Veterinary Wellness Blog
Obesity as an Epidemic
August 3, 2012As the calendars turn to August, one thought enters my mind-food on a stick! August brings the state fair, and while I know a deep fried candy bar on a stick is not healthy for me, as an occasional, once a year treat, it is okay to indulge. While many people realize watching what we eat is important for a number of health reasons, these same people may not realize watching what our pets eat is just as important. You may think an extra pound or two can’t hurt that much, but a pound is not just a pound. While two or three additional pounds may have very little effect on you or me, they can be quite serious for your pet. Three extra pounds on a 15 pound dog is equivalent to a 150 pound person gaining 30 extra pounds, and 3 extra pounds on a 10 pound cat is equal to 45 extra pounds on a 150 pound person! Obesity and overweightness is the #1 health condition affecting American pets today. Purina estimates that 58% of cats and 45% of dogs are overweight or obese. This equals 35 million dogs and 54 million cats! This is a serious epidemic as being overweight has been linked with a higher incidence of a number […]
Read PostCat Questions
July 17, 2012Dr. Silverstein was recently interviewed in The Senior Scene, a publication put out quarterly for Maple Grove senior citizens. In it he answered many commonly asked questions regarding cats and their health. Please check out the current newsletter (pdf link for The Senior Scene quarterly newsletter is located about half way down page). After September 2012, a copy of the old newsletter can be found here Dr. Silverstein’s article is located on pages 5-6. For more information regarding common feline diseases, please see our website. We would be happy to discuss your cat’s health with you whether it be prevention, diagnosing, or treating, so give us a call today!
Read PostSpaying and Neutering-What is it and Why do it?
July 3, 2012A neuter, or castration, is a surgical procedure in male pets where both testicles are removed. A spay, or ovariohysterectomy (OHE), is a surgical procedure in female pets where both ovaries and the uterus are removed. There are many benefits to having your pet spayed or neutered including both health and behavior benefits. These include: Neutered and spayed pets are less territorial and are less likely to roam. Research indicates that 80% of dogs hit by cars are non-neutered males. Spayed females typically stay healthier and live longer. They have a lower incidence of mammary tumors (breast cancer) and no uterine or ovarian cancers. Neutered pets can’t develop testicular tumors, which are the second most common cancer in males, and they also have a lower incidence of prostate cancer. Dogs spayed before their first heat cycle have a less than 1% risk of developing mammary tumors, dogs spayed after 1 heat cycle have an 8% risk (or about 1 in 10 will develop a tumor), and dogs spayed after 2 heat cycles have a 26% risk of developing mammary tumors (or about 1 in 4). Unspayed females have a 7 times higher risk of developing mammary tumors than their spayed counterparts. Mammary tumors are the most common tumors in female dogs, and are […]
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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