Merrimack Animal Hospital

06/28/2024

We are CLOSED Thursday July 4th and will reopen our normal ours on Friday the 5th.....stay safe and enjoy!!

06/27/2024

LOST CAT!! This is Bleu...she is well cared for and well loved and escaped while a caregiver was watching her for her Mom! She was last seen at 382 Bridge St. Lowell...if you see her or find her call
978-941-1559 to speak to her very worried owner....thank you!!

UPDATE: FOUND AND HOME SAFE thank you everyone

05/31/2024

Welcome to 8 wk old Julie! At her first vet visit...what a doll!

05/20/2024

Cat supplies free...2 cat trees, cat scratcher, cat hut, 2 beds, litter box, TV bed...all up for grabs in our lobby! Like new condition...

05/10/2024

04/30/2024

These precious babies were abandoned by their mother and have been fostered...they are ready for forever homes!! If interested please contact office for info!

04/26/2024

Sorry, couldn't resist.....

04/25/2024

In recognition of National Heartworm Awareness Month and in support of better patient care, let’s briefly tackle some common pet parent misconceptions:



“Heartworm transmission isn’t a problem where I live.”
According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), dogs have been diagnosed with heartworm disease in all 50 states and all 10 Canadian provinces. Further complicating matters, the American Heartworm Association (AHS) notes that unpredictable risk factors like the presence of wildlife reservoirs, the climate, and pet travel can fluctuate significantly from year to year.

“My pet never goes outside, so there’s no way they could be infected.”
The AHS notes that 25% to 30% of heartworm-infected cats were described by their owners as living “strictly” indoors. Moreover, mosquitoes can easily enter homes through open doors and windows. This is also a good opportunity to discuss the extra control that many heartworm preventives provide against other parasites. Many parents are simply unaware of these benefits.

“I use prevention, so there’s no way my pet could develop heartworm disease.”
51 days–that’s how quickly some heartworm larvae can develop into immature adults, the AHS says, and preventives don’t have an efficacy label claim against this stage. So even seemingly minor lapses in dosing can cause serious problems. Moreover, heartworms resistant to preventives have been reported. Testing is the only way to detect adults and drug-resistant heartworms before clinical signs appear.

03/27/2024

April is Heartworm Prevention Month!

03/02/2024

March is Pet Poison Prevention Month!

12/18/2023

Happy Holidays to all of our clients and their fur babies!!

11/20/2023

Merrimack Animal Hospital
151 Stedman St.
Lowell, Ma 01851
978-453-3277

ATTENTION DOG OWNERS:

Antibiotic Resistant Upper Respiratory Illness
Mysterious Respiratory Illness Affects Dogs in Multiple States

Veterinarians recommend that owners avoid boarding their dog if it shows symptoms.
The infected dogs develop a cough, fever, lethargy and intermittent loss of appetite. Veterinarians said the undetermined illness has led to hospitalizations and the deaths of older dogs or those with health issues.
Though there is no official count of the number of infections, veterinarians said they have treated more dogs with these symptoms in the last few months. Cases have been reported in more than five states: Colorado, Massachusetts, Oregon, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, but experts suspect that the illness is much more widespread.

There was, however, one commonality among them: They spent time in places with a high concentration of dogs, such as boarding facilities, doggy day care or dog parks. The AVMA says veterinarians may see an increase in cases as more owners board their dogs or send them to day care during the holidays.

***Veterinary Medical Association encourages dog owners to speak to a veterinarian about what vaccines may be appropriate for their dog, including ones that target Canine influenza, Bordetella, Parainfluenza and Canine Corona Virus.***

10/24/2023

This was worth reposting

10/23/2023

https://fb.watch/nKE3iQfidq/?mibextid=ZbWKwL

10/21/2023

11 week old Mini Poodles available!! If interested contact us for more information.

10/19/2023

Have a safe Halloween whether you're staying home or going out trick-or-treating. If going out, prevent an emergency by ensuring your pet is kept on their leash and has up-to-date ID tags.

