Brrrr! Minnesota can get very cold. The record for the coldest temperature in the state is sixty degrees below zero. While most pet owners are aware of how to protect their pets from warm weather dangers like hot cars and heatstroke, cold weather pet dangers aren’t as well known. Here are a few questions pet owners should ask themselves as the temperature drops and winter marches on. 1. Do
read moreWhy did I become an ER vet? To put it simply, I can’t imagine doing anything else. Since I graduated from veterinary school, emergency and critical care work is all I’ve done. It’s an extremely fulfilling line of work. Obviously, I love animals or else I wouldn’t have pursued a career in veterinary medicine. Aside from working with animals, I prefer a profession with overnight shifts that keeps me
read moreThat’s a wrap on 2019! For many, the end of the year is a time to reflect. So we decided to look back on Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota’s blog from the past year and compile a list of our top ten blog articles of 2019. Without further ado, here’s our list: 10. Asthma in Pets Written by Beth Bruns, DVM Dr. Bruns, one of our emergency
read moreBy now, many of you have likely heard about the risk of heart disease in dogs eating “BEG” diets – boutique diets from small companies, diets with exotic ingredients, and/or grain-free diets. In July 2018, the FDA announced that they were launching an investigation into the link between these nontraditional canine diets and dilated cardiomyopathy. They published an update on Thursday, June 27, 2019, which can be found here:
read moreHappy Hanukkah! The holiday season is a busy time in the pet ER. From the décor to the gifts to the food, there are a lot of potential dangers to our pets. Below are seven tips on how to keep your pets safe this Hanukkah. 1. Menorahs While it’s fun to include your pets in many family traditions, this isn’t one of them. Pets should be kept in a
read moreThanksgiving is a special holiday that brings family and friends together. But this holiday can be very dangerous- and we’re not talking about the carbs! Holiday feasts are full of foods that are dangerous to pets. Below is a list of common Thanksgiving foods that can be toxic or hazardous to your pets. 1. Meat Meat skin and fatty pieces of meat can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and
read moreHave you observed an increase in the amount of times your pet is drinking and urinating? Is he also losing weight, despite a good appetite? These aren’t usually normal, age-related changes. If you notice these changes, it’s time to see your family veterinarian and find out whether or not your pet has diabetes. What is diabetes? Many people are familiar with diabetes in humans. The disease is similar in
read moreOur pets are living longer lives these days! Because of this, it’s important to make some changes to help our pets age gracefully and with dignity: 1. Regular Vet Visits An aging body changes more quickly than a young one which is why older pets require regular and more frequent visits to the vet. During these visits, it’s important for owners to discuss changes in their pet’s behavior, as
read moreIt’s time to celebrate Halloween frights and delights with trick-or-treating and costume parties! Are you going to make your furry family member part of the party too this year? Halloween costumes aren’t just for people. We’ve all seen the photos of hot dogs and pirate cats on social media. Plenty of people spend a scary amount of money on Halloween costumes and accessories for their pets. In fact, in
read moreAs a board-certified veterinary internist, I often ask clients, “If you were vomiting once a week, would you consider this normal?” Certainly, most people would not. Yet veterinarians frequently hear clients speak of their cats vomiting “all the time” or “whenever he eats too fast,” often with the added disclaimer, “that’s just what he does.” The fact is, with the exception of an occasional hair ball, our feline companions
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