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Your senior dog still greets you at the door, and your older cat still claims the sunny spot on the couch. From the outside, everything looks fine. But many of the most common diseases of aging pets develop quietly for months before any signs appear. That is why veterinarians recommend senior screening tests. At Arlington Animal Clinic, routine bloodwork and other simple tests help us find problems early in older…

Thanksgiving is about sharing, and it is only natural to want to include your pet. A few pet-friendly bites can be a fun part of the day. The trouble is that many holiday dishes contain ingredients that can upset a pet's stomach or cause serious illness. Rather than a list of everything to avoid, this guide from Arlington Animal Clinic sorts common Thanksgiving foods into what is generally safe to…

Ferrets are playful, curious, and full of personality. They are also prone to a few serious health conditions as they age. Two of the most common in pet ferrets are adrenal disease and insulinoma, and both often begin after about three years of age. The encouraging news is that both conditions can be managed, especially when they are caught early. This guide from Arlington Animal Clinic explains what ferret owners…

Cats are masters at hiding pain, and nowhere is that more true than in their mouths. A cat with a painful tooth will often keep eating, keep purring, and keep acting mostly normal. That is why dental disease in cats frequently goes unnoticed until it is quite advanced. Cats also develop some dental conditions that are rare in dogs. At Arlington Animal Clinic, we regularly diagnose these problems in cats…

For many pets, the stress of a vet visit starts long before they arrive. The carrier comes out of the closet, the cat disappears under the bed, and the dog starts trembling as soon as the car turns toward Broadway. By the time they reach the exam room, their heart is racing. The good news is that the carrier and the car ride are the parts of a vet visit…

Halloween is a favorite night in Arlington's neighborhoods, from the busy streets around Arlington Center to the side streets of the Heights and East Arlington. For dogs, though, the real excitement often starts after the trick-or-treating ends, when a bag of candy is left within reach. Every fall, veterinary clinics see a rise in pets who have gotten into Halloween treats. This guide from Arlington Animal Clinic explains which candies…

Rabbit teeth are remarkable. Unlike ours, they never stop growing, and they can grow several millimeters each week. In a healthy rabbit, constant chewing wears them down at the same rate. When something upsets that balance, dental problems can develop quickly and quietly. Dental disease is one of the most common reasons rabbits visit Arlington Animal Clinic. This guide explains the teeth problems we see most often, the early warning…

More than half of dogs and cats in the United States are overweight, yet most owners believe their own pet is at a healthy weight. It is an easy mistake to make. Weight gain happens slowly, and when we see our pets every day, a few extra pounds can go unnoticed. You do not need a scale to get a good sense of your pet's condition. Veterinarians use a simple…

Almost every pet owner has cleaned up after a bout of vomiting or diarrhea. Most of the time, it passes quickly. Sometimes, though, it is the first sign of something more serious. Knowing the difference can save your pet discomfort and save you an unnecessary late-night worry. At Arlington Animal Clinic, stomach upset is one of the most common reasons dogs and cats from Arlington, Somerville, Medford, Cambridge, and Belmont…