Veterinary Wellness Blog
Don’t let a bum knee bum out your pet (Part I)
August 2, 2013In this first of two articles about knee injuries and issues, we will be talking about medial luxating patellas (MPLs), or in less medical speak, knee caps that pop out of place. This condition can be very common in smaller breed dogs, but can also occur in other pets and larger dogs. Often as a pet owner, the first sign of an issue that you may notice is that a pet may be running around and suddenly skips a step or starts running with only 3 legs, then a few steps later they may be back to running around like normal. Other times you don’t even notice and issue and the vet is the first to identify the problem. In severe cases, the knee cap may luxate out of position and remain out, causing discomfort and a lasting limp which may cause you to seek medical attention. The knee cap, or patella, usually sits in a groove on thigh bone or femur. In some dogs, this groove is not deep enough, and the forces of moving the leg cause the ligaments and patella to move out of the groove. About half of the dogs that have one leg affected will have both legs affected. There are 4 grades of MPLs based on their […]
Read PostHomegrown Hazards
July 2, 2013As July rolls around, many of us start to see fresh produce from our gardens. Who doesn’t enjoy some fresh greens, or watching the fruits of our labors start to ripen into the produce we will pick next month. While spending time in the garden is good for us, there are some hidden hazards to pets in there. Many plants in the garden may be potentially poisonous to your pet, and any plant if eaten in large enough amounts can cause issues such as obstructions. Most toxicities are mild and include gastrointestinal (GI) upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. However, a few of the ones listed below may be more serious. If your pet eats something out of your garden and you are not sure if it’s safe or not, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Please note that this list is not a complete list, just a few of the more common potentially hazardous plants seen in gardens. Tomatoes Tomatoes are a part of the nightshade family, which contains a number of toxic plants. Green tomatoes, leaves and stems, and flowers can all contain the toxin, though ripe tomatoes tend to have very little toxin left. Signs of toxicity can include GI upset, increased salivation (drooling), cardiac effects, and nervous system signs including […]
Read PostWanna go for a ride?
June 6, 2013Chances are, asking Fido if he wants to go for a ride will be greeted with enthusiastic running in circles, tail wagging, and barking. Most dogs enjoy spending time with their people, and there is something about a nose out the window that brings pure bliss to our canine companions. However, as the weather starts to get warmer, it may be safer to keep our pets at home instead of allowing them to come along for running errands. Numerous studies have shown that the temperature in a vehicle can climb significantly in as short as 10 minutes. Cars can become up to 40 degrees warmer than the weather outside, even with the windows cracked 1-2 inches. According to the ASPCA, on an 85° day it takes ONLY 10 minutes for car to reach 102° even with windows down 1-2 inches! Within 30 minutes it can reach 120°! Pets do not sweat the same way we do. They use panting as a way to cool themselves. Panting requires the evaporation of moisture to occur from the breath, which means the ability to cool is impeded on days where the humidity is high. Pets that get too warm can quickly go into shock and develop organ damage, which can be irreversible and possibly fatal. Signs that a […]
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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