Summer is finally here! This means you need to get outside and enjoy the sunshine with your dog! Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) is a fun sport and if your dog enjoys the water, it could mean a great time for both of you! But don’t head to the water quite yet! First, make sure you have these items: Life Vests It is highly recommended that both you and your
read moreAfter a long winter cooped up indoors, summer means it’s time to get outside with our pets in the backyard, at nearby parks, and on hiking trails. But summer is also the season for baby birds, bunnies, fox kits, coyote pups, and other young wildlife who often have protective parents nearby. Our pets encounter wildlife during the summer more often than any other season. Unfortunately, not all pet-wildlife encounters
read moreSpring is here in Minnesota! We can finally throw open our windows, air out our homes, and… let in the allergens? Soon after, your cat or dog starts coughing. Could there be a connection? Many people are familiar with asthma in humans because they or their loved ones are affected, but pets can have asthma, too. Allergic bronchitis, often referred to as asthma, occurs much more commonly in cats
read moreDo you have an itchy dog? It could be allergies! Allergies are common in pets and can be due to a variety of causes. Typically, a pet owner will visit their family veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary dermatologist after their dog has been unusually itchy and may have sores on the skin. Depending on the allergy, treatment can be simple management like flea allergy dermatitis or it could involve
read moreGrapes and raisins are a lesser known toxin to dog and cat owners, but one that every pet owner should be aware of! This toxicity can be even more dangerous than chocolate! Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney damage or even life-threatening kidney failure. Often, owners don’t realize grapes and raisins are toxic and feed them to their pets. Other times, mischievous pets get into a bowl of
read moreJust as you might keep a first aid kit for you and your family in your home, it’s also a smart idea to keep one for your favorite four-legged furry friend! It is recommended to have these kits where you and your pet enjoy each other’s company. The size and components of each kit can be customized, depending on the location. The largest kits should be kept in the
read moreMost dogs love to be petted! Belly rubs and ear scratches-what’s not to like? But how about a massage? Massage is “touch with intent” and is one of the oldest healing arts. Massage therapists use their hands to create various forms of movement and pressure which improves one’s health and well-being. As humans, we know all too well the benefits of a massage. Do these same principles apply to
read moreSpring is here, and that means it’s time to get outside and work on the garden! Before your green thumb gets busy, however, make sure your garden is pet-friendly. Here are a few things pet owners should avoid having in the garden! 1. Toxic Flowers and Plants For a full list of toxic and nontoxic flowers, check out the ASPCA plant list. Below are the more common flowers and
read moreSomeday, in the not-so-far-off future, we may be calling flea and tick season flea and tick year. Here in Minnesota we’re used to a six-month or more reprieve from creepy crawlies, but are they moving closer to being year-round guests? Climate change gets a lot of press for creating extreme weather and threatening coasts with rising tides, but a problem that isn’t often discussed is the risk to our
read moreFour common toxicities we see in the ER during Easter are chocolate, candy, plastic grass, and Easter Lily flowers. Chocolate Most people know by now that chocolate is a no-no for our pets, but it bears repeating. Chocolate toxicity can range in severity depending on the type of chocolate (milk, dark, cocoa powder, etc). The toxin found in chocolate is called theobromine; it affects the neurological system, cardiovascular, and
read more
