 Your Guide to Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Prevention for Dogs and Cats Spring in New England means longer walks, muddy paws, blooming flowers, and unfortunately, blooms of fleas, ticks, mosquitos, and other parasites that can make life miserable for pets and their families. As the weather warms up, parasites become active again. At Cambridge Street Animal Hospital, spring is when we see a big increase in flea infestations, tick-borne diseases, and heartworm prevention questions. The good news? With the right parasite prevention plan, you can keep your dog or cat protected all season long.  Why Parasites Are a Big Deal for Pets Parasites aren’t just annoying, they can cause serious health problems for both dogs and cats. Common parasites we see every spring include:
Some of these parasites can even affect people, making pet parasite prevention important for the whole family. Tick Season Is Actually All Year Long! Many pet owners assume ticks are only a summer problem. In reality, ticks become active as soon as temperatures rise above freezing. This happens at least monthly even in the winter. In Massachusetts and throughout New England, we commonly see:
Ticks often hide in tall grass, wooded trails, leaf piles, and even suburban backyards, so pets can pick them up during everyday walks. Using year-round tick prevention for dogs and cats is the best way to reduce risk.  Fleas: Tiny Parasites, Big Headaches Fleas are masters of survival. Once they enter your home, they can quickly multiply in:
One flea on your pet can turn into hundreds within weeks. Signs of fleas include:
Preventing fleas is far easier than eliminating a full flea infestation in your home. Heartworm Disease: The Hidden Danger Heartworms are spread by mosquito bites, and infected pets may not show symptoms until the disease is advanced. In dogs, heartworm disease can lead to:
Cats can also develop heartworm infections, which may cause sudden respiratory issues or vomiting. The safest approach is consistent heartworm prevention, which protects pets before infection can occur.  Do Indoor Pets Need Parasite Prevention? Yes! Even pets that spend most of their time indoors can be exposed to parasites. Fleas and ticks can hitch a ride inside on:
Mosquitoes carrying heartworm disease can also enter homes easily. That’s why veterinarians recommend consistent parasite prevention for both indoor and outdoor pets. The Best Parasite Prevention for Your Pet Today’s veterinary parasite preventatives are safer, more effective, and easier to use than ever. Depending on your pet’s lifestyle and health needs, we may recommend:
During your pet’s annual exam, your veterinarian can recommend the best flea, tick, and heartworm prevention plan for your dog or cat.  Spring Pet Care Tips
To help reduce parasite exposure this spring: ✔ Use year-round parasite prevention ✔ Check pets for ticks after walks or hikes ✔ Stay current on heartworm testing for dogs ✔ Bring pets in for regular veterinary exams A little prevention now can save a lot of discomfort—and veterinary visits—later. Protect Your Pet This Spring Spring should be about long walks, sunny naps, and outdoor adventures, not scratching and parasites. If you’re unsure whether your pet is protected, our team at Cambridge Animal Hospital is happy to help you choose the safest and most effective parasite prevention for your dogs and cats. 📞 Call us today to schedule your pet’s spring wellness visit or write to ask about the best flea, tick, and heartworm protection options. Your pet will thank you!  When you bring your pet in for their annual exam, it might feel like a quick once-a-year checkbox: give a nose-to-tail physical exam, give vaccines, pay bill, done. But that appointment actually opens the door to something much bigger and more valuable for the rest of the year. An annual exam isn’t just a visit. It’s ongoing access to your pet’s doctor and care team.  A Doctor Who Knows Your Pet During an annual exam, your veterinarian establishes (or refreshes) a complete understanding of your pet’s health: their history, medications, chronic conditions, lifestyle, and quirks. That relationship matters. It allows your doctor to make informed decisions when questions come up later because they already know your pet, not just pets in general. Answers to Questions All Year Long Pets don’t save their questions for appointment day. Maybe the limp you and your vet discussed gets worse. Maybe your puppy has diarrhea. Maybe you’re wondering if your cat’s behavior is normal. When your pet has had a recent annual exam, you’re not on your own. You can call or message us throughout the year with questions. If our doctors can guide you without needing another full exam because they have a current medical relationship with your pet, they will! Even if your primary veterinarian isn’t available when you reach out, they fill out detailed exam notes for any other CAH veterinarian to reference if needed. That access is part of what you’re paying for!  Medication Refills Without Delay Prescription medications require an established veterinary-client-patient relationship. An up-to-date annual exam allows us to:
