Happy New Year!!!

Cambridge Veterinary Care would like to wish everyone and their pets a safe and Happy New Year!

We're sure you and your pets had a great holiday, but keep them protected from dangers. When the leaves of a Poinsettia plant are chewed on, they can cause localized irritation of the mouth. If dogs or cats drink the water from your Christmas tree, it can cause digestive upset. Be aware of the extra hazards around the holidays, especially when taking down your decorations.

Happy Holidays!

Cambridge Veterinary Care would like to wish everyone and their pets a Happy Holiday!

Tis the season to be safe!

Tis the season to be safe! It’s easy for pets to get into trouble during the holidays. Look at all the fun stuff we provide for their curiosity. Gifts, decorations and holiday foods pose dangers for all pets. Be aware of the extra hazards around the holidays. Cats love to play with ribbons and tinsel! If ingested they can sometimes act as foreign bodies causing intestinal blockages. Make sure that your pets are protected from all the festivities this holiday season.

Happy Birthday Dr. Weiner!

Today is Dr Weiner's Birthday! Your pets can send their good wishes to our Facebook page.


Click here to visit our Facebook page! 

 

Winter Dangers for Pets

Message from Santa

Click here to view a message from SANTA to Jane at Cambridge Veterinary Care!

Homemade Dog Biscuits Recipe

Did you know that 56% of dog owners plan to give their canine companion a gift this holiday season? Are you part of that 56%? If you are stressing about the perfect gift for your furry friend, try this Homemade Dog Biscuit recipe by Martha Stewart.

Ingredients
Makes about 5 dozen
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup brewer's yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup low-sodium canned chicken stock, plus more for brushing

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, wheat germ, yeast, and salt; set aside
2. Place oil in a large bowl. Add stock and flour mixture in three alternating batches, beginning and ending with stock. Mix well.
3. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to about 3/8-inch thick. Shape biscuits using a dog-bone-shaped cookie cutter or by cutting around a store-bought dog bone with a butter knife.(Make biscuits that are appropriate for your dog's size.)
4. If desired, you can spell out your dog's name or a holiday message in the dough with a toothpick (wet the toothpick first so it won't stick).
5. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.
6. Bake biscuits 10 minutes. Brush with stock; rotate baking sheets, and bake 10 minutes more. Turn off oven, leaving door closed. Let dog biscuits stand in oven to dry completely, about 1 1/2 hours. Wrap as a gift, or store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Traveling with your pets this holiday season?

The holidays are approaching and many people are traveling to visit their families. Do you have any interesting holiday pet travel tips or stories to share? Leave a comment telling us your pet travel tips.

Stocking up on all the holiday goodies?

Are you stocking up on all the holiday goodies?  Beware of guests who may give your pet cookies, chocolate and other sweets. Those treats are not healthy for them. Your pet’s digestive system is not adapted for such rich foods, and chocolate contains theobromine, which can be harmful and sometimes fatal. Keep plenty of treats especially for your pet around so they don’t get the urge to try and sample some of your holiday feast. Just a tip from Cambridge Veterinary Care.

Attention Book Club Participants!

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It's time to check in with our Book Club Participants! Last month we posted the selection "From Baghdad, With Love" and we've enjoyed reading about Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman and his struggles to bring Lava, a spunky puppy found in an abandoned house in Fallujah, safely to the U.S. and away from danger. 
This book gives an incite to a Marines inner battle with the horrifying surroundings of war and the emotional struggle to be a fierce soldier while showing sympathy for a small animal in need. 
Kopelman, in more than one instance, wonders if his fellow Marines will mock him if they realize how much he cares for Lava, the puppy he discovered. 
Kopelman and the members of the First Battalion, Third Marines also known as the Lava Dogs, heard a noise in the abandoned home that served as their command post, they all raised their weapons in defense. They were shocked to discover a small dirty puppy in the midst of all the bombings and war torn surroundings. 
Kopelman writes, "The best part is how these Marines, these elite, well-oiled machines of war who in theory can kill another human being in a hundred unique ways, become mere mortals in the presence of a tiny animal."
Apparently Lava was in the home when it was stormed by the Lava Dogs, but not one of the men could find the courage to put him out on the streets. The book details the treatment of strays in war zones and the cruel and inhumane way they are disposed of and often used in bombing attacks by insurgents in Iraq. 
Knowing Lava's fate if left to his own, Kopelman begins a long journey to get Lava safely into the states. Many people put their lives at risk to help in Kopelman's mission, including Anne Garrels, journalist for the National Public Radio.
In one nail-biting chapter, we realize just how dangerous the task is of getting Lava to the U.S. when Anne and Lava get to the Jordanian border. The scene is tense already as border patrol is strict and checkpoints are frequently subjected to bombings. Even a sneeze can be mistaken as a signal and can get you killed. 
Lava probably senses the tension and in one fell swoop escapes the crate and continues to have Annie chasing him around their SUV. It sounds comical but this was no laughing matter to the border patrol and Lava and Anne were turned away. 
 The hardest part to read is the frustration of Kopelman to go through this journey via email. Kopelman had to have the help of many people due to his commitment to the military and the location of his unit. Much of the book details his reactions to e-mails from Anne and also John Van Zante, director of Public Relations at the Helen Woodward Animal Center in California. John was also crucial in the fight to get Lava to a safe place. 
In April 2005, after over 6 months of striving, Lava was able to land at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois. 
Lava is now living well with Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman and his wife, stepson and their other dog Koda.
We thoroughly enjoyed the book club selection and recommend this heartwarming story to other animal lovers.What did you think of Lava's story? 
Did you have any favorite parts? Comment your thoughts and stay tuned for next month's book club selection!

