Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine

04/23/2025

MEET THE DOCTOR!

Meet Dr. Carolyn Gross! She’s earned her DVM from Tufts in 2011, after completing her undergrad at UMass Amherst. Her special interests? Nutrition, digestion, and kidney health! She completed an internship at VCA in Norwalk, CT and her residency at the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned the Excellence in Teaching award.

But here’s the best part—Dr. Gross has a huge heart for special needs cats! She shares her home with one-eyed cats, Morty and Zelda, and Violet and Hoggle (who are completely blind). Oh, and let’s not forget her three lovable pups: Ender, Fisher, and Daisy!

Dr. Gross is also a published author! She wrote some young adult fantasy novels for fun (Preda's Voice) available on Amazon.

Central location: Guilford
Department : Internal Medicine
Years with Central: 5

04/17/2025

Visiting the emergency hospital can be a stressful experience, but knowing what to expect can help ease some of that anxiety. Here’s a guide to help you prepare for your pet’s emergency visit, including cost information and potential wait times.

Preparing for a pet's emergency visit involves understanding emergency signs, hospital procedures, costs, and follow-up care to ensure optimal recovery.

04/16/2025

MEET THE DOCTOR!

Dr. Kristin Smith, one of our board-certified criticalist, joined the Central team in 2017 after completing her residency in Emergency and Critical Care at the University of Minnesota, and she's been making a difference ever since.

A Connecticut native, she studied Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at Wesleyan University before earning her veterinary degree from Tufts in 2013. Her passions? Managing respiratory emergencies, transfusion medicine, and making patient safety a top priority. She also keeps our emergency and ICU doctors sharp by leading continuing education sessions—because staying up-to-date on the latest research is key!

Outside of work, Dr. Smith is all about family time, music (she plays multiple instruments and sings!), and the never-ending quest to find the best pizza in New Haven. 🍕
We're lucky to have her on our team!

Central location: North Haven & Guilford
Department : Emergency & Critical Care
Years with Central: 8

04/15/2025

Do you know what a board-certified veterinary Criticalist is?
Veterinary criticalists are the life-saving specialists who work in Emergency Rooms. These board-certified doctor specialists handle critical cases like trauma, infections, organ failure, and toxic exposures, offering advanced medical interventions when every second counts. With years of specialized training and residency in emergency and intensive care, they work around the clock to stabilize and support pets in crisis.

Learn more about these specialists in our newest blog here:

What is a Criticalist? A veterinary criticalist is a board-certified specialist in emergency and critical […]

04/09/2025

MEET THE DOCTOR!

Dr. Amanda Sterman earned her Bachelor of Science in Pre-Veterinary Medicine from Becker College in 2014. She then pursued her veterinary degree at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2018, and completed clinical training at NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine. With internship training under her belt, she is deeply passionate about emergency medicine. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys gardening, spending time outdoors with her dogs and horse, and traveling.

Central location: North Haven
Department : Emergency & Critical Care
Years with Central: 6

04/09/2025

Thank you Trupanion! And thank you to our amazing and hardworking team to accomplish this goal! Another step to provide the highest quality care for our patients and their families!

Heartfelt congratulations to Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine for earning the Trupanion Certified Hospital distinction! Your unwavering dedication to veterinary excellence not only raises the standard of pet care but also brings joy and comfort to pets and their families. We are overjoyed to welcome you into this esteemed group!

Join the growing network of hospitals enhancing their expertise with Trupanion’s Hospital Certification. Together, we’re shaping a brighter, healthier future for pets and their families! Learn more and apply today: https://tinyurl.com/hospital-cert1

04/08/2025

Spring is here, and that means it's time for fresh blooms, sunshine, and a few important pet safety reminders!

✅ Update microchip info – Make sure your pet's microchip and ID tags have your current contact details.
🦟 Use flea & tick preventative – Warmer weather means pests are back! Protect your furry friends with vet-approved flea & tick prevention.
🌿 Watch out for toxic plants – Some springtime favorites, like lilies, azaleas, and tulips, can be harmful to pets. Choose pet-safe greenery when gardening!
🧼 Keep cleaning products out of reach – Many household cleaners contain chemicals that can be dangerous to pets. Store them safely away from curious paws.
🍬 Easter basket alert – Chocolate, artificial sweeteners, and small toy parts can be hazardous to pets. Keep those festive goodies well out of reach!
🤧 Concerned about seasonal allergies? – If your pet is sneezing, scratching, or showing allergy symptoms, consult your vet for the best treatment options.

Enjoy the beauty of spring while keeping your pets happy, healthy, and safe!

04/01/2025

From all of his friends at Central, rest peacefully, Don. We are thinking of his family and wishing them comfort during this difficult time.

View Donald Peter Mullen's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

03/27/2025

SOCKS, ROCKS, CARPET, OH MY!
When pets accidentally swallow something they shouldn't, traditional surgery isn't always the only option. For many qualifying pets, our Internal Medicine team can perform an endoscopic foreign body removal. This offers a minimally invasive alternative that's both effective and gentle leading to faster recovery times.

How does a pet qualify for endoscopic retrieval?
Patients with a foreign body typically present to our ER with symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea, lethargy, and not eating. After x-rays are performed and it is determined there is a foreign body, the radiologist will be able to tell if the foreign body is reachable by scope.

