Our Blog

By Dr. Maria Krenz, DVM – ZimmVet-763-856-4848 

2021 COVID-19 Impacts

Like most businesses in 2020, the veterinary industry was affected by COVID-19. We faced many challenges, including governor’s orders to stop parts of our business, shortages of basic medical supplies and daily business decisions to keep staff safe. Nothing was really expected in 2020, including the huge increase in pet ownership and demand for veterinary care in 2020.

Here are some of the lingering items still happening:

• Carside: The veterinary industry adapted carside appointments to try to minimize COVID spread and keep staff and clients safe. It is difficult to stay six feet apart in exam rooms. Many clinics have continued this practice until their staff are able to be vaccinated.
• Appointments: The days of getting same day appointments are long gone. Wait times for many veterinary clinics are averaging 2-4 weeks or more for appointments. Many clinics are no longer seeing new clients. Emergency clinic waits are also longer than in the past.
• Prices: Supply shortages continue and the supplies that are available are costing us all more.   Shortages of medications are now common as well.

What Can Pet Owners Do

1. Purchase pet insurance. The cost of veterinary care is rising due to multiple factors including huge increases in medical supply costs and medication costs from manufacturers. Pet owners with pet insurance are shown to provide a more consistent, better level of care for their furry family members. Get insurance when your pet is young and before they have preexisting medical conditions. The most common pet insurance is nationwide www.petinsurance.com
2. Schedule in advance for any wellcare as booking out 2-4 weeks for wellness appointments is the new normal.
3. Schedule as soon as you notice any illness with your pet. Medical conditions are a lot easier and lower cost to treat early on. Your veterinarian can help you determine the urgency. In some cases, going to an emergency clinic is the best option. At ZimmVet we do set aside appointments every day for same day emergencies. These often fill up as soon as the phones are turned on in the morning.
4. Be courteous to others. Cancel your appointment 24 hours in advance or more if you do not plan to attend. There are many owners that are desperate to take that appointment spot.
5. Refill medications and food in advance, use delivery and home autoship options. Support your local veterinarian by using their trusted on-line stores that are very price competitive. At ZimmVet.com we have an on-line store that has medication, food and supplies. We also have ProPlan direct for Purina food and Hills to Home for Hills food. Make sure you keep enough medication and food for at least 2 weeks in the case of shipping delays or shortages.
6. Use technology. The phone lines at veterinary clinics are overloaded. Use on-line booking tools, text and email. At ZimmVet.com we have many on-line resources including scheduling, and medication refill requests at zimmvet.com.
7. Be nice and understand veterinary staff want what is best for your pet. Compassion-fatigue and burnout are common in the veterinary industry. We are part of the community; positive social media posts go a long way in building positive relationships with your veterinary care team.

Disclaimer:  This written content is meant to be educational and is not medical advice.  Always consult a veterinarian about medical advice for your pet. 

By Amanda Jelinek, ZimmVet Pet Hotel and Dog Daycare Receptionist

During this snowy season, there are pups that love being outside and playing in the snow. However, it is important to take precautions for your pet during this cold season. 

Pet Safe Salts

Ice can be hazardous for you and your dog. It’s important to always keep pet-safe, nontoxic salts around to help prevent any slipping, cut paws, or other injuries for you and your dog. The reason nontoxic and pet safe salts are important is they will prevent any burning of the pads or ingestion issues you could have with regular salts in the winter. This is also important to keep in mind when taking your dog on walks or traveling with them. Always keep a close eye on them around any salts, or de-icers you did not put down.

Paw Care

It is also very important to keep up on taking care of your dog’s paws in the winter. Making sure their nails are trimmed will help prevent slipping and keep their nails from digging into their paw pads. If you have a longer haired dog it’s also important to keep your dog’s pads shaved and their feet fur trimmed. This will help prevent snow from accumulation in the paws, and becoming uncomfortable for your pup.   

Coat Care

Keeping your dog’s coat clean and brushed out will also do wonders for them in the winter! Taking a few minutes each time they come in from a play session outside to dry them off and brush them out (if long coated) will help maintain a clean and healthy coat. 

By Lena Hansen, ZimmVet Pet Hotel and Dog Daycare Manager

If you have a day off from work and are wondering what to do with your day or if everyone in your household is home for the weekend, spend the afternoon creating fun crafts with your dog to get the entire family involved in quality bonding time.

Here are some cute craft ideas to do on a rainy day:

Pawprint Paintings

Using pet safe finger paint, press your dog’s paw in some color and then use it to draw a fun picture to hang on your fridge.  The painting doesn’t have to be just of a pawprint.  You can use the pawprints to form fun themes for holidays, like fireworks and flowers.  Have fun with it and experiment.  But make sure to go slow with your dog so they don’t get stressed out, and always reward with treats throughout the process so it’s fun for them too.

