Veterinary Wellness Blog
April showers bring May flowers, fleas, and ticks!
April 2, 2013Fleas and ticks are external parasites that can cause a variety of health issues for our pets. Fleas can cause general annoyance from itching, while heavier infestations can cause an anemia (low red blood cell count) which may be fatal to young or small pets. Fleas can also carry diseases such as the plague, cat scratch fever, and can transmit tapeworms. Pets can also become allergic to fleas, which can lead to secondary skin issues. Ticks can carry diseases that are much more severe in nature. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection carried by ticks. Ehrlichia is a white blood cell parasite. Anaplasma is a platelet (clotting cell) parasite. Babesia is a red blood cell parasite in dogs, and Hepatozoonosis is a white blood cell parasite in dogs. Cytauxzoonosis is a red blood cell parasite in cats. These many different diseases carried by ticks can cause a variety of signs in our pets. Polyarthritis (pain in multiple joints) which can present as reluctance to move, difficulty getting up and down stairs, on and off furniture, or standing or laying down, swollen lymph nodes, decreased appetite, dehydration, fever, weakness, muscle loss or wasting, and generalized pain or increased sensitivity are a few of the symptoms. More include hypothermia, difficulty breathing, edema (buildup of fluids), weight […]
Read PostSnug as a bug, in your pet?
March 3, 2013Even though the weather is still cold, internal parasites may be snug as a bug inside your pet! One intestinal parasite can produce 100,000 eggs per day, which are passed in the pets’ feces and into your yard, where they can remain infective and pose a threat to your pet and even you for years to come. A zoonotic disease is one that can be transmitted between animals and humans. Some of the intestinal parasites found in our pets are zoonotic, and can cause some potentially irreversible damage in humans. There are a number of intestinal parasites that can infect our pets. Roundworms are an intestinal parasite that are zoonotic. In humans, the worm larvae can travel through areas where they are not meant to, including internal organs such as your liver, which is called visceral larval migrans, or through the retina in your eye, which can lead to blindness, and is called ocular larval migrans. Tapeworms are another zoonotic parasite. Hookworms are also zoonotic, and can be picked up through the skin (so don’t walk around barefoot!). Hookworms cause something called cutaneous larval migrans, which is a red rash where the worm is traveling through the skin. Whipworms and coccidia are two parasites that are not zoonotic. Giardia and cryptosporidium are two […]
Read PostMy what GREAT teeth you have!
February 4, 2013February is national pet dental health month. 85% of pets over the age of 2 years have periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a disease of the gums and structures that support the teeth. It begins with the plaque that builds up on teeth after each meal, which mixes with the bacteria in the mouth, and hardens to form tartar. Over time, the tartar, plaque, and bacteria irritate the gums and cause painful inflammation. This inflammation causes pockets to form between the teeth and gums, where additional bacteria and tartar can hide. This leads to gum recession, which then leads to bone loss. Bone loss can lead to tooth loss or abscesses (infection). Gum recession and bone loss are irreversible once they occur. Cats have a couple of special dental diseases in addition to tartar accumulation. One of these is called resorptive lesions. It is estimated that in addition to periodontal disease, more than 50% of cats over the age of 3 have tooth resorption. These are similar to cavities, but are not caused by bacteria. The enamel of the tooth is eaten away and the nerve becomes exposed and painful. Often if we see one of these during an exam it is not uncommon to find more when we have the pet under anesthesia […]
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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