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Uxbridge Animal Hospital Update:

August 27, 2021
As we continue to work around the challenges that COVID has presented to the veterinary field we would like to thank all of our wonderful clients who treat us with respect, patience, and kindness while we care for your beloved pets.

As you may have heard, pet ownership has surged in the past year while the veterinary industry is experiencing a shortage of technicians and veterinarians. An estimated 11.38 million U.S. households added a new pet during the pandemic. This surge in pet ownership, in addition to continued COVID challenges, have resulted in longer wait times for appointments and slower than usual service. Our staff is giving 120% every day, showing up with compassion and a commitment to provide excellent care to all our patients. In early April we made the decision to stop accepting new clients so that we could provide better service to our current clients and patients. Despite this decision we are still currently booking out up to 1 week for sick visits, 6-8 weeks out for annual exams and up to 8 weeks or more for surgical procedures. It is very unlikely that we have a same day regular appointment opening, however we do offer urgent care appointments, when needed, which are fit into our fully booked schedule. Urgent care appointments take longer and have longer wait times. We do our very best every day to run on time but we are dealing with emergencies and complicated cases that sometimes cause us to get off schedule.

We know this past year and a half has been challenging for everyone, but we ask that you be kind to our staff. We have a zero tolerance policy for disrespect to our staff. If you yell, swear, or hang up on us you will be asked to find another veterinarian to care for your pet. If you have a concern we do want to know, but please understand that our entire staff is doing their very best to help you and your pet. Every client, every patient, every time.

For more articles on the current challenges facing the Veterinary industry go to:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/09/metro/overwhelmed-veterinarians-struggle-with-staggering-surge-pet-visits/

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2021/06/01/veterinarians-backlogged-and-burned-out-amid-covid-pandemic-pet-boom.html

Summer!

Summer is here! Although we've all been looking forward to the warm weather, none of us look forward to the mosquitoes. Mosquitoes carry heartworms, and all it takes is one mosquito to bite your pet to become infected.

Here’s the good news about heartworm disease. It’s an illness that can be easy and affordable to prevent. The bad news is, if you don’t prevent it the right way, your pet is at high risk of getting sick. Heartworm disease is dangerous to your pet and some signs of the illness are tough to spot. Your pet may be acting fine, but they may have so many heartworms inside their body that it can become life threatening.

You may be thinking, “my pet stays indoors, so there’s no need for heartworm prevention.” But, heartworms are carried by mosquitoes, which get into everyone’s homes! One mosquito bite is all that’s needed to spread the disease to your furry friend.

Schedule your pet’s yearly checkup with us. We’ll do a thorough exam, including a simple heartworm test, to make sure your pet is at his/her optimum health. And we’ll talk about the best way to prevent heartworm disease, so your pet stays healthy, happy and safe!

Make an appointment for your pet’s annual exam today!

Phase 1

All staff members and clients must wear a mask at all times, covering both their mouth and nose fully. We will have surgical masks on hand should you need one. Clients who are unable or unwilling to wear a mask, will be required to use our curbside services. A client who refuses to wear a mask once inside the building will be asked to leave the hospital and we will not be able to provide services for their pet. MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED REGARDLESS OF VACCINE STATUS.
In order to maintain social distancing we ask that when you arrive at the hospital that you continue to call the hospital to check-in for your appointment and a technician will call you back perform the initial triage over the phone.
For doctor appointments, we will allow two family members to enter the hospital for the exam portion of your pet’s appointment. Clients will enter the building and go directly into an exam room with their pet. At the completion of the appointment we will ask clients to return directly to their cars through our side door exit.
We do understand that some of you may still be uneasy about bringing your pet into our office for an appointment. Please know that your safety, as well as the safety of our staff is our first and foremost concern. IF YOU PREFER TO HAVE A CURBSIDE APPOINTMENT, just let us know, and we’ll be happy to accommodate this preference. Curbside appointments will take longer from start to finish. Please be patient with us, as we will be as efficient as possible.
Examination rooms will be cleaned between each appointment, with special attention being paid to high-touch surfaces (such as door handles and chairs).
During Phase 1 we will continue our curbside protocols for all technician appointments, medication/prescription diet pick-ups and lab sample drop-offs. Please allow 24-48 hours to have prescriptions filled.

