Island Veterinary Service

08/31/2026

Island Vet Service will be visiting the islands this Friday, September 4th. We have morning appointments available!

Email to schedule: [email protected] 🐾

08/19/2026

🐾 Hi all! It me, River Girl!

I juss wants to wemind all my furry fwens dat my mommy (Dr. Domenico) and my aunties (Elspeth, Liberty, and Michelle) are still zoomin’ awound Casco Bay evwy Fwiday!

We’ve had da BEST summah visiting all da puurrrfect island kitties and doggies. I’ve seen lots of fwends dat I wemembah (I gave dem some very important sniffs) and I’ve met some bwand new fwends too! 🐩 🐈‍⬛

My mommy says she’s gonna visit Cushings, Peaks, Gweat Diamond, Diamond Cove, Long, Chebeague, Cwiff island, and MORE! She wants all my furry friends to be in tip-top, tail-waggin’ shape.

I’m juss here fo da boat wides. I WUVS BOAT WIDES!🛥️

My aunties keep telling me yoos have to email dem to make an appointment. Whatevah dat means. I hope it means mo fwens, mo head scratchies, and mo SNACKS! 🦴👀

Hope to see my island hoomans and fwens soon!
WUV YOOS!!
- River 🐾

📧 : [email protected]

08/07/2026

Today is another beautiful summer day in Maine but a scorcher for sure! Here’s again our tips to keep your pets safe in this heat wave:

Take it seriously!☀️⤵️

- Skip strenuous outdoor activity in the middle of the day. Limit outdoor time even further to just potty breaks for brachycephalic (short nose) breeds, senior pets, overweight pets, or pets with health conditions

- Be mindful of paws on hot pavement!

- Provide more than enough fresh water and shade for all animals outside

- NEVER leave pets alone in vehicles: even with it running, even with windows down, even for just a minute. Just keep them home if you would have to leave them in the vehicle. Trust us!

🚩Recognize over heating: Excessive heavy panting, heavy drooling, bright red or pale gums, lethargy, unsteadiness, vomiting, collapse

Contact us or any veterinary clinic with questions or concerns for your pet. Be safe! Happy summer! ☀️

IVS 📧: [email protected]
IVS phone: 207-619-0025

08/03/2026

We have some samples of this frozen fresh food - the joint and skin (pork based) formula - if you’d like to try a package, please leave a comment or DM us and we will bring to you on Friday!

07/27/2026

Not your average waiting room,
Not your average exam table,
Not your average pharmacy,
Not your average office ….
But that’s just another day as your island vet 😎
Compassionate care, happy island pets, and views that are impossible to complain about! ☀️

Summer is far from over! We are still visiting the islands of Casco Bay and beyond at least weekly. Email us to schedule your pet for their wellness visit or for any concerning sick symptoms.
📧: [email protected]

07/19/2026

House calls are more than just a convenience
— it’s specialized care designed around your pets comfort. For many families in our island communities, getting a pet to a veterinary clinic isn’t as simple as hopping in the car. It can mean navigating boats, docks, stairs, and hours of transporting anxious, senior, or mobility-challenged pets.

That’s why we come to you! 📍🛥️ 🛟

Yesterday we had the pleasure of meeting 13 year old Brewer and his little sister Lucy! 🐾 Brewer, Lucy, and a couple kitties live a wonderful life on a small island near Southport and Boothbay Harbor.

Because we have our own boat, we’re able to reach island homes that are otherwise difficult to access, bringing compassionate veterinary care directly to the doorstep. Pets can stay where they feel safest, in the comfort of their own island home, while receiving the medical attention they need.

We’re proud to make veterinary care more accessible for our island neighbors (and we LOVE exploring new nooks and crannies of Maine!). Brewer did very well for his physical and work up while Lucy and the kitties kept watchful eyes🤍

07/13/2026

Why run blood work if my pet seems healthy??

One of the best things we can do for our pets is establish a healthy baseline while they're feeling their best. ✨

Routine blood work can:
- Detect hidden disease before symptoms appear.
- Give us a "normal" baseline unique to your pet, making it easier to spot changes if they become sick later.
- Monitor organ function and overall health.
- Help guide safe anesthesia before procedures like spays, neuters, dentals, etc.