Decorating Dangers

The holidays are a great time for everyone, including your pet, but take precautions this decorating season. Glass ornaments and tinsel can be harmful if swallowed. Extension cords, if chewed, can electrocute your pet. Keep pets safe while decorating for the holiday season.

Happy Hannukah!

Cambridge Veterinary Care would like to wish everyone a Happy Hannukah!

The holidays are quickly approaching!

This is a special time for everyone, including your furry family members. When preparing for the festivities, it is always important to consider your pets because we often don't realize that they can get sick from the things we take for granted...like the plants that we bring in for the holiday! Mistletoe, Poinsettias and Holly are a few that can be dangerous if consumed. Protect your pet as you start to decorate for the holiday season.

 

We found a cute store in Portsmouth, NH with an excellent reminder for pet owners...

 

 

Missing a turkey wing?

Missing a turkey wing? To make sure your dinner doesn't fly away, we want to remind you to have plenty of food and treats for your four-legged friend on Thanksgiving. Remind your guests to please “do not” feed the pets. Those tasty turkey bones can splinter and perforate the stomach and other major organs. Ingesting a ...bone is a common holiday hazard. Cooked poultry bones may seem like the perfect gift for your pet, but do him a favor and save them for the soup. Even large cooked bones are prone to splintering, which can pierce through the animal’s intestines. Keep pets safe this Thanksgiving holiday.

 

 

Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips

Celebrating the holidays at your house this year?

We want to remind you to keep an eye on the foods your pet eats during this time. Some foods like chocolate or onions can be toxic to your pet, while other fatty foods such as meats and cheeses can cause pancreatitis, a painful GI condition that often requires hospitalization. To keep your pet safe and healthy, keep hard to resist items out of reach and feed only foods and treats made specifically for him or her. Just a fall reminder from the staff at Cambridge Veterinary Care.

Rocky is Cambridge Veterinary Care's Pet of the Month!

Cambridge Veterinary Care would like to honor ROCKY as Pet of the Month! He is a three year old Dachshund who thinks that he is Top Dog and boy is he right!
He will never get lost or stolen because his mom Robyn, had him microchipped for total protection.

Rocky has a complete wardrobe for all occasions. Check him out in this Santa costume!

Protect pets from the colder weather this season

If your pet enjoys playing outdoors this time of year, be sure to provide them with appropriate shelter from the cold, windy weather we can experience. Nobody likes to be stuck outside in the wind and cold. Be sure to keep an eye on your pets and let them inside if you notice the weather taking a turn for the worse. Just a fall tip from your friends at Cambridge Veterinary Care.

Join Cambridge Veterinary Care's BOOK CLUB!

Join Cambridge Veterinary Care's Book Club! November’s Selection is 'From Baghdad with Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava', by Jay Kopelman. We encourage you to read the book this November, and on December 13th we invite you to join us in a blog discussion. Read Lava's story this month and join us for discussions on December 13th.

Click here to visit Amazon.com and check out this months book!

He loves helping out around the house!

November Seasonal Tips from Cambridge Veterinary Care

Just because the leaves are falling doesn’t mean the fleas and ticks have gone.  Falling leaves bring jumping fleas that will make your pet’s life miserable until a hard freeze wipes them out.  We can recommend remedies to alleviate your pet’s suffering from these pesky critters. Just a fall tip from the staff at Cambridge Veterinary Care.

November's Employee of the Month

Cambridge Veterinary Care would like to honor Cindy, a Veterinary Technician, as Novembers Employee of the Month.

Growing up, Cindy's dad always watched animal shows on television. We suspect that's how her love for animals started. Throughout her life she worked various jobs including retail and administrative but always had an interest in working with animals. She has worked with guard dogs, race horses, and at a few kennels. It was while working at a kennel located in a veterinarian's office that she decided she would take a new path in her career with animals. She then started training to be a veterinary technician. Cindy joined our team in April, 2009. She loves her work and makes time to continue her education even with 2 cats and 2 dogs at home.

 We thank her for her contributions to our practice.

Halloween Safety Tip from the staff of Cambridge Veterinary Care

Trick or Treat! Halloween means it’s time to keep your pets away from all the goody bags your children bring home. Remember that foil wrappers on candies may cause internal injuries if swallowed and candy, especially chocolate, may cause digestive upset and be harmful to your pet. Be careful what you feed your pets during this season of tricks and treats…Just a Halloween tip from our staff.