In the News

As the weather warms up, our pets have more opportunities to be outside and be active. We want them to enjoy some exercise, but we also need to be prepared to deal with problems that all this activity can cause our arthritic pets. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the medical term referring to a form of chronic joint inflammation caused by deterioration of joint cartilage, resulting in inflammation and pain. In contrast to humans, osteoarthritis in pets most commonly occurs secondarily due to developmental disease (cranial cruciate ligament tears, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia). The joints most commonly affected are the hip, knees and elbows. Contributing factors to OA include breed/genetics, age, bodyweight, exercise and diet.

Happy spring to all our clients and patients! 

Two cases of Canine Influenza have been diagnosed in Minnesota recently.  The both cases were diagnosed in puppies in Kandiyohi County, one was 13 weeks old and the other was 21 weeks old.  The puppies exhibited symptoms including a cough, high fever and runny nose. 

These are the first cases of Canine Influenza that we have been made aware of in recent months.  A vaccination is available and can be administered upon request.  At this time, we do not feel every patient needs to be vaccinated, however dogs who spend time with other dogs on a regular basis or who may be traveling to the Kandiyohi County area are considered higher risk and would be good candidates for the vaccination.  If you board your dog or send them to daycare, please check with the facility to make sure you understand their policies on vaccinations.

We will keep you updated on the latest news involving this situation.  Our recommendations may change based on new information that arises.  If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.