Without that exam, we’re legally and medically unable to refill prescriptions, even when we truly want to help! Early Detection Saves Stress (and Money) Annual exams help us catch small changes before they become big problems. A subtle heart murmur, early dental disease, weight changes, or mild arthritis may not be obvious at home—but identifying them early can mean simpler treatment, lower costs, and better outcomes for your pet. Peace of Mind Perhaps the biggest benefit of an annual exam is peace of mind. You’re not navigating your pet’s health alone. You have a doctor who knows your pet, a team you can reach out to, and a plan in place for the year ahead.  Technician Appointments: Convenient Care When a Doctor Visit Isn’t Needed
Another benefit of keeping your pet’s annual exam up to date is access to technician appointments throughout the year. If your pet has been seen recently by one of our doctors, many routine needs can be handled by our highly trained veterinary technicians, often more quickly and at a lower cost than a full doctor visit. These appointments are doctor-approved and guided by your pet’s established medical plan. Technician appointments are commonly used for things like:
Because a doctor already knows your pet’s health history, our team can safely and efficiently provide this care without starting from scratch. If at any point a technician notices something concerning, they will raise the issue with a doctor. Think of technician appointments as another layer of support made possible by your annual exam: convenient, thoughtful care that keeps things running smoothly for both you and your pet. The Bottom Line Your pet’s annual exam isn’t just about what happens in the exam room that day. It’s about:
It’s the foundation of a partnership focused on keeping your pet healthy, comfortable, and thriving all year long. If you ever have questions about what your annual visit covers, we’re always happy to talk it through. After all, that’s part of the relationship too! 💙🐶🐱 Winter brings snow days, cozy blankets, and a surprising number of pet safety myths. While some cold-weather advice is helpful, other “rules” get repeated so often they’re taken as fact, even when they aren’t. Let’s clear up a few common winter pet myths and focus on what actually keeps your pet safe and comfortable this season.
Myth #1: Pets Don’t Need Protection in the Cold, They're Wearing Fur Coats! While many dogs love snow, cold temperatures still pose risks. Small dogs, puppies, seniors, and short-haired breeds lose body heat quickly and may benefit from a coat during walks. Cats, even hardy ones, should stay indoors during cold snaps—hypothermia and frostbite can happen faster than you’d think. The truth: Cold tolerance varies widely by pet. Watch for shivering, lifting paws, slowing down, or reluctance to walk—those are signs it’s time to head inside.  Myth #2: Snow Is the Only Winter Hazard Snow looks harmless, but winter streets and sidewalks are often treated with salt, ice melt, or chemical deicers. These products can irritate paw pads, cause painful cracks, and—when licked off—lead to drooling, vomiting, or GI upset. The truth: Many winter injuries happen after the walk, not during it. How to protect your pet’s paws:
 Myth #3: Indoor Pets Don’t Need Winter Care Even pets who never go outside feel the effects of winter. Dry indoor air can worsen skin issues, and decreased activity can lead to weight gain. The truth: Winter is a great time to focus on enrichment: food puzzles, training games, and short indoor play sessions can help keep pets mentally and physically healthy.  Myth #4: A Short Walk Can’t Cause Problems Even brief exposure to cold, icy surfaces can lead to paw irritation, muscle stiffness, or slips and falls, especially for senior pets or those with arthritis. The truth: Shorter, more frequent walks on safer surfaces are often better than one long outing in harsh conditions.  Winter can be a wonderful season for pets when a few simple precautions are taken. If you’re ever unsure what’s safe for your individual pet—or notice changes in behavior, mobility, or comfort—our team is always happy to help. Reach out with any questions! Staying informed is one of the best ways to keep tails wagging all winter long.
 We are thrilled to announce the addition of Dr. Sophia Upton to the CSAH team! She joins Dr. McCullough, Dr. Saglimbeni (back from maturity leave in early 2026), Dr. Fagan, and our dedicated and compassionate team of Veterinary Technicians, Receptionists, and Groomer to care for your pets. A proud graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Dr. Upton went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Her curiosity and dedication have shaped a career focused on three of her favorite areas: animal behavior, surgery, and dentistry. Whether she’s performing a delicate procedure or helping a nervous pup feel comfortable, Dr. Upton’s calm, caring approach shines through in everything she does. When she’s not in the hospital, Dr. Upton’s life is delightfully full of fur and fun. She shares her home with her husband, their adventurous Husky mix, Pooka, and a regal Persian cat named Remy, who (naturally) runs the household. Outside of veterinary life, you’ll find Dr. Upton tending to her garden, experimenting with watercolor paints, or getting lost in a great book. Book an appointment with Dr. Upton or one of our other amazing doctors!
 We are thrilled to announce the addition of Dr. Mark Fagan to our team! Dr. Fagan joins Drs. McCullough and Saglimbeni and the rest of the CSAH team to care for your beloved, furry family members.
