Cats are intelligent animals who need stimulation throughout their day to prevent boredom. A bored cat is a naughty cat. If you have ensured your cat’s environment is enriched, but they are still demonstrating inappropriate behavior, have no fear. The team at Bolton Veterinary Hospital wants to share information about what causes these problems in [...]

You may think you understand all about heartworm disease after hearing our veterinary team recommend prevention for the umpteenth time. But many myths circulate about this deadly parasite. In fact, misconceptions may be partly to blame for more than 1,800 cases of heartworm disease diagnosed in Connecticut pets last year. At Bolton Vet, we diagnose [...]

Each year, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) works tirelessly to help veterinarians and pet owners address animal poisonings and exposures with their 24-hour poison control hotline. Additionally, they publish a yearly top 10 list of the most commonly reported pet toxicities. According to their [...]

There is nothing like the sensation of bringing home a new puppy. The warmth, the unbelievably soft fur, and—if you’re one to enjoy it—the puppy breath. That your little, roly poly bundle will quickly become a rambunctious teenager may seem impossible, but get ready. Training your new pup from the get-go is essential to raise [...]

Have you just adopted your first kitten, or maybe this is just the first cat you've had in a long time? There's a lot to plan for and educate yourself about, and this article will guide you through it. Where to Find a Kitten Haven't got your new kitty yet? Shelters and private rescue groups [...]

Have you ever considered the differences between dog food and cat food? Or the differences between what our pet’s ancestors would have eaten, and what we feed them today? There is no species to whom this matters more than our feline friends. Both dogs and cats prefer to eat predominantly meat, but a cat’s physiology [...]

Your pet’s happy-go-lucky nature makes it easy to forget that their anatomy is similar to yours, and equally complex. A disease that affects an organ can throw off your pet’s internal balance, or homeostasis. Your pet’s heart is a vital organ that pumps blood through their body, helps maintain blood pressure, and ensures oxygen delivery [...]

Prevention is Key A few fleas that make their way onto your pet can quickly escalate into a serious problem in your home. Without a comprehensive plan for flea control, owners can find themselves fighting a losing battle. A flea infested dog or cat can introduce hundreds of new flea eggs into the home each [...]

Arthritis management is best approached comprehensively, by managing pain, preventing further degeneration of joints, maintaining muscle mass, and assuring a pet's body weight is not making matters worse. Here are the key elements to consider... Weight loss. As arthritis develops and joints began to hurt, a dog may become became less able to exercise or [...]

While some vaccinations are considered “core” or required by law, many others are lifestyle-dependent, and certainly not all pets require every vaccine. On onehand we are fortunate that some of the most ominous diseases can be preventedwith something as simple as a vaccine, but of course there are some pets whose immune systems do not [...]