Safety is Our First Priority

Going on vacation is supposed to be a relaxing experience, however, it can be nerve-racking when you need to leave your pet in the care of others.  So many thoughts run through our minds – is my pet getting fed on time, are they receiving enough attention, did they receive their medication, and what happens when my pet is left alone throughout the night?  Trust me, you’re not alone.

Entrusting your pet in the care of Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod gives you the peace of mind that your pet is cared for by dedicated resort staff members.  Does your pet take medications?  Whether they are oral or injectable medications, our staff of professionals will make sure your pet receives their medications on time.  If your pet is in need of veterinary attention, you can rest assure that he/she will be seen by one of our caring veterinarians immediately.  Our building is equipped with a custom sprinkler system powered by a brand new 8 inch water pipe directly from White’s Path!  Our generator is powerful enough to power the entire hospital in the event of an outage.  24-hour surveillance cameras covering our entire hospital, carbon monoxide detectors and alarm system ensure the safety of your pet when our staff members leave at night.    

Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod is proud to announce the opening of our fully renovated resort facility.  Dedicated resort staff make sure your pet is in comfortable, loving and safe hands.  Our intentionally low-volume resort is designed to put your pet’s care first and foremost by offering a state-of-the-art facility equipped with individually raised beds, supervised playtime in our secure outdoor play yard and plenty of sunlight from our large windows and skylights.  Our feline guests enjoy peace and quiet in luxurious multi-level cat condos furnished with spacious views of the outside world.

If your pet needs extra TLC while staying with us, we offer Pampered Pet Packages for both dogs and cats.  For an additional fee, dogs will receive the added benefit of additional outdoor playtime, a one-on-one leash walk with one of our resort staff members, a frosty paw treat in the evening and a complimentary bath in our hydraulic tub every sixth day.  Pampered cats enjoy one hour of playtime in our “cat only” exam room, access to multiple scratching posts and custom climbing areas, and dedicated one-on-one playtime with a staff member using laser pointers and other cat toys.  Owners of both pampered dogs and cats will appreciate a daily text update with a picture of their beloved pet!  Due to limited space, we highly encourage advanced appointments.  Speak to any of our client services team for additional information!

Tips on Caring for Your Buns

With MSPCA hosting a rabbit adoptathon at all locations on the 16^th and 17^th, we thought it’s all too fitting to give some helpful tips on how to properly care for your rabbit.  Rabbits are an excellent choice for a pet, but it’s important to be aware of their specific needs to ensure they are happy and healthy.

Before bringing your rabbit home, be sure that you have the proper housing for him!  Whether you choose to keep him indoors or outdoors, it is important to have a wire cage that has 50% of the floor covered with either Plexiglass or washable towels.  It’s vital that the wires of the cage floor and any other surface are kept clean to prevent illness or injuries to your furry friend.  Adequate shade and hiding spots are important for your rabbit as they are very sensitive to environmental changes.  All enclosures need suitable protection from wind, rain, snow and ice.  House training rabbits to use a litterbox is quite feasible and should be considered to give your rabbit extra time outside the cage!  Always supervise your rabbit when he is outside the cage and be cautious of any electrical wires that he could potentially chew.

Maintaining a healthy rabbit requires incorporating both hay and pellets into their diet.  Offering good-quality hay containing grass, alfalfa or clover is believed to reduce intestinal problems and decreases a rabbit’s tendency to pull out and chew on hair.  Pellets should be offered at all times unless overeating and obesity become problems.  “Salads” consisting of lettuce, spinach, alfalfa sprouts, carrot tops, beet greens and apples should be offered in small amounts – 2-3 times per week.  These “salads” should never exceed 20% of your rabbit’s overall diet due to their lack of nutrient density and many rabbits will develop a preference for these items over pellets.  If your rabbit stops eating or becomes lethargic, we recommend seeing a veterinarian immediately.  It is wise to establish a relationship with a veterinarian that is well-versed in the care of rabbits early on, thus confirming the wellness of your rabbit and ensuring you have someone to go to in the event your rabbit becomes ill.

The average life expectancy for a rabbit is 5-10 years, with some living as long as 15 years!  Providing proper housing, offering a well-rounded diet and developing a relationship with a trusted veterinarian will provide you many happy and healthy years with your new pet.  If you need help finding a veterinarian that will treat your rabbit, feel free to give us a call!  We have a veterinarian on staff that will gladly see your floppy-eared friend!