Summer Newsletter 2024

Summer 2024

Summer is finally here! We are all excited to be spending time outside and relaxing on our beautiful beaches. While this may be a favorite time of year for us two-leggers, we need to take some extra precautions to ensure that our four-legged companions enjoy themselves as much as we do. Here are a few reminders to keep your pets safe for the summer.

Number one is heat stress. Just like humans, dogs can experience heat stroke on a hot humid day. However, unlike us, dogs cannot sweat to cool themselves down, they can only pant to expel heat through their mouths. This combined with their thick fur makes them highly susceptible to heat exhaustion. To make matters worse, any dog with a shorter nose (Frenchies, Bulldogs, Pugs, etc) or with pre-existing respiratory problems (older dogs with laryngeal paralysis), will be at much higher risk. Try to limit walking to the early morning and evening hours when the temps are lowest and plan to have a cool area inside for them to rest on the hottest of days. Also, watch out for hot pavement that bakes in the sun, this can cause painful sores on paw pads.

Second is thunderstorms and fireworks. Many of our canine patients experience some degree of stress from these events that can range from mild anxiety to full-blown panic attacks. In extreme cases dogs may injure themselves trying to dig or chew their way through a door or gate. We have a variety of options to help these dogs. My personal favorite is Sileo, which is a gel that is given inside the cheek without needing to be swallowed. Sileo is the only medication that is FDA-approved for noise phobias. The dose can be easily adjusted and tailored to each individual dog. Ask one of our veterinarians and we will help you choose a medication that is appropriate for your pet.

Lastly, summer is the season of hot spots. Dogs with thicker coats (I’m talking about you, Golden Retrievers!) or with pre-existing allergies are at much higher risk for these nuisance skin irritations. We tend to see hot spots during the hot humid weather and especially in dogs that swim or get wet. These can start as a small patch of red skin and spread to a large area that needs to be shaved and aggressively treated. Try to rinse dogs off after they’ve been in salt water and towel dry them. Pay extra attention to the skin under the collar, behind the ears, and on the inner thigh. Dogs will often scratch or lick excessively at these areas leading to a most unpleasant rash. Fear not, we are here to help and have some great topical medications to alleviate these common summer woes. Now it’s time to get out there and enjoy the beautiful weather!

-Dr. Doug and the staff at Cape Ann Vet

April 2024

We hope everyone had a chance to see and enjoy the Eclipse. We had a team viewing party here at CAVH that included glasses for all and some treats and ice cream!! Dr Jeff French knows how to throw an eclipse party.

NexGard Plus

We are happy to announce we are now offering NexGard Plus which is an “all in one” CHEW which kills fleas and ticks, prevents heartworm disease, and treats and controls roundworms and hookworms. Nexgard plus is to be given monthly, year-round for complete protection. Dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infection prior to starting a preventive.

NexGard Plus is offering an instant $35 rebate on a package of 6, AND a limited time refill offer of $70 when you come back to purchase your next 6 doses. Great savings!

Please let us know if you have any questions on NexGard Plus!

Ordering Prescriptions and Food

Our receptionists will no longer be taking refill requests over the phone. We are requesting that if you need to order your pet’s prescriptions or food, to please do so in one of several ways.

When calling our hospital, dial “1” to leave a message requesting your prescription or food order.
You can text our phone number directly at 978-283-3238 or email us at office@capeannvet.com
The preferred and easiest way is via our petpage app where you can request an appointment or refill anytime of the day.
If you do not have our petpage app, there is a link on our home page!

Happy Spring!

Spring Newsletter May 2024

Spring is here! We are all excited to get outside and enjoy some nice weather with our four-
legged friends. This is one of our favorite times of year, when the beaches are open and the
days are long. It’s also a favorite time of year for some of nature’s less friendly guests, such as
fleas, ticks, and mosquitos. Fortunately, we have plenty of options to keep our canine and feline
companions safe and to maximize their ability to enjoy the beautiful outdoor spaces that make
our coastal community so special.

For dogs, we recommend once-a-month chewable tablets that rapidly kill fleas and ticks,
prevent heartworm disease (from mosquitos), and prevent common intestinal parasites. We
have seen a significant decrease in the number of dogs getting Lyme disease with these oral
preventatives. They are easier to give and more reliable than topical medications, especially in
dogs that love to swim. In addition to Simparica TRIO, we are now carrying Nexgard Plus with
cost-saving instant rebates and a flavored chew to please even the most discerning of palates.

For cats, we recommend Bravecto or Revolution Plus. Bravecto is applied topically and will kill
fleas and ticks for 3 months. Revolution Plus is a once monthly topical for fleas and ticks that
also prevents heartworm (yes, cats get heartworm too!) as well as common intestinal parasites.
Please ask us to help you choose a preventative that suits your cat’s lifestyle, whether they’re
an avid hunter or a couch connoisseur.

Now that they’re protected from the hazards of the great outdoors, let’s talk about how we can
maximize the fun!

Our beloved pets get such enjoyment from a hike in the woods, a neighborhood stroll, or a romp
through the sand, and we want to keep their joints happy and their tails wagging. We have seen
fantastic results in our canine patients receiving Librela, a once-a-month injection that treats
arthritis pain in a whole new way. My own dog, Butters, will be 15 this month and ever since
starting her on Librela she’s been racing around like a two-year-old and she’s the first one at the
door when she hears the leashes jingle.

For our feline friends we have a similar monthly injectable, called Solensia. Arthritis can be
harder to recognize in our stoic older cats, but if you’ve noticed a reluctance to jump on the sofa,
avoiding the stairs, or are having trouble with litter box behaviors, arthritis may be to blame and
Solensia can help.

All of our doctors are committed to providing the highest level of care for your pets and our
approach is tailored to the needs of each individual patient. Please schedule a visit if you feel
your pet may be struggling with arthritis and we will help you to deliver the pain-free life that they
deserve.

As a final note, with Easter coming up this weekend, please be mindful of the many toxins that
abound. Dogs may seek out chocolate, objects in Easter baskets, or sometimes try to eat the
basket itself! Cats are especially sensitive to lilies, which find their way into many bouquets. All
parts of the plant are toxic including the flowers, leaves, pollen, or water in the vase. Cats also
seem to enjoy the fake grass in some Easter baskets, which can wreak havoc if swallowed. The
best resource for more information on toxic plants is www.aspca.org. We wish you a joyful and
safe holiday for all members of the family.

From all of us at CAVH, we thank you for entrusting us with the care of your wonderful pets. We
look forward to seeing you in the office, at the beach, and on the trail.

Warm regards,

Dr. Doug and the staff at Cape Ann Veterinary Hospital