Hopkinton Animal Hospital

06/03/2026

🚲🐾 Happy World Bicycle Day!

World Bicycle Day is a wonderful time to celebrate cycling, fresh air, and adventures with the pets who love to join us! Whether your pup rides in a bike basket, trots safely alongside you, or pulls you on a “bikejoring” adventure, it’s all about sharing the joy of two-wheel travel.

Dogs are not the only pets who can enjoy the ride. Cats, rabbits, and other small companions may also be able to join in safely with the right carrier, setup, and supervision.

Before heading out, remember that safety comes first:
🐶 Use a secure harness, carrier, basket, or trailer
🐱 Avoid hot pavement and extreme temperatures
🐰 Bring water and take breaks
🐾 Start slow and build up distance gradually
🐕‍🦺 Make sure your pet is comfortable, visible, and protected

For more biking-with-dogs safety tips, check out:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/travel/biking-with-dogs/

https://www.wilderdog.com/blogs/weeklywoof/of-trails-and-tails-a-first-timers-guide-to-biking-with-your-dog

https://ruffwear.com/pages/biking-with-dogs

If you cycle with your pet, we would love to see your pictures! Share them in the comments. 📸🐶🐱🐰

Bike riding is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with your dog. Here are top tips on how to safely enjoy biking with dogs.

06/03/2026

"Happy Birthday, Daisy! 🎉 Your witty sense of humor keeps us laughing even on our busiest days, and your love and compassion for every animal that comes through our doors never goes unnoticed. Thank you for your hard work, late hours, and everything you do for our clinic family. We hope your day is filled with all the happiness you bring to others ! 🐾💛"

06/02/2026

We’re excited to introduce a new face at the front desk—please welcome Chai to the Weare Animal Hospital and Hopkinton Animal Hospital teams! 🐾💙

Chai joins us with previous experience in veterinary medicine as a CSR, bringing valuable knowledge, a calm presence, and a strong understanding of client care and communication. She’s already fitting right in helping triage calls, coordinate appointments, and support our clients and patients with compassion and efficiency.

Recently relocated to the area, Chai is also the proud pet parent of two cowboy corgis 🤠 who definitely keep life interesting outside of work!

We’re so happy to have her as part of both hospitals—please join us in giving Chai a warm welcome!

06/01/2026

Vacation season is here ☀️🏕️🐾

If your dog will be camping, boarding, traveling, or attending daycare/grooming this summer, make sure their vaccines are up to date and you have copies of their records ready to go.

Many campgrounds and boarding facilities require proof of vaccines before your pet can attend. Don’t wait until the last minute to check what your pup may need!

Commonly required vaccines include:
• Rabies
• Distemper/Parvo
• Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
• Canine Influenza at some locations

Give us a call if you need vaccines scheduled or records emailed over 🐶🌲🚐

05/31/2026

Happy Birthday, Haley!

We would like to celebrate one of our amazing CVTs, Haley! 💙 Her birthday was on May 16th but we had some issues with Facebook posts this month.

Haley wears many hats here at Hopkinton Animal Hospital — from being our I-131 coordinator, to keeping our lab machines running like a dream, to providing compassionate care for our patients every day. She’s truly a “lab machine queen” in the best way! 🧪✨

Outside of work, Haley’s dedication to animals doesn’t stop. She also spends her free time working at an animal shelter, continuing to make a difference for pets in need. Oh, and did we mention she’s a rabbit lover too? 🐰

We are so lucky to have you on our team, Haley. Wishing you the happiest birthday filled with love, laughter, and plenty of furry friends!

05/30/2026

This little black Lab puppy is just one of four brand new lives welcomed into the world at our hospital.

Our team came together to assist with an emergency C-section, safely delivering this sweet puppy, her three siblings and caring for their sweet momma pre and post operatively. Moments like these are a true reflection of teamwork, skill, and compassion across our hospital.

We’re so happy to report that mom and puppies are doing well and are settling in for lots of rest, warmth, and snuggles. Welcome to the world, little ones!

