Our Blog
Protect Your Pet and Family with Rabies Awareness
Everyone has heard of rabies, but most have very little, if any, experience with the disease. It’s easy to think of rabies as a disease of the past or one that affects only wild animals, but rabies is still a concern for people and pets around the world. In fact, Brunswick area residents have experienced multiple attacks by rabid animals just this past summer.
World Rabies Day is September 28th, and we can’t think of a better reason to make sure our clients are educated about the dangers of rabies. Keep reading to learn more about risk factors, symptoms, and the many ways you can protect both your pet and your family. Continue…
Making Senior Pet Care a Priority
They’re always delighted to see us, they forgive us instantly, and snuggling with them is one of the best parts of our day. There’s no doubt that our pets mean the world to us. Whether we raised them from babyhood or adopted an older pet, providing the best care as they age should be a top priority for every owner.
At Androscoggin Animal Hospital, we can’t think of anything better than seeing a cherished pet live a long and happy life. We’re always here to support you and your pet, which is why we want to outline some of our top senior pet care strategies.
A Changing Landscape
In general, dogs and cats are considered “senior” between 6-9 years of age. Specifics can vary depending on factors such as breed, size, and species. Senior pets are at greater risk for many of the same illnesses and conditions that tend to affect older humans (e.g., cancer, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease). Typical signs of aging may include: Continue…
Enjoy the Season with These Summer Pet Safety Tips
Time flies! It feels like just yesterday we were posting information about holiday pet safety for our community of dedicated owners. Now that summer is in full swing, it’s time to review the many ways our pets can get into trouble – or be placed inadvertently in harm’s way. Fortunately, with our tried and true methods for summer pet safety, you and your pet can enjoy all the season has to offer.
Getting Started
One of the best ways to get your pet started off on the right paw this summer is to have them examined. Preventive care exams offer great insight into your pet’s wellness, including dental health, nutrition, and disease prevention. Continue…
Why Preventive Care for Cats is Important
We love the fun, unique personalities of cats. But behind their mysterious behaviors lies a very important secret: it can sometimes be hard to tell whether your cat is well or not.
We’ve all heard the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and this is never more true than with the health of our pets. Cats need preventive care, and avoiding illness is always easier on you and your beloved feline (not to mention your wallet). So, let’s take a look at why preventive care for cats is so important!
Survival Strategy
The reason it can be difficult to tell when your cat is sick has to do with their survival strategy. In the wild, cats who are perceived as weak can become a target for predators. In order to survive, they’ve developed a deep natural instinct to hide signs of pain or discomfort.
This, of course, means you may not know your cat is sick until an illness has become advanced. This leads us to the importance of preventive care for cats. Continue…
The Keys to Pet Hiking Safety
The hills are alive with the sound of music (of course), but they’re also brimming with wildlife, budding foliage, and beautiful trails. It’s time to get out into nature and enjoy all that Maine has to offer – a fact that’s not lost on an adventurous dog. Everyone’s chomping at the bit to get out for a better view, but without a thorough understanding – and application – of pet hiking safety, your daytrip could go from lovely to dangerous in minutes.
Fork in the Road: How Is a Cat Friendly Veterinarian Better than the Rest?
A great deal goes into choosing the right veterinarian for your pet. Sometimes, close proximity plays a part in the decision. Other times, the recommendation of a close friend or colleague informs the best possible choice.
Because we understand and value this important decision, Androscoggin Animal Hospital went through the training, education, and evaluation necessary to earn the title of Fear Free Certified Professional. We maintain the distinction of a Cat Friendly Practice, and we’re thrilled we can pass the best possible care onto your cat. So, what are the benefits of having a cat friendly veterinarian?
Veterinarian Tips 101: All About Pet Poison Prevention
Our four-legged friends tend to be active and adventurous, and we love that about them! However, at times they can get into things they shouldn’t. Hopefully, your pets have never ingested anything that caused a pet emergency, but it’s always good to be prepared.
With that in mind, and in celebration of Pet Poison Prevention Week, Androscoggin Animal Hospital has put together a few tips and ideas for how to prevent pet poisoning in and around your home.
At-Home Pet Dental Care
Most of us brush our teeth twice a day and see the dentist at least annually, but many of our pets don’t have the benefit of regular pet dental care. It’s true, we love their smiles no matter what they look like. But did you know that it’s not only a great smile and fresh breath that counts?
It is estimated that over 85% of pets over the age of 3 have some form of dental disease. Dental disease can be present without you even knowing it and can cause bad breath, bleeding gums, infection under the gumline, tooth loss, and even compromise your pet’s internal organs.
If you already have an at-home pet dental care program, congratulations! If not, let Androscoggin Animal Hospital help you prevent dental disease with a team approach.
Keeping Them Well: Pet Wellness Care for Your New Pet
A new year has begun, and we’re sure that some of you have added a new pet to your family this holiday season! New pets are such an exciting way to add love and fun to your home, but they also take some adjustment as you become familiar with your pet’s health needs and personality. There’s a lot to learn about keeping your new pet healthy – from exercise and nutrition to pet wellness and preventive care. At Androscoggin Animal Hospital, it’s our job to help you learn the best ways to keep your new pet healthy, and we’re excited to get started!
Using String, Ribbon, and Tinsel? Not for Holiday Cat Safety!
Cats can be pretty awesome during the holidays. Sure, they probably won’t wear the matching ugly Christmas sweater you knitted for them, but they might allow you to wrap presents while napping on top of the festive paper or attacking your scissors – if you’re lucky. Indeed, many cats like the lights, sparkles, and revelry as much as we do, but that doesn’t mean holiday cat safety can be set aside due to joyful pouncing.