Dr. Fagan brings over a decade of veterinary experience, a calm and compassionate approach, and a lifelong love of animals to every patient visit. Originally from Queens, New York, Dr. Fagan moved to Boston to attend Tufts University for his undergraduate studies and never quite left. (Meeting his future wife there may have had something to do with it!) He went on to earn his veterinary degree from Cornell University and has been practicing since 2013, including several years as the owner of his own clinic. As a dedicated general practitioner, Dr. Fagan is known for his gentle demeanor, clear communication, and commitment to providing high-quality, personalized care. Whether he’s treating a routine case or helping a family navigate a more complex diagnosis, he always takes the time to listen, explain, and connect. Outside the clinic, Dr. Fagan enjoys traveling, running, and spending time with his busy household, which includes his children and two energetic dogs. He’s also a big fan of classic 80s and 90s movies. Dr. Fagan looks forward to partnering with you to keep your pets happy and healthy for years to come. Book an appointment with him or another CSAH veterinarian today!  For this blog we are only using pictures of our own pets who have passed but have not been forgotten. Euthanasia vs Natural Passing: What’s right for my pet? Every pet owner wants what’s best for their pet. This is true from the moment a pet joins your family, but it’s especially true as a pet grows older and as difficult questions about their care begin to surface. In the past we’ve discussed one of the most daunting questions pet owners eventually face1; How do I know when it’s time? But with evolving attitudes around end of life care, and with increasing options for veterinary palliative care, pet owners are more and more frequently asking another question: How do I know euthanasia is right for my pet, period? Each pet, each family, and each situation is different. As such, these questions don’t have a universal answer. That said, understanding the options in detail is the best way to make a decision that accounts for the needs of both your family and your pet. These topics are hard, but not talking about them only makes them harder. Let’s talk about them together. Defining Terms Before we go further, we have a few terms to define. You may already be familiar with some of these terms, but having common definitions will be helpful for our discussion:
 Euthanasia and Palliative Care: Tools in the Same Kit There exists a historical view of euthanasia and palliative care as being opposites: palliative care is viewed as “doing everything for your pet” while euthanasia is viewed as “ending their suffering quickly.” Fortunately, especially with the constant advances of veterinary medicine, these options aren’t mutually exclusive. Rather than euthanizing at the first sign of a terminal illness, palliative care techniques allow us to keep a pet comfortable for as long as possible, only turning to euthanasia when the time is right. A pet suffering from kidney disease may receive medications and subcutaneous fluids to assist with kidney function; this is an example of palliative care. When the pet stops responding to these treatments, or when intensive treatments become too taxing to a pet’s quality of life, it may be time for a conversation around euthanasia. You can still “do everything for your pet,” including sparing them from further suffering when the time comes. The Process of Natural Passing While pet owners hope that a natural death can be a quiet, peaceful passing in the familiar comfort of an animal’s own home, this isn’t always the case. If pet owners don’t have an idea of what to expect, the realities can be deeply traumatic. As a pet starts to decline, body systems gradually shut down due to lack of blood flow and oxygen. Pets may start breathing heavily and you may hear a “death rattle” as mucus builds up in the throat. Pets will stop eating and drinking, may vomit, and may soil themselves as they lose the ability to control their bathroom habits. Pets may experience pain or discomfort for days as their bodies gradually decline, and they may experience abrupt episodes of thrashing, respiratory distress, and vocalization. If pursuing natural death for a pet, it’s advised to have pain medications and a backup plan, such as an at-home euthanasia service or 24 hour facility, in case a pet goes into crisis.  The Process of Euthanasia Euthanasa can still be difficult, especially for those who have never experienced the process. If you decide euthanasia is right for your pet, here is an overview of what you can expect. Modern veterinary euthanasia is typically carried out through a combination of injectable medications. Your pet’s veterinarian may first administer a sedative to ensure the procedure can be carried out safely and successfully. Next, they will place an intravenous catheter to ensure easy access to a vein. Once the catheter has been placed, the veterinarian will administer a combination of anesthetic and anticonvulsant drugs; these induce muscle relaxation, stop signals to the brain, and ease your pet into unconsciousness and death. You may observe a few breaths, muscle spasms, or vocalizations, and your pet may empty their bladder or bowels, but these are all results of the body’s relaxation rather than signs of pain or distress. Finally, your veterinarian will listen to confirm that both breathing