Ask Doc Joseph

With Gringa at Doc Bayani's Clinic

Hi! I'm DR. JOSEPH JOHN PALARCA! I'm a practicing veterinarian now based in Davao City. I don't have my own clinic yet so for now I usually do house calls and part-time duty at my friends' clinics PETS FIRST along Cabaguio Avenue, and DOC BAYANI'S ANIMAL WELLNESS along Ma-a highway.

I grew up around dogs. At one point there were about 12-15 in the house. My mother was the first "pet parent" I know. Although I love dogs, and I had my very own furball named Herky (short for Hercules), I used to snicker at the way she coddled our dogs. I was a loving pet owner but maybe because I was a vetmed student I got used to objectifying the dogs as just dogs. Sure, they're man's best friend, and Herky played that role in my life but it was really much different theb. Little did I know that years later I would actually turn into a pet parent myself.

It started when myy wife fell in love with this puppy we found in the litter at my parents' house during one of our vacations in Bohol. Our lives have changed since then. I never even thought that I would go into private practice because I was more keen to dabble in sales but ever since I became a pet parent I found my renewed passion in pet care.

So feel free to ask me all your pet care concerns. Just remember though that the best thing to do all the time is to have your pet SEEN by a doctor.  You may call me for home services such as vaccinations and routine wellness check-ups. Online queries are okay for preventive measures but if your pet's symptoms are persisting and even getting worse, treat it as an emergency case and please bring your pet to a reputable clinic. I recommend of course PETS FIRST (Cabaguio Avenue) and DOC BAYANI'S (Ma-a Highway).

I hope I can be of service to you. Just write your PET CARE QUESTIONS inside the Comment Box.

--Doc Joseph--