Pawprint Ornaments

You can make these ornaments with simple ingredients in your pantry.  Using ½ cup of salt, ½ cup of flour, and 1/8 cup water, just mix everything together and it will create a moldable dough.  Flatten the dough out to shape how you would like your ornament and make sure it allows for enough space to place your dog’s pawprint.  Take your dog’s paw and press it firmly into the dough.  Then place the ornament in the oven for a couple of hours on a low heat setting (150-200 degrees).  And that’s it.  The dough will harden and create a cute ornament that you or your kids can paint and decorate to put on your tree.

Rope Toys

Your dog might not be able to participate in making this one, but they will surely anticipate the gift once it’s finished.  You can make a rope toy for your dog by cutting strips out of an old shirt or a fleece blanket and braiding them tightly together.  The easiest way is to line up 9 strips and tie them at the top with a secure knot.  Then separate the strips into 3 sections and braid each section together from the knot down.  If you want to create a more advanced rope toy, there are plenty of videos online that will help you create the perfect toy for your beloved pet.

By: Laura Scharenbroich ZimmVet Daycare Staff

When was the last time you brought your cat to the veterinarian? Was it within the last year? A couple years ago? Even if your cat appears to not be sick, there are still preventative ways to keep them healthy.

Here are 7 great tips to keeping your cat healthy:

1. Groom your Cat

Most cats groom themselves on a regular basis. But you can help your furry friend by brushing or combing. This will help to remove any dead hair so they don’t ingest while self-grooming. This also gives you a chance to notice any changes to the body.

2. Make sure you have enough litter boxes

A good general rule of thumb to go by is one litter box per cat plus one more. So if you have two cats, go with 3 litter boxes. To help encourage good litter box habits, keep the litter boxes clean. Regular cleaning will also help you notice if anything is out of the ordinary.

3. Use a Scratching Post

If your cat’s claws are still intact be sure to supply some form of scratching post. This helps your cat stretch out their muscles and also helps remove old layers from their nails. Scratching is a normal marking behavior and can help with environmental enrichment.

By: Laura Scharenbroich ZimmVet Daycare Staff

This easy on-the- go spray helps with any stressful event such as car rides and going to the veterinarian. It’s simple.  All you have to do is spray directly in your cat’s carrier or basket or spray on your cats’ favorite blanket. During that car ride, re-apply inside your car every 4-5 hours. Always wait about 10 minutes before putting your cat in the carrier or car.

Is your cat stressed at home due to an upcoming move? Simple! Spray on doorways, window sills, and prominent objects around the house. Simply spray once daily to reduce stress.

Never spray directly on your cat and don’t spray on a scratching post, this will deter your cat from using it.

For more information on different types of Feliway, be sure to check out their website at https://www.feliway.com/us

By Michaela Tallant, ZimmVet Professional Pet Groomer

If your dog struggles with stress and anxiety, Adaptil is a great management tool. Whether you’re using it for a puppy or adult dog, Adaptil can help them feel comforted and secure.

How Does Adaptil Work?

Mother dogs can communicate with their puppies by using “comforting messages” that are released from the mammary zone. These messages are called dog appeasing pheromones. Adaptil releases these odorless pheromones to replicate the comforting messages they received as puppies.  The 3 different kinds of dispensers that are used for Adaptil are listed below.

Home Diffusers

These diffusers are simple to use and a great tool for separation or kennel anxiety. All you have to do is plug it in to an outlet and give it a day to fully diffuse and disperse in the room. Keep in mind with these that the pheromone can’t travel around corners or through walls. So it is most ideal for small rooms that house your dog.  The Diffuser itself is recommended to be replaced every 6 months and the refill of the pheromones needs to be done monthly.

By Monica Bock, ZimmVet Daycare Staff

The main reason to vaccinate your pet is to prevent disease that can otherwise be transmitted to you, a loved one or other beloved pets. The best source of information on vaccinations is your veterinarian. They are equipped with handouts from credible sources and are educated extensively on this matter as it pertains to the wellbeing of your pet. Without vaccinations we would surely see more cases of preventable diseases plague our furry family members as well as our human family members in some cases.

What are Vaccines?

Vaccines, are solutions that contain antigens that stimulate the body’s immune system. Think of them as photocopies of the original.  They will not cause harm to the pet because they are missing a key component that makes the original so dangerous.

Core Vaccinations:

Rabies

A deadly zoonotic disease (spread from animals to people), spread through the saliva of an affected animal. Depending on your state, the main carrier may vary, however the most common carriers of rabies is the bat, skunk, and raccoon in Minnesota. This disease is extremely dangerous and an infected animal will not necessarily show signs right away. An animal that is showing symptoms of the disease will ultimately die from the virus.

Distemper

A harmful and highly contagious disease effecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous system. This disease is spread primarily through direct contact with the infected animal (coughing and sneezing).  There is no cure for this disease and the only options for treatment are stabilization and letting the virus run its course. By getting the vaccine one can avoid the suffering of a pet and a costly fees from hospitilization.

Lifestyle Vaccines:

These vaccines are generally given based on the risk of exposure, whether that be a pet service you take your dog to (boarding, daycare, or grooming) or a job your dog may have such as hunting. Some of these life style vaccines help lower the probability of your pet catching one of these transferable diseases from another animal.

