January 2025 Pet Owner Newsletter

Holiday Wrap-Up: Supporting Our Community

It gives us great joy to support our community in many ways. Thanks to our team for coordinating the following programs. Together we provided care and comfort to many. We are grateful for the opportunity to bring a little kindness at any time of year, but the holidays always make it special.

  • Coat drive We delivered a packed carload of warm coats to Central Lutheran Church who distributed them to local shelters in the metro area.
  • Dog food drive Pounds and pounds of food were delivered to The Bond Between.
  • Angel fund drive We raised $16,027.58 to assist animals in need, which included a generous match by an anonymous donor.

Urgent Care Services at Brooklyn Park

There are times when you think your pet may need to see a veterinarian for something urgent, but not life-threatening. What do you do? First, call your primary care veterinarian. If they are closed or unable to fit you in, our urgent care service may be just right. Our Brooklyn Park hospital has added a dedicated veterinarian and team 7 days a week from noon to midnight to take care of any urgent outpatient needs. This is in addition to our 24/7 emergency and critical care team focused on triage and treatment of incoming patients as well as those hospitalized.

5 Locations to Serve You

Our two newest locations, Rochester and Eden Prairie, are already busy and we are looking for permanent space so that we may extend hours to 24/7. For now, patients are accepted:

Monday – Friday: 6pm – 7am

Saturday: 24-hours

As always, Brooklyn Park, Minneapolis, and Eau Claire are open 24/7/365.

Common Emergencies: Rock salt and paws - a bad combination?

Yes, winter salt can be harmful to a dog’s paws. Many de-icing salts contain chemicals like sodium chloride, which can irritate a dog’s skin and paw pads. Here are some specific concerns:

  • Irritation and Burns: The salt can cause dryness, cracking, or burning of the paw pads, leading to discomfort or pain.
  • Licking: Dogs often lick their paws after walking on salted surfaces, which can lead to ingestion of harmful chemicals. This can cause gastrointestinal upset or more severe health issues.
  • Allergies: Some dogs may have allergic reactions to the chemicals in de-icing products, resulting in itching or inflammation.


Preventive Measures:

  1. Booties: Consider using dog booties to protect their paws from salt and cold.
  2. Paw Balm: Applying a paw balm like Vaseline or Musher’s Secret can help protect and moisturize their paw pads.
  3. Wipe Paws: After walks, wipe your dog’s paws with a damp cloth to remove any salt or chemicals.

Note: If you notice any signs of irritation or if your dog appears to be in pain, consult your veterinarian or visit your nearest Allied location.

Feline Fact: Indoor or outdoor kitty?

The average age for an indoor cat is 10-15 years while the average age for an outdoor cat is only 2-5 years.1 Whether you allow your cat access to the great outdoors or they are happy soaking up warmth lounging in a sunbeam on your windowsill, it is a personal and sometimes controversial choice. Here’s a great article on the pros and cons of letting your cat roam free.

1 UC Davis

Canine Fact: Dog cancer detection tests

There are blood tests to detect some cancers in dogs.

OncoK9 – A non-invasive blood test that screens for tumor markers in a dog’s blood. It can detect over 30 types of cancer.

Nu.Q – A liquid biopsy test that screens for cancer signals in a dog’s blood. It can detect 7 common cancers at an overall detection rate of 49.8%.

Oncotect – A urine test that can detect early cancer.


The Good News:

If your dog or cat has been diagnosed with cancer, or you suspect they may need testing, our new veterinary oncologist will be coming on board in March, welcoming patients at our Brooklyn Park hospital. Nothing beats a complete physical exam from a specialist to help guide you through the diagnostics and treatment options for a pet with cancer. We’re here to help.

(Details to follow next month)

Ask a Vet: Why does my dog eat poop? Ewww!

The scientific term for the poop-eating habit is coprophagia. And in some studies, up to 25% of dogs engage in this behavior.

Dogs eat poop for a variety of reasons, some normal, some not so much – including:

Instinct: Before dogs were domesticated, feces may have been a source of nutrients.

Medical conditions: Poor diet, parasites, and other health issues can cause dogs to eat poop.

Attention-seeking: Puppies may eat poop to get their owner’s attention.

Stress or anxiety: Dogs may eat poop to feel better if they’re stressed or anxious.

Boredom: Dogs may eat poop if they’re bored or don’t have enough mental stimulation.

Vitamin deficiency: Feces can be a source of vitamins, especially for dogs on processed food.

Parasites: Parasites can steal nutrients from your dog.

Malnutrition: Malnutrition and problems that prevent nutrient absorption can cause dogs to eat poop.

Chronic health conditions: Conditions like Cushing’s disease, diabetes, or thyroid disease can cause dogs to eat poop.

In this article on PetMD, a veterinary behaviorist offers some additional advice on how to stop your dog from enjoying this ‘delicacy’.

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