Integrity Veterinary Center

09/19/2024

🩺 Early Cancer Detection and Prevention for Your Pets 🩺

Cancer is a serious concern for our pets, but early detection and prevention can make a world of difference. Just like in humans, catching cancer early often means more treatment options and a better prognosis.

Steps to Take:

Regular Vet Check-ups: Annual exams are crucial for spotting early signs of cancer. As your pet ages, consider increasing the frequency of these visits.

Know the Signs: Lumps, unexplained weight loss, changes in appetite, or unusual behavior can all be early signs. Don’t wait—if something seems off, consult your vet.

Healthy Lifestyle: A balanced diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of cancer.

Screenings: Ask your vet about cancer screenings, especially if your pet is at higher risk due to age or breed.

By staying vigilant and proactive, you can help ensure your pet lives a long, healthy, and happy life.

❤️🐾

09/12/2024

Sometimes it can be hard to know whether you should bring your pet to Urgent Care or an Emergency Vet. 🚑

Our Urgent Care service is available 7 days a week, and we strive to have evaluation appointments available within 1-3 days.

Save this infographic for quick reference!

09/05/2024

"Wow, can’t say enough good things about the availability and professionalism of the Integrity Vet Center staff. It was really tough when our dog Bruno was diagnosed with Lymphoma and we called around to Oncology vets in our Central Mass area and were told there were no openings for 3-4 weeks (which was roughly his prognosis without treatment).

When calling Integrity they were able to fit us in the next day, and were supremely available and flexible to fit our busy schedules during the first 6 weeks of his treatment before we were able to transfer to a clinic closer to us. The docs were kind and compassionate and made the whole process easy to understand, and went to bat for us to get us transferred to a clinic 10 minutes from our house instead of the 75 minutes we were driving to Integrity.

The whole staff seemed to be aware of our commute for his appointments and really prioritized great communication to make it clear how long his appointments might take etc. Can’t recommend them enough."

Thank you for your review! We love Bruno (such a handsome boy), and we hope he continues to do very well. Our oncologists both loved taking care of him!

Contact us for 5-star Oncology care.

09/02/2024

Happy Labor Day from all of us!

We hope you get plenty of cat naps in!

09/01/2024

We will be closed on Monday, September 2, 2024 in observance of Labor Day. Our Urgent Care and Specialty Services will open again on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 8 am.

08/29/2024

Thank you Lauren for trusting us with their care and this kind review!

And ESPECIALLY for sharing the cutest picture of your dog!

When you need 5-star urgent vet care call us.

08/25/2024

Hello Friends!

We'd like to talk about what happens when your pet comes to see us for an urgent care visit, and it turns out they are critically ill. Thankfully, much of our urgent care team used to work in emergency medicine, which means we are equipped to stabilize these very sick patients and get them prepped for transfer to a hospital with ER/ICU services.

Veterinary ERs are BUSY these days! Routinely on the weekends, many of our local ERs are on diversion (not accepting transfers) by 8 or 9 AM. This means if your pet needs to transfer for overnight care, we call around to multiple hospitals in order to find a spot for your pet to go. Here are some reasons we can't just transfer to any ER without calling ahead:

🏠 Space! Depending on the size of your pet and how full the hospital is, there may not be a physical space/kennel/cage for your pet to be admitted.

👩‍⚕️Staff! Depending on the number of cases currently in the ICU and the ER, there may not be enough staff to safely take care of all of the patients. This compromises patient care for your pet and all the other pets in the hospital.

🩸Blood! Many canine and feline blood products are in short supply these days. If your pet needs a blood transfusion, it is important they go to a hospital that has the kind of blood they need.

🩺Specialized services! If your pet will need an ultrasound or potentially surgery the following day, they need to be at a hospital that has those services available on the day(s) your pet will be there.

Oftentimes clients ask, "Why can't I just go to [specific hospital]? They are closest to me." If that hospital has the space for your pet and the resources they need, absolutely you can!

If that hospital is on diversion, showing up anyway is not in your pet's best interest. It means you are further stretching an already strained system, and asking the ER/ICU care team to care for more patients than they safely can care for at one time.

We are routinely having to call four or five hospitals on the weekends to find an ER that can take a critical patient transfer. This is a testament to how busy ER hospitals are these days, and how hard their staff are working. We know it's a longer drive sometimes, but we ask that you respect this transfer process. It helps all of us keep our hospitals and ICUs at safe patient capacities.

We would like to send a major shout out to Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospitals, Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, and Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital for taking all of our transfers so far this weekend- likely more coming your way tomorrow!

-IVC Urgent Care Team

08/22/2024

At Integrity Vet we offer specialized diagnostics to get to the bottom of what is happening with your pet so we can better diagnose and treat them.

One of these is Rhinoscopy, a non-invasive procedure that allows us to see what is going on and take samples directly.

Contact us for specialized care for your pet!

