Because Your Pup Can’t Tell You What’s Wrong: Arlington Vet Options

We all want to keep our pets as happy and healthy as they can be, and that’s where the important task of choosing a veterinarian comes in. There are a lot of things to think about when it comes to deciding which vet is right for you and your furry friend, but here are some things to consider as you start searching:

• If possible, it can be a good idea to visit the vet’s office before picking a vet. Make sure you and your pet feel comfortable there! While it might be normal for your pet to be wary and stressed, it’s important to ensure the staff is at least able to perform a basic examination.

• Don’t be afraid to ask your vet a lot of questions and keep the lines of communication open. Regular check-up appointments are critical so your vet can monitor your pup’s health and employ preventative measures that will keep your pup in great shape.

• Since costs can vary based on each individual pup’s needs, it is key to ask up front for price estimates when making appointments to avoid any surprises. As an example, if you recently adopted a female pup and are looking into the cost of having her spayed, we found that the average price is around $500. However, this price can vary depending on various factors, including whether the pup is up to date on vaccinations and has had bloodwork completed recently, whether you want a microchip, and what the age and size is of your pup (generally, the older and larger the dog, the higher the cost will be).

So, what options are there for vets in the Arlington area? We’ve outlined them here to help make the decision a little easier:

• Located at 191 Broadway in Arlington, Arlington Animal Clinic has four vets on staff and offers surgery, juvenile and wellness care, dentistry, diagnostics, nutritional counseling, daytime emergency care, and parasite control. The average cost for an exam with a vet is $70. The office is open M-F 8am-6pm and Sat 8am-12pm. Phone: 781-646-0758

• Located at 1183 Mass Ave in Arlington, Millbrook Animal Clinic has three vets on staff. They offer surgery, wellness care, dentistry, behavioral medicine, pain management, senior care, ultrasound, x-rays, acupuncture, nutritional counseling, and parasite control. The average cost for an exam with a vet is $50. The office is open M-Th 8am-6pm, F 8am-5pm, and Sat 8am-1pm. Phone: 781-643-1500

• Located at 637 High St in Medford, Looby Veterinary Group has six vets on staff and offer a range of medical, dental, and surgical services. The average cost for an exam with a vet is $74. The office is open M-Th 7:30am-7:30pm, F 7:30am-5pm, and Sat 7:30am-12pm. Phone: 781-488-4789

• Located at 15 Flanders Rd in Belmont, Fresh Pond Animal Hospital has six vets on staff and offer annual preventative care, day-time emergency care, diagnostics, dental care, x-ray, ultrasound, surgery, and acupuncture. The average cost for an exam with a vet is $65.The office is open M-F 7am-8pm, Sat 8am-4pm, and Sun 9am-3pm. Phone: 617-484-155

Be sure to visit the websites for each of these vets too, as they all offer a wealth of resources to help you learn about pet health care, including information on referral hospitals for emergency care outside of regular office hours. The vets listed above also offer services that make it easy for you to get the medications you need for your pup, whether that be an in-house pharmacy or online ordering. Most vets now offer online pet portals as well, so you can request appointments online and view all of your pet’s health records in one place!

The Scoop on Arlington Dog Grooming Services

Is your pup in need of a good bath or a day at the spa? It may not be their favorite thing to do, but keeping up with your dog’s hygiene is important to their health and well-being! Luckily, Arlington (and a few nearby spots in Cambridge) offers many options for grooming services. We break down all the details you need to make your first appointment here:

We know that finding the time to get your pup to the groomer can be difficult, but we can help. We’ll pick up your dog, bring them to get groomed, and drop them off at home after. Check out our concierge services and other pet services here.

Keeping your pup cool in the hot weather

It's a steamy weekend but your pup can still spend some time outside with the family. Here's a couple of ways to keep your pup safe in the heat. 

1) Lots of water.  Hosing pups down or a kiddie pool are always good!   Some pups hate it but it will help to cool them off.  But you already knew that.

2) Freeze dog treats in water in your ice cube trays.  You can even add a little chicken or beef broth to make it more interesting for your pup.  These are only recommended to be eaten outside, they can be a little messy.

3) Take water with you on any walk.  They make a variety of water bottles that make it easy to drink out of.

4) It's super easy to make your own doggie frozen treats.  2 cups Yogurt,  1 banana, 1 cup peanut butter, 2 Tbls honey blended together and frozen.  Freeze in disposable plastic cups or ice cube trays.  Doggie Ice Cream in a flash.

5) Make a cool spot for your pup to lie down.  A wet towel will help keep them cool and always pick a spot with plenty of shade.  They may even dig a little to find their own cool spot. 

If you can't provide relief during your summer adventures, maybe your pup should stay home in the air conditioning and your dog walker can stop by to make sure your pup can get some exercise without overdoing it.  Give us a call if you need some help, that's what we are here for!