10/06/2023

Lights and decorations, costumes and masks, a constant parade of strangers
at the door… Halloween can be a downright spooky experience for our pets
with risks of poisoning, intestinal blockage and lost pets.
CONCERNS:
• Poisoning: Ingestion of glow sticks or Halloween candy
containing chocolate or xylitol, both of which can be toxic
for pets
• Intestinal blockage: Glow sticks, some candies, decorations
or parts of a pet’s costume could cause intestinal blockage
• Injury: Lit candles or jack-o-lanterns can burn
• Stress and escape: Noises, strangers in costumes,
continuous door ringing and opening and closing of the door
can stress your pets and give them opportunity to escape
PREVENTION:
• Don’t feed Halloween candy to your pets
• Never leave your pet unsupervised with accessible candy or
decorations, or while they are in costume
• Identify your pet with a registered microchip, collar
and ID tag
• Keep lit candles, jack-o-lanterns, glow sticks and other
decorations out of reach
• Give your pet a quiet, safe hiding place inside and away
from activity
MAKE SURE PET COSTUMES:
• Fit properly
• Have no pieces that can easily be chewed off or
cause choking
• Don’t hinder sight, hearing, breathing, opening the mouth,
or movement
In case of an animal-related
toxicity, please contact the
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
1-888-426-4435
Questions or Concerns?
Ask your veterinarian or for more tips

09/29/2023

WHY IS MY PET SO ITCHY!??
Flea allergy: Flea bites can create extremely itchy areas on your dog. They can be found anywhere on the body, but are most common at the hind legs, tail base, and rear end. Just because you don’t see any fleas on your dog does not mean they aren’t there – keep in mind that a bite from a single flea can make your dog very itchy.
Food allergy: Your dog’s itching might be caused by a food allergy. Some dogs are allergic to common dog food ingredients such as beef, chicken, and dairy products.1 Food allergies in dogs can lead to changes to the skin around their paws, face, armpits, and belly.
Environmental allergy: Your dog may be allergic to environmental triggers like pollen, mold spores, or dust mites. Environmental allergens can cause allergic itch during certain seasons, or even year-round. Dogs with environmental allergies will often have changes to the skin around their face, belly, and paws.
Contact allergy: Your dog may be allergic to substances it encounters daily. These can include things like household cleaners, shampoos, insecticides, and plants. Dogs with contact allergies will often be itchy in the area that touched the contact allergen.

09/29/2023

8 week old Mini Poodle Liania came today for her first check up, boosters and nail trim! Welcome!

09/25/2023

More Puppy cuteness!! Available for forever home, 8 wk old mini poodle pup complete with first shots and microchip..so adorable....if you are interested, contact us for owners information.

09/19/2023

Watch Those Paws
Fall means fallen leaves, and while they may look beautiful, they can hide some hazards for our furry friends. Wet leaves can be slippery, increasing the risk of your pet taking a tumble. Moreover, some leaves might hide sharp objects or even insects. Keep a keen eye on where your pet is walking, and consider wiping their paws when you come back inside to avoid any irritations or discomfort.
Mind the Treats
As the holiday season approaches, it’s tempting to share some of those delicious fall treats with our pets. However, some human foods can be harmful to them. For instance, chocolate and grapes are no-nos for pets. Even some seemingly harmless fall spices like nutmeg can be toxic. Stick to pet-friendly treats and consult your vet before introducing any new foods into your pet’s diet.
Stay Visible
The days will be getting shorter, and darkness sets in earlier. This means that visibility becomes a crucial aspect of keeping your pet safe during your evening walks. Invest in a reflective collar, leash, or even a little vest for your furry friend. Not only will this make them easier to spot, but it will also add an extra layer of protection when you’re out and about.

09/15/2023

Now AVAILABLE!! 8 week old Chow Chow puppies are ready for their Forever Homes! If interested in info, contact us and we will give you owners information.