Veterinary Wellness Blog
Time for Ticks
April 2, 2018Despite the April’s Fools trick Mother Nature played on us, April usually means the start of tick season here in Minnesota. We recommend a variety of monthly preventatives based on your pet’s lifestyle, as well as the Lyme vaccination. But what happens when one of those buggers still gets through our best defenses? Every time your pet goes out in tall grasses or wooded areas, a thorough search for ticks should be done as soon as you get home. Feel through the coat, making sure to check near face and ears, neck, armpits, groin, and even between toes as well as everywhere else. If the tick is not yet attached, removal is much easier and this prevents disease transmission. If you find what you think are ticks, please ensure that it is a tick! Ticks can be black, brown, tan, or gray and should have 8 legs. Be sure you aren’t trying to remove a skin tag, nipple, or other growth; your dog won’t appreciate that! Ticks can be as small as the head of a pin, but when engorged can be up to the size of a dime or larger! If you find a tick, you can try to remove it at home. Gloves are recommended as ticks can carry disease. A […]
Read PostEverybody’s Irish?
March 1, 2018As March arrives, this means St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. On this one day, “everyone is Irish”. Is this true for dogs too? Some dogs, such as the Irish Wolfhound and the Irish Setter, clearly have an Irish background. Other dogs clearly don’t, such as the Belgian Malinois, Portuguese Water Dog, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, English Springer Spaniel or English Cocker Spaniel. So where do the top 10 dogs in the United States (as noted by the AKC) come from? Labrador Retriever: The modern lab likely originated in Canada, in Newfoundland and Labrador. They were transported back to England, and were used by fisherman to help swim ropes ashore. German Shepherd Dog: As the name suggests, German Shepherds originate in Germany. Originally GSDs were bred to herd sheep, but their intelligence and trainability have lead to other roles in military and police work as well as assistance type jobs. Golden Retriever: The golden retriever can trace it’s roots back to Scotland. They may have some ties to Russian herding dogs, but have mainly been bred to be gun dogs. However, they too are easily trainable and have found jobs as assistance pets, drug and bomb sniffing dogs, and as search and rescue dogs. Bulldog: Bulldogs originate in England. They […]
Read PostResponsible Pet Ownership
February 1, 2018February is National Responsible Pet Owners Month. Pets are a joy to own, but they are also a commitment. Dogs and cats can live 10-20 years, and some pets such as birds can live even longer. They depend upon us fully to care for them, but in return they give us unconditional love. So what are some ways to be a responsible pet owner? Spay or neuter your pet. Unfortunately in the U.S., there is an overpopulation of companion animals, with many dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, and other pets living in shelters and rescues. Spaying and neutering helps prevent further overpopulation, and has some health benefits as well. Get pets from reputable sources. On a similar note, when looking to add to your family, consider rescues and shelters. There are many pure bred rescues if you want a pure bred, and mixed breed animals often have the benefit of fewer health issues. Go to the vet annually. While your pet may not require yearly vaccinations, the physical examination is the most important part of your visit. Pets are very good at hiding pain and problems, and going to the vet regularly may help catch issues earlier, when they are easier to prevent or treat. Microchip or otherwise identify your pet. Tags with phone […]
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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