Every December many of us start to think of the coming year and we often make resolutions for things we are going to do differently or try to achieve in the coming months. This year, why not set a resolution for your pet or for both of you? In America, 54% of dogs and 58% of cats are classified as overweight or obese. So while you may make a resolution to lose weight yourself, why not include the household pets as well? Start by using an actual measuring cup instead of “eyeballing” amounts of food, look for lower calorie foods and treats, limit overall treat intake, and try meal feeding instead of leaving food out all the time. Contact us to learn more about how to formulate a safe weight loss plan for your pet. We can recommend diets and calculate the amount of food you should be feeding. Another part of weight loss is getting more active. Things you can do with your dog to help get more activity for both of you include walking, jogging, running, hiking, and skijoring. If one or both of you is a bit out of shape or just is not used to a lot of exercise, a slow build up to activity is recommended, as pets […]
Learn MoreA common disease seen in dogs and cats is diabetes mellitus, or diabetes. The pancreas is a L-shaped gland that sits next to the stomach and part of the small intestines called the duodenum. The pancreas is responsible for producing a number of digestive hormones, such as insulin and glucagon. Insulin is a hormone that helps digest sugar. It is like the “key” to unlock the blood cells, allowing sugar to be used as energy. Diabetes is the lack of or underproduction of insulin. Without insulin, the sugar keeps circulating in the blood stream but is not available for use as energy, and therefore the body turns to fat stores and even muscles to fuel itself, which can lead to dangerous byproducts called ketones building up in the blood stream. Also, the body is essentially in starvation mode at this point, as all of the food that is being eaten is unable to be used as energy, so the body is breaking down its reserves. Signs that your pet may have diabetes include weight loss, usually despite a good to increased appetite, increased thirst, and increased urinations. Since these symptoms can also be seen with other serious diseases such as kidney disease or thyroid disorders amongst others, if your pet is exhibiting any […]
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.