Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment & Specialties

08/22/2025

Itchy skin and constant scratching? Your pet could be dealing with atopic dermatitis. Learn the signs and how to help your furry friend feel better!

08/17/2025

What’s your diagnosis answer:
POLYCYTHEMIA VERA (aka primary erythrocytosis)!

There are various types of polycythemia and causes (look for future posts about types of polycythemia), but polycythemia vera is when the bone marrow over produces red blood cells, making the blood viscous (making circulation challenging), decreased circulation and oxygen carrying capacity to tissue (remember the purple gums/tongue?) and vital organs.

Polycythemia Vera, while not solely a diagnosis of exclusion (meaning all other causes have been ruled out), it does require careful differentiation from other conditions (especially secondary erythrocytosis).

⛔️ ⚠️ needle and blood warning ⛔️ ⚠️ in video posted below

The video posted is one of the treatments for the immediate issue (elevated heart, poor circulation, lethargy)

Treatment include:
-Phlebotomy (removing a calculated volume of blood) followed by saline infusion to replace volume lost/removed
-Medication to suppress bone marrow activity

Overall, most pets typically have a fair long term prognosis (following treatment recommendations and with long term follow up/management).

What are diagnostics you’d recommend to help rule out other pathologies?

08/16/2025

What’s your diagnosis?

History/signalment:
Young (3years old) mixed breed female spayed canine, presented for lethargy, weakness, and exercise intolerance (becomes winded/tired easily).

Main physical exam findings/abnormalities:
-Elevated heart rate with strong/synchronous femoral pulses
-Gums/tongue purple/blue colored
-Respiratory rate/effort and lung sounds were normal

Up to date in vaccines and preventatives
No travel history outside of the New England//U.S. area.

Last picture is a reference as to what normal gums/tongue color should be in a dog (think salmon-pink).

What are your rule outs, and what diagnostics would you recommend?

Kind reminder: no answer is wrong, be kind to others as this is meant to be a fun and engaging brain storm!

Answer will be posted tomorrow!

💉💊

08/15/2025

Did you know that one gene mutation can cause some dogs to be extremely sensitive to common medications? Check out our latest blog post to see if your pet could be at risk!

Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment & Specialties - Veterinarian - serving the Walpole, new england, norwood, medford, MA area

08/11/2025

In honor of Itchy Pet Awareness Month, we’d like to introduce our new dermatologist, Dr. Loft!

In addition to all of his hard work at TVETS, Dr. Loft also has his own Facebook and Instagram dedicated to veterinary dermatologic issues! Check them out to gain insight on the life of a Veterinary Dermatologist 🔬

08/06/2025

Frankie is a boss and champion! He spent close to 2 weeks in the ICU for pneumonia and ultimately required a thoracotomy for partial lung lobectomy (from an abscessed lung). Mom says he continues to do well at home in his recovery!

08/03/2025

ATTENTION:
Part of Washington Street, from Dynasty Barber Shop to Cumberland Farms (marked by the red X’s), is going to be closed this week starting tomorrow. If taking Common Street, you can continue straight past Walpole High School and take a left onto South Street. Alternate routes are in black.

Plan accordingly!

Update: the project is now starting 8/11 according to Walpole PD

08/02/2025

August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month!
This month we’ll be posting about allergies and itchy pets, so stay tuned!

08/01/2025

July Foreign Bodies! 🌽🧦

07/26/2025

Snake bites in New England are not as common as other emergencies, however, Tufts VETS wanted the ability to offer treatment in an emergency!