Pet Resources
Veterinary Resources
Veterinary Partners
Veterinary Partners is a reliable and trusted source of veterinary information. The veterinarians and experts of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) provide insight into animal health, medications, therapies and many other topics. VIN is the world’s first and largest online veterinary database.
Pet Poison Helpline
Pet Poison Helpline is a 24-hour animal poison control service available throughout the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean for pet owners and veterinary professionals. They offer assistance with treating a potentially poisoned pet and offer great informational resources on most toxins.
American Veterinary Dental College
The AVDC provides insight into periodontal disease in both cats and dogs. It also offers education on both the treatment and prevention of this disease to help you provide the best dental care for your pet.
Heartworms, Fleas & Ticks
The American Heartworm Society
The American Heartworm Society offers educational articles to help further the understanding of heartworm disease to both veterinary professionals and pet owners. Their website provides information already known in the veterinary community as well as newer scientific developments.
Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC)
The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) is an independent council of veterinary professionals that created guidelines for optimal control of both internal and external parasites. These veterinarians, veterinary parasitologists, and other animal health care professionals offer expertise in parasitology, internal medicine, public health, and much more.
Tick Encounter
The Tick Encounter Resource Center at the University of Rhode Island is an outreach program that provides information for tick control and tick-bite protection. They provide wonderful insight on how to stay active and enjoy nature while protecting your pet from tick-borne diseases.
Financing Pet Care
Consumers Advocate (Pet Insurance)
Researching and comparing pet insurance policies is a great way to find the right fit in order to help keep your pet healthy and your checkbook happy. For a non-comprehensive review of plans, and to visit direct websites, please visit Consumers Advocate.
You may also want to consider self-insuring your pet by starting a pet savings account. Insurance policies can be restrictive, but with a private savings account your saved finances can be used toward any treatment at any time.
Traveling with your pet
APHIS/USDA
Traveling with your pet? APHIS provides information on all animal health requirements specific for every destination. This includes time frames for obtaining a health certificate, updating vaccinations, diagnostic testing, and administration of medications/treatments.
Training
At Blue Cross Animal Hospital, we are dedicated to providing our patients with the highest level of care and recommend the following external training resources for dog and cat owners. These trusted sources offer valuable guidance on training techniques, behavioral understanding, and best practices for ensuring the well-being of dogs and cats.
- It’s Training Cats and Dogs (612-220-8535)
- A Great Dog Now (651-335-9375)
- Positively Dog Training (763-354-9909)
- Pup DOGS Training (952-913-3170)
- Paws Abilities (507-624-0190)
- On Cue Training (612-798-5459)
- Positive Gun Dog Training (612-701-7217)
- Fresh Air Training (952-405-9152)
- Twin Cities Obedience Training Club (612) 379-1332
- Animal Humane Society
How-To Videos
Videos for Dogs
Dental Care & Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease occurs when plaque and calculus accumulate on the tooth and below the gumline. This results in infection, inflammation, and eventual destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth including the gum tissue and bone that holds the teeth in place. Plaque forms first which is followed by calculus. Plaque can be brushed off the teeth, but calculus can only be removed with a professional dental cleaning. Therefore, the most important management for periodontal disease is daily tooth brushing to disrupt the plaque biofilm and prevent calculus formation. Daily brushing combined with frequent professional cleaning are the best things you can do to prevent progression of periodontal disease.
A soft, nylon-bristled pet or infant human toothbrush is recommended (such as an ADA approved soft Toddler’s toothbrush). Human toothpaste is AVOIDED because it may contain fluoride and detergents that are harmful if swallowed. Some fluoride free kid toothpastes have xylitol in them, AVOID these as well. A toothpaste for dogs and cats is recommended.
Develop a routine in a comfortable area of your house for you and your pet. Gently lift the lips and handle the mouth to allow your pet to become comfortable.
