Saybrook Veterinary Hospital

01/08/2025

29/07/2025

🚨 Attention all smoosh-nosed dog parents! 🚨 As the summer heat rolls in, remember that brachycephalic breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, and Boxers are especially prone to overheating. Their unique airways make it harder to cool down.

Please take extra precautions:

Limit outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day.

Always provide fresh, cool water.

Consider cooling vests or mats.

NEVER leave them in a parked car, even for a minute!

Let's keep our flat-faced friends safe and cool all summer long! ❤️

27/07/2025

Remember, before heading for a walk with your pup to do the 7 second rule! ☀️

24/07/2025

📣📣 ⭐️We want to share crucial information from the Ledge Light Health District regarding recent rabies cases found in animals in our region. A cat recently tested positive for rabies in North Stonington, highlighting the continued presence of this deadly virus in our wildlife. It has also been found in New York and New Jersey as well as in East Lyme, CT.

What you need to know:

Rabies is a serious, fatal disease that can affect all warm-blooded animals, including pets and humans.

It's primarily spread by wild animals like raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats.

Symptoms of rabies in animals can vary but may include unusual aggression or fearfulness, staggering, drooling, difficulty swallowing, or appearing disoriented. Nocturnal animals acting strangely during the day are also a red flag.

⭐️ How to protect your pets and family:

Vaccinate Your Pets: This is the most critical step! Connecticut law requires all dogs and cats over 3 months of age to be vaccinated against rabies. If your pet is due for their vaccination or has never received one, please schedule an appointment with us immediately.

Avoid Wildlife: Do not approach, feed, or touch wild or stray animals, especially those acting unusually.

Supervise Pets Outdoors: Keep your dogs on a leash and cats indoors or closely supervised to prevent contact with wildlife.

Secure Your Property: Ensure garbage cans are sealed and outdoor pet food is removed to avoid attracting wild animals.

Report Suspicious Animals: If you see an animal exhibiting signs of rabies or acting strangely, contact your towns Animal Control immediately.

Seek Medical Attention for Bites/Scratches: If you or your pet are bitten or scratched by a wild or unknown animal, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek immediate medical or veterinary attention.

Your pet's safety is our top priority. Let's work together as a community to keep our communities safe from rabies. If you have any questions or concerns about rabies vaccinations or exposure, please don't hesitate to give us a call.

23/07/2025

True or False?
We want to see your answers down below 👇

21/07/2025

Do you know the signs of a dehydrated canine?
Keep an eye out for any of the signs below and always provide shade and cool clean drinking water for your pet. 💧

18/07/2025

😂🤣 Give a ✋ in the comments below if you have one of these in your home. 🐕🐾

15/07/2025

Do you have a plan in the case of a fire?
Having a plan will minimize panic, maximize safety and make everyone in the household feel confident.
We want to hear from you down 👇 in the comments.

13/07/2025

Pet safety is important on the water too! Show your dog in their life vest down below 👇. We can’t wait to see where they have been with their vests!

10/07/2025

July 10, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jennifer Muggeo, Director of Health
Ledge Light Health District
216 Broad Street, New London, CT 06320
860-448-4882 ext.1300
[email protected]
www.llhd.org

PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT

BAT TESTS POSITIVE FOR RABIES IN EAST LYME

A BAT FOUND ON BOSTON POST ROAD IN THE TOWN OF EAST LYME WAS TESTED AND FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR RABIES ON JULY 10, 2025. THE PUBLIC SHOULD REFRAIN FROM FEEDING OR APPROACHING ANY WILD OR STRAY ANIMALS.

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including people. It is spread mostly by wild animals, but stray cats and dogs may also become infected and spread the virus. The rabies virus lives in the saliva and brain tissue of infected animals. Rabies can be spread by scratches from infected animals or when infected saliva comes into contact with open wounds, breaks in the skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth, etc.)

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ledge Light Health District at 860-448-4882 or the WATERFORD/EAST LYME ANIMAL CONTROL at 860-442-9451.

08/07/2025

A friendly reminder to administer your pets flea/tick and heartworm preventative. 🐶🐈

Do you administer on the first of the month or on another day? Do you have a reminder system set up? We want to know down below 👇