Pieper Veterinary Primary Care

02/17/2025

❄️ We’re in for a chilly week! While our pets may have the benefit of “built-in” winter coats, you should still take caution around ice and low temperatures.

🚨 Checklist for Winter Safety:
✔️ Never let your dog off-leash around frozen ponds, rivers, etc
✔️ Avoid lots of running and romping when it’s icy out to prevent injuries
✔️ Salt and ice melt can burn paws – wear booties or use paw balm
✔️ Watch for pale, cold, or brittle skin that becomes swollen or red when warmed up, especially on the extremities (paws, ears, tail nose)
✔️ Some dogs may need jackets or sweaters to stay warm outside, especially small dogs, seniors and puppies, and dogs with short coats

Prevention is key to enjoying a safe winter and avoiding any extra trips to the veterinarian! Enjoy the cold air and stay warm and dry this week! ❄️💙

02/14/2025

🍫❤️ Happy Valentine's Day! This holiday is filled with love, chocolate, and candy - but while these treats are delicious for us, they can be toxic to our pets! Both chocolate and sugar-free candy pose serious health risks, so be sure to keep them out of reach.

🔴 Why is Chocolate Dangerous?
Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, which dogs and cats process much slower than humans. Even small amounts can cause toxic reactions such as:
- Excessive thirst
- Rapid breathing & high heart rate
- Vomiting & diarrhea
- Tremors & seizures

The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is! Baking chocolate & cocoa powder are highly toxic, while milk and white chocolate contain lower levels of theobromine. Small pets are at even greater risk due to their size.

⚠️ Beware of Sugar-Free Candy!
Many sugar-free chocolates and candies contain xylitol, which is extremely toxic to pets. Even small amounts can cause seizures, liver failure, and a dangerous drop in blood sugar.

💖 Keep your Valentine’s treats safely stored away! If your pet ingests chocolate or candy, call your veterinarian ASAP. Let’s make this Valentine’s Day full of love - not emergency vet visits! 🐶🐱💕

02/12/2025

PSA for pet parents – the microchip company “Save This Life” abruptly closed their business, which unfortunately means that chips that were registered with them may no longer work. Microchips are like a tiny barcode for your pet, and when that code is scanned it shows the name and contact info of the pet’s owner. This is VERY important for helping reunite lost or missing pets! With Save This Life being closed, any chips registered to them won’t display the correct information when scanned.

The good news is that there’s nothing broken about the chip itself, and all you need to do is re-register the number with a different company for it to work again.

Not sure if your pet’s chip is affected? You can enter the chip number at https://www.aaha.org/for-veterinary-professionals/microchip-search/ to check. If it shows as being registered to “Save This Life,” you’ll want to re-register the number with a different company (such as HomeAgain, PetLink, or AKCReunite).

Not sure what your pet’s microchip number is? If your pet was chipped at an animal shelter or rescue, check your adoption paperwork to see if it’s written down. If your pet was chipped at your veterinarian’s office, you can call them and ask. Or if you’re still not sure, you can always have your pet’s chip scanned when you bring them in for their next appointment. Just give your vet a call!

If your pet isn’t chipped, the chip isn’t registered, or you need to update the contact information on your pet’s chip, now is as good a time as any to do so!

Pet microchips help reunite lost animals with their owners. A Texas company suddenly closed, leaving pet owners worried about their pet's welfare.

02/10/2025

🌸❤️This Friday is Valentine’s Day, and the U.S. alone is estimated to spend over $2 billion on flowers, many of which can be seriously toxic to our cats and dogs. Before you buy that beautiful bouquet for someone with pets, stop and check that you’re not accidentally gifting them something dangerous – their pets will thank you for it! 🐶🐱💖

Not sure if a plant is pet-safe? Visit https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants to find out! 💐

02/06/2025

❤️🐾 February is American Heart Month – for Pets, Too!

Cardiac health isn't just important for people - it's an important part of our pet's health too! Regular check-ups and early detection of issues like heart disease and murmurs can make a big difference in your pet’s quality of life. Some breeds are more prone to heart disease than others, including Dobermans, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Maine C**n cats.

