As spring (finally) rolls around, we start to think of bugs. In Minnesota, this includes the unofficial “state bird”, the mosquito. Mosquitoes carry and transmit deadly heartworm disease. To prevent this potentially fatal disease, we recommend monthly heartworm preventative medication. There are many heartworm preventatives on the market today, but do you know what you’re getting? Some medications contain substances which can be toxic to cats in the household. Others are cheaper but don’t protect as well. Some even have been proven to be ineffective against resistant strains of heartworm disease. For a variety of reasons, we recommend Sentinel Spectrum as our monthly heartworm preventative. Sentinel Spectrum is very similar to the Sentinel tablets we have been recommending for years. It prevents against heartworm disease, but also has deworming medication effective against roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. This is important because these intestinal parasites can cause disease in pets and some can even be transmitted to humans. Sentinel and Sentinel Spectrum also have an ingredient that is effective against fleas. Lastly, Sentinel Spectrum has an additional ingredient that works against tapeworms. Tapeworms are transmitted via fleas or from rodents or wildlife (squirrels, rabbits, etc.). Tapeworms are difficult for the veterinary community to find on routine stool sample checks, and when not found can continue […]
Learn MoreHeartworm disease is a common illness here in Minnesota. It is carried by mosquitoes, and spread when an infected mosquito bites your pet. As the worms mature, they can block the blood vessels of the heart and lungs, causing both circulatory and respiratory disease such as difficulty breathing, exercise intolerance, asthma like symptoms, blood clots, anemia, heart murmurs, irregular heart beats, high blood pressure, and thickening of heart muscles (hypertrophy). Infection can also cause protein loss through the kidneys, which over time can damage the kidneys. Lastly, it can be fatal. Treatment of heartworm disease involves a series of shots which are derived from arsenic. There is a lot of follow up and cost involved-multiple chest x-rays, medications to help prevent reactions to the arsenic and dying worms and anaphylactic shock, hospitalization, and follow up testing. Pets must be kept confined to a cage just large enough for the dog to stand, turn around, and lie down in for a couple of weeks. This to help prevent the pet from having a blood clot or piece of dying worm getting stuck in a blood vessel in the lungs, called a pulmonary thromboembolism or PTE. PTE can cause difficulty breathing and even death. Cats and ferrets cannot tolerate the arsenic compound used to treat heartworms, and […]
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.