Foster Hospital for Small Animals at Tufts University

10/30/2025

“The death of a pet is a blow to the heart.”
Grieving a pet is a different kind of ache — one that can be more intense than losing a friend or relative. Eric Richman, licensed counselor at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, shares why in a Washington Post feature:

Read the full article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2025/10/29/grieving-dog-pet-memorials/

[📸: Jeff Poole, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine]

10/29/2025

Dr. Caroline Griffin has joined the internal medicine team at Cummings School's Hospital for Large Animals.




Read more: https://vet.tufts.edu/news-events/news/welcome-dr-caroline-griffin

[📸: Jeff Poole, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine]

10/27/2025

Ever wondered why your cat behaves a certain way? Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Stephanie Borns-Weil lends her expertise to pet owner questions in The Boston Globe’s new “Ask the Vet” column.

"Changes in a cat’s environment, such as the departure of family members, can destabilize the relationship between cats and increase social stress in a household, causing some cats to become anxious, depressed, and irritable."

Read more: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/21/metro/ask-vet-why-does-our-goldendoodle-go-nuts-when-my-wife-i-hug/ (subscription required)

[📸: Jeff Poole, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine]

10/24/2025

"The 2024-2025 Cummings School Review is filled with the many accomplishments of our students, staff, and faculty, illustrating our commitment to advancing animal and human health in a changing world."
Alastair Cribb, D.V.M., Ph.D., FCAHS
Dean

Read more: https://issuu.com/tuftsvet/docs/cummings_school_review_2025

[📸: Jeff Poole, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine]

10/23/2025

To better understand allergies in pets, Cummings School expert, veterinary dermatologist Dr. Ramón Almela, tackles owner questions in The Boston Globe's first “Ask the Vet” column.

“Nearly 30 percent of dogs are diagnosed with allergies, and numbers are increasing. Skin allergies in our pets include environmental, food-based, and allergies to skin parasites such as fleas. Food allergies are less common than environmental allergies, and the recommendation from the International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals is to rule them out after a standardized diet trial. There is no specific test to diagnose allergies. The diagnosis is based on history and clinical findings that rule out other itchy conditions.”

Read more: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/21/metro/ask-vet-why-does-our-goldendoodle-go-nuts-when-my-wife-i-hug/ (subscription required)

[📸: Jeff Poole, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine]

10/22/2025

Congratulations Dr. Freeman!

Why do some dogs develop heart disease linked to their diet? Dr. Lisa Freeman’s groundbreaking research helps answer that question.

Her team discovered markers of abnormal metabolism of fatty molecules - known as phospholipids - in the urine of dogs eating certain diets, providing new possibilities for identifying the cause of diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This discovery and their ongoing research could help to improve detection, prevention, and more precise medical and nutritional treatment for dogs with this disease.

It’s an important step toward protecting canine hearts through evidence-based nutrition.

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University

10/22/2025

This parakeet was found on October 21 in Medford, MA. The local animal control officer has been notified.

If you think you are the owner of this bird, please email foundanimals@tufts.edu with any information.

Please note that the purpose of this post is to reunite lost pets with their owners and not intended for adoption inquiries. We will not be able to answer questions via this Facebook post or respond to e-mail or phone inquiries regarding adoption. Thank you for caring.

10/21/2025

Former Massachusetts Juvenile Court Chief Justice Martha Grace, VG11 (MAPP), spent her retirement advocating for animals.

“Martha had always been interested in veterinary medicine, and she saw this as the most practical way of getting into the world of helping animals. In her post-MAPP years, Martha made huge impacts on the legal profession in the protection of animals in domestic violence situations. It was really amazing.”
Allen Rutberg, Ph.D., director of Tufts Center for Animals and Public Policy

Read more: https://vet.tufts.edu/news-events/news/legacy-mapp-alum-and-instructor-judge-martha-p-grace-vg11

[📸: Virginia Shugrue]

10/21/2025

It was a beautiful day for the annual Scaredy Cat K95K at Cummings School this past weekend. Hosted jointly by the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association and Tufts Student American Veterinary Medical Association the event welcomed runners, walkers, and pets all decked out in their costumes.

[📸: Jeff Poole, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine]

10/20/2025

This cat was found on October 19 in a parking lot on Worcester Street in North Grafton, MA. The local animal control officer has been notified.

If you think you are the owner of this cat, please email foundanimals@tufts.edu with any information.

Please note that the purpose of this post is to reunite lost pets with their owners and not intended for adoption inquiries. We will not be able to answer questions via this Facebook post or respond to e-mail or phone inquiries regarding adoption. Thank you for caring.

10/18/2025

Why is your cat waking you up in the morning? Our experts weigh in.


Learn more: https://vet.tufts.edu/news-events/news/why-does-my-cat-wake-me-morning

[📸: iStock/Tatyana Kalmatsuy]

10/17/2025

The veterinary technicians in our 6 teaching clinics and hospitals are the backbone of our clinical services and crucial members of your care team - thank you.


"I always appreciate how the entire staff does their best to make each visit a good experience."

[📸: Jeff Poole, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine]