veterinary evaluation is essential. We can perform fine needle aspirates during regular visits to assess lumps. We work closely with UC Davis Oncology Service for consultations or referrals if needed.
Q: Flying with my dog – any precautions for nervousness?
A: Acclimate your dog to their travel crate beforehand. Tranquilizers are not recommended for cargo travel as they impair temperature regulation. We offer travel tips upon request to address your concerns.
Q: My dog goes camping and swims in wildlife areas. Any special precautions?
A: Yes. Use flea and tick prevention to prevent diseases. Ensure vaccinations are current, especially Leptospirosis for dogs exposed to wildlife/livestock, in addition to core vaccines (rabies, distemper, canine infectious hepatitis, parvovirus). We tailor vaccination plans based on lifestyle during annual visits.
Q: We have a young child and want to adopt a pet. Are there health risks for children?
A: Consider time, finances, and space for a pet. While some parasites are transmissible, hygiene and deworming prevent most risks. Follow Companion Animal Parasite Council guidelines for pet and human health. Discuss specific concerns with us during your visit.
Q: Should I neuter my pet even if kept indoors/fenced yard?
A: Neutering (spay/neuter) is highly recommended for health and quality of life benefits. It reduces risks of various disorders and improves behavior. Neutering is more humane than denying an intact animal’s reproductive urges. UC Davis Primary Care Program promotes neutering to improve animal health and address pet overpopulation.
Our Dedicated Faculty at UC Davis Primary Care Program
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Gina Davis, DVM
Assistant Professor, Chief of Service
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Ilana Halperin, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice), CVA
Associate Professor
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Daniel Hershberger, DVM
Professor
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Erik Olstad, DVM
Assistant Professor
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Frances Tobey, DVM
Staff Veterinarian
Our Caring and Skilled Staff
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Danielle Randall, RVT
Manager
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Rodney Santos, RVT
Supervisor
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Sarah Sanders, RVT
Lead Technician
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Eahna Gutierrez, AHT
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Amiel Sagpao, RVT
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Lisa Sullivan, AHT
