Kennebec Veterinary Services Inc

07/03/2024

Cheddar is just stopping in to remind you that we will be closed tomorrow, July 4th! As well as let you know that Friday, July 5th will be a technician day.

06/13/2024

Technician Day!
Our Doctors will be out of the office tomorrow, June 14th! Please call the office at 465-8300 today with any medication refills you will need before the weekend, as we will be unable to fill them tomorrow.

05/16/2024

Technician Day!
Our Doctors will be out of the office tomorrow, May 17th! Please call the office at 465-8300 today with any medication refills you will need before the weekend, as we will be unable to fill them tomorrow.

04/03/2024

❄❄️The clinic will be closed tomorrow 4/4/24 due to weather conditions!❄❄️
We hope to see you all on Friday.

03/28/2024

Technician Day!
Our Doctors will be out of the office tomorrow, March 29th! Please call the office at 465-8300 today with any medication refills you will need before the weekend, as we will be unable to fill them tomorrow.

02/16/2024

We are currently having a problem receiving some incoming phone calls, we are working to have this resolved, and apologize for any inconvience.

01/17/2024

Your pets may be enjoying the winter wonderland we currently have, but it's important to keep their paws in mind! If you notice your pet is starting to alternate holding their paws up it may be time for them to head inside to warm up. If your pets will tolerate it booties are always a good idea to help prevent frost bite on the pads of their feet.

12/21/2023

Our internet and phones are still down, but we are open 8-5 today. Our team looks forward to seeing those of you with scheduled appointments!

12/18/2023

Our phone lines are currently down due to the storm. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. We are working to get it resolved!

12/14/2023

With the colder months ahead it is important to remember that internal parasites do not hibernate! Pets should continue on a monthly dewormer to ensure they are free from any potentially harmful internal parasites. Some options we carry in clinic are Heartgard Plus or Interceptor Plus for dogs and Revolution Plus for cats! Your pets will need to be up to date on yearly exams for these products,. To ensure we have the right size in stock for your pets please call ahead at 465-8300.

12/11/2023

Whether we buy it ourselves, or it is gifted to us, there is almost always chocolate in our homes this time of year. This can be very dangerous to your pets if you're not careful. Pet insurance companies often see a spike in claims due to chocolate toxicity in December. The average claim is about $618. This is not including if the pet also ingests the wrapper which can lead to blockages. We urge you to be mindful of this during the upcoming holidays!

12/06/2023

Some ideas to keep in mind when shopping for your pets this holiday season!

11/30/2023

We have been getting numerous calls and questions regarding the "mystery" respiratory infection that affects dogs. There have been numerous news stories regarding this disease outbreak. At this time, we have seen a few cases here at KVS that we suspect are related to this outbreak.
As of right now, the best veterinary researchers in the Unites States are working to find the cause. To date, no specific bacteria or virus has been isolated so therefore, there is currently no test that can accurately diagnose this new respiratory infection.
It is believed to be spread through direct contact with other dogs. While not yet proven it is possible that some dogs are asymptomatic carriers and can infect other dogs. Our recommendations at this time are as follows:
- Avoid taking your dog to places where they would come in contact with other dogs such as boarding kennels, dog parks, doggy daycare facilities, etc.
- Making sure your dog is current on their vaccinations for other respiratory infections such as Parainfluenza (usually found in the 'distemper-parvo' combinations such as we use here) and possibly Bordetella/Kennel Cough.
Signs of respiratory infection to watch out for include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, lethargy, loss of or decreased appetite and/or labored breathing.
Currently, until an exact cause is found we are limited to treating the symptoms with cough suppressants and possibly precautionary antibiotics. The response to these medications has been mixed.
Lastly, we ask you to be cautious about where you get your latest information regarding this disease outbreak from. Broadcast and social media are filled with lots of misinformation. We will pass along further information as it becomes available.

11/20/2023

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! The staff here at KVS are very thankful for all of our clients. We will be closed Thursday 11/23🦃, but we will be back Friday 8-4. Keep in mind there will not be a doctor in the office, so please call ahead for any needed prescription refills!
With the upcoming holidays, we urge you to make sure the information connected to your pets microchip, or id tag is current, as more visitors means more chances for your pets to escape!

10/31/2023

Happy Halloween from everyone here at Kennebec Veterinary Services! While we know it is an exciting day for your two-legged children, we would like to remind everyone how dangerous candy can be the four-legged ones! Please keep candy stored out of reach for your pets. If your are unsure whether your pet has consumed candy or not you should monitor for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and lack of appetite. If you know your pet has consumed chocolate or other candies you should contact your veterinarian, or if excessive amounts poison control.

09/26/2023

07/04/2023

Happy Independence Day from all of us at KVS! The office is closed for the day, but will be back 8am - 5pm on Wednesday! We'd love to see some patriotic pets today😄

06/30/2023

With the 4th of July, quickly approaching we thought we would share these tips to keep your pets safe! If you have any questions, give us a call at 465-8300.