To introduce brushing: For the first week, allow your pet to lick a small pea-sized drop of toothpaste off your finger; immediately follow with a treat and praise. In the second week, allow your pet to lick the toothpaste off the toothbrush; immediately follow with a treat and praise. The third week, rub the CET toothpaste on your pet’s front teeth with the toothbrush on the table in view; immediately follow with a treat and praise. In the fourth week, begin brushing the outside surface of the teeth with the mouth closed; reward with a treat and praise. Begin by placing a toothbrush between the lips and outside surfaces of the teeth with the mouth closed. It may help to only do a small area of the mouth one day at a time. Do not force while brushing. The toothbrush is placed at a 45-degree angle to the gum line and, using a circular motion, the outside surfaces of the teeth are brushed.
Tooth brushing instructional videos
1) https://vetmed.iastate.edu/vmc/small-animal/specialty-care/dentistry
2) https://veterinarydentaleducationcenter.com/videos.php (scroll to 6 min 30 sec for dogs)
Other at home care options if brushing is not possible or tolerated include a topical gel (healthy mouth gel) and a water additive (healthy mouth water additive). Healthy mouth has the only approved water additive and other water additives are not recommended due to unproven efficacy and safety concerns.
Healthy mouth and Pettura both make oral gels and/or wipes that are VOHC (veterinary oral health council) approved, they will not be as effective as brushing but can still help significantly.
Visit http://www.vohc.org/ for more helpful information.
DENTAL TREATS
Daily tooth brushing is the best thing you can do to help prevent periodontal disease. However, some dental treats can also be beneficial in reducing plaque and calculus.
Dental treats that have been proven to be effective can be found on the veterinary oral health council website (VOHC.org). While approved by the VOHC veterinary oral health council, as they do improve plaque and calculus, some treats such as greenies or whimzees should be avoided as they are too hard and risk fracturing teeth. Please watch your pet carefully when introducing a new dental treat to ensure they can fully chew it and do not swallow overly large pieces.
Some specific options we like include Tartar Shield Biscuits, Purina Dentalife Chews, and CET Veggie Dents.
CHEW TOYS
We do not recommend anything hard for any dog, as they can fracture the teeth. This includes nylabones, antlers, and bones. Safe chew toys that do not risk tooth fracture are soft enough to indent with a thumbnail.
Safe options include:
Kong Toys, Rope Toys, Playology Brand Toys, Goughnuts Brand Toys, Tuttomio Play-More Pet stick from Preventivevet.com, and spunky pup glow stick, and tall tails floating rubber stick.
Please supervise your dog whenever they are chewing on any of the above toys to ensure they do not break off pieces and swallow them.
Preventative Healthcare
Vaccines are a crucial part of preventive healthcare for dogs and cats, helping to protect them from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. Vaccines stimulate the immune system to develop resistance against infections like rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and feline leukemia, among others. Regular vaccinations not only safeguard your pet’s health but also contribute to public health by preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases. Ensuring your pet is up-to-date with their vaccinations can also reduce the risk of costly treatments and support a long, healthy life. Consult with our veterinary team to determine the best vaccination schedule for your pet.
Core vaccinations those that are essential for all dogs and cats, as they protect against serious, highly contagious diseases that pose a significant risk to their health.
Non-core vaccines are given based on a pet’s lifestyle, risk of exposure, and geographic location. These vaccines are recommended for pets that may be at higher risk due to factors such as travel, boarding, or outdoor exposure.
Core vaccines for dogs:
1) Distemper (DA2PP) – this combination vaccination covers distemper, adenovirus type 2, parvovirus and parainfluenza
- Canine distemper is a contagious and serious disease caused by the canine distemper virus. The virus attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of dogs. Distemper occurs worldwide, and dogs are the primary carriers of the disease. All dogs are at risk of canine distemper. Those at particular risk include puppies younger than four months and dogs that have not been vaccinated against canine distemper virus. In addition to dogs, canine distemper virus can infect ferrets as well as a wide range of other mammals, especially carnivores. These include several wildlife species such as wild canines (e.g., foxes and wolves), raccoons, and skunks.
- Adenovirus Type 2: Canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) is considered a core vaccine, primarily because it is necessary for the prevention of canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) (against which it cross-protects), the cause of infectious canine hepatitis, historically recognized as a severe and often fatal disease of canids. CAV-2 can also cause tracheobronchitis and is part of the canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD) complex (kennel cough).
