Did your fur baby spend some time enjoying the nice weather outside and come in looking like this? It is gnat and no-see-um season in the Princeton, MN area. We have been getting lots of calls this week. Luckily they look worse than they feel. Most dogs don’t even get itchy. Keep the area clean, prevent excessive licking and it should heal quickly.
If your dog is one of the lucky few who get itchy, or it’ doesn’t heal. Call us at 763-631-6924 to schedule an appointment.
Don’t forget this month’s dose of Frontline and Heartguard so the entire family can have a healthy and happy summer.
Have you ever wished that your pet’s prescription food could ship directly to your door? Visit our online store to schedule your food delivery!
I’m Lucas, my flock and I are the newest family members of Northwoods Animal Hospital. As true Minnesotans, We embrace all the seasons. Our favorite season though, is tick season! They taste delicious. When you stop by don’t be surprised to see us running around the yard looking for them.
We’ve been seeing ticks since February! Even the experts are saying this year is the worst “best” tick season in years. Since we like them and you don’t, we are hard at work eating as many as we can. You’re welcome.
With the rise in the tick population, there has also been an increase in tick born illnesses. Dr. Riddle has already been treating lots of cases of Lyme disease. Did you know even people are getting it? The best treatment of course is prevention. Northwoods Animal Hospital provides a variety of brands of flea and tick preventatives. Effetix costs just $9 per month and effectively prevents ticks. It is classified as an over-the-counter medication so it does NOT require an exam. Please protect your furry family members.
As you can see in the image above. It’s not just ticks that are a threat to you favorite four legged friend, mosquitoes are too! Heartworm is another serious but preventable problem. A simple heartworm test will tell you if treatment is needed. The State of MN requires an annual exam for the prescription preventative and it too can be purchased on a monthly basis for $5 – $9 a month (varies by weight.) It is recommended that you treat year-round, because it also treats many intestinal parasites!
Don’t let all this bug talk get you down though. There are plenty of things about summer that humans and animals can enjoy!
I’m Aspen, and it is finally my turn to say hi! We all know that there are lots of plants that are bad for pets, but did you know that the 4th of July can be particularly stressful?
Some pets have no problem with the sight and sound of fireworks if they’ve been desensitized — hunting dogs, for example, grow used to the sounds and smells of hunting rifles and gun powder. Most, however, are not used to these things.
Pets experience the world through their senses — nose, eyes, ears. The typical Fourth of July celebration can be overwhelming to them. Running away from the noise is a survival instinct.
More pets run away on the Fourth of July than any other day, so you should take extra steps to ensure their safety. Keep a keen eye on your pet during the commotion, and make sure your pet is wearing proper identification.
Arrange to have your pet in a place where there won’t be loud fireworks displays.
Most importantly, don’t think of this in terms of your dog as your child who is missing out on a great, fun time. That’s human guilt. Your dog won’t know what she’s missing. You’re being a good pack leader by not exposing her to a situation that will trigger her flight instinct in a negative way. When the booms and bangs of Independence Day are over, your pet will be grateful to you for having made it a less stressful experience!
I’m Trey and this is my first blog post! My people said to tell you about myself! Life is pretty busy! This was yesterday!
8:00am – Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30am – A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40am – A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30am – Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00pm – Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00pm – Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00pm – Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00pm – Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00pm – Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00pm – Wow! Watched TV with my people! My favorite thing!
11:00pm – Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!
As eager as I am to frolick and nap in the sunshine, taking a few precautions can avert disaster and keep everyone safe and healthy all summer long!
There are five main categories of summertime dangers for companion animals:
Heat –Your pet can overheat in a hurry. Dogs and cats can’t regulate their body heat as efficiently as humans can, because most of their sweat glands are confined to the pads of their feet. Panting is your pet’s primary means of regulating body temperature. Flat-faced pets can’t pant as effectively as breeds with longer noses, so they have even less ability to cool their bodies down.
Water –Many dog owners mistakenly believe their pet was born knowing how to swim – especially if it’s a sporting or hunting breed. While some dogs do know instinctively how to move in water the first time they go in, most dogs get the hang of swimming only with repeated exposure to a pool, pond, lake, etc. If you’re going out on a boat with your dog, I recommend she have her own flotation equipment. Even dogs who are strong swimmers can get hurt in the water or worn out from exertion. A flotation device will keep her in view until you or someone else can get her to safety. If your dog doesn’t consistently respond when you call her, I suggest you attach a length of rope to her flotation device so you can pull her in if you need to.
Parties – As much fun as the festivities are for the two-legged members of your family, it’s best to keep pets a safe distance from celebrations. Take care not to lose a pet out a door or window left open during a party at your home. Keep dogs and kitties away from people food, beverages, garbage, and decorations. Don’t leave your pet alone with unfamiliar children or even an irresponsible adult party guest or one who’s had too much to drink. Also keep in mind many dogs and cats are terrified of fireworks displays, so it’s best to leave your pet safely at home on the 4th of July. If neighbors are setting off their own backyard displays, keep your pet home since the fireworks can cause a serious injury or be toxic to a curious dog or cat.
Poisons – Many commonly used fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are loaded with chemicals that can prove toxic to pets. Same goes for rodent bait. Don’t allow your dog or cat access to areas of your garden, lawn, house or outbuildings where chemicals have been used. Take the same precautions when walking your dog. Store all chemicals out of reach of your pet. Remember to keep citronella candles, oil products and insect coils out of your pet’s reach as well. If you’ll be doing any planting to brighten up your home or yard, before you stock up on seeds or visit your local nursery, make sure you know which plants, flowers and greenery are toxic to your pet if ingested. Call Northwoods Animal Hospital or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately if you suspect your dog or cat has swallowed a poisonous substance.
Pests – Depending on where you live and your dog’s or cat’s lifestyle, you’ll need to prepare to manage summertime pet pests like fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. In most cases, there are safe, effective ways to prevent or eradicate pest infestations.
That was a lot of serious stuff! Time for me to go take a nap! My favorite thing!
Last month a cat, my best friend, came in and look what my people found!
You can copy and paste this link if you have trouble viewing the video above. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l608Zyk89rs&spfreload=10
Hi I’m Timber. My brother Aspen and I get to greet all the visitors to Northwoods. We are excited for Spring and Summer, we get to see lots more of our friends.
Did you know that May is National Chip your Pet month? Microchipping your pet helps your pet find his way home to you if he or she ever becomes lost or separated from his family. We offer the procedure and it’s completed in just a few minutes. The chip is places just under the skin and can be read by a special scanner (kind of like the handheld one the grocery store clerk uses).
Spring brings potential dangers for your pets. Read up on common poisons here. Poisons intended to kill rats, mice, gophers, moles and other pesky mammals are among the most common and deadly household poisons. Since rodents and dogs are both mammals, it makes sense that substances highly poisonous to mice, for example, would be lethal to dogs. It cannot be stressed enough that rodenticides are highly toxic and any such poisons designed to kill small mammals need to be carefully stored away from curious canine noses. The poisons usually come in flimsy cardboard containers, and any dog or puppy can chew through it to get the bait.
If accidental ingestion of rat poison is suspected, contact us immediately, even if your dog is not showing any symptoms. If possible bring the poison container to the clinic to determine the specific rodenticide ingested and therefore provide the best treatment. Early recognition is critical, as some intoxications can be treated successfully if caught early and treated appropriately.
Right now I’m loving this video, I bet your cat would too:
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