Veterinary Wellness Blog
Oh no, pink pee!
December 3, 2014We tend to see an increase in blood in urine calls at this time of year. Mother Nature helps us out by blanketing the ground with snow which immediately raises a red flag when the snow doesn’t turn yellow but instead is red! There are many causes of blood in urine. Kidney disease, kidney stones, high blood pressure, or kidney infection can cause blood from the upper urinary tract. The lower urinary tract can have infections, polyps, tumors, bladder stones, or prostate or uterine disease. Cats can also have an inflammatory condition of the bladder that can cause blood in the urine (often called FIC-feline idiopathic cystitis or FLUTD-feline lower urinary tract disease). The first step in figuring out what is going on is usually to check a urinalysis, a test run on the urine. Depending on what is seen on this test and with the physical examination, further recommendations may be made. A chemistry profile looks at the kidney values further. A urine protein:creatinine ratio also further assesses kidney function. Radiographs (x-rays) or ultrasound may be used to look for bladder stones or bladder tumors and polyps. A urine culture and sensitivity may be performed to determine appropriate antibiotics. Hopefully with a little testing, we can find the cause of the bloody […]
Read PostNovember is National Diabetes Month
November 3, 2014A common disease seen in dogs and cats is diabetes mellitus, or diabetes. The pancreas is a L-shaped gland that sits next to the stomach and part of the small intestines called the duodenum. The pancreas is responsible for producing a number of digestive hormones, such as insulin and glucagon. Insulin is a hormone that helps digest sugar. It is like the “key” to unlock the blood cells, allowing sugar to be used as energy. Diabetes is the lack of or underproduction of insulin. Without insulin, the sugar keeps circulating in the blood stream but is not available for use as energy, and therefore the body turns to fat stores and even muscles to fuel itself, which can lead to dangerous byproducts called ketones building up in the blood stream. Also, the body is essentially in starvation mode at this point, as all of the food that is being eaten is unable to be used as energy, so the body is breaking down its reserves. Signs that your pet may have diabetes include weight loss, usually despite a good to increased appetite, increased thirst, and increased urinations. Since these symptoms can also be seen with other serious diseases such as kidney disease or thyroid disorders amongst others, if your pet is exhibiting any […]
Read PostHow to have a Happy Howl-o-ween!
October 3, 2014Halloween is supposed to be a fun time for family, but can present some safety concerns for our furry friends. Follow the below tips to make sure your pets are safe this holiday season! Make sure all pets have identification on. Permanent identification such as a microchip is better than a collar, which could get lost. Keep wires and cords for lights and decorations safely out of reach. Carving pumpkins can be great fun, but skip the candles. Pets can be curious or accidentally knock over the pumpkins which could cause them to get burned or cause damage. On the subject of pumpkins, pumpkins and corn are not toxic, but ingesting them can lead to obstructions, so keep pets out of outdoor decorations. Candy such as chocolate or sugar free candies can be toxic to pets, so keep out of their reach. Outdoor cats should be kept inside for a few days before and after Halloween due to the high traffic. Indoor pets and pets in yard should be kept away from doors and gates which could be opened by visitors allowing them to get out and even lost. Unless you know your pet does very well with strange people, people in costumes, and other pets, it might be better for them to […]
Read PostProviding the best possible veterinary care for your pet.
Heritage 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.
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