- Parvovirus: Canine parvovirus infection is a highly contagious disease caused by canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2). There are several strains of CPV-2, and all produce similar signs. The disease they cause is commonly called “parvo.” The virus attacks white blood cells and the gastrointestinal tract of dogs and other canids like coyotes, wolves, and foxes. In puppies, the virus also can damage the heart muscle. All dogs are susceptible to canine parvovirus, although some dogs are at greater risk than others. These include puppies between 6 and 20 weeks of age, unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated dogs. Canine parvovirus is easily spread by direct contact with infected dogs, contact with feces (stool) from infected dogs, or contact with virus-contaminated surfaces. Contact between domestic dogs, feral dogs, and wild canids also may play a role in spreading the disease. The virus is resistant to heat, cold, humidity, and drying, and can survive in the environment for long periods. Even trace amounts of feces from an infected dog can contain the virus and infect other dogs.
- Parainfluenza: Canine parainfluenza is a highly contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory system, often contributing to Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), more familiarly known as “kennel cough”. Vaccination is crucial to protect dogs, especially those in high-risk environments like boarding facilities, dog parks, or grooming facilities.
2) Leptospira
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by infection with Leptospira bacteria. These bacteria can be found worldwide in soil and water. There are many strains of Leptospira bacteria that can cause disease, and many mammals are susceptible—including dogs, people, livestock, and certain wildlife. Although cats also may become ill, this happens only rarely. Leptospirosis is more common in warm climates with high annual rainfall, but it can occur anywhere, especially after heavy rainfall and flooding. For dogs, the midwestern, eastern, and southwestern regions of the United States are considered hotspots of infection. All dogs are at risk of leptospirosis, regardless of age, breed, lifestyle, geographic location, time of year, and other factors. The following situations can increase that risk:
- Exposure to or drinking from slow-moving or stagnant water sources, like ponds, rivers, lakes, or streams
- Roaming on rural properties (because of exposure to potentially infected wildlife or farm animals or urine-contaminated water sources)
- Exposure to wild animals (especially rodents) or farm animals, even if in the backyard
- Contact with other dogs (such as in urban areas, dog parks, or boarding or training facilities)
3) Rabies
Rabies prevention in dogs is essential for protecting both your pet and public health. Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Once the outward signs of the disease appear, rabies is nearly always fatal. Rabies can be transmitted through bites from infected animals. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent rabies, and it is required by law in many areas.
Non-Core vaccines for dogs:
1) Lyme disease
Lyme disease is an illness caused by a type of bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) that’s transmitted through certain ticks. Animals and people can become infected when they’re bitten by blacklegged ticks that harbor the disease-causing bacteria. These ticks can be found in forests and grassy, wooded, or marshy areas near bodies of water. A small percentage (5% to 10%) of infected dogs go on to develop signs of illness—which can be quite severe. The process of transmitting Borrelia burgdorferi from the tick to an animal requires a minimum of 48 hours. Minnesota is a lyme endemic region. The Companion Animal Parasite Council advises that all dogs that live in a lyme endemic region do a 3 pronged approach to protect dogs. The 3 pronged approach includes: monthly flea and tick preventative, the lyme vaccine, and a daily tick check on your dog.
2) Bordetella
Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), more familiarly known as “kennel cough,” is a highly contagious illness affecting the respiratory tract in dogs. All breeds and ages are susceptible. As the name “kennel cough” suggests, dogs at particular risk are those exposed to settings where multiple dogs are typically gathered or housed, such as kennels, shelters, and daycare facilities. Several different types of bacteria and viruses can contribute to CIRDC, and dogs can be infected by two or more of these organisms at the same time.