and the heartbeat have stopped. If you would like to spend additional time saying goodbye to your pet at this point, the veterinarian can leave the room and allow you to do so. Closing Thoughts Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is always hard, and it can feel even harder because of the responsibility we owe them. A human facing terminal illness can decide how aggressive a treatment they want to pursue and can make the choice to decline treatment when their quality of life worsens or when the cons of treatment outweigh the pros. Pets can’t make these choices for themselves; instead, they depend on us to make decisions in their best interest. Whether you elect for euthanasia or natural passing, it’s good to consider the options and how you’ll feel about each ahead of time; nobody wants to make the choice under duress. If the options are a little too heavy to weigh on your own, we’re only a phone call away - we’d be happy to help you figure out what’s right for your family.  A Word on Grief
It’s normal and expected to feel grief after the loss of a pet, just as you would after the passing of any other family member. Indeed, grief is a healthy response and an important part of the healing process. Talking about grief is one of the best ways to work through it, especially if others in your household feel similarly; some family members may even be thankful someone else broached the topic. Of course, friends and family can only do so much. If you’re struggling with grief and need additional support, there are resources available. Tufts University operates a Pet Loss Support Hotline, and Ohio State University’s Honoring the Bond Program has compiled numerous readings, videos, support groups, and other resources to help pet owners dealing with grief. Grief is normal, and showing these emotions or asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. If you’re struggling after the loss of a pet, please don’t hesitate to reach out or utilize the resources above - we know it’s what your pet would want for you.  Hearts are miraculous little things! We’ve all got one, people and pets alike, and they all work hard to keep our blood pumping and our bodies healthy. We’re all familiar with the steady, rhythmic, comforting sound of a heart beat, but what about a heart murmur? What is this unusual sound, what causes it, and is it something to be concerned about? Let’s tackle these cardiac questions one at a time!  What is a heart murmur? A heart murmur describes a type of abnormal sound that may be heard when listening to a heartbeat. A normal, healthy heartbeat has two distinct parts (ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump), which you hear as the heart contracts and expands to circulate blood. A heart murmur is an additional sound, typically heard in between these two parts (ba-woosh-bump, ba-woosh-bump). In a healthy heart, blood flows in a motion known as laminar flow- Have you ever held a spoon upside down under the sink, and watched as the water runs off in a curtain so smooth, it looks like it’s not moving at all? This is laminar flow, and it is the opposite of turbulent flow, where the water is splashing and spraying every which way. Turbulent flow is louder, in both your sink and your heart, so turbulent blood flow produces a heart murmur. Heart murmurs are graded on a scale of I - VI, with a Grade I being the most mild and a Grade VI being the most severe.  What causes a heart murmur? A heart murmur can occur any time the regular flow of blood is interrupted, which can happen for a number of reasons. Dogs, cats, and humans all have similarly structured hearts: four distinct chambers, separated by valves meant to keep blood flowing in a single direction. A heart murmur is often caused by a structural issue, such as a leaky valve, an irregularly-sized blood vessel, or a hole between two chambers. These structural defects, like heart murmurs themselves, can be congenital or acquired- congenital meaning they’ve been there since birth, and acquired meaning they appeared later in life. It’s not always about the structure of the heart, though. Heart murmurs can result from a number of other causes including fever, infection, obesity, pregnancy, or low levels of protein or red blood cells. Temporary heart murmurs are also common in growing puppies, often appearing by six weeks and resolving by five months.  Is a heart murmur serious? Heart murmurs are a symptom rather than a disease, and as such the severity can depend heavily on the underlying cause. As mentioned above, some heart murmurs are benign and resolve with time, while others are an indication of heart disease or other more serious concerns. If treatment is indicated, it is to treat any underlying disease rather than the heart murmur itself. Monitoring the progression of a heart murmur is important, and to this end your veterinarian may recommend annual or semi-annual echocardiograms (a non-sedated and non-invasive procedure that can produce high-quality images of the heart), alongside blood work or other lab tests. Based on these results, your veterinarian may recommend treatments including cardiac medication, prescription diets, or surgical correction. While the prognosis of a pet diagnosed with a heart murmur can vary greatly depending on the severity and underlying cause, early detection will always give a pet the best chance at a long, comfortable life.  Should I be very worried about my pet now?
