LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: Healthy Pets Veterinary Hospital - West Portal

Whether your dog is your favorite hiking companion or your cat is convinced they own the house (they probably do), we all want the same thing—to give our pets the happiest, healthiest lives possible. We sat down with Dr. Adam Piaseczny Healthy Pets Veterinary Hospital in West Portal to chat about his team's approach to care, the best new medical tech for animals, and a few practical tips that every pet parent should know. 

Every veterinary practice has its own approach to care. How would you describe the philosophy that guides your team? 

Healthy Pets practice philosophy is to deliver the best quality medicine to our patients, and a supportive and educational experience for our clients in order to promote companion animal welfare and strengthen human-animal bond.   

When choosing a veterinarian, what qualities do you think pet owners should look for in a practice?  

Veterinarians are a diverse group of health care professionals of various backgrounds and walks of life.  Best of us are tuned to the needs of our clients and patients.  In a short span of a visit we must quickly ascertain why the client is seeking our advice, find a common ground to connect and create trust, and figure out a diagnostic and treatment plan best suited to the health concerns of our animal patients.  Our veterinarians' best asset is empathy.

What are some of the biggest misconceptions you encounter when it comes to pet health and wellness?  

The biggest misconception in our field is that there is a perfect diet for pets, and once you find it your animal companion will live a long, healthy life. The reality is that dietary needs change over time, they are different based on the pet's breed, lifestyle, exercise level, and age.  Developing and metabolically active puppies and kittens eat fairly rich foods, like kids chowing down on pizza and chips.  As they get older, similar to their human caretakers, pets need leaner diets rich in fiber, phytonutrients, and essential oils to support healthy circulation and help slow down the aging process.  No one has figured out yet what the perfect diet is so we recommend as much fresh foods and as little highly processed foods as practical in one's household.  

Preventative care is a topic many pet owners hear about, but what does it actually look like in practice?  

Preventative care can mean keeping your pet up to date on vaccinations designed to protect from common communicable diseases such as Parvovirus and Kennel Cough, or implementing anti-parasitic medications to prevent tick and flea infestation.  Another aspect of preventive care is proper diet and exercise routine to ensure healthy body condition (weight) and muscle mass which helps to keep joints and bones strong and resilient.  Yet another focuses on dental health which can have a significant impact on a body as a whole.

Are there any signs or symptoms that pet owners commonly overlook but should take seriously? 

Many pets suffer from recurrent skin conditions commonly attributed to environmental allergies, but they could be caused by deeper issues like chronic joint pain leading to self induced skin ulcers (hot spots) or recurrent ear infections  triggered by progressive decline in dental health like tooth root abscesses.  Another example of normalized pathology is grass pica, often indicative of chronic heartburn (stomach inflammation) fueled by inappropriate diet or different types of chronic bodily stressors like inflammation or organ disease.

Veterinary medicine has evolved tremendously over the years. Are there treatments, technologies, or services available today that would surprise most pet owners?  

As our pets live longer they also experience discomfort of aging including joint stiffness and other mobility problems.  Beside supplements and pain medications we now employ a variety of physical therapy techniques such as acupuncture, cold laser therapy, Tui Na, and other types of body work to help maintain patients' mobility and overall quality of life.

For someone visiting your office for the first time, what do you hope stands out about the experience?        

We strive to provide our clients with the best possible experience.  No one loves to have to go see a doctor, it puts us in a position of vulnerability.  The goal of our team is to help clients feel seen and heard, help them understand the nature of their companions' ailment and address them in the most effective way to minimize stress for an animal who is already anxious or upset.

West Portal is a community known for its strong neighborhood connections. What has it been like serving local pet owners here?   

West Portal is a great place to provide pet health care.  Our local clientele has been friendly and supportive since the clinic served its first patients in 2010. Most new clients are referred to us via word of mouth.  We offer fellow WP merchants discounts on services to foster connections and neighborhood cooperation. 

https://sfhealthypets.com/

373 W Portal Ave, San Francisco, CA 94127

(415) 742-5961