3) Canine influenza
Canine influenza (sometimes called dog flu) is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by two type A influenza viruses known to infect dogs. Dogs of any breed, age, sex, or health status are at risk. Almost all dogs exposed to the virus become infected. Infection can occur at any time of year. Any setting that brings dogs close together—especially indoor settings—increases the risk of spreading canine influenza and other respiratory diseases. Canine influenza virus mainly spreads from infected dogs to other dogs (or cats) through respiratory droplets and the following routes of exposure:
- Direct contact, as when dogs lick or nuzzle each other
- Coughing, sneezing, and barking
- Contaminated objects like food and water bowls, toys, kennel surfaces, or clothing
- Skin and clothing of people who have been in contact with infected dogs
Core vaccines for cats:
1) Feline Distemper (FVRCP) – this combination vaccination covers feline panleukopenia, feline viral rhinotracheitis, and feline calicivirus
- Feline panleukopenia (also called feline distemper) is a highly contagious, potentially fatal disease of cats caused by the feline panleukopenia virus (FPV, also called feline parvovirus). Kittens are most severely affected. FPV attacks cells that are rapidly growing and dividing, such as those in the lymph nodes, bone marrow, intestines, and developing fetuses. The name “panleukopenia” stems from the damaging effect that FPV has on white blood cells (leukocytes), which the body needs to fight off infection. Because FPV is everywhere in the environment, almost all kittens and cats are exposed to it at some point in their lives. Although cats of any age may catch the virus, young kittens, sick cats, and unvaccinated cats are most likely to become ill. Infected cats can pass FPV in their feces (stool) and body fluids like urine and nasal secretions. Susceptible cats may become infected when they contact these substances, the infected cats themselves, or even fleas from infected cats. Infected, pregnant cats can also pass the virus to their unborn kittens.
- Feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), also known as Herpesvirus infection, is an infectious disease caused by feline herpesvirus type-1 (FHV-1). As with other herpes viruses, the virus is very species-specific and is only known to cause infections in domestic and wild cats. The virus can infect cats of all ages. FVR is a major cause of upper respiratory disease in cats and is the most common cause of conjunctivitis (inflammation of the tissues surrounding the eye, especially the lining of the lids and the third eyelid). A cat becomes infected with this virus by direct contact with virus particles. The virus is spread in saliva and in discharges from the eyes and nose of an infected cat. Therefore, an infection occurs when a susceptible cat comes into direct contact with an infected cat, or with inanimate objects (e.g., clothing, food and water dishes, furniture) that have been contaminated with viral particles.
- Feline calicivirus is a highly contagious virus that causes a mild to severe respiratory infection and oral disease in cats. It is especially common in shelters and breeding colonies, and often infects young cats. Most cats recover completely after a calicivirus infection, but rare strains can be especially deadly. FCV occurs most commonly in multi-cat environments. A cat’s risk of exposure is higher in shelters, pet stores, and catteries, where 25 to 40 percent of cats may be carriers. The virus spreads through direct contact with the saliva, nasal mucus and eye discharge of infected cats and through aerosol droplets that spread when cats sneeze.
2) Feline Leukemia (FELV) for cats younger than 1 year old
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is one of the most common and important infectious diseases in cats, affecting between 2-3% of all cats in the United States and Canada. Infection rates are significantly higher (up to 30%) in cats that are ill or otherwise at high risk. Cats at greatest risk of FeLV infection are those that may be exposed to infected cats, either via prolonged close contact or through bite wounds. Such cats include cats living with infected cats or with cats of unknown infection status, cats allowed outdoors unsupervised where they may be bitten by an infected cat, and kittens born to infected mothers. Though any cat exposed to the virus can develop an FeLV infection, kittens are at a greater risk than adult cats due to their immature immune system.
3) Feline rabies
Rabies prevention is essential for protecting both your pet and public health. Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Once the outward signs of the disease appear, rabies is nearly always fatal. Rabies can be transmitted through bites from infected animals. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent rabies, and it is required by law in many areas.
We strongly recommend the Imrab Purevax (1-year) rabies vaccine because it is free of the additives they are thought to contribute to side effects in cats. We no longer recommend the previously used 3-year rabies vaccine for cats.
Non-Core vaccines for cats:
1) Feline Leukemia (FELV) for cats older than 1 year old
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is one of the most common and important infectious diseases in cats, affecting between 2-3% of all cats in the United States and Canada. Infection rates are significantly higher (up to 30%) in cats that are ill or otherwise at high risk. Cats at greatest risk of FeLV infection are those that may be exposed to infected cats, either via prolonged close contact or through bite wounds. Such cats include cats living with infected cats or with cats of unknown infection status, cats allowed outdoors unsupervised where they may be bitten by an infected cat, and kittens born to infected mothers. Though any cat exposed to the virus can develop an FeLV infection, kittens are at a greater risk than adult cats due to their immature immune system.