Cancer is a disease that touches many of our lives. Unfortunately, our four legged furry friends are not immune to it either. According to www.petcancerawareness.org, about 1 in 4 dogs will develop cancer in it’s lifetime, and being the number 1 natural cause of death in older pets, about 50% of dogs over the age of 10 will die of cancer. Just like in humans, early detection is key. Symptoms of cancer can vary widely, as cancer can affect almost any system or area of the body. Things such as vomiting, diarrhea, straining to defecate, weight loss, swelling or weight gain, non-healing sores, pale gums, limping, weakness, lethargy, lumps or bumps, bleeding, or coughing could all indicate a tumor. It should be noted that many of these signs are very non specific however and may indicate many other illness or issues as well. For this reason, we recommend yearly to semi-annual examinations in all pets, regardless of whether they are “due for shots”. A yearly to twice yearly exam allows us to look in your pet’s mouth, feel the skin and subcutaneous layers for masses, check lymph node size, weigh your pet, perform a rectal examination, and palpate the abdomen for internal changes. We also recommend yearly to semi-annual bloodwork. Lab tests can […]
Learn MoreAs 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, […]
Learn MoreHeritage 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.
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.