Yosemite Pet Hospital         
Sheila Langrock,DVM   -   Simi Valley CA  -  805-526-3455

A Full Service Veterinary Hospital and Pet Wellness facility

Yosemite Pet Hospital...  Experience the Difference!

A message from Dr. Sheila:

When I decided to open Yosemite Pet Hospital, my vision was to create a veterinary facility where I could emphasize a lifestyle approach to the medical health of my patients.  So many veterinary clinics focus on seeing as many patients as possible.  5-10 minute appointments are common, and the emphasis is just treat what the patient came in for, to get them in and get them out.  I have always felt that this does not provide the levels of veterinary care that your pet deserves.

You may notice that we schedule longer office calls than you may have experienced with other veterinary hospitals.  We feel it is important to allow time for taking a detailed history from the pet owner and discuss their thoughts and observations on their pet's health status.  We also carefully examine your pet every time they come in to see if there have been any changes to their health.  I am always amazed at how many times a pet comes in for a relatively minor issue, and we find other more serious conditions through our history taking, examination and diagnostic process.  Catching serious medical conditions early provides the best chance at implementing an effective treatment plan, and often significantly reduces the costs involved with treatment.

Longer appointment times also allow us the opportunity to discuss the various treatment options available.  It is important that you fully understand these options to help you make the right decisions for improving the healthy life of your companion.

We invite you to visit us and experience the high quality veterinary medical care that we can provide for your family of pets.

 We look forward to meeting you!

  • Detailed Medical History:  Pets cannot speak for themselves, which makes it challenging to understand things that may be bothering them, or medical conditions that they may be at risk for.  This makes the "History" a key part of our treatment and diagnosis.  You will be questioned on your pet's current health status by our front office staff when you check in for an appointment.  They will ask about the issue that you are coming in for, but will also obtain details about your pet's lifestyle, if they are around other pets or animals, if your pet travels, and other seemingly non related questions.  This information helps us get a feel for what your pet may be exposed to in their daily lives.  You may notice that many of these questions are repeated by the technicians and/or Dr. when you are in the exam rooms.  This is to help us investigate things that you may want to be aware of to help provide a healthy lifestyle for your pet.
  • Comprehensive Physical Examination:  One of the most important elements of veterinary medicine is the physical examination.  An annual examination is a key factor in helping to ensure that your pet enjoys a long and healthy life.  Our examinations are designed to thoroughly review your pet's medical health condition.  We also discuss your pet's behavioral characteristics, which may indicate or help to identify early stages of medical conditions. Based upon our examination, we will develop a treatment plan for your pet.  We carefully discuss this with you to ensure that you fully understand the treatment options available.

  • Pet Wellness Programs:  As your pet moves from Puppy or Kitten, to Adult and into their Senior years, requirements for veterinary care will change.  We will work with you to develop a Pet Wellness program designed to help you pet lead a healthy lifestyle and enhance their quality of life. 
  • Senior Pet Programs: Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, pets are living longer than ever before.  However, with this increased lifespan comes an increase in the types of ailments that can affect senior pets.  The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has released the AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats to help veterinary hospitals provide optimal care for these aging companion pets.  Please click on this link to read more about these guidelines:       CLICK HERE
  • Vaccination Assessment Program:  Vaccinating your pet is an important part of maintaining your pet's health.  However, this is not as simple as getting a "Yearly Shot" for your pet.  There are many considerations in developing an appropriate vaccination program for your canine or feline family member.  Life style choices such as travel, housing indoors versus outdoors, exposure to other animals not only dogs and cats but livestock or wildlife can affect vaccination recommendations.    Vaccines can have side effects so the old adage of more is better is not necessarily true, and can potentially be harmful.  Because certain vaccines have been associated with tumor formation, it is recommended that they are administered in certain locations, so that they can be monitored closely.  The old method of administering all the vaccines in the neck is no longer recommended.  The following guidelines set by the U. C. Davis Veterinary Teaching Hospital can help you understand the various factors involved in developing a proper vaccine schedule for your pet:   CLICK HERE
  • Consumer guide to vaccinating your pets:  To view this Consumer Guide      Click Here
    We are often asked about the differences between getting your pet vaccinated at a Veterinary Hospital versus a Shot Clinic.  Why are "shot clinics" less expensive and what risks may your pet be exposed to when you take your pet to a vaccine clinic?  With that in mind, we have found a great reference guide that helps to explain the different levels of care you receive at a "shot clinic" and from a veterinary hospital. 
  • Outpatient and Hospitalized Medical Care:  We have facilities that will accommodate clients who wish to "Drop-Off" their pets in the morning, for treatment during the day.  Our treatment area includes heated cages for recovering patients and fully monitored kennels for critical care patients. Our kennel facilities are provided with soothing music, to help provide a calm and restful environment for your pet's recovery.
  • General Surgery:  Our new Surgical Suite includes the latest in state-of-the-art surgical equipment.  We monitor the patient's vital signs, including blood pressure, oxygenation, and heart rhythym/patterns during surgery.  We utilize the safest available anesthetics to provide that extra margin of safety, especially for our older or high risk patients.
    We also utilize a "Bair Hugger" system during surgery and recovery.  This system surrounds the patient with warm air, to help maintain body temperature during surgery, which helps reduce trauma and improve the overall recovery from surgery.