It’s hard to talk about these things without them feeling scary. Fortunately, if your pet is currently happy and healthy, there’s no reason to panic! Annual checkups, as well as sick visits whenever something doesn’t feel right, allow your veterinarian to listen to your pet’s heart and catch any changes in their health early. Weight also plays an important role in preventing and managing heart disease, so talk to your veterinarian about whether your pet is at a healthy weight and, if not, what steps you can take to get them there. If your pet exhibits abdominal swelling, difficulties with breathing or sleeping, rear limb weakness, or bouts of fainting, schedule an appointment promptly, as these can all be signs of heart disease. Got questions we didn’t answer here? Or maybe it’s time to book a sick or well visit? Whatever the reason, drop us a line! We’re always happy to chat, answer any questions you may have, and schedule a visit if necessary.  Meet Roscoe! Roscoe is my imaginary Bernese Mountain Dog (I -author Alex - don’t have enough space for a real one), and for 100 lbs of dog, he’s an awfully big scaredy cat! Roscoe hates nail trims- any time he sees a clipper come near him, he’s suddenly howling and hollering and hiding under the couch. I don’t want to take Roscoe to the vet every time he needs a simple trim, and I don’t think my poor buddy enjoys being so scared all the time, either. So what can I do to help him? Desensitization and counter conditioning are two behavioral techniques that can help even the most reactive pets face their fears in a safe, controlled, productive environment. Today we’re going to learn more about these principles, and use them to come up with a plan to help my friend Roscoe courageously conquer his phobia of nail trims! (Of course, unlike your pets, Roscoe isn’t real. That’s why the method we talk about here can be applied universally, to help your own pet face whatever fears they may have. As we go along, think about how you can adapt Roscoe’s plan for your own use!)  Step 1: Identifying Stimuli First things first, it’s important to identify exactly what causes Roscoe to react; this is called a stimulus or a trigger. A lot of scary situations consist of multiple stimuli blurred together. Instead of listing “nail trims” as Roscoe’s stimulus, let’s try to get more specific- Does the sight of the nail clippers frighten Roscoe? What about their clicky-clacky sound? Is Roscoe always afraid of the nail clippers, or only when a person is actively holding them? Try to get specific, and pay close attention to which stimuli produce the strongest responses, as we’ll need this info in our next step! Step 2: Ordering Stimuli Through our work in Step 1, we’ve discovered that Roscoe doesn’t react to all stimuli equally! He starts to get nervous if a person approaches him while holding the nail clippers, but if they’re left on the table in the same room as him he’ll simply ignore them. However, we also discovered that Roscoe hates the clicking sound of the clippers, and will jump from zero to one-hundred as soon as he hears it. Ranking Roscoe’s stimuli from least to most likely to produce a reaction, we would say:
Step 3: Desensitization Desensitization refers to the process of carefully and gradually exposing a pet to a stimulus that produces an unwanted response, until your pet no longer produces this response in the presence of the stimuli. In Step 2 we identified the different stimuli that produce a reaction in Roscoe, such as the sight and sound of our nail clippers. Now it’s time for Roscoe to start facing them! To be most effective, desensitization should start with a low intensity of the most well-tolerated stimulus, then gradually work upward. In our example, “Sight of nail clippers” is our starting stimulus, and we know Roscoe already tolerates this well! Roscoe is used to seeing the nail clippers from a distance (for instance, left on a living room table fifteen feet from his favorite napping spot), so we can increase the intensity of this stimulus by leaving the nail clippers on an end table ten feet away, or on the opposite side of the couch five feet away. We should avoid picking the nail clippers up and carrying them towards Roscoe, as this overlaps with our second stimulus; in order to control the intensity of Stimulus 1 only, the nail clippers should be moved to a new location when Roscoe is not present to see. Once Roscoe can see and be close to the nail clippers without exhibiting fear, discomfort, or anxiety, we can move onto our next stimulus! We’ll repeat the process from the top, beginning our next stimulus at a low intensity and working upward again.  Step 4: Counterconditioning Sometimes, desensitization alone isn’t enough. In these situations, we can rely on a second tool called counterconditioning: the process of pairing a negative stimulus with a positive stimulus (like getting a treat or playing with a favorite toy), to gradually form an association between something scary and something pleasurable. Roscoe is very food-motivated, so we’ll use treats as our reward. We want a very high-value treat to offset the negative stimulus, and since we’ll be giving these treats frequently, they should be small enough to leave Roscoe wanting more. We’ll use very small cubes of cheddar cheese. It’s important that whatever negative stimulus Roscoe is experiencing is still mild enough that a cube of cheese can outweigh it; if I run at Roscoe with cheddar in one hand and clippers in the other, he’ll be too freaked out to enjoy his supposed reward. Instead, we’ll start when Roscoe is simply in the same room as the nail clippers, at a distance where he’s exhibiting little to no reaction. From here we can gradually increase the intensity of the stimulus the same way we did in Step 3. The goal of counterconditioning is that, when exposed to a stimulus (nail clippers), Roscoe’s existing response (fear) will eventually change to a new response (excitement over treat). We can observe this in Roscoe’s reactions; not only will Roscoe gradually stop showing a fear response, but eventually he’ll even look towards us expectantly whenever he sees the nail clippers. This indicates that the old association (nail clippers > fear) has been replaced with a new association (nail clippers > excitement over treat), and Roscoe is ready to move up to the next intensity or stimulus!  Step 5: Relax and Repeat!
