The Whole Pet
News & Tips from Beverly Animal Natural Health Center
July 2017 Newsletter
Well if you haven’t heard yet, we are moving! The Cummings Center is welcoming us in October. As with many adventures here at BANHC, this was not something that was planned. After the Medicine Shoppe sadly closed it’s doors in May, we looked into expanding. I called the Cummings Center as I had looked there back in 1998 when they too were just starting out. What a city it has become! I knew from the moment I met with them that great things could happen. It’s pretty neat as well as the Cummings Center is named after it’s founder, Bill Cummings. Tufts University, where I graduated from 25 years ago is now named Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine due to his incredible generosity. It’s full circle for me as I am so proud of the education I received at Tufts.
We will be conservatively expanding so that we can continue to provide the best care for our pets and our owners. We will be located at 99X in the Cummings Center which is just to the left when you come into the main entrance off Route 62/Elliot Street. It is in the retail area located at the base of the parking garage. There are beautiful ponds and landscaping at the Cummings Center. We look forward to welcoming our clients to our new updated facility!
We hope to be able to have little down time as we move over to the new facility. We will most likely have limited office hours for a week or two as we transition over. The thought of packing is never enticing but it will be so exciting to have our new space. Stayed tuned for updates!
Rabies
As many of you have seen on the news, there have been an number of reported attacks on humans in the last few weeks by rabid animals. There were two foxes in the North Shore area and a rabid Bobcat in New Hampshire. While we do occasionally here of rabid raccoons and skunks, the attacks on humans are less common. Please keep your pets up to date and be aware of our surroundings! Here are some helpful links:
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This is one geared for kids but is actually really great for any age! |
Interesting data with the incidence of rabies actually dramatically decreased in the last few decades! |
Pets in Hot Cars
As the summer weather heats up, pets are put at risk by owners not thinking! Fortunately there is a new law in Massachusetts that does protect good samaritans when they see an pet that is endangered in a hot car. You still must make every reasonable attempt to find the owner. You should always try to contact the ACO, 911 for police or fire. Due to potential for first responders not being able to address these situations, a good samaritan can now attempt to save the pet from danger. One needs to notify law enforcement beforehand as well as act in good faith using no more than “reasonable” force to save the animal from the car. It is helpful to have a cell phone to document time, weather data as well as the pet in distress.
Check out the law at https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/S2369
This is the face of heartworm
Heartworm, a parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitos is on the rise in our area. Historically, we most often encountered heartworm positive dogs when they were adopted from southern states or other countries. In the last 18 months, we have had multiple cases of local dogs become infected with the blood parasite as well as adopted dogs. Fortunately with early detection and treatment, the dogs have done well but it has been stressful for all involved! The dogs that became infected had not received routine parasite prevention either due to compliance ( we all forget sometimes) or concerns about the safety of the drug. As with all the recommendations made at BANHC, we make them because they are important to the health and well being of your pet. We always weight the risk/benefit along with safety, efficacy and compliance.
We recommend monthly Sentinel for all of our canine patients year round. At this time, we do not advise for cats. If you forget a dose, give as soon as you remember and let us know at your annual testing. Sentinel does also protect against the gastrointestinal parasites; roundworms, hookworms and whipworms as well as prevent flea infestation by sterilizing flea eggs.
In Memoriam
In Memory of our beloved pets that have passed: In Memoriam