05/15/2023

Call us today to schedule an appointment to get your new pets established with us!

05/14/2023

Whether you pet has fur, feathers, scales, or fins, we hope all the moms out there have a great day!

05/12/2023

Our Doctors will be out of the office next Friday, but we are still scheduling appointments with our technicians!

05/08/2023

The sun has finally returned! We know it can easily slip your mind when you're out enjoying the weather with your pets, but it is important to keep them protected from fleas and ticks! Stop by to get your monthly flea and tick preventative.

05/04/2023

Meet our clinic cat Cheddar! As you can see one of his favorite activities is finding new hiding places to surprise the staff from. Where do your pets like to hide?

05/01/2023

Did you know May was Chip Your Pet month?! Call us today to schedule an appointment to get your pet microchipped!

04/27/2023

As the weather gets warmer in Maine, we all know inevitably the mosquitos will start to reappear. While heartworm cases are lower in Maine, it is still present. Let's work together to keep it that way, and keep those pets on a monthly preventative!

12/21/2022

🎄Happy holidays to all from Kennebec Vet Services! The office will closed on Monday, December 26th and again Monday, January 2nd as our hardworking crew richly deserves time to relax and celebrate with friends and family. We wish you and your furry family members a safe and joyful holiday season!

04/07/2022

Kennebec Veterinary Services is excited to announce the arrival today of our new Associate Veterinarian, Dr. Alexander Zanetti!
Dr. Zanetti graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. He comes to us with 2 years of small animal practice experience having worked for a year in Michigan and for the past year at a practice in Portland as well as having worked weekends at the Midcoast Animal Emergency Clinic in Warren.
Dr. Smith and the entire team are thrilled to have him on-board to be available to help all of our furry patients! We are confident that you will enjoy meeting him as well!

03/01/2022

Beginning tomorrow, March 1st, we will again start letting clients into the clinic with their pet for appointments. As the highest risks for this seemingly never ending pandemic are maybe, just possibly coming to an end, we feel it is time to start getting back to "normal". For the immediate future we are going to have clients check in upon arrival from the parking lot and REMAIN IN YOUR VEHICLES UNTIL ES**RTED IN BY A TECHNICIAN. At this time , ONLY ONE PERSON ALLOWED IN PER APPOINTMENT. We are doing this to try and minimize the number of clients in the building at any one time. Wearing of masks in the building will be OPTIONAL for all clients. For those whom choose to, "full curbside service" will always be available if you do not feel comfortable about coming into the clinic.
We look forward to seeing you all in person again!
Remember, when you arrive at the clinic for your appointment, STAY IN YOUR CAR, CALL US AT 465-8300 TO CHECK IN, THEN REMAIN IN YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL A TECHNICIAN COMES TO ES**RT YOU AND YOUR PET INTO THE BUILDING.
We thank you for all your patience and understanding over the last 2 years as we here all tried as much as possible to stay safe, stay open and be able to continue to keep your pets healthy and happy!
Thank you and see you soon!

02/02/2022

We've been on a roll covering reasons why dog's cough, and we're not slowing down!
Small breed dogs can fall victim to a condition known as tracheal collapse. As a dog ages, the cartilage rings that form and support the trachea can weaken. Upon inhalation, these rings will "collapse" which causes irritation and a subsequent cough.
Episodes of tracheal collapse can be violent and last several minutes. Contributing factors include obesity, humid weather, exercise and excitement.
This condition can be surgically repaired, but for a hefty price tag. Otherwise, management for more severe cases may include antibiotics, cough suppressants, steroids, bronchodilators and sedatives. Keeping your dog away from airway irritants like smoke and other pollutants as well as switching from a collar to a harness may help ease your dog's breathing ability.
If you suspect your dog may suffer from tracheal collapse, schedule a visit with your veterinarian for a thorough examination and diagnosis.

01/26/2022

Last week we discussed how Bordetella can be the cause of your dog's cough, this week is all about Heartworm! Another culprit for your dog's cough.
Heartworm is a preventable, but serious and potentially fatal parasite that is of primary concern in our canine companions.
This disease is transmitted by mosquitos. Dogs become infected after being bitten by an infected mosquito (that is a mosquito carrying Heartworm larvae). It takes 6 months for the larvae to mature and migrate to the heart. Here they can live for 5-7 years and damage the blood vessels if left untreated, which can lead to heart disease and death.
Common symptoms of Heartworm disease include coughing, lethargy and difficulty breathing.
Heartworm is most commonly diagnosed using a SNAP 4DX test, which indicates the presence of an antigen. This test should be routinely performed at your dog's yearly wellness visit.
If Heartworm is detected, the treatment comprises of a months duration of antibiotic therapy followed by a series of injections and a strict rest regiment for up to two additional months.
Heartworm is avoidable in dogs by giving Heartworm prevention, usually an oral chew, every month. Your dog should also undergo a routine yearly wellness examination by a veterinarian accompanied by a 4DX screening to ensure they are healthy and Heartworm free. 🦟