Have you ever seen a dog with a yellow ribbon tied to their leash? Do you know what this means? The yellow dog project is meant to provide awareness. Dogs with yellow ribbons or other yellow items tied to their leash are dogs that require a little more space. There are many reasons dogs may need extra space, and a yellow ribbon does not necessarily mean the pet is aggressive. Reasons a pet might need more space include: recovery from surgery or illness painful dogs dogs in season old and tired dogs that don’t want to be bothered scared dogs pets that are ill pets that are insecure pets that are fearful rescue or shelter dogs that have not fully been socialized puppies or other dogs in training dogs that are working It is important to give these dogs extra time to move out of your way, and while you should always ask before petting a strange dog, it is especially important to ask before interacting with these pets. The yellow dog project is not an excuse to be used instead of proper training, and it is not a waiver of responsibility. It should be used along with a professional trainer using positive reinforcement methods to help overcome any fears or socialization issues. […]
Read PostIt is that time of year again-we are seeing ticks already! Any time the weather is above freezing for more than a few days in a row, ticks can emerge and start to wreak havoc. Ticks can transmit a number of diseases including Lyme disease, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Babesia. These diseases can cause lameness, fever, lethargy, decrease in appetite, kidney disease, thrombocytopenia, (low platelets, the clotting cells), anemia (low red blood cells), or leukopenia (low white blood cell counts). Please see this previous blog regarding Lyme disease. Prevention is key for these diseases. Topical monthly flea and tick preventatives such as Parastar Plus or Frontline Plus are recommended. An alternative is Nexgard which is a monthly chewable preventative. There is a vaccine available for Lyme disease as well. Please discuss with your veterinarian if your pet is at risk and would benefit from this. Lyme disease is endemic in this area (meaning it is prevalent here-see the map of human cases tracked by the CDC). Thoroughly examining your pet after being outside, especially if in tall grasses or wooded areas can help find ticks before they attach as well. Most of the tick borne illnesses need the tick to be attached for at least 24 hours in order to transmit diseases. Catching them […]
Read PostThere are many choices available for pet food these days. A walk into a pet store or the pet food aisle can prove to be overwhelming, when really we just want to feed what is best for our pet. There are many myths about pet food and pet nutrition as well, which can make things even more confusing. Below I discuss a few of the more prevalent food myths. First of all, when looking at foods, there are a few things you should always look for. Somewhere on the packaging (usually in very tiny print on a side), there should be a statement which says the food has been tested to meet or formulated to meet AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control) standards. Most major brands available have this, and it means it has been tested or formulated to be nutritionally balanced and have the appropriate amounts of nutrients for your pet. The second thing you should always look at is to make sure that the food is approved for the appropriate pet and lifestage-for example, puppies should not be fed an adult food or senior food, they should be fed a food for puppies, growth, or all life stages. One of the first myths seen is that pets should be fed grain free […]
Read PostHeritage Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinarian clinic that provides examinations, diagnostic services, dental care, surgical services, medicine, grooming and boarding services in Maple Grove, Minnesota. We are dedicated to providing the highest level of pet care possible and facilitating an environment where client communication and education are at the forefront of our practice.
12624 Base Lake Road
Maple Grove, MN 55369
Mon-Fri: 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Sat: 7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.