05/29/2026

Why Birds Need Mental Stimulation?
Birds in the wild spend a large portion of their day foraging for food, exploring, and avoiding predators.
When kept as indoor pets, this natural need for activity doesn't disappear. Without adequate enrichment, highly intelligent pet birds can become easily bored, which frequently leads to behavioral and medical issues such as screaming, feather picking, or cage pacing.

Avian enrichment ideas:
Provide a variety of puzzle and destructible toys to stimulate your bird's natural urge to chew and manipulate objects.
Hide treats or seeds inside toys, paper bags, or in clean paper towel rolls to encourage natural foraging behavior.
Offer different tastes, smells, colors, and textures (offering carrots raw vs. cooked). You can also provide stimulation by playing bird-safe music or natural bird calls.
Teaching your bird tricks or flight recalls keeps their brains highly engaged.
Rotate toys and ensure your bird gets out of cage time in a safe, bird-proofed area.

05/27/2026

After many thoughtful conversations and a great deal of consideration, we wanted to share an important update regarding grooming services at our hospitals.
Over the coming months, we will be transitioning away from offering in-hospital grooming services. Lisa will continue grooming through June, July, and August to complete her currently scheduled appointments and help thoughtfully transition the service.
This decision was incredibly difficult and was not made because we do not value grooming services or Lisa’s amazing work. Lisa has been a deeply valued part of our hospitals for many years, and we are so grateful for the care, patience, and love she has shown to so many pets and families over time.
Ultimately, this decision came down to space and the growing needs of the medical side of our hospitals. As our veterinary services continue to expand, we have reached a point where we need to maximize the space we currently have available. Unfortunately, expanding our building is not an option, so we had to make difficult decisions about how to best utilize the space moving forward.
Lisa is currently exploring what her next chapter may look like, whether that be joining another grooming facility or potentially starting something of her own. While plans are not finalized yet, we absolutely hope to continue supporting and referring clients to Lisa wherever she lands, and we will gladly keep everyone updated as we know more.
We know this change may feel emotional for many clients and pets who have built relationships with Lisa over the years, and we truly appreciate your understanding and support during this transition.💛✂

05/27/2026

Understanding Vitamin C deficiency in guinea pigs!🍊

Like humans, guinea pigs are genetically unable to manufacture their own vitamin C. Guinea pigs cannot synthesize it, they rely entirely on their daily diet to prevent a painful and potentially fatal condition known as scurvy.

Vitamin C is essential for creating collagen, which builds healthy blood vessels, cartilage, teeth, and skin.

Clinical Signs & Symptoms:
🍊Vitamin C deficiency can cause noticeable symptoms in just two to three weeks.

🍊Coat and Skin Issues: A dull, rough, or unkempt hair coat, scabs, and delayed wound healing.
🍊Mobility Issues: Reluctance to move, swollen or painful joints, and "bunny hopping".
🍊Dental Pain: Bleeding gums, loose teeth, and difficulty eating, leading to significant weight loss.
🍊General: Lethargy, depression, diarrhea, and increased vocalization when handled.

If you suspect your guinea pig has a deficiency, a veterinarian will perform a physical exam and review your pet's diet and history.

05/25/2026

🇺🇸This Memorial Day, the team at Hopkinton Animal Hospital pauses to honor the courageous men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. We are deeply grateful for their bravery and sacrifice, which ensure our freedom.

As we gather with family and friends to celebrate this important day, we also want to ensure your beloved pets stay safe and secure. The long weekend can be hectic, so please keep these tips in mind:

-Secure Your Pets: With barbecues and parties, pets can easily become overwhelmed or run off. Ensure they have proper identification tags and that microchip information is current.

-Safe Dining: Keep picnic foods, especially onions, garlic, chocolate, and alcoholic beverages, out of reach. These can be toxic to pets.

-Beat the Heat: If celebrating outdoors, ensure your pets have constant access to shade and fresh water.

Wishing you a safe and reflective weekend,
The Team at Hopkinton Animal Hospital🇺🇸