Posts
When Human and Veterinary Medicine Connect
In the March 2015 issue of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association Update (monthly newsletter), there was an interesting piece about the Patterson family from Des Moines, Iowa. They have not one, but two family members diagnosed with Lyme disease. That may not sound intriguing, but one of the family members is their black Lab, Lady….
Poisonous Mushrooms
Best advice: Don’t let your pets eat wild mushrooms. Here’s why you may want to avoid the fungus among us. Poisonous Mushrooms If you have mushrooms in your yard, and many of us do, get rid of them. Don’t take the chance in case the mushroom is poisonous. Many wild mushrooms have a fishy odor…
Patriotic Pets
Why do these three patriotic pets make a purrfect picture for Independence Day? Each breed has red, white, or blue in the name! Redbone Coonhound West Highland White Terrier Russian Blue Can you think of other breeds with a color in the name? Give us your best answers (NO Googling!) in an email or…
Pet Treats: Friend or Foe?
Most medical professionals (both human and pet) will tell you “everything in moderation” or “eat a healthy, balanced diet”. Yet the CDC reports 68{cc651acb8fd21d18461bab90e3951e117ad976e0f5f2bec6fa2ec763fee94208} of Americans are overweight or obese. Sounds like many Americans aren’t listening too well. Our pet population seems to have the same problem. 52.7{cc651acb8fd21d18461bab90e3951e117ad976e0f5f2bec6fa2ec763fee94208} of dogs and 57.9{cc651acb8fd21d18461bab90e3951e117ad976e0f5f2bec6fa2ec763fee94208} of cats are…
What You Need to Know about Dog Flu
If you’ve watched the news or read a newspaper in the last month, you might have heard about canine flu or simply, dog flu. Yes, dogs can get the flu just like we do. The History of Dog Flu We know about two strains of the canine influenza virus. The H3N8 strain has been making…
What Mammals Have the Best Sense of Smell?
The answers aren’t exactly as plain as the nose on your face. If you think you smell a rat here, think again–they’d smell you first. In a 2014 study at the University of Toyko, researchers classified the olfactory receptor (OR) genes in 13 mammals. The more functional olfactory receptor (OR) genes you have, the better…
Pet Insurance
We have seen dozens of clients use and benefit from having pet insurance. Each pet, family, and plan is unique. As with any decision, do your homework. Ask questions and stick with what works best for you. We don’t endorse or recommend any particular company or plan, but we work with several (e.g., VPI, Trupanion,…
Pet Euthanasia: What You Need to Know
One thing to remember, the word euthanasia means “good death” in Greek. Our utmost goal is to make sure there is no pain or struggle for your pet. Each vet clinic is a bit different when it comes to the pet euthanasia process. We will share with you what we do at Den Herder Veterinary Hospital….
Pet Hospice Care
For many years, pet owners have gone to great lengths to make sure their pet is comfortable in the last months, weeks, and days. Yet, the field of veterinary medicine may not always call it “hospice” nor is there a place to reside as we have in human care. Pet hospice care is similar to…
Need to Warm Up?
This is one way to keep your pet warm! In all seriousness, if you are cold outside, so is your pet. Don’t forget to protect the pads of the feet if you are out on a walk. The cold cement, snow, and salt really can do a number on their feet. Check their feet…
