The top-ranked UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine may be known for its specialty care, but they also offer primary care for your animals. The Primary Care Service at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, or VMTH, provides treatment to make sure that your canine or feline friend receives the routine care they need.

“The hospital can handle just about everything,” said Erik Olstad, a clinician at the VMTH. “In Primary Care, we are sort of the first line of defense, and then if we need to, we have all that awesome access to all the specialists in the teaching hospital.”

The VMTH’s Primary Care Service does annual examinations for cats and dogs that include yearly vaccinations, parasite control, nutrition analysis, dental cleaning, pain management and behavioral recommendations. Alongside a clinician, a fourth-year veterinarian student will be assigned to your case. Routine visits like these take about 90-120 minutes.

In addition to annual exams, the hospital also provides treatment for outpatient illnesses and injuries, weight management consultations, outpatient surgeries, small mass removal surgeries, dental extractions and specialized care for senior pets. They also do new puppy and kitten evaluations. 

Many patients have success stories with their time spent at the hospital, such as Joni Tuesday, a former Puerto Rican street dog. Her owners, faculty and staff members Clare Cannon and Abbey Hart, brought her in to get another opinion on her ears and a wound on her face that would not heal. 

“She had seen a bunch of vets at other hospitals with no resolution of the wound,” said Olstad. “I saw her and tried a few antibiotics, with no resolution.” 

After scans of her face were taken, they found an infected bone that was causing the wound. VMTH specialists removed the bone and she recovered well. 

“After all of this, we were then able to deal with her underlying anxiety, where our behavior team helped out,” Olstad said. “She now will see us and allow belly rubs, and the entire clinic loves her.”

Cats welcome

If you have a cat that happens to be an anxious traveler or afraid of new environments, the teaching hospital is a perfect place to take your cat. They are a part of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, which means they are a “Cat Friendly Practice.”

“During the examination, we do this wherever the cat is most comfortable: in their carrier on the table or floor, in their stroller, on the chair or lap of the client, etc,” said Gina Davis, chief of the Primary Care Service. “We have towels under which they can hide if they wish. When they are not being examined, the cat is allowed to rest or hide wherever they feel most comfortable and secure.”

 There is a separate cat waiting room that is free from dogs and loud noises. They use techniques found to reduce stress in cats, such as playing gentle music, offering scented towels and having a specially designed “Cats Only” hospital ward. 

Employee Perks 

As a staff or faculty member, you will receive a 5% discount on veterinary services. If you are interested in their primary care, you can either call 530-752-1393 for small animals, or visit the VMTH front desk to make an appointment. “We're happy to see you,” Olstad added.