Veterinary Wellness Blog
My Pet’s Tummy is Upset
March 6, 2014The pet’s GI, or gastrointestinal, tract, is a word used to describe the tube that takes food from the mouth, to the stomach, intestines, and colon. It may also include a number of organs that help with digestion of nutrients and removal of waste products, including the pancreas, liver, and kidneys, thyroid, and even the brain. Given that most of the body is included in this list, it shouldn’t be a surprise that when a pet becomes ill, one of the many signs we might see can include the GI tract, such as vomiting. Vomiting is a very common complaint in our pets. You might think it means that there is something wrong with the GI tract itself, which may be true, but issues in many of the other organs of the can also lead to vomiting. This is why we recommend an examination, take a thorough history of signs, appetite, exposure to other pets, toxins, foods, etc. and may recommend tests including blood work to look at organ function, for signs of infection or anemia, stool analysis to look at bacterial balance, and x-rays or ultrasound to look internally at the organs. Just to give you an idea of things that can cause vomiting in a pet, here is a list. It […]
Read PostForget the apple a day, have a pet to keep the doctor away!
February 4, 2014A recent study done in Australia found that kids that have a pet (specifically a guinea pig) in the classroom have better social skills and fewer problem behaviors. This study was particularly looking at classrooms that had Autistic children present. However, it has been found that animals can help a variety of human conditions and can be beneficial to your health overall. According to WebMD, there are many benefits to having pets. Pets can reduce allergies, asthma, and eczema. They can reduce anxiety in Alzheimer’s patients. They can increase exercise and companionship. They can decrease depression. They can decrease blood pressure and heart disease risks. They can help with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), autism, and ADHD. Dogs can also be trained to help people with diseases in a more specialized way-low blood sugar sensing dogs for diabetics, seizure sensing dogs for epileptics, seeing eye dogs for the blind, and cancer detecting canines. Can do canines, a local facility, helps place dogs with people with a wide range of disabilities. While not everyone needs a specially trained pet, there are many studies proving that pets can help improve your health and well being. So give your furry friend a hug and enjoy the release of endorphins you’ll receive!
Read PostWinter Weight Woes
January 3, 2014As winter continues on, pets’ waistlines can start to fill out. Lack of activity outdoors (lets face it, who wants to walk in negative 20 with 2 feet of snow?), shorter days leading to more sleeping, and a lower metabolism can all lead to weight gain in winter. There are ways to help prevent this however. Cut back on their food. Starting when the weather turns colder and you know activity will start to drop, cut back on food intake about 10%. Decrease treats as well, and avoid the temptation to share holiday foods with your pets. Increase activity indoors. If you have an area where your pet can play indoors, take advantage. Throw a ball down the hall or stairs and allow your pet to retrieve it. Use a laser pointer or cat toys on strings to encourage your pet to move around. Use feeder toys or puzzle toys. Feeder toys increase your pet’s mental activity to help combat long days of boredom from not being able to go outside. The pet has to work and move around to get the food to come out, so they burn calories while eating. This also will take longer than eating from a dish, giving the pet something to do other than lay around. Take […]
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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