This picture was posted on my practice manager’s door this past week. She and I are in the same boat; we both adopted a pair of kittens. We are finding the holiday season a challenge with our new family members. Everything sparkly, shiny, crinkly, and ringing or dinging has their attention. My kittens have been temporarily renamed Shredder and Wrecking Ball. I have counseled countless owners about the dangers of toys, socks, underwear, string, fishing line,
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From the series “Top Twenty Questions Veterinary Clients Ask” Distemper vaccines are multivalent. This means a distemper vaccine protects your pet against 3-4 of the common viruses that can cause illness or death in cats and dogs. Most canine distemper vaccines are comprised of modified distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, and parainfluenza virus. Most feline distemper vaccines are modified panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus. Canine viruses can be carried by foxes, coyotes, and other animals. Feline viruses are
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What are the symptoms of Intestinal Parasite Infection? Loose or frequent bowel movements, anal irritation, poor coat appearance, skin problems, general itchiness, bloating, weight loss, bad breath, colic, failure to thrive, loss of pregnancy, and decreased milk production. Can I be infected as well? Unfortunately yes, several common intestinal parasites which pose a risk to your pet can also infect people as well. In the United States alone 4,000 children a year are
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What are Heartworms? Classified as Dirofilaria immitis, this parasitic roundworm is more commonly known as heartworm, or dog heartworm. Spread from host to host through the bites of mosquitoes, these small, thread-like worms infect the bloodstream of the host, leading to Heartworm Disease. What is Heartworm Disease? Once successfully infecting a host, heartworms take up residence in pulmonary arteries and the right side of the heart, attaching to the interior muscle and living off the
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Regular immunizations are the foundation of your pet’s good health. Regularly vaccinating your pet protects them from a variety of potentially fatal illnesses, and any side effects are very uncommon and usually mild. RABIES Easily prevented, and a legal requirement, the rabies vaccine protects your dog, cat, ferret, horse, goat, pig or sheep against this inevitably fatal virus for an entire year. Highly contagious, and posing a risk for animals and humans alike, there is
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As pet owners, fleas and ticks are a big concern. Flea infestations can be costly and time consuming, and ticks carry diseases. We do NOT recommend you use over the grocery or pet store flea (OTC) and tick products. OTC products are all permethrin pesticides. Permethrin has a low margin of safety, and many flea populations have developed a resistance to permethrin; pet owners find the fleas just keep coming back. Fortunately, there are safe,
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Dog Parks in MA and Dog Friendly Beaches in MA Here are some links and resources for great places to take your dog! Massachusetts Dog Travel Guide A list of pet friendly hotels massachusetts. Fido Loves: Another listing of Boston Area Dog-Friendly Beaches A local blogger shares his favorite spots. A huge list of Massachusetts Beaches, Parks, and Rentals Scroll past the ads at the top to find a great list farther down the page.
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