Salmon Brook Veterinary Hospital

08/22/2025

It's National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day!

It's easy to forget that cats need annual check ups just like dogs do. Needing to wrestle them to get into the carrier, listening to them cry and meow in the carrier the entire way to the vet, and that's all before the vet even puts their hands on them- we've all been through it before, and it's not pleasant! After experiencing that once, you might be tempted to put off annual visits and wait until something is wrong that warrants an urgent vet visit.

But cats still need annual vaccines and annual check ups to make sure they are healthy, and to catch any potential illnesses as early as possible. Cats are extraordinary at hiding signs of pain and illness, so by the time they start to display symptoms it can become much more challenging to treat whatever may be ailing them.

We feel your pain- both figuratively, and if you've ever had to wrestle an unwilling cat into a carrier, literally- but it is so very important to get kitties checked by the vet at least once yearly. And remember, talk to your vet about potential anxiety meds or sedatives that might help them ease the stress of transport to the vet, and with the exam itself.

Give Salmon Brook a call at 860-653-7238 to schedule your cat's wellness exam today!

08/20/2025

In case any of our clients have appointments this Saturday 8/23, check out this post from Simsbury PD regarding the Hometown Foundation hosting a dream ride. The convoy is expected to cause significant traffic delays, so give yourself extra travel time!

08/15/2025

We wanted to share a little bit of what we've been working on so far with construction at Salmon Brook!

Here are a few artist renditions of what our lobby is going to look like once the project is completed. We are aiming for early next year (but we know how construction goes!)

In addition to expanding our number of exam rooms, our new layout of our reception area is going to be much more spacious, bright and airy! We are going to have separate entrances/exits and waiting areas for dogs and cats, so this will help to greatly reduce the anxiety and stress that a lot of our kitty patients have while waiting in a noisy lobby with barking dogs. We will also have a separate pharmacy which will make refilling and picking up your pet's medication more seamless.

As always, thank you so much to all of our clients for being so patient and accommodating as we move through all of the construction, and we can't wait for you to see the finished product!

08/11/2025

Please join us in congratulating one of our stellar technicians, Becky, for passing the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam). Now that she has her certificate in hand, the credentials will be transferred to CT and she will officially be recognized as a certified veterinary technician!

The VTNE is a rigorous test comprised of 170 multiple choice questions. Passing the test demands a thorough knowledge of the following:
🐶Medication administration including dosages and side effects
🐱How to perform and run blood and urine tests
🐶Ability to assist with surgical procedures including preparing a patient for surgery, how to correctly handle and sterilize surgical instruments and manage patient care post-op
🐱How to monitor patients under anesthesia and recognize anesthetic emergencies
🐶Assessing and managing any pain or discomfort in patients

And many more areas!

Congratulations, Becky! Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to all of our patients, day in and day out.

08/06/2025

Important info for kitty owners!

If you have a dog that has been prescribed chewable Apoquel (a commonly used allergy medication), make sure it is kept out of your cat's reach. NC State Veterinary Hospital has recently needed to treat 2 cats for kidney failure after they ingested the medication. Check out the article below.

Quick reminders:
💊Keep all medication -human and pet- secure and out of reach.
💊Never give dog medication to cats -this includes flea and tick prevention. Cats are not small dogs, and even a small amount of canine medication can become an emergency if your cat ingests it!

Animal Care Alert: NC State Seeing Cats Severely Ill From Ingesting Chewable Allergy Medicine for Dogs Cat owners should take note if they also have dogs prescribed chewable Apoquel for allergies because the medicine can result in acute kidney injury in felines, NC State Veterinary Hospital doctor...

07/31/2025

Happy National Mutt day!

Today we celebrate the Heinz 57's, the 'I have no idea what he is!', the complete hodgepodge pups that make our families complete. Mutts often contain the best of each breed that they are, and we love any opportunity to celebrate these extra special dogs.

Do you have a mutt? Share a pic of them and let us know what breeds they are -if you even know! Bruno here had DNA testing and the results showed that he is a pitty, chow chow, boxer and cocker spaniel mix. It doesn't get more mutt than that!

07/30/2025

Did you know? Salmon Brook offers Shock Wave Therapy!