This American Heart Month, we encourage pet owners to prioritize their pet’s cardiac health. Regular wellness exams, a healthy and balanced diet, and staying active all play a role in keeping your pet’s heart strong. If you have concerns about your pet’s heart health or are due for a check-up, schedule a visit with us today! 🩺🐶🐱

02/03/2025

🐾✨ Happy National Golden Retriever Day! ✨🐾

Today, we’re celebrating one of the friendliest, fluffiest, and most lovable breeds - Golden Retrievers! 💛🐶 Known for their playful personalities, endless loyalty, and beautiful coats, Goldens make every day brighter. Goldens are the third most popular breed in the U.S., and love being around people whether they're working as service dog, competing in sports, joining a hunt, or cuddling on the couch.

We’d love to see your golden retrievers! Share a photo of your Golden in the comments and tell us what makes them so special. Let’s fill this feed with all the golden goodness! 🐕💕

01/30/2025

Flea & Tick Prevention is a Year-Round Must! 🐾

Many people think ticks die off in the winter, but they’re tougher than you’d expect! ❄️ Ticks go dormant when the temperature is below freezing, but once it hits around 40f they wake right back up and start looking to feed – we’ve got some milder days coming up this week, so you know what that means! With Lyme disease being endemic to our state, the risk never truly goes away.

Did your pet get their monthly preventatives this January? If not, here’s your reminder! Year-round prevention is key to avoiding serious health issues like Lyme disease, heartworm, or flea infestations. Have questions about the best preventative for your pet? Give us a call! 🐶🐱

01/27/2025

🐾 January is Walk Your Pet Month!
It’s been a cold start to the year, but that doesn’t stop Walk Your Pet Month! Did you know that around 40% of dog owners say they don’t walk their dogs on a regular basis? Daily walks are more than just a bathroom break - they’re a vital part of your dog’s physical and mental health!

Regular walks help strengthen joints and muscles, keeps nails worn down, and reduces the risk of obesity. You don’t even have to work up a sweat – a leisurely “sniffy walk” to let your dog pick the route and smell around is also great mental exercise. Plus if you’ve been wanting to exercise more this year, walking with your dog is the perfect opportunity for you both, even in the chilly weather.

Make it a goal this week to add a little extra time to your daily walks or explore a new route together. You’ll be surprised how quickly you can grow to love your daily routine! 🐾❄️

01/24/2025

🐾 Celebrate “Change a Pet’s Life Day” – January 24th! 🐾

Every pet deserves a loving home, and today is all about making a difference in their lives. Shelters across the state are full with amazing animals just waiting for their forever home – whether you’re looking to adopt, have the space to foster, donating time or supplies volunteering, or helping share posts and bring awareness to adoptable pets near you, there’s always an opportunity to help out animals in need! 🐶🐱💙

Looking for inspiration? Check out these ideas on how to make a meaningful impact: https://www.akcpetinsurance.com/blog/how-to-change-a-pets-life . Let’s work together to create brighter futures for pets everywhere!

Got an idea for how to help, or know of a local shelter or rescue that you want to spotlight? Give them a shout out in the comments!💕

01/20/2025

Snow Day Fun! 🐾❄️
Did your pets enjoy the snow that fell on Sunday? Many animals love playing in the snow – it’s easy to have fun when they don’t have to shovel! Share your favorite snowy pet photos in the comments below and let’s spread some winter joy. 🐕🐈❤️

01/16/2025

🐾 Coyote Mating Season Starts in January – Keep Your Pets Safe! 🐾

In Connecticut, late January marks the beginning of coyote mating season, which means these wild canines may become more active and territorial than normal. Attacks on people are rare, but pets under 25lbs may be viewed as prey and larger dogs can be viewed as threats. Here’s a few tips to ensure everyone stays safe:

1️⃣ Leash Up: Keep dogs on a leash during walks and avoid letting them roam off-leash in wooded or rural areas.
2️⃣ Supervise Outdoor Time: Always keep an eye on your pets when they’re outside, especially at dawn or dusk when coyotes are most active. Coyotes can climb or dig under fences, so cats and small dogs should be watched extra closely.
3️⃣ Don’t Feed Wildlife: Secure any pet food or garbage outside so it doesn’t attract wildlife.
4️⃣ Remove Dens: Close up crawl spaces under decks and buildings to prevent coyotes from making their dens there.

If you do encounter a coyote, loud noises such as shouting or using an airhorn, or throwing objects, can scare them away. Coyotes are fascinating animals who are an important part of our local ecosystem – with a little care, both people and coyotes can continue to safely co-exist. 🐕💚

01/14/2025

🎩🐾 Happy National Dress Up Your Pet Day! 🐾🎀

Today’s the perfect excuse to let your pet’s personality shine with some fun, safe, and comfortable outfits! Whether it’s a cozy sweater, a cute bowtie, or a playful costume, we’d love to see how your furry friends are celebrating. 🐶🐱✨

Show off your pet’s fabulous style by sharing a picture in the comments! And of course for pets who aren’t fans of fashion, keep it stress-free and let them shine in their own way. 💕

01/09/2025

✨ Start the Year Off Right for Your Pets! 🐾
A new year means a fresh start, and there’s no better way to kick it off than by making sure your furry friends are happy and healthy! 🐶🐱 Wellness appointments are essential for catching potential health issues early, staying up-to-date on vaccinations, and ensuring your pet is ready for all the adventures 2025 has to offer.

Is your pet due for a check-up, or have you noticed any little problems you’d like to get looked at? Schedule your pet’s exam today and give them the best start to the new year. Together, we can keep tails wagging and purrs going strong all year long! 💕 Call us now!

01/07/2025

🐾 January is National Train Your Dog Month! 🐾
Looking for a great New Year’s resolution for both you and your pup? There’s no better time to start fresh and build a stronger bond with your pup through training! 🐶✨ Training isn’t just about showing off fancy tricks - it helps improve communication, builds trust, and is excellent mental stimulation for your dog.

What’s something you’d like to teach your dog? It could be a command such as “high-five” or “speak,” or even behavior such as being calm for nail trimming or not pulling on the leash. Consistency and positive reinforcement are key to success. Whether you’ve signed up for a class or are working alone, dogs of any age can greatly benefit from some extra training!

Let’s make 2025 the year of well-behaved pups! 🐕❤️

01/02/2025

📸 The average pet parent takes over 400 pictures of their pet every year!
Alright, we’ll admit it – we’re guilty of this too! But who can resist snapping a quick pic (or dozens) when our pets are posing so adorably? 😍✨

🐾 Show us your favorite pet picture from 2024! Drop it in the comments – we can’t wait to see all the cuteness! 🐶🐱

12/30/2024

🎉🐾 Pieper wishes you a very happy New Year!

Please note that our Primary Care locations will be closing early on Tuesday 12/24 - Essex will be closing at noon, and Stratford, Marlborough, East Haddam, and Middletown (Berlin Street and primary care services at Randolph Rd) will be closing at 2pm. All primary care locations will be closed on Wednesday 12/31. Regular hours resume on Thursday.

Our ER at 730 Randolph Rd in Middletown will remain open 24/7, and can be reached at (860) 347-8387 in the event of an emergency.

We hope that this year has been full of good memories, and that 2025 treats us all with love, joy, and good health. Have a very happy New Year! 🎆✨

12/26/2024

🎁🐾 Show Us What Your Pets Got for the Holidays! 🐾🎁
The holidays are all about sharing joy, and we’re sure that all of your furry friends were on the “Nice List” this year! Did they get a new toy, a cozy bed, or maybe some delicious treats? We’d love to see how your pets are celebrating!

Post a picture of your pet with their holiday gifts or enjoying the festivities in the comments below. Let’s all spread the love this holiday season! 🎄🐶🐱

12/23/2024

Happy Holidays from all of us at Pieper!

Please note that our Primary Care locations will be closing early on Tuesday 12/24 - Essex will be closing at noon, and Stratford, Marlborough, East Haddam, and Middletown (Berlin Street and primary care services at Randolph Rd) will be closing at 2pm. All primary care locations will be closed on Wednesday 12/25. Regular hours resume on Thursday.

Our ER at 730 Randolph Rd in Middletown will remain open 24/7, and can be reached at (860) 347-8387 in the event of an emergency.

From our families to yours, we’re wishing you and your pets a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season! 🐾❤️ ❄️