February makes us all think of hearts, but probably not in the way we think of hearts. The heart is the pump for the body, circulating oxygen rich blood from the lungs to the body, and returning the blood to the lungs. One of the more common heart issues that we see with pets is a heart murmur. Heart murmurs are a noise that is heard while listening to the heart with a stethoscope. Murmurs indicate that blood flow is not smoothly following the normal path. Heart murmurs are graded in intensity from grade 1 to 6, with grade 1 being very soft, and grade 6 being very loud. This is not necessarily an indication of severity, and this number may vary slightly depending on who is doing the listening. Heart murmurs may be found in pets that are not showing any signs of heart disease. Symptoms of heart disease can include weakness, exercise intolerance, or coughing. The most common cause of a heart murmur is a valve that is leaking. There are other congenital or genetic issues which can cause murmurs however. When we first hear a murmur, we will likely recommend a series of tests to find the cause. Chest x-rays or radiographs will help look at the overall size and […]
Learn MoreChances are, asking Fido if he wants to go for a ride will be greeted with enthusiastic running in circles, tail wagging, and barking. Most dogs enjoy spending time with their people, and there is something about a nose out the window that brings pure bliss to our canine companions. However, as the weather starts to get warmer, it may be safer to keep our pets at home instead of allowing them to come along for running errands. Numerous studies have shown that the temperature in a vehicle can climb significantly in as short as 10 minutes. Cars can become up to 40 degrees warmer than the weather outside, even with the windows cracked 1-2 inches. According to the ASPCA, on an 85° day it takes ONLY 10 minutes for car to reach 102° even with windows down 1-2 inches! Within 30 minutes it can reach 120°! Pets do not sweat the same way we do. They use panting as a way to cool themselves. Panting requires the evaporation of moisture to occur from the breath, which means the ability to cool is impeded on days where the humidity is high. Pets that get too warm can quickly go into shock and develop organ damage, which can be irreversible and possibly fatal. Signs that a […]
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.