The truth is, many pets are incredibly good at hiding illness. By the time they're acting sick, they've often been dealing with a problem for much longer.

We offer cost-effective screening options through Idexx Laboratories designed for healthy pets, making it easier than ever to invest in your pet's long-term health.

If you're wondering whether preventive blood work is right for your dog or cat, we'd be happy to talk with you at your next visit! 🐾 🩺 🤍

07/04/2026

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸
As you celebrate, keep yourselves and your pets safe:

- Watch for heatstroke, limit strenuous outside activities💧☀️

- Keep pets safely indoors during fireworks and celebrations. Even better, confine them to one small, comfortable room: loud noises can cause fear and increase the risk of pets escaping. Play calm music, provide distraction toys, and give prescription anti anxiety medication as directed by a veterinarian. 🌙 🐈 ✨

- Ensure collars are being worn with identification tags and contact information in case your pet gets lost.

- Keep pets away from holiday foods: No corn cobs, skewers, bones, fatty foods, chocolate, or alcoholic beverages ⚠️

Island Veterinary Service is unavailable this weekend.
In the event of an emergency, the following hospitals are open 24/7:
➡️ Portland Veterinary Emergency, Portland: 207-878-3121
➡️ Maine Veterinary Medical Center, Scarborough: 207-885-1290

Have a fun, safe, and happy holiday! 🎆 ✨
From Dr. Domenico, Elspeth, Liberty, and River 🐾

07/02/2026

“Take it seriously” !! Keep yourself and your pets cool and safe tomorrow ☀️⤵️

- Skip strenuous outdoor activity. Limit outdoor time even further to just potty breaks for brachycephalic (short nose) breeds, senior pets, overweight pets, or pets with health conditions

- Provide more than enough fresh water and shade for all animals outside

- NEVER leave pets alone in vehicles: even with it running, even with windows down, even for just a minute. Just keep them home if you would have to leave them in the vehicle. Trust us!

🚩Recognize over heating: Excessive heavy panting, heavy drooling, bright red or pale gums, lethargy, unsteadiness, vomiting, collapse

Contact us or any veterinary clinic with questions or concerns for your pet. Be safe! Happy summer! ☀️

IVS 📧: [email protected]
IVS phone: 207-619-0025

Yes that says 115 tomorrow.

This is not just a hot July day.

Maine and New Hampshire can handle summer heat, but heat index values near 105° to 115° are rare and extreme for northern New England.

What makes this different is the combination of:

High temperatures near or above record levels
Tropical humidity making it much harder for your body to cool
Several days of heat building on itself
Warm nights with little relief, especially away from the immediate coast

This kind of heat can become dangerous quickly, even for healthy people. It is especially risky for older adults, young kids, pets, outdoor workers, athletes, and anyone without reliable cooling.

A heat index over 105° means your body has a much harder time releasing heat. Sweat does not evaporate as efficiently when the air is this humid, so your internal temperature can rise faster.

For Maine and New Hampshire, this is high-end heat. Take it seriously. Limit strenuous outdoor activity, check on neighbors, bring pets inside, and use air conditioning or cooling centers when needed.

The humidity will eventually break, but until it does, this is the type of northern New England heat wave that deserves extra caution.

06/28/2026

A big thanks to Dr. Keaten at Mainely Veterinary Dentistry & Urgent Care for joining us out on the water to meet some of our island clients and patients! 🤩

Dr. Domenico and our island vet team had a great time showing her around beautiful Casco Bay and introducing her to some of our wonderful island friends. It was a great learning experience and we’re grateful for the valuable insights and practical advice she provided to both our staff and pet owners.

Dental disease is one of the most common health issues we see in pets, and it can affect much more than just their mouth. We’re always looking for ways to expand our knowledge and provide the best possible care for your pets! 🦷 ✨ 🪥 🤍

We continue coming out to the islands at least weekly. Email with questions or to book an appointment!
📧: [email protected]