Do you offer emergency services?
If our hospitals are closed, below is a list of emergency facilities that we recommend and that are within one hour of our location. We do recommend you call ahead before you head out to ensure there isn’t a lengthy wait time and so the facility can be prepared for your arrival.
Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital, South Deerfield, MA (413-665-4911)
New England Veterinary Center and Cancer Care, Windsor, CT (860-688-8400)
Foster Hospital for Small Animals (Tufts University), North Grafton, MA (508-839-5395)
Pieper Veterinary, Middletown, CT (860-347-8387)
VCA Veterinary CT Specialist, West Hartford, CT (860-236-3273)
Do you offer grooming or boarding services?
No, we do not offer grooming or boarding.
Do you see rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, snakes, birds, or other exotic animals?
No, we specialize in small animal care at East Springfield Veterinary Hospital. Our vets are trained in caring for dogs and cats.
Do you provide dental services?
Yes, we have a state-of-the-art dental facility. The dental procedure begins with an examination for the doctor to evaluate the level of dental disease. On a scale of 1-4, we are able to determine the severity of the case. We will perform digital dental x-rays the day of the procedure to let us know what is going on beneath the gum line.
Once we have performed these diagnostics, we are well-equipped to execute a thorough and effective dental procedure. The dental procedure includes ultrasonic scaling, polishing, and fluoride treatment. Based on the severity of the dental disease, the procedure may also include highly technical extractions.
Do you do x-rays?
Yes, East Springfield Veterinary Hospital is a progressive veterinary facility offering state-of-the-art digital x-rays.
Do you take insurance?
We accept pet insurance. The company that we have found to be the easiest to understand and to talk to is Trupanion.
We do accept VPI Pet Insurance as well.
Do you do any billing or do you accept any payment plans?
We accept Care Credit, all major credit cards, debit cards, and cash. However, we do not accept checks from first-time clients.
We do not do any billing.
Do you recommend that I feed my dog or cat a raw meat-based diet?
No, we along with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) do not recommend that you feed your dog or cat a raw meat-based diet (RMBD). RMBDs have a high risk of contamination with bacteria, parasites, and other pathogens. If bones are included in the food, there is a risk of constipation, diarrhea, dental fractures, and gastrointestinal obstructions. The dog or cat could also develop hyperthyroidism from excessive ingestion of thyroid tissue. For more information, please visit wsava.org.
Why is my cat still spraying after being neutered?
In some cases, spraying may cease after neutering your cat. However, neutering is not a guarantee fix to the spraying. Some cats may continue to do so after being neutered due to being a learned behavior, stress induced, environmental changes, or in some cases, underlying medical issues. You may want to consult your veterinary team for more advice.
Why does my dog eat rabbit poop?
Dogs may show interest in rabbit poop for a few different reasons. Rabbit poop contains a high amount of nutrients such as fiber and vitamin B that a dog may find intriguing, if they are lacking those nutrients in their diet. However, this is not always the case. Dogs may simply just be curious/intrigued and feel inclined to eat the stool, despite being healthy.
Why can’t a dog eat pork when some of the dog food is made with pork?
It is not recommended to feed your dog pork such as bacon or ham due to the high salt and fat content. Pork within dog food has been processed in a way to eliminate any risk of parasites growing on the raw food, as well as decreasing the sodium and fat content, ensuring it is safe for pet consumption.
My dog’s nose is warm, does he have a fever?
While a warm nose could be a symptom of a fever, it is not a reliable indication that a fever is present. A warm nose could be the result of many different causes such as the environment or weather. If your dog is acting out of character, you should call your veterinarian for additional guidance.
Why does my pet need a fecal test every year?
Your veterinarian will recommend yearly fecal testing to ensure your pet does not have any intestinal parasites. While most of the time you will notice abnormal stools as a sign of a parasite, this is not always the case. It is important to ensure there are no “silent parasites” affecting your pet’s health, or even transmitting to other pets. Depending on the parasite, humans may be affected as well. If you see any signs of intestinal distress or abnormalities with their stool, you should call your veterinarian for further guidance.
My dog is limping; can I give him aspirin or another human pain killer?
No! Before administering any type of medication, human or pet, you should always consult with your veterinarian first. While some human medications can be safe to give to animals, this does not mean they all are. Certain human medications can cause severe side effects in your pet. Your veterinarian will be able to provide you with pet-safe options and appropriate dosing for your pet as human dosing does not equal pet dosing!
Why does my pet need a yearly wellness exam if they are doing well?
Dogs and cats age faster than humans. Changes in the body are happening quietly and a physical exam by a DVM can uncover some unknown health concerns that can be addressed sooner than later, before the pet becomes very sick. This is a “preventative medicine” measure taken to keep your pets happy and healthy.
Why should I vaccinate for Lyme disease if I am already using flea/tick prevention?
The first line of defense for tick prevention is to keep the ticks away, or to kill them BEFORE they can transmit tick-borne diseases. There are no other tick-borne disease vaccinations available, so using a prevention is key to prevent tick-borne diseases other than Lyme. The Lyme vaccine is used as a secondary line of defense. Depending on the geographic location, not all tick preventions and pet lifestyles are the same. Individual situations can greatly increase the risk of tick bites. The Lyme disease vaccination is a very effective and safe prevention to reduce transmission of tick-borne diseases.
Why should my pet be given heartworm prevention if they are strictly indoors?
Heartworm disease has made a comeback in New England over the past 10 years. Pets have traveled to our neck of the woods from the south where the disease is much more prevalent. Heartworm disease is spread through mosquito bites, and mosquitoes come into houses. Pets are not safe from heartworm just because they only go outside for potty breaks or use pee pads in the house. Although heartworm disease is more understood in dogs, cats are also at risk. Initial symptoms of heartworm disease present differently between cats and dogs; however, it will ultimately compromise the heart and lung functions and will most certainly be fatal if left undiagnosed. Although there are treatment options for heartworm disease in dogs, it is hard on their body. It is typically successful, but it is not guaranteed to work and some dogs may not make it through treatment. As of now, there are no treatment options for cats. Therefore, all pets should be on a heartworm prevention to keep them healthy and heartworm free.
Why does my dog need a "Distemper" vaccination if my dog is not a mean dog?
Distemper vaccinations do not help a dog become less “mean” or “aggressive”. Canine distemper is a contagious and serious disease caused by the canine distemper virus, and all dogs are susceptible to it. The distemper vaccination has greatly reduced the prevalence of this virus in most US states, but it is not completely eradicated. Those at particular risk include puppies younger than four months and dogs that have not been vaccinated against canine distemper virus. The disease is often fatal with a mortality rate of 50% in adult dogs and 80% in puppies.
Why can't my primary veterinarian offer the specialized care that my pet needs?
Contrary to popular belief, your primary doctor of veterinary medicine, or DVM, does not offer specialized care. Typically, your primary veterinarian is a general practitioner. Although they see and treat a wide range of health concerns, sometimes it is pertinent to seek the care of a specialist. Much like in human medicine, veterinary specialists have completed internships and residencies in specific disciplines; such as, surgery, dentistry, ophthalmology, orthopedic, rehabilitation, training and behavior problems, neurology, internal medicine, and cardiology. There may be times when your primary veterinarian seeks the advice of a specialist in order to offer the highest care possible. The two dvms will work together for the complete care of your pet.
There are even Urgent Care offices and Emergency facilities available, just as in human medicine. We hope that pet owners understand that if your primary veterinarian has recommended a referral to either an emergency or a specialist, it is understood to be in your pet’s best interest to do so.
