Veterinary Wellness Blog
Another New Year, Another Year Older
January 2, 2013As January rolls in, we find ourselves and our pets becoming another year older. Did you know that your pet ages more rapidly than we do, and can be affected by some of the same age related diseases? Dogs over 50 pounds are considered seniors after the age of 5, and dogs under 50 pounds and cats are considered seniors after the age of 7. Since they age quicker, we recommend yearly to twice a year blood work and examinations to help us detect health issues early. There are a number of tests we may recommend based on your pet’s age, symptoms, and health status. These include a variety of blood tests such as a complete blood count, chemistry panel, and thyroid tests, a urine test, or other tests as necessary. A complete blood count, or CBC, is a blood test that looks at the number, size, shape, and color of the red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets or clotting cells, and the amount of protein in the blood. This test can help alert us to problems such as anemia, infections, clotting disorders, dehydration, blood parasites, or even cancer. A chemistry profile is another blood test. It looks at liver and kidney values to help alert us to problems such as liver disease, kidney disease, […]
Read PostHow to Keep the Holidays Happy (and pets safe)
December 2, 2012The holidays are supposed to be a joyful time, and we here at Heritage Animal Hospital would like to help you keep it that way. There are a number of items that can be found this time of year that can be harmful to your pets. Items ranging from chocolate, alcohol, macadamia nuts, scented candles, tinsel and ribbons, antifreeze, and a number of plants can all pose threats to animals. If you feel your pet may have gotten into any of these items, or is showing any of the signs listed below, please contact a veterinarian immediately. Chocolate can be toxic to animals if it is eaten. Signs of ingestion can include vomiting and diarrhea, increased urination, increased activity, and racing heartbeat. Cookies and candies are a common source of chocolate, as are drinks such as hot cocoa. Alcohol is toxic to animals, usually in smaller amounts than people would think. Signs of intoxication include drowsiness, an ataxic walk (meaning un-coordinated, like a drunk person) and can progress to coma and respiratory rate depression, which can cause death. The signs of antifreeze ingestion mimic alcohol intoxication, and are rapidly fatal, so if your pet is showing these signs, please do not hesitate to contact us. Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs. Common in cookies […]
Read PostNovember Nutrition: What food should I feed my pet?
November 2, 2012As November begins, many of us start thinking of our delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings. As thoughts of cranberries and stuffing fill our minds, I urge you to think of the meals we give our pets every day. Here at Heritage Animal Hospital, we offer a variety of prescription diets and wellness diets for all of your pets’ needs. Our veterinary therapeutic diets include Hill’s®, Purina®, and Royal Canin® products. They are available for a variety of health issues including weight loss and management, diabetes, kidney disease, gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting or diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, food sensitivities or allergies, liver disease, urinary tract disease, joint disease, and dental disease amongst others. For our healthy pets, we offer Purina Pro Plan® foods and Solid Gold® foods for all lifestages including puppy/kitten, adult, and senior. There are a number of reasons we at Heritage Animal Hospital recommend Solid Gold® Foods. Solid Gold® was one of the first pet food companies in the United States that uses all natural ingredients in their food. Solid Gold® is a holistic food that uses premium ingredients and none of the foods contain artificial preservatives. Solid Gold® does include ingredients such as quality protein sources for muscular health, whole grain for fiber, fruits and vegetables for cell […]
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.
Categories
Schedule an
Appointment Today!
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.