  • Dentistry with Dental X-Ray facilities:  Good dental health is a key element in your pet's medical health.  A problem with dental health means more than just bad breath.  This can also spread bacterial infections throughout your pet's body. 
    Our dental program provides periodontal cleaning of the teeth and gums, polishing of the teeth, and may include extractions when required.  We also offer dental X-Ray services, which can provide early warning of hidden dental conditions.  Providing regular dental cleaning and treatment can help your pet enjoy a healthy and active life (and freshens their breath!)
  • Pain Management:  Pets feel pain too!  When your pet is experiencing a severe medical condition, or suffering from an injury, they may require pain medication to help them through.  We also believe in utilizing pain management during medical or surgical procedures.  Simply anesthetizing a pet does not reduce their pain.  Proper pain management can help reduce the amount of stress and trauma your pet experiences, and helps to speed up their recovery time. 

  • Dermatology (Skin & Ear Care):  When your pet is experiencing skin or ear disorders, it can be a painful, uncomfortable time for them.  There are many different causes for these ailments.  These may be the result of a bacterial or parasitic infection.  However, many problems are simple allergic reactions that your pet may have.  For example, did you know that some pets have food allergies, flea allergies or even grass allergies?  A single flea bite may result in a "Hot Spot" that your dog continues to chew at.
    We will examine your pet to determine what the source of the problem may be, then develop a treatment plan to help relieve your pet's discomfort. 
  • Nutritional Counseling and Weight Loss Programs:  As pets move through their life cycle, they have changing nutritional requirements.  Puppies and kittens need more protein for growth.  Active pets require different caloric intake than sedentary pets.  As pets get older their diets should change to reflect their needs.  Low fat, high fiber or low protein diets are all common as pets enter their senior years.
    We will discuss your pet's lifestyle, and consider the information provided from laboratory analysis to determine if your pet requires a specific dietary program.
  • On Site Laboratory:  Our in-house laboratory facilities provide for serum chemistry, hematology, serology, urinalysis and parasite testing. We also utilize commercial veterinary laboratories for specialized diagnostics and consultations.  These tests are important in diagnosing your pet's medical health condition, and in developing preventative pet health care programs.

  • Digital Radiologhraphy:  Yosemite Pet Hospital's in-house X-Ray facilities offer the latest in radiographic technology.  Combined with our fully computerized medical records program, we are able to electronically transmit X-Rays to specialists for consultation on serious medical conditions.
  • Ultrasound and Endoscopy:  We utilize board certified specialists to provide in-house procedures for our patients.  Our facilities include a separate area for use by these specialists when treating your pets.  
  • Full Service Pharmacy:  Our in-house pharmacy offers convenience for clients requiring medications for their pets.  We can provide prescriptions in different formats, to help make it easier for you to medicate your pet.  For pets that don't like pills, we can often formulate medications into liquids or chewable tablets.  In some cases, we can even provide medications that can be applied to the skin.