If you’ve ever noticed that your pet has some swelling under their skin after sustaining an injury they might be dealing with an abscess. An abscess is a localized collection of pus caused by infection. While they can occur in any animal, pets such as cats and dogs are particularly prone to them. Understanding the signs, diagnosis, and treatment of abscesses is crucial for pet owners to ensure their pets receive the care they need promptly at urgent care or in an emergency setting.  The first signs you should look out for is a noticeable lump or swelling that is often warm to touch. Your ..read more

We all know how we feel during allergy season. The constant need for a box of tissues on hand and stuffed up noses makes for zero fun when the weather starts to turn for the better.  Well, the same things can happen for our pets. They may not experience the same respiratory disturbances that we do. However, allergies can affect the quality of life for our pets and there are some warning signs and subtle hints that your pet may be struggling with an allergy to something.  Allergies in pets occur when their immune systems react to substances in their environment or diet that are typica ..read more

By Tom Layman, Director of Communications, Veterinary Urgent Care Center “How quickly can you get to my hospital?” Those were the words that no pet owner wants to hear. But that’s exactly the words that were coming from Dr. Christie D’Andrea, CEO of Veterinary Urgent Care Center, when we discussed the discovery I made when my dog, Reggie, got into a bottle of ibuprofen.  Reggie was about 6 months old when he took a pill bottle that I left on the coffee table and shredded it to pieces with his puppy teeth when I was at the gym downstairs in my complex. When I came back upstairs, it looked ..read more

Gum is a great way for us humans to freshen our breath, relieve anxiety and pass the time. But for our dogs, it can be a harmful toxin that can result in medical attention if ingested by our four-legged friends. Dogs are vulnerable to some ingredients in gum, most notably xylitol. It’s important to know that not all types of gum have this ingredient in the product. But if you are the parent of a pup, our experts at Veterinary Urgent Care Center wanted to give you some information about the ingredient and keep your pet safe while still keeping your habit! Xylitol is a sugar alcohol commonly us ..read more

With a cooler than usual winter and the season officially shifting here in New England, pet owners must be mindful of the prominence of ticks this year. Ticks are tiny arachnids that may seem harmless, but they carry many diseases that can affect you and your pets if bitten by this tiny creature.  New England is a perfect breeding ground for ticks. With lush vegetation, dense forests, and a temperate climate (especially with our less than freezing cold winter), tick-borne illnesses are rampant in both animals and people. Tick season generally starts in early spring through late fall, wit ..read more

Veterinary Urgent Care Center, one of the first urgent care hospitals for pets in the country, recently opened its newest location in Dedham, Mass., marking the sixth hospital for the growing company whose roots began in Massachusetts. Staff from Veterinary Urgent Care Center were joined by members from the Neponset River Regional Chamber of Commerce and local political leaders from Dedham and surrounding communities to officially host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, January 16. Veterinary Urgent Care Center Dedham, located at 926 Providence Highway just outside of Legacy Place, opened i ..read more

By Christie D’Andrea, DVM, Founder of Veterinary Urgent Care Center It’s no big secret that pets make our lives better! Anyone who has the privilege of caring for a pet understands the health benefits of having them in our home. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), studies have shown that pet ownership can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, feelings of loneliness, and symptoms of PTSD, among other health benefits. As a veterinarian, I see the positive impacts of pet ownership every single day. So many of our clients communicate with our team or leave Goo ..read more

Veterinary Urgent Care Center, one of the first urgent care hospitals for pets in the country, recently opened its newest location in Saugus, Mass., marking the fourth hospital for the growing company whose roots began in Massachusetts. (BOOK AN APPOINTMENT OR VIEW OUR HOURS BEFORE YOU WALK-IN HERE!) With recent closures of area veterinary hospitals on the North Shore of Massachusetts, Veterinary Urgent Care Center will provide important access to pet owners and their pets when they can’t get into see their primary care veterinarian or don’t want to wait in long lines at the emergency departm ..read more

Reverse sneezing, also known as pharyngeal gag reflex or inspiratory paroxysmal respiration, is a fairly common condition observed in dogs, cats, and even some other domesticated animals.  During a reverse sneeze episode, an animal rapidly inhales air in a way that appears to be the reverse of a regular sneeze. This results in a distinctive, snorting or honking sound, often accompanied by the pet extending its neck, standing still, or making a slight gagging motion.  Episodes can last from a few seconds to a minute, and while they may be unsettling to witness, they usually resolve on ..read more

 Aging is hard! Just ask anyone reading this if their eyesight was the same as it was five to ten years ago. Like it is for humans, eye health is incredibly important for our pets, especially as they age.  Senior pets may have reduced vision or coordination. Poor eyesight can lead to injuries by having a lack of awareness for their physical surroundings or illness due to other more serious health issues that may be occurring.  We put together a few tips on some of the things you should monitor and some things you can do to protect your pet’s eyes as they age.  Keep up with ..read more