Penobscot Veterinary Services, LLC

10/21/2026

Friendly Reminder:

Today is our Monthly Staff Meeting! This means we will be closing at 12:30pm and will reopen at 2pm.

If you have an emergency during this time, please call 947-6783 and press our emergency line or please CALL ahead to one of the following emergency facilities.

PetMedic Urgent Care Veterinary Clinic
200 Lower Main St., Freeport, ME 04032
(207) 805-5398
(opens at 12pm)

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care
739 Warren Ave
Westbrook, ME
(207) 878-3121
(24 hr)

Maine Veterinary Medical Center
1500 Technology Way
Scarborough, ME
(207) 885-1290
(24 hr)

10/20/2026

Cruciate ligament tears cause a majority of cases of hind end lameness cases we see in dogs. The cruciate ligament is analogous to a human’s ACL, located at the knees. ACL tears in humans most often come from trauma, but cruciate tears in dogs are most often the result of degeneration over time. Larger, middle-aged dogs are the most common culprits, but it happens to dogs of any age or breed.

It starts with your dog suddenly not wanting to put weight on one of their hind legs despite being fine a few minutes ago. When you come in for an appointment the doctor will examine them to isolate where their discomfort is coming from and rule out other causes, but to diagnose a torn cruciate requires x-rays. Because these x-rays require precise angles and are uncomfortable on an injured leg, we do them with sedation and extra pain medication on board. We also look at both legs, because dogs with one torn cruciate have a very high likelihood of tearing the other. This not only allows us to diagnose cruciate tears, but also tells us if your pet is a good candidate for repair surgeries like the TPLO.

Dr. Blake recently trained to perform tibial-plateau-leveling osteotomies (TPLOs) in dogs. TPLO surgery changes the angle where the tibia and femur meet by cutting and plating the tibia to make the joint stable even without the ligament. There are multiple possible surgeries to correct cruciate tears, but the TPLO consistently restores dogs to the closest to normal function after surgery. Post-op care requires several weeks of strict rest, but with diligent follow-up care including rechecking radiographs to carefully monitor progress and shockwave therapy to encourage healing, your dog will enjoy a return to the life they led before their injury.

[These x-rays are from Rosie, who came to us from Animal Orphanage (Old Town, Maine) for surgery. The first two are pre-op and show some of the precise measurements needed for surgical repair, while the final one shows what the joint looks after. The last shows Dr. Blake and his family, including his dogs Cub, Archie, and Cygnus.]

10/19/2026

💙🐾 We're celebrating our amazing Veterinary Technicians this week at PVS! 🐾💙
This week, we're shining the spotlight on the incredible veterinary technicians who work tirelessly to care for our patients and support our doctors every single day.
From anesthesia and surgery to patient monitoring, diagnostics, treatments, nursing care, client education, and everything in between, our veterinary technicians bring knowledge, skill, compassion, and dedication to every patient they care for. They are advocates for our patients and an essential part of the team that makes exceptional veterinary care possible. ❤️
Want to help us celebrate?
If you're visiting us this week, stop by the table in our lobby and fill out one of our appreciation cards! Whether it's a thank you, a favorite memory, or a shout-out to a technician who made a difference for you or your pet, your kind words will mean so much to our team.
Can't make it in this week? We'd still love to hear from you! Feel free to leave a comment on this post or email your message to [email protected], and we'll make sure your words of appreciation are shared with our team.
✨ Sometimes the smallest note has the biggest impact.
Thank you for helping us celebrate our wonderful veterinary technicians and for recognizing the many people who work together every day to provide exceptional care for your pets. 💙🐾

10/08/2026

As many as 50% of dogs and cats in the US may be overweight or obese and indoor cats in particular are predisposed to weight gain with several potential barriers if significant weight loss is needed.

We recommend starting by addressing any medical issues that may act as a barrier to weight loss. Most diseases don’t cause weight gain in and of themselves but issues like arthritis that make it harder for them to be active can contribute to weight gain (which then contributes to worsening arthritis, making for a nasty cycle.) Overweight cats are also up to 4 times more likely to develop diabetes, which can in turn make weight loss more difficult. Not to mention the time, money, and effort that managing diabetes requires!

Diet changes remain the most effective tool in weight loss for pets. Measure in cups, not just in scoops or handfuls. How many treats are they getting? Are they eating other pets’ food? Are they getting table scraps? Ask other members of the house too; we’re had many clients swear a blood oath that they’re not giving treats only for a family member to sheepishly admit to sneaking them one or two or five or so. Once you know how much you’re feeding, you can slowly cut back. Small changes in food can be significant to cats, so cut back gradually. You can also give your cat meals in different ways like puzzle feeders or toys they have to bat around to slowly release kibble and slow down their eating. Automatic feeders can also help break larger meals into multiple smaller ones throughout the day.

Increasing activity presents more challenges in indoor cats. Trying different toys to see if they catch your cat’s interest is helpful. Some cats love toys that make noise, some like feathers, and there are increasingly toys that move of their own to stimulate interest. You can try getting your cat used to a harness and going out on a short walk, even just in the yard, to get them up and moving. If you want something a little more indoors, try something like training!

If you’d like to ask about your specific feline friend, please reach out to us by phone or email. We’d love to help your cat start their weight loss journey!

[Technician Diane's cat Mobius is studying up on the Body Condition Score chart: a tool that can help determine if your cat might need to start their weight loss journey!]

09/29/2026

🚨 Urgent Care Appointments Available today 9/29/2026 🚨

We are offering urgent care appointments on a first call, first scheduled basis from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

These appointments will be curbside only, meaning there will be no exam room visit. However, you will still have face time with the doctor to discuss your pet’s care and treatment plan.

📞 Appointments must be scheduled by phone — please call us to reserve your spot. (207) 947-6783.

09/29/2026

Even parasites can’t afford to take time off in this economy, which means there’s a risk of your pet picking up a not-so-friendly guest even through the winter.

Fleas can be transmitted just as easily in the winter as in the summer, both from other animals and by people. Ticks do thankfully drop off in the colder parts of winter, but we know Maine winters are nothing if not unpredictable. We can have a nor’easter in November and then be sunny through half of December and it doesn’t have to be far above freezing for ticks to be able to stir. Keeping your pets on flea and tick protection through the winter guards against the warm spells and takes at least one worry off your mind.

Being passed on by mosquitos, heartworm risk is thankfully low in the winter. But most heartworm preventatives are also dewormers for intestinal parasites and I know there are a fair amount of dogs out there who love to eat any “poopsicles” like they’re finding little treasures out in the snow.

Did you know that most of your pets' preventatives come with guarantees? The specifics differ between manufacturers, but if your pet is on preventatives year-round and they test positive for things like heartworm or lyme you can often apply for coverage for things like diagnostics and treatment. But nearly every one of these guarantees requires proof that your pet is on preventatives year-round, so keeping up on them during the winter adds a bonus layer of financial protection in the worst case scenario.

[George loves to find trouble, but at least parasites are one thing off his owner CSR/VA Makenzy’s mind with year-round protection.]

09/25/2026

Some great news from our friends at EMEVC!

09/25/2026

In addition to our regularly scheduled appointments, we have urgent care available today. It's Friday and we are ready to help before the weekend! Give us a call at 947-6783 if you need us!

💙 🐾💙🐾💙
Team PVS

Send a message to learn more

09/23/2026

Our phone system is back up and running. Thank you!

09/21/2026

Heads up for local Emergent Care!