Behavioral modification is a slow and steady process. Depending on the severity of your pet’s emotional response, and the length of time that response has existed, a desensitization and counterconditioning plan can take anywhere from a few hours to a few months. It can be tempting to rush the process, but don’t give in! Forcing a pet to continue a session when they are already uncomfortable can set your progress backwards, leaving your pet more sensitive to a stimulus than they originally were. If your pet begins showing signs of stress or discomfort, give them a break or end your session early, and always try to end a session on a positive note. Desensitization and counterconditioning sessions are most effective if done daily, so you’ll have another chance soon! It’s also worth acknowledging that desensitization and counterconditioning routines are just one tool in the larger behavioral puzzle. Your pet might additionally benefit from professional training, consultations with a behaviorist, or behavioral medications. These steps are a normal part of many pets’ care routines, and aren’t an indication that your pet is “poorly-trained,” or that the above methods weren’t used properly. If your pet experiences negative emotional reactions that you think might benefit from a professional eye, give us a call! We’ll be happy to help you put a plan in motion. Now if you’ll excuse me, Roscoe has some nails that need trimming. Where’d I leave the cheese?  February has been a busy month! Between Valentine’s Day, school vacation week, and the Super Bowl, you might have missed our favorite happening - its National Pet Dental Health Month, all month long!  Dental Disease - What is it, who’s got it? Over 80% of dogs over the age of three have some form of dental disease, as do over 50% of cats over the age of four. Sounds scary… But what does that actually mean? While humans mainly worry about cavities and tooth decay, animals suffer from a different host of dental problems. Cats and dogs alike are prone to periodontal disease; that is, infection and inflammation of the tissues surrounding the tooth, referred to as the periodontium. Periodontal disease is primarily caused by plaque, a slimy film that is “laid down by bacteria on the surface of the tooth, above and below the gum line.” From here the infection spreads into the tooth socket, and can damage bone and cause the loss of teeth. Between 20% and 60% of cats also experience some degree of tooth resorption, a condition in which one or several teeth gradually and spontaneously break down. We’d love to talk more about why this very bizarre thing happens, but we actually don’t know! Vets have a few theories, but none are confirmed. Cats are full of mystery, and their teeth are no exception. Brushing Off Concerns Dental disease sounds scary, and it’s a simple reality that nearly every pet will experience some degree of dental disease at some point in their life. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do at home to help prevent dental disease, too! You can begin taking care of your pet’s teeth the same way you take care of your own: brushing those pearly whites. Dogs and cats alike benefit from having their teeth brushed, and with a proper routine you can help pets tolerate or even enjoy daily brushings. Start by getting your pet used to having their teeth and gums touched, and then introduce a toothbrush and toothpaste, gradually working up to longer brushing sessions. Be sure to use veterinary-approved brushes and toothpaste, as many human toothpastes in particular have ingredients that are toxic to pets! In addition to brushing, or if your pet makes brushing a challenge, there are other commercially available products that can help prevent or slow the buildup of plaque. Water additives, dental wipes, and dental chews or diets may all have a place in your pet’s complete dental care picture; as a guideline, the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal of approval can help you identify reputable products. It’s also important to ensure any toys you give are safe for your pet’s teeth. Our friends at Veterinary Dental Services in Boxborough discourage giving any toy or treat that can’t be bent or indented with your fingernail, as these are hard enough to potentially break teeth. In fact, Vet Dental has put together an entire helpful handout, outlining which toys are tooth-safe and which are a dental no-go. Check it out!  Diagnosing Doggy Breath While dental disease often requires a veterinary exam to detect or confirm, there are other symptoms you may notice at home. Terrible doggy breath might feel normal at times, but it shouldn’t! Alongside bad breath, dental disease also presents as loose or discolored teeth, decreased appetite, difficulty chewing or eating, and swelling, bleeding, or sensitivity around the mouth. At annual exams your veterinarian will also assess your pet’s teeth for signs or symptoms of dental disease, but there’s a limit to how much can be detected this way. For that reason, if dental disease is suspected, your veterinarian may recommend an anesthetic dental cleaning. Dental Cleanings and Extractions Humans have dental cleanings once or twice a year, and even get extractions without the need for general anesthesia. So why do pets need to be put under, just for a scale and polish? The main answer is that, unlike your pet, you understand why the dentist is poking around and pulling teeth. You may not be enthusiastic about the process, but you cooperate and allow it to happen. The same can’t be said for our pets, who are often already distressed or in pain at the time of a dental procedure. Putting a pet under anesthesia allows the attending veterinarian to more thoroughly examine and clean the entire mouth, including areas under the gum line, which can’t be checked on a standard physical exam. At the time of a dental procedure, our veterinarians will also take radiographs (x-rays) to get a more complete picture of your pet’s dental health. These radiographs can help to detect problems that are difficult or impossible to detect with the naked eye, and can provide more information as to where and when these dental extractions might be necessary. Pets need to be very still for this process, so it is once again difficult or impossible without anesthesia. After a dental procedure, your pet may be a little wobbly from anesthesia, and should be monitored for the next 24 hours to the extent possible. You may see a small amount of blood in your pet’s food or water dish, but this is a normal part of recovery and is nothing to be concerned about. If your pet had any dental extractions, you should feed wet food or softened kibble and restrict access to hard toys for 14 days. Owners sometimes worry that their pets will have difficulty eating after dental extractions, but the opposite is true: with those wiggly, painful teeth out of the way, your pet will eat better than ever!  Let’s Talk Teeth!