What is endoscopic foreign body removal?
The patient is put under general anesthesia. A flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) is gently inserted through the pet's mouth and guided down the esophagus and into the stomach to locate the foreign object. Specialized tools, such as graspers or baskets, are passed through the endoscope to securely grab the object. Our Internist carefully extracts the object through the mouth, avoiding damage to the surrounding tissues. Foreign bodies can also be found in the esophagus, trachea, or even nasal passage.

Check out these foreign objects our team has pulled from patients. All these patients did fantastic during and after their procedure and hopefully had learned their lesson about what not to eat.... hopefully.

03/26/2025

Floods, fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters affect everyone in their destruction path, including animals. When making a plan for your family, it’s important to consider dogs and cats as well. Whether it's a natural disaster or a man-made one, create a plan for handling emergencies for every family member.

Whether a natural disaster, fire, or other scenario, emergency pet preparedness calls for a pet emergency kit, evacuation plan, getting pets microchipped, and more.

03/25/2025

When you think of items that are toxic to your furry friends, mushrooms aren't typically on the top of the list.

“There are many different species of mushrooms. Toxicity and effects vary between mushrooms and species, and depend on the specific toxin consumed. The mushroom associated most with toxicity in dogs is the Amanita species, commonly known as the Death Cap."

Mushroom toxicity in dogs is a serious condition that can be prevented. Learn the signs and what is and isn't safe for your pet, both in the kitchen and outdoors.

03/19/2025

Did you know our Internal Medicine department has a treatment called Iodine-131 that is for cats diagnosed with hyperthyroidism? It is a highly effective, minimally invasive treatment.

These patients can be treated with radioactive iodine, destroying the overactive parts of the thyroid gland with a high rate of success. Radioactive iodine is administered by our specialists subcutaneously (just beneath the skin). The radioactive iodine will then concentrate in the abnormal thyroid tissue destroying it, allowing the normal thyroid tissue to begin functioning normally.

If you think your pet might benefit from this therapy talk to your primary care veterinarian or give us a call.

You can read more about I-131 on our website here- https://centralpetvet.com/iodine-131-treatment/

03/18/2025

Meet Bula! Here he is sporting his protective laser goggles and looking pretty darn cool.
Last week, Bula underwent neck surgery with our Neurologist, Dr. Cohen and the incredible neuro team. Before his procedure, Bula couldn't walk—but after a successful surgery and some rehabilitation therapy and laser treatment with the Sports Medicine & Rehab team, he is up and moving!

To complete his recovery journey, Bula is also receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy with the amazing technician, Vicki. We're all beyond thrilled with his progress and can't wait to see him continue to thrive.
Join us in cheering for Bula as he makes his comeback!

Want more information on the services that Bula used at Central?
Neurology- https://centralpetvet.com/neurology/
Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation- https://centralpetvet.com/sports-medicine/
HBOT- https://centralpetvet.com/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy/

03/12/2025

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner. We came up with a list of ten popular Irish pet names we have seen.
Is your Irish pet on the list?

03/11/2025

CENTRAL OPHTHO UPDATE:
We are pleased to offer ophthalmology consultations five days a week, Monday through Friday, with next-day availability often possible! Our experienced team is ready to provide expert care for pets at both Central Hospital locations: North Haven and Guilford!

Our Ophthalmologists:
Daniel Dorbandt, DVM, MS, DACVO
Eric Alexopoulos, DVM (Practice limited to diseases and surgery of the eye)

Learn more about our service: https://centralpetvet.com/ophthalmology/

02/16/2025

Does your pet have a behavioral issue you'd like to address? Our new Behavior service is here to help! Dogs, cats, birds, (even horses!)

We treat a variety of behavioral concerns including fear, anxiety, frustration, noise phobia, separation anxiety, repetitive behaviors, house soiling, destructive behavior, hyper-reactivity, and aggression.

📣 Reminder: March is Behavior Health Month at Central! New patients receive a 25% discount on their consult if scheduled during March. Spots are filling up fast, and we can't wait to make a difference with Dr. Beckstrom's expertise!

Go to centralpetvet.com/behavior for more information or to request an appointment!

02/14/2025

Valentine's Day Girl! ❤️
Myrtle, our fabulous 12-year-old friend, has been a superstar patient here at Central! She's got more stamps in her medical passport than most of us, visiting rehab for laser treatments, ophthalmology for her annual check-up, internal medicine, and has even been through oncology and surgery. With the support of her amazing humans and our dedicated team, Myrtle is always kept in tip-top shape. We are thrilled to be part of her journey and love having her as part of our hospital family!

02/06/2025

MARCH IS BEHAVIOR HEALTH MONTH at Central!
In celebration, we are excited to announce a special offer for all new behavior patients – enjoy 25% off your first consultation with Dr. Beckstrom when you schedule your pet's consultation in March.

Take a step towards better behavioral health with your pet. You can call us at 203-865-0878 to schedule your consultation for March. Call soon! We are filling up!

OUR BEHAVIOR SERVICE CAN BENEFIT PETS WITH:
Fear, Anxiety, Frustration
Noise phobia
Separation related distress
Repetitive behaviors
Housesoiling
Destructive behavior
Hyperreactivity
Aggressive behavior
and more...

You can check out more details about our behavioral services here: https://buff.ly/40NvCgH

Southern Connecticut's top full service veterinary hospital. Fully staffed and privately owned 24/7/365