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 MoreAs the rains fall, we look forward to the spring flowers that will soon be blooming. While their bright colors remind us of warmer days coming, they may pose a hazard to our pets. There are a number of toxic spring flowers that are common in our yards this time of year. These include things like daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, lily of the valley, rhododendrons, and azaleas. Daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths are part of the same family and contain a chemical which can cause drooling, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, increased heart rate, abdominal cramping, abnormal breathing, or cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart beats or rhythm). The bulb contains the highest concentration of this chemical, but all parts of the plant contain some, so if your pet has ingested a daffodil, tulip, or hyacinth veterinary attention should be sought. Rhododendrons and azaleas are also from the same family. These plants contain a chemical that is toxic to muscles in the body. This leads to clinical signs such as drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, irregular heart rate and beat, low blood pressure, weakness, tremors, and depression. In severe cases it can lead to blindness (usually temporary), seizures, and coma. Prognosis is generally good with treatment, so if you see your pet ingest one of these […]
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.