Choosing a Veterinarian near Ham Lake: Questions to Ask

Are you a new pet owner in Ham Lake? Veterinarians are going to be your new best friend! But, it may be hard to narrow in on just one. If you have a couple in the local area, what makes one better than the other? We have some advice for those trying to decipher which of the veterinarians would be the best fit. At the end of the day it may come down to who's personality you jive with the most, but there are some standard things you should get out of the way.

Q: What kind of equipment do you use?

Technology has improved vastly over the past couple of decades. The technology in a veterinarian's office is no exception. While it's not always necessary to be using expensive, state-of-the-art equipment it is important to make sure it is safe and up-to-date. If the day should ever come that your beloved pet needs a procedure of some kind, it's important to know they'll be well taken care of.

Q: Do you specialize in any particular area of pet care?

Different veterinarians have different areas and levels of expertise. As a new pet owner, you never know what's coming down the road. It may be hard to pick a veterinarian solely based on this, but combined with other factors, this may become the deciding factor. It's good to have this knowledge in your back pocket when trying to decide on a veterinarian.

Q: How long have you been practicing?

Those veterinarians who have been practicing longer, tend to have a wider range of skills. They've seen more and helped more pets get well. This may make you feel more comfortable. Choosing which veterinarian  you're going to trust with the health of your pet is a big decision.

Are you in need of a veterinarian near Ham Lake? Contact our office today by calling 763-754-2381 or Contact us Online.

Ham Lake Pets: Health Benefits and Our Pet Vet Clinic

Did you know that having a pet is good for your health? According to WebMD.com, having a pet can help lower your blood pressure and feelings of anxiety. We here at Northern Lights Veterinary Services, a pet vet clinic – Ham Lake is just one of the areas we serve – agree and, at our pet vet clinic, we often tout the benefits of having a beloved pet to go home to every day in Ham Lake.

Pets can also help Ham Lake families that are prone to allergies. An increasing number of studies show that kids who grow up in a home with at least one pet are often less prone to developing allergies, which directly contradicts the old theory that having a pet would contribute to a child's chance of developing allergies. Plus, pets are great conversation-starters, especially dogs. When you're out and about walking your dog in Ham Lake, are people more likely to strike up a conversation with you? Or when you're at home and have visitors, do you find yourselves talking about your cat a lot? Pets are also excellent companions for the elderly and can help alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation. At our pet vet clinic, we see a lot of these benefits in our patients' owners and how happy they usually seem.

So if you want your precious Ham Lake pet to live a long, happy and healthy life, you should definitely make it a point to bring them into our pet vet clinic. Northern Lights Veterinary Services will treat your furry friend like they are our own, and we will keep you well-informed of how we are treating your pet and what you can do at your Ham Lake home to keep them healthy as well! Just give us a