Shock Wave therapy is becoming more commonly used in the veterinary field. Despite having the word 'shock' in it's name, it actually uses high frequency sound waves to relieve pain and inflammation by increasing blood flow to a certain area. More blood flow= more oxygen and nutrients to the area to promote healing!

Shock wave therapy may be recommended for a multitude of reasons, including chronic pain from arthritis, acute pain from injuries such as sprains or strains, or faster repair of tissues after surgery.

Our patients typically tolerate the treatment very well (and as you can see here, even our bunny patients can benefit from this!) and the treatment is performed right with you in the exam room. It only takes a few minutes and does not require any sedation.

If you have any questions or would like some more information on this incredible non-invasive treatment option that we are offering, give us a call! 860-653-7238

07/22/2025

🎉Today is AAHA accredited hospital day!🎉

What does this mean to you as a pet owner?

AAHA stands for American Animal Hospital Association. Being an AAHA accredited hospital means that we have met or exceeded incredibly stringent quality standards in all aspects of patient care- this includes pain management, record keeping, ensuring medication is stored/organized with appropriate documentation, and a heavy focus on safety and sterility in our treatments areas and operating rooms.

Only 15% of veterinary hospitals in the US have gone through the rigorous AAHA accreditation process, and Salmon Brook is proud to be one of them. We know how important your pets are to you, and you can be confident knowing that they are receiving the highest level of care from the moment they walk through the door. Thank you for your trust in us!

07/18/2025

Post-op care is essential to a smooth recovery, and nothing like a good binge watch of your favorite TV show to help get you on the mend!

After his neuter yesterday with Dr. Groshek, we set Oats up with some extra comfy blankets and a few episodes of Bluey. He'll be back to his happy, playful self in no time after a few weeks of R&R. Which of course, means more Bluey!

07/14/2025

Good morning and happy Monday-

Construction is officially underway at Salmon Brook! During this phase of the project, a portion of our parking lot is going to be closed off, and our side entrance for picking up food/medication is going to be blocked off as well. While we will have ample parking spots remaining, for the time being clients can park on the lawn to the left of the building (near the barn) if needed. Any clients that are picking up food or medication, please use the main entrance.

We apologize for any inconvenience; this is bringing us one step closer to being able to share our upgraded hospital with you and your pets!

07/02/2025

Just a reminder that Salmon Brook will be closing early tomorrow at 5pm, and will be closed on Friday the 4th. Don’t wait to give us a call to get any of your pets medication filled for pickup! 860-653-7238

If your pet is having an emergency and needs 24/7 care, Veterinary Specialists of CT in West Hartford can be reached 860-236-3273, and Pieper Memorial in Middletown can be reached at 860-347-8387.

Now presenting the real stars of this post—Eleanor and Moe, showing off their fun new looks! The artist behind the Frenchie makeovers is one of our receptionist’s incredibly talented daughters. She uses pet-safe, non-toxic paint, so we can enjoy their new style with no risk. She did an amazing job!

We hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July!🎆

06/30/2025

Love them or hate them, fireworks will be a part of Friday’s 4th of July celebrations- have you brushed up on your pet firework safety?

The 4th of July is the #1 day of the year for lost pet reports across the U.S. The sound of fireworks can send pets into a panic, causing them to bolt through open doors or fence gates in search of safety. Here are some tips on how to keep your pets safe during the festivities:

🎆Keep your pets inside! Keeping them in a secure room in the house is the best way to prevent an escape. Play some gentle music or keep the TV on to help muffle some noise from the fireworks. Kongs filled with peanut butter or their favorite treats are also great distractions!
🎆Temperature and weather permitting, a long walk or outdoor playtime earlier in the day can tire them out so that they are eager to rest by the time the fireworks start in the evening.
🎆Make sure your pets are wearing collars with ID tags and that microchip information is up to date- just in case.
🎆Speak to your veterinarian about calming products or even medications that can be prescribed to help your pet manage their firework anxiety.
🎆If your pets are mingling with party guests, keep them away from the food tables and garbage bins! Dogs will jump at the first opportunity to grab a corn cob, a rib bone or even a kabob skewer when no one is looking, and these become emergencies if they are ingested.

🎇🎇Salmon Brook with be closing at 5pm on Thursday the 3rd, and will be closed Friday the 4th, so don’t wait to give us a call to refill any of your pet’s anxiety medication! Call us at 860-653-7238 today.