If there’s one thing to take away from this article, it’s that your pet will experience dental disease at some point in their life. Fortunately, you’re now well-equipped to face those problems as they come! Hopefully learning about dental disease will make it less scary when you do have to deal with it, and practicing the preventative measures outlined above can help you ensure that day doesn’t come any time soon, either. Of course, there are only so many questions we can answer in a blog. If you have questions we haven’t answered here, are worried your pet is showing signs of dental disease, or want to schedule a dental cleaning, reach out! We’d love to help you see your pet’s best smile.  Can you believe it’s already 2025? It feels like just yesterday we were ringing in the new millennium, and now we’re nearly a quarter-century in. With how fast the world changes, it can be hard to keep up with the latest trends and developments in pet care. That’s why we’re taking this chance to look forward to 2025: what sorts of pet care trends are we expecting to see in the new year, and do these trends live up to their own hype? If you’ve heard the buzz around raw diets, fitness wearables, alternative preventatives, or anything else trendy and new, read on!  New Year, New Meal Carefully regulating what we eat has long been understood as an important piece of our own health, so it makes sense that pet owners are turning a more critical eye towards their pets’ nutrition as well. With so many pet foods on the market, and more and more discussion around whether store bought foods are even best for our pets, it can be hard to know if you’re making the right choice. Raw diets have seen a recent surge in popularity; these diets focus on ingredients such as muscle and organ meats, bones, fruits, vegetables, and raw eggs, thought to be more in line with how dogs dined before they were domesticated. Advocates for the raw diet tout benefits such as shinier coats, cleaner teeth, and higher energy levels, but the experts aren’t so sure. An FDA study found raw pet food is more likely to be contaminated with potentially harmful bacteria compared to other pet foods, while the American Veterinary Medical Association bluntly “discourages feeding any raw or undercooked animal-sourced protein to dogs and cats because of their risk to human and animal health.” Even as we were writing this article, an Oregon-based raw food manufacturer issued a recall after contaminated food was confirmed to have resulted in a cat contracting H5N1 and dying. Grain-free diets have also gained popularity, for many of the same reasons as raw diets. Marketing would have pet owners believe grain-free diets are “more natural” and more in line with dogs’ evolutionary diets, and that this translates to health benefits over standard foods, but once again the jury is out. The FDA has an ongoing investigation into the link between grain-free diets and Dilated Cardiomyopathy, particularly in breeds not genetically predisposed to this condition. The initial promise behind grain-free diets may also be faulty; while many of these diets seek to eliminate nutritional “fillers” (ingredients designed to bulk out food without adding nutritional value), many fillers actually contain necessary fiber to maintain intestinal health. Diets seeking to remove these fillers without compensation won’t be nutritionally balanced. Concord Animal Hospital has long pointed our clients towards veterinarian formulated brands such as Royal Canin, Purina Pro Plan, and Hill’s Science Diet, as these brands invest heavily into research and development, and formulate foods to address specific health concerns, breed or age issues, dietary sensitivities, and so forth. Alternative diets can have a place in managing a pet’s health, but the one-size-fits-all approach touted by the manufacturers of raw, grain-free, and other boutique diets is often driven by the marketing machine, rather than an authentic concern for pet wellbeing. Finding the correct diet for your pet can take time, effort, and uncertainty, and it would be so much easier for pet owners if someone invented a miracle food fit for any pet. Food manufacturers know this- it’s why they’re all so eager to convince you they have.  Too Fit To Quit Dogs need exercise. Some breeds more than others, but any Border Collie or Australian Shepherd owner will tell you their dog doesn’t let them skip leg day. For a long time our view of canine fitness has been limited to walking, running, and the vigorous game of fetch. But in recent years, our whole concept of getting fit with your pet has expanded! Perhaps the biggest change has come in viewing pet fitness not as an extra chore to fit into our schedules, but as a part of our own fitness journeys. According to Colorado State University, this link goes both ways; your own physical activity can impact the activity and fitness of those around you (pets included!), while working out with a pet also makes owners more likely to stick with their own fitness goals and routines. Nearly any exercise you can imagine can be tailored to include your pet, from swimming and circuit training to dog yoga or canine crossfit! If having a structured routine helps you stay consistent, as it does for many, you may even be able to find hybrid canine-human fitness classes in your area. Just like with our own workouts, it’s important to pick activities that are a proper match for your pet and your fitness goals. Healthy adult