Rockingham Emergency Veterinary Hospital

09/28/2026

Every year on September 28th, the global community comes together to raise awareness about rabies elimination! This year’s World Rabies Day theme, “Stronger Together,” highlights a simple truth: rabies elimination is only possible when we work together.

September 28 marks the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur, the French chemist and microbiologist who developed the first successful rabies vaccine in 1885.

Rabies is virtually 100% fatal BUT also nearly 100% preventable with vaccination.

The Rabies Alliance website has some very valuable information! https://rabiesalliance.org

It is important for all pets to be up to date on their rabies vaccinations! Please reach out to your veterinarian if you have any questions regarding your pet’s vaccinations.

09/26/2026

Today is international rabbit day! Did you know that REVH can treat rabbits if anything were to happen? While we never wish for that to be the case, please know we are here if you need us.

Here are a few fun facts about rabbits!

Rabbits as house companions - Domesticated rabbits are intelligent, social pets that require specialized indoor and outdoor housing and gentle care. To successfully house a domesticated
rabbit indoors, it is important to provide a spacious enclosure and secure bunny-proofing.

For a "home base" you want to avoid traditional wire cages as they are to restrictive and can lead to muscle weakness. You want to make sure to at least offer 8-12 square feet of living space. It is also recommended to have the wall height to be around 30 inches to help prevent adventurous bunnies from jumping out. With that being said, it is important to allow your bunny time to roam outside of the cage. Why is this important? When a rabbit roams around a larger space it helps to maintain their cardiovascular health.

We would love to see some of your best rabbit pictures in the comments!

From all of us at REVH, please give your rabbits a few extra vegetables, fresh hay, pets and free roam time.

09/25/2026

Last week a few of our technicians traveled to Savannah Georgia for the annual International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium (IVECCS). They were able to obtain CEs for the year and bring back some very valuable knowledge. Thank you IVECCS for another valuable symposium!

09/22/2026

09/20/2026

Through 2026 we have seen an increase in Leptospirosis cases come through emergency rooms and general practice in our area. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease cause by bacteria.

How do our pets become infected? Water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals spreads the bacteria though contact or ingestion. The bacteria can enter the body through broken or scratched skin, through mucous membranes (eyes, nose or mouth), by drinking contaminated water, or by direct contact with an infected animal, such as a bite wound. Leptospirosis has become more common in domestic dogs due to exposure to areas contaminate by urban wildlife. It is rarely passed dog to dog. Cats are typically less vulnerable to Leptospirosis, and, if infected, contact with diseased rodents is the most likely cause of infection.

Signs of Leptospirosis in dogs:
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Appetite Loss
- Diarrhea
- Urination Changes
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Joint and/or muscle pain
- Eye and nasal discharge
- Vomiting

How do we test for Leptospirosis and what is the treatment?
- Your veterinarian may screen for leptospirosis by running blood and urine tests.
- Early treatment is recommended. Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics such as medication from the penicillin family. Your veterinarian many also recommend fluids to precent dehydration and medications to help prevent vomiting and gastrointestinal issues.

What is the prognosis if Leptospirosis is contracted?
- Dogs treated early with appropriate antibiotics and fluid therapy generally have a good prognosis. Without early intervention, the illness can progress, and possible complications include kidney or respiratory disease.

How to hep prevent Leptospirosis?
- One of the biggest ways to help prevent infection is to not allow your dog to drink from standing water or sharing a drinking bowl with an infected animal. You also want to make sure that you dog does not consume soil. We all know dogs like to dig, but it is important to watch them and make sure they are not consuming anything.

If you become concerned that your dog is showing symptoms listed above we strongly recommend contacting your vet or REVH.

09/19/2026

Please join us in wishing Dr. Volinski a very happy birthday!

09/18/2026

September is su***de prevention month. Every year more than 40,000 Americans lose their lives to su***de. Veterinarians are amongst the professions with the highest su***de rates every year. If anyone is having these thoughts, please know there are resources for help, you are not alone. You may not always know what someone is experiencing. A check-in, a listening ear, a number shared at the right moment, can make a real difference. You can call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support 24/7. Please know you are seen, heard, and loved.

09/17/2026

Happy national fox day!
Please consider giving Finnegan’s story a read! He sure is a handsome boy!

A few fun fox facts!

- Both Red and Gray fox are native to NH!

- The Red Fox: Highly abundant and found throughout the entire state. They adapt exceptionally well to human presence, meaning they are frequently spotted navigating suburban openings, hayfields, and farm edges from Milford up to the White Mountains. Red foxes are slightly larger and leaner than gray foxes and are easily identified by their bright white-tipped tails.

- The Gray Fox: Far less common and primarily restricted to southern New Hampshire (such as Hillsborough, Rockingham, and Cheshire counties). They are rarely ever recorded in northern regions like Coos County. Unlike red foxes, gray foxes have semi-retractable claws that allow them to climb trees to escape predators like coyotes.

- Magnetic Hunting: Researchers found that red foxes use the Earth's magnetic field to judge distance and direction when pouncing on prey hidden in deep snow or tall grass, typically facing northeast or north before making their leap.Incredible Hearing: A red fox can rotate its ears nearly 180 degrees and hear a watch ticking from dozens of yards away.

- Cat-Like Eyes: Unlike most dogs, foxes have vertical pupils similar to cats, which enhance their low-light night vision.

- Whiskers on Legs: Beyond their face, foxes have sensitive whiskers on the backs of their legs to help navigate dark underground burrows.

We would love to see any Fox pictures you may have!

Happy Fox Appreciation Day! We are appreciating all of our foxes, but today is Finnegan’s day. It’s his Gotcha Day.

Read his story here. 🦊❤️

https://www.unionleader.com/news/animals/fox-spared-death-after-intervention-of-activists-and-gov-sununu/article_157a85c6-f0bc-51ec-9ec9-9e06fd9497cc.html