By Michaela Tallant, ZimmVet Professional Pet Groomer

Gum disease is 5 times more likely to occur in pets than in people. This is why brushing your pet’s teeth daily is important.

Tips for Brushing

1. There are many different toothpastes out there for pets.  Make sure to get a flavored tooth paste (like beef or chicken).  This way your pet thinks they are getting a treat out of it.
2. Create a routine for your pet. Having your pet in a routine such as brushing every morning right after breakfast will make a big difference for both of you.  It will become a normal part of their day and will make it less stressful for them.
3. It’s important to give your pet lots of praise when first introducing them to a tooth brush. Also remember this is something that may be scary to them, so take it slow.  

Brushing your pet’s teeth is a beneficial way to keep your pet healthy. You could also consider adding in a dental chew, such as Ora Vet, to help prevent tartar and improve breath.  Make sure to talk with your veterinarian about other recommendations and tips to help keep your pet’s teeth healthy and clean.

By Angela Krieger ZimmVet Daycare and Hotel Staff

We all want our cats to be healthy and happy! One of the best ways to do this is taking your cat on walks. Though this may sound challenging, taking your cat for a walk can be a fun and enjoyable experience. It will also provide exercise for you and your cat while strengthening the bond with you and your furry friend.

It is always best to use a harness for walking with your cat.  Here are the best ways to introduce your cat to a harness while keeping things fear free and positive.

It’s best to introduce your cat to a harness when it is still a kitten. Typically, kittens will be more excepting of something new. It’s important to make sure the harness you get is a good fit. So before going harness shopping measure your cat around the front of their chest, around their middle section, and just behind their front legs. Once you have picked out a harness that’s a good fit, take introducing them to it slowly.

Start out by placing your hand through the harness with your cat’s favorite treat and then let your cat eat the treat. Once your cat has eaten the treat, and seem to be enjoying the experience you’ll want to take a break and end this experience on a positive note. You’ll want to continue this process over several days. While doing this slowly move further along with the harness, so they understand they get positive reward for tolerating this new item. Repeat the process and whenever your cat seems comfortable let them walk into the harness and gently put the harness on the cat, do not force it. It will take some cats longer then others to be comfortable with the situation.

Once your cat is comfortable with the harness, you’ll want to attach a leash to it. Let the leash drag behind the cat for a couple of hours. Make sure to be walking around and calling your cat over to you with treat. This will help them adjust to having something attached to them. Once they are comfortable walking around the house with the harness and leash on, you’ll want to start holding the leash and directing the walks you and your cat take around the house. Again, lots of treats and positive rewards will help this adjustment process.

Once your cat is comfortable walking with you around the house, take a short stroll in your yard. You can let your cat lead the way if you feel that will make them more comfortable. Once your cat is fully adjusted to strolling around your yard, they are ready to take a walk! Make sure to keep your first couple of walks shorter and very positive. Bring treats along!

If your cat still doesn’t enjoy leash walking or the feeling of a harness on, you can always purchase cat strollers or backpacks. This way they can still experience the outdoors with you while enjoying the comfort of an enclosed safe space for them.  This will still allow for wonderful bonding time for you and your beloved cat!

By Michaela Tallant, ZimmVet Professional Pet Groomer

When bringing a new puppy home, it’s hard to consider much else other than snuggling and loving on them.  But when you bring a new puppy home, there are many things to keep in mind to help them adjust to their new home life.  Separation anxiety in dogs is very common. Its not fully understood why some puppies struggle with separation anxiety and other don’t. There are a few simple steps you can follow to help your new puppy adjust to spending time home alone.

Puppies love routines

It is important that you set a new schedule for your puppy. This will become their ordinary day, and help keep them more comfortable with your daily routine.

Basic obedience training

Practice general obedience with your pup! Here at ZimmVet we offer Puppy Classes that teach your pup all the obedience basics. This again, will teach them the do’s and don’ts of the house hold.

Crate training

If done correctly crates are a great tool to help your pup feel safe and comfortable while you’re away. It’s important to make sure they have a safe and cozy crate space, as soon as you bring them home. Use the crate for short periods of time while your home. For example you could feed them in their crate and let them relax in there for an hour after, while you’re getting ready for your day. Limit the amount of attention you give your pup before you leave for the day. This way it is not an overwhelming shock to them when you’re gone.

Don’t rush freedom

Though your ultimate goal may be to let your pup have free rain over the house while you’re gone, you don’t want to rush this. It can be overwhelming for them and promote problem behaviors due to anxiety or boredom.

Arriving home

When coming home it is important not to get overly excited.  Immediately give them something to do by letting your pup out of the crate and take them outside to relieve themselves. This helps prevent them from thinking you leaving or coming home is a huge event.

Most puppies will whine and cry in the crate or when they are left alone. But it is important to watch for signs of “True Separation Anxiety” which is categorized as destructive or disruptive behavior. Examples of this are tearing up the room, constant barking, and scratching at the walls or doors. If your pup is struggling with more intense separation anxiety, reach out to your local vet and trainer to help your pup get the support they may need to cope with the anxiety.