Annabessacook Veterinary Clinic

02/11/2026

01/25/2026

Due to the incoming storm, we will be closed tomorrow, Monday January 26,2026. If you have a small animal emergency, please contact PedMedic Urgent Care in Freeport, Maine Veterinary Medical Center in Scarborough, Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care in Portland or The Animal Emergency Clinic of Mid-Maine in Lewiston. For large animal emergencies, please call 207-933-6424 to reach the doctor on call.

01/11/2026

💙 Thank You to Finnegan, Our Mini Donkey Blood Donor! 💙

We have a critically anemic donkey at Annabessacook Veterinary Clinic who needed a blood transfusion urgently. Thanks to Finnegan, our generous mini donkey donor, we were able to act quickly and save a life.

📸 In this photo, Dr. Helmer is collecting blood from Finnegan to help another donkey in need.

We’re proud to be the only hospital in New England with goats, horses, and donkeys available as blood donors. Having this dedicated donor team lets us save more lives, faster.

Common causes of anemia:
In equids: blood loss, parasites, immune issues, chronic disease
In goats: parasites, blood loss, nutritional deficiencies

Thank you, Finnegan, and all our donors for helping us save lives every day! 🩸

12/24/2025

Here are some of our small animal crew all glamorous for Christmas. We all have our fingers and toes crossed that your furry friends stay on Santa's nice list!

12/22/2025

We are getting festive over here at annabessacook. Everyone else was doing the AI Christmas photos so we wanted a turn.
Sometimes it's hard to get glamorous when working with our furry friends.

More photos to come!!

12/19/2025

Next week our Small Animal department will have modified hours for the holiday to allow our staff to celebrate with each other and their families. Our hours will be as follows:
Monday (12/22) - 7A - 7P
Tuesday (12/23) - 7A - 12P
Wednesday (12/24) - 7A - 12P
Thursday (12/25) - Closed
Friday (12/26) - 7A - 5P
Saturday (12/27) - Closed.

12/16/2025

We are excited to share that we have been selected as the Best Animal Hospital in Kennebec County for 2025!

12/09/2025

There has been some confusion on where to park here at the clinic. We have a new designated employee only parking lot that is to the left of the building.
This has opened up the parking area in front of the arena to accommodate large animal clients and their trailers for more efficient parking.
Small animal clients should continue to use the parking area in front of the small animal office. Please do not block the horse shoe traffic flow between the entrance/exits to assure vehicles can pass through.

12/02/2025

Water remains as important for your horse in cold weather as it is in the summer. As a matter of fact, decreased water consumption in the winter is thought to be the primary inducing factor for impaction colic — although there are other predisposing factors such as poor hay quality, lack of exercise, internal parasites and dental problems.

Impaction colic is essentially constipation and most often includes the accumulation of hard, dry f***l material in the colon. The usual signs of impending impaction colic are depression, a decreased appetite, and decreased production and dryness of manure.

Studies demonstrate that you can increase your horse's winter water consumption if you provide access to heated water, but ONLY if that is the only source of water available. As always, if you have any questions about preventing colic in your horse, your equine veterinarian remains your best source of information!

12/02/2025

❄️🐾 First Snowstorm of the Season: Keep Your Pets Safe! 🐾❄️

The first big snowfall is here, and while it can be magical, it also brings new risks for our furry indoor friends. Here are some important winter safety tips to keep your pets happy and healthy during the storm:

🐶 Limit time outdoors – Pets can get frostbite on ears, paws, and tails quickly. Short, supervised outings are safest.

🐱 Wipe paws after walks – Snow, ice, and salt can irritate paw pads. Wipe them clean to prevent discomfort or accidental ingestion from licking.

🐾 Watch for ice melt products – Some de-icers are toxic. Use pet-safe ice melt at home and avoid letting your pet lick or eat snow near driveways and sidewalks.

❗ Bundle up – Short-haired dogs and seniors may need a cozy jacket for colder temps.

🏠 Provide a warm shelter – Bring outdoor pets inside during bitter weather. If that’s not possible, ensure they have a dry, insulated, draft-free shelter.

🚗 Check your car – Cats may hide under or even inside cars to stay warm. Knock on the hood before starting your engine.

🥶 Know the signs of hypothermia – Weakness, shivering, slowed breathing, or lethargy mean it’s time to get them inside and warm ASAP.

Enjoy the beauty of the first snow—but keep your pet’s safety a top priority!
Stay warm, stay safe, and give your pets some extra snuggles today. ❄️❤️🐾

— Your friends at Annabessacook Veterinary Clinic

Especially Dr. Houston’s photogenic model dog R***r and Dr. Helmer’s adventure Cat Carrot!