08/15/2024

A bit of prevention is best for your dog's health. When you bring a new puppy or even a new-to-you adult dog home it's always a good idea to walk around your home and yard with an eye for dog-proofing.

Not only will it save you some aggravation and money from replacing chewed-up items, but it can also save you costly vet bills or your pup's life!

Check out this 'This Old House' article, it does a thorough job outlining what to look out for.

https://zurl.co/diux

Learn how to puppy proof your home and yard, protect your pet from common household hazards, and prepare for your new pet with this comprehensive guide.

08/08/2024

Thank you, Aislyn. We are thrilled to hear about your positive experience!

When you need 5-star urgent vet care call us!

"They are 1000 times better than [the ER], and although they’re not cheap, the experience was much nicer than our regular vet.

They are not overbooked or stressed, and they took the time to explain things well and worked to get to the bottom of the issue.

Their waiting rooms are nice with nice books. It’s awesome that they are open on weekends so we didn’t have to go to [the ER]."

08/01/2024

Receiving a cancer diagnosis for your pet can be very frightening and stressful.

At Integrity Vet we have the benefit of 2 board-certified medical oncologists, with Dr. Hunley having just joined our team.

Fun fact: He was Dr. MaloneyHuss' mentor during her internship, and they are thrilled to be working together again!

07/25/2024

Thank you Hoa for this great 5-star review!

We were honored to help you and Chase.

If you would like 5-star service as well, call our office for an appointment.

07/18/2024

All animals hide their pain, but cats tend to be especially stoic about it...unless you know what to look for.

Of course, we never want our pets in pain, but aside from keeping them comfortable, it's beneficial to identify pain earlier so we can intervene earlier which can lead to better outcomes.

This infographic from the University of Montreal is a great place to start to know what to look for, but if you'd like to go more in-depth on the Feline Grimace Scale go to our website under client resources.

07/11/2024

We are excited to announce our new expanded hours, to serve you better! Urgent Care is now open 7 days a week, 8 AM-7 PM, with ultrasounds available on the weekends. Call 413-614-0039 for an appointment.

07/08/2024

🐾We hope you have a totally paw-some 4th of July!🐾

We wish you and your pets a safe and fun holiday!

07/03/2024

We will be closed tomorrow for the July 4th holiday. Our urgent care service will open again at 8 am on July 5, 2024.

06/27/2024

An ultrasound examination, also known as ultrasonography, is a non-invasive imaging method that we use to see internal organs by recording echoes or reflections of ultrasonic waves.

We can use it to help diagnose in a variety of scenarios.

If you are curious, go to our website to learn more about how we use this valuable tool.

06/20/2024

With our urgent care hours expanding soon, we thought it would be a good time to post this helpful chart to assess if your pet needs urgent care or the emergency vet.

We know how scary it can be when your pet isn't feeling well.

Save this to your phone so you can access it quickly if you need it.

06/16/2024

Happy Father's Day!

Whether you are a dad to fur-babies, human-babies or both we hope you have a great day!

06/13/2024

It's Adopt-a-Cat month!!

All those spring babies are looking for fur-ever homes!! If you aren't up for the kitten mischief there are still plenty of adult and senior cats looking for a home too!

If it's time to add to your family contact your local shelter. 🐱♥

06/09/2024

🐾 Expert care for your furry friends! 🐾

A small animal veterinary internal medicine specialist is called in if your pet has a complex medical condition or one that involves multiple organ systems.

An internal medicine specialist has completed advanced training in internal medicine following graduation from veterinary college. This includes completing a 1-year internship and a 3-year residency to improve procedural skills and refine approaches to diagnostic and therapeutic plans.

Give your furry friend the care they deserve!

06/06/2024

🌈 Happy Pride Month! 🌈

Let's celebrate our vibrant LGBTQ+ community, embracing love, diversity, and equality.

This month, and every month, we stand together in solidarity, advocating for a world where everyone can live authentically and proudly. Love is love. Today and always! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

06/03/2024

Are you seeing any of these signs or similar in your pet? Avoid the wait at the ER and schedule an urgent care appointment at our office!

-Sneezing blood, or blood in the mouth
-New lump, or a lump that is growing
-Panting like a dog, breathing with mouth open (cats)
-Straining in the litterbox (cats)
-Lump or growth in the mouth
-Squinting or pawing at the eye

05/30/2024

Discover Precision Care with Veterinary Rhinoscopy! 🦏

Rhinoscopy allows us to examine the nasal passages and sinuses of our furry friends up close, which provides a high level of diagnostic accuracy. From diagnosing respiratory issues to removing obstructions, this minimally invasive technique helps us provide targeted care for optimal outcomes.

Trust us to keep your furry friend healthy and happy! 🐾

Rhinoscopy

05/27/2024

Happy Memorial Day!

Today we also remember the talented working dogs of past and present who helped their human counterparts on the battlefields and here at home; protecting us, healing us, guiding us, and inspiring us.

Their memory lives on in our hearts, reminding us of the true meaning of courage, sacrifice, and loyalty.♥🐾