dogs with decent stamina may enjoy long hikes in the woods, while more energetic dogs might prefer the frenetic bursts of action you find in circuit or agility training. Fitness wearables like fitbits and smart watches are another trend that have exploded for human use over the past decade, so it’s no surprise they’re picking up steam in the pet sphere as well. These devices boast a whole suite of data and monitoring tools, from step tracking and calorie burn to heart rate, body temperature, and behavioral irregularities that could indicate a health concern. Sounds pretty great! …Right? The promise of having this information at your fingertips can be enticing, especially for anxious pet parents, but it’s worth asking if all these data points are actually necessary. In our research we found plenty of tech journalists and gadget reviewers debating the reliability and performance of these devices, but we didn’t find a single veterinarian advocating for why you should own one in the first place. Wearable devices could have a place in monitoring specific metrics for pets with certain health conditions (and they already do, if you count devices like glucose monitors!), but if you’re simply worried about monitoring your pet’s activity levels, diet, or general health, the good, old fashioned methods should serve you just fine.  Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicine is a broad phrase; it can be hard to define what counts as medicine, and which of those medicines are then alternative. Some treatments we offer here at Concord Animal Hospital are considered to be alternative medicine, such as acupuncture, while other times alternative medicine is used to describe products or treatments that haven’t been adequately tested or researched, and haven’t undergone FDA or EPA approval. Flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives have been at the forefront of the alternative veterinary medicine trend, thanks to their cost, frequency of use, and complex ingredient lists. By comparison, inexpensive all-natural remedies such as garlic, tea tree oil, or boric acid can sound appealing… But do they actually work? In short, no. Store-bought “all natural” preventatives are typically a blend of alleged home remedies that can be harmful or outright toxic to dogs, and even the ones that won’t harm your pet are unlikely to offer real benefit. While some of these remedies can be successful in controlling sections of parasite populations, many only work against specific life stages such as larva or adults, meaning they won’t thoroughly eradicate a population. The prognosis is even worse for natural heartworm preventatives- because according to the American Heartworm Society (AHS), there are none. The AHS states that, while there are natural means of reducing exposure, “there’s no such thing as a ‘natural’ heartworm preventative.” The safest and most effective flea, tick, and heartworm preventions are, as is the case with most treatments, specially formulated prescription medications, designed for their exact purpose. These medications are carefully developed to ensure efficacy without adverse findings, and are tested at quantities higher than the recommended dosage to ensure safety. Additionally, use of prescription medications allows a veterinarian familiar with your pet to ensure a given medication is right for a given patient, factoring in histories and side effects in a way that can’t be monitored with over-the-counter medications or home remedies. Behind the Trends Being a pet owner is hard. New information comes out every day on what’s best for our pets, and it can feel impossible to sort through what’s reputable and what’s not. In researching trends for this blog we found all sorts of reports, analytics, and projections from marketing firms who generally cared about two things: where you spent your money last year, and where you’ll spend it this year. These “trends” are supported by sales figures and dollar signs rather than medical research, and they start from the conclusion that you should spend more money, before working backwards to justify this. Many of these trends capitalize on the anxieties of caring, well-meaning pet parents (Is my dog getting enough exercise? Are the foods I’m feeding them healthy? Are these medications safe?), because an anxious pet parent is more likely to buy something than a reassured pet parent. So let us take a moment to say… You’re doing amazing. Your pet loves you, you love them, and that love isn’t measured in the money you spend. You’ve taken care of them every day since they’ve joined your family, and you’ll continue to do so, this year and for many more to come. Listen to the advice of veterinarians and the slow-and-steady pace of veterinary research, but don’t let anyone frighten you into buying their solution to a manufactured problem. Hopefully this blog can give you some peace of mind in 2025, but if you do have worries, give us a call! At the end of the day, no new trend compares to speaking with an expert who knows your pet’s unique health and history. Have faith in your own pet-parenting ability this year, and to pets and people everywhere… Happy New Year! |
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Contact Information:
Cambridge Street Animal Hospital 156 Cambridge St #1B Burlington,MA 01803 (339)234-6007 [email protected] Office Hours: Monday - Friday: 8am-5pm Saturday-Sunday: Closed |
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