Phase 2
CURRENT PHASE

In an effort to reduce your pet's stress leading up to their exam we prefer that you continue to call the hospital upon arriving at the hospital to check-in for your appointment and a Technician will call you back to perform the initial triage over the phone.
For doctor appointments, we will allow two family members to enter the hospital for the exam portion of your pet’s appointment. Clients will enter the building and go directly into an exam room with their pet. At the completion of the appointment we will ask clients to return directly to their cars through our side door exit.
We do understand that some of you may still be uneasy about bringing your pet into our office for an appointment. IF YOU PREFER TO HAVE A CURBSIDE APPOINTMENT, just let us know, and we’ll be happy to accommodate this preference. Curbside appointments will take longer from start to finish. Please be patient with us, as we will be as efficient as possible.
MASKS ARE REQUIRED REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS.
Clients who are COVID positive, have a pending COVID test, have had recent COVID exposure, or are experiencing COVID- like symptoms should have someone else bring their pet.
Medication/Food can be picked up inside. Please allow 24-48 hours to have filled.
Lab samples may be dropped off inside the building.

February is Dental Health Month!
Dental disease is the most common disease in dogs and cats. Does your pet have it?

Dental disease is the most common disease in dogs and cats, affecting 78% of dogs and 68% of cats over the age of three. Although most dogs and cats will develop some sort of dental disease, small dog breeds, such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Dachshunds and Toy Poodles, are more prone to developing periodontal disease than larger breeds.

If your pet has bad breath, it may mean there is a problem with their teeth and gums. This can also contribute to more severe medical conditions. If dental issues are left untreated, you may put your pet at risk for problems in their mouth (periodontitis) or with internal organs (heart disease). The challenge most pet owners face is that even if their pet’s breath smells fine, some dental issues are hard to spot.

Early preventive measures, such as at-home care and in-clinic teeth cleanings will help to reduce the frequency and severity of dental disease later in life. At our hospital, we will perform a comprehensive examination of your pet’s teeth and gums. Just like when you visit your dentist, we use special tools to remove tartar from below the gum line and smooth the surface of each tooth to prevent tartar buildup.

Keeping your pet healthy from toe to tooth is the best way to show much you love them. The best way to keep your pet in tiptop shape is to schedule your pet’s yearly checkup with us. We’re committed to your pet’s well being every step of the way. (Because we love them too!)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Pack your bags. Pack your car. Pack your sleigh.
But don’t let your pet pack on the holiday pounds...

The holiday season is upon us — a busy time of year for festivities, family and of course, lots of eating! Did you know that if a ten-pound cat ate just one ounce of cheddar cheese from your hors d’oeuvres, it would be the same as if a person ate three and a half hamburgers or four chocolate bars? Gaining those “holiday pounds” is not just a problem for humans, but also for our four-legged friends.

Research shows that pets are more likely to gain unwanted pounds during this holiday period than any other time of year. Obesity is the leading medical problem in pets. When a pet is too chubby, not only may they have little energy to walk or play, but also studies have shown that pets who are overweight may have a shortened life span.

How can you tell if your pet is at the right weight?
It can be hard to know because for many pets, they don’t get a big round belly. Instead, the extra fat is well hidden inside your pet’s body, tucked between their vital organs. So let us check! Our veterinary practice team has a trained eye to best assess your pet’s weight. Bring your pet in for their yearly exam and we’ll take a look at their body condition and nutritional needs. If we determine your pet needs to lose a few pounds, don’t worry. We’ll come up with a plan that will keep you and your pet sailing through the holiday season. Call us today to schedule your pet’s yearly checkup.

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Safety: Christmas Plants

From Today's Veterinary Practice Journal

"The Christmas season is filled with wonderful scents, lights, and music. Homes are filled with family and friends. Plants and bouquets are frequently presented as gifts, and homes are decorated with more flowers and plants than at many other times of the year. Dogs and cats, being curious, are likely to investigate new plants. Cats tend to nibble on them, while dogs are more likely to ingest the entire plant, including the soil, roots, or bulb. In all cases of plant ingestion, it is important to identify the ingested plant, ideally with the genus and species name." Click Here to read the rest of this article from Today's Veterinary Practice Journal (Volume 7 Number 6).

Sarah assists the Technicians as needed, during surgery and in office visits.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology, with a minor in Education, from UMass Amherst in 2016.

Sara lives in Grafton with her cats Bella and Benny. In her free time Sara enjoys traveling, hiking and reading.