If you have space in your home and heart for two guys, consider adopting Panchito and Rocky today! They still have lots of love to give. Because of their age and size both pups are considered “special needs,” mainly due to typical aging.
Do we remember what a world not dominated by a pandemic feels like? I often find myself saying to colleagues in the healthcare field, "Remember when we thought healthcare was stressful before COVID?" And we either roll our eyes, let out a huge groan, or respond with a long pause of silence.
Giardiasis is a gastrointestinal infection of many mammalian species. The disease is caused by Giardia duodenalis, a flagellated protozoan parasite found worldwide. Infection among dogs and cats is common, with prevalence rates of 5-15%. Humans can also become infected with strains of Giardia spp. At the Manchester Animal Hospital, we routinely test for Giardia in pets presented with diarrhea.
Our culture has brought immediate gratification to a new, perhaps unhealthy, level, but the pandemic screeched all of that to a halt, and we have no choice but to slow down. Use this time to consider who you are, what makes you tick, what you value, and how you cope. It might serve you well in the future...whatever that brings.
Snowflake here! I am a 2-year-old lady looking for a home of my very own. I hate to brag but I am a pretty girl, I am a Calico lady with beautiful unique markings. I was adopted into a family who loved and cared for me very much, unfortunately the other kitty in the home was not a big fan…
Stories in Pictures
A question we are all thinking about, even if we are not putting it into words. Is a vaccine the COVID-19 "Holy Grail?" Will it bring safety and normalcy back to our lives? Who is working on it? How many are in trials? Is it safe? Will it give me the virus? Can everyone get vaccinated, or will it be the most vulnerable among us first? How long will it take to provide immunity? These are the questions I have, and you must have them too.
I know our clients get tired of us saying it, but I really believe that age is not a disease, and mature pets that are otherwise healthy are able to tolerate anesthesia well. A pet that is older is more likely to have more severe periodontal disease and thus more pain. These animals still need care in order to maintain the quality of their lives. Taking care of their gums and teeth is also one of the best ways to extend their lifespan.
Cough is a common problem in dogs but occurs less frequently in cats. Cough is caused by irritation of the throat, airways, or the lungs. The main airway to the lungs, known as the windpipe or trachea, branches into smaller airways called bronchi, which branch several more times as they travel to the deeper parts of the lung.
Our "normal" goal is usually to be in balance, and even then, without a pandemic or social and political unrest, it's a challenge. The whole work/family ratio, "on and off-time," and as we all have become so intimately acquainted with these past months, the blur of life's factions, blended into one. Balance. The inner and outer world.
There has been a prevailing sense of "powerlessness" these past months. We were all indoors, working from home, no school, no socialization, yet the numbers went up and up. As our communities "reopen:" remember the power we do have. Our intentional interventions are what is bringing cases and deaths down. The principles of hygiene, distancing, and masks remain crucial. By continuing to use these, we are protecting ourselves and others.
We've all had experiences of being "up to our eyeballs," "underwater," or "sick to death" of a number of things. Most of us have good endurance…for a time. We are New Englanders, after all. We know that the blizzards come, the power goes out, and we have no milk. School gets canceled. It can even snow in May. But usually, the impact doesn't last months... Until now.
As a student in Roslyn High School, Long Island, there were requirements that Cornell University Veterinary College had for applicants for admission. One was called the farm practice requirement. This was in place to expose suburban students the opportunity to learn about farm animals. I did this for 2 summers, living with a farming family in upper New York State. Among the many fond memories, one stood out as a learning experience that forced me to evaluate my relationship with animals as sentience beings. Sentience is the awareness and the capacity to sense and feel, particularly pleasure and pain.
The scientists and medical experts certainly have amassed a vast amount of knowledge of COVID-19, since January 11th, when the first Coronavirus patient in Wuhan China succumbed to the illness. That is just over three months ago. From an unknown to a household word, inside of 3 months. Staggering.
Zoonoses are defined as diseases that can spread from animals to people. Zoonoses can be caused by any number of different viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. Fortunately, Corona Virus is not one of them.
North Shore city and towns have implemented "masks in stores" policies, and some have asked for "masks in public places." We see a wide variety of medical, surgical, procedure, and cloth masks, bandanas, and sundry face coverings being used to protect both wearer and neighbor—gloves of green and blue cover many hands at the gas station and grocery store. Information is coming at us from all sides.
Sheltering in place with our pets gives us an opportunity to do things we usually don’t have time for. Manchester Animal Hospital's executive veterinarian Lawrence Lamb, DVM details how pet owners can perform a physical exam their pets while their veterinarian is closed for normal office hours or only seeing pets on an urgent care basis.
The trajectory of COVID-19 is clearly climbing toward the peak of infection, and when it gets there is unknown. By now, we are deeply engulfed in the daily numbers, the news, and the experts. We are hopefully doing our part by not “carrying the virus” or catching it, by staying at home, and using all the extreme hygiene measures recommended.
Practicing social distancing to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic may sound scary or impossible to do, but there are ways to appropriately handle the process, says Jagdish Khubchandani, a health science professor at Ball State University.
In these weeks of "sheltering at home", what should pet owners do if the need for emergency veterinary care is needed? It's an important question, one tackled by our own Dr. Larry Lamb of Manchester Animal Hospital.
There does not appear to be evidence that dogs act as a vector for Corona Virus in the human population. However, there are still many questions which need to be explored in relation to this disease. Below is the information I have been able to research up to the present (March 6) and recommendations for caring for your family and pets during this potentially very serious health hazard.
When it comes to coronavirus and pets, there is no evidence that companion animals can spread COVID-19. That remains true, but news out of Hong Kong suggests the converse may not be true: People, it turns out, apparently can transmit the virus that causes COVID-19 to their dogs.
Hi there, my name is Dillon! I'm what they call a potcake, which is a fabulous mixed breed pup from Turks & Caicos. I was one of the lucky guys who got to fly to Massachusetts to join a loving family of my very own. I am sweet, playful, and full of wiggles. My tail is always going! I'm looking forward to sharing all of life's adventures with my new people, so what are you waiting for? Stop in and meet me today! I would love a home with another social pup, as I am most confident around the other pups here!
The number one cause of chronic pain in older pets is osteoarthritis. In our practice, it is very common, and it is important to treat it as a disease. Consideration must be given to the mode of the treatment, because there are important factors that must be determined in designing a treatment that is effective and causes the least amount of side effects.
In light of the recent outbreak and constant media coverage of Coronavirus (COVID-19), I want to inform you of some widely accepted practices and tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) on how to best protect yourself and prevent the spread of the flu and other respiratory illnesses.
You may be worried that before you have had the "right moment" to discuss it with them, word will travel, letting the cat out of the bag. There are many downsides to that happening. One of which is "why didn't you tell me right away," and also the passage of misinformation. So instead of sharing accurate information from the get-go, now you have to unpack the untruth.
