A Personal Message From Dr. Manuel Garcia
A native New Mexican, Dr. Manuel Garcia began working in Farmington 14 years ago and has practiced at San Juan Veterinary Hospital since 2004. Named 2012 Veterinarian of the Year by the New Mexico Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Garcia believes open communication between veterinarian and pet owner is the foundation of great pet care, and wanted to share a few important reminders with the families we serve.
Book Online“First of all, I want to extend a big thank you to everyone who is part of the San Juan family,” Dr. Garcia said. “We are so grateful for all the wonderful people and animals we get to work with, and we want to make sure to express how thankful we are to the community and everyone who has been with us through the years.”
Pet owners in our area should be aware of the health issues that most affect our community, and Dr. Garcia points to heartworm prevention as one of the most important.
“Pet owners in our community and across New Mexico should be informed about heartworm disease,” he said. “It’s a serious parasite that can cause significant harm if pets aren’t protected. The single best thing a pet owner can do is keep their pets current on parasite preventatives, which are offered as part of our parasite prevention program. The cost of prevention is far less than the cost of treatment, and it’s far easier on your pet.”
If you’d like more information on protecting your pet from parasites, please contact us today at (505) 326-2205. As Dr. Garcia mentioned, prevention is always easier, more affordable, and more comfortable for your pet than treating heartworm disease after the fact.
Why Spaying and Neutering Matters
Beyond parasite prevention, Dr. Garcia also wants pet owners to understand the importance of spaying and neutering dogs and cats.
“Spaying and neutering is incredibly important, not only to an animal’s individual health but to the health of the broader pet population. There are real health benefits, including a decreased risk of certain cancers, along with behavioral benefits related to aggression and other unwanted behaviors.” Our team offers both spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and cats of all ages.
Dr. Garcia also noted that spaying and neutering benefits far more than just your own pet.
“When it comes to the effect on the pet population, spaying and neutering reduces the number of homeless pets on the streets, many of which are needlessly euthanized every year.”
Another issue New Mexico pet owners face each year is extreme summer heat. Temperatures in our part of the state can climb quickly, and pets are especially vulnerable to heat-related illness since they depend on us to help them stay cool and safe.
“You should always be mindful of the temperature and how your pet is handling the heat. Dogs and cats can only sweat through the pads of their paws, so they rely on other ways to regulate their body temperature. Always make sure they have access to clean water and a shaded, cool place to rest.”
As is the case every summer, Dr. Garcia also wants to remind pet owners about the dangers of leaving pets in parked cars.
“You should never, under any circumstance, leave your pet in a hot car, even with the windows cracked. The temperature inside a vehicle can climb to dangerous, even fatal, levels within minutes. Even if it doesn’t seem that hot outside or you don’t plan to be gone long, it’s a risk that’s never worth taking.”
San Juan Veterinary Hospital has proudly served the Farmington community for over 25 years, and our veterinarians combine for more than 90 years of experience treating animals of all sizes. Every member of our team brings deep veterinary knowledge together with integrity, compassion, and respect for both patients and pet owners. We treat every patient as part of a team, and we look forward to helping you protect your pet’s health for years to come. If you have questions about parasite prevention, spay/neuter surgery, or seasonal pet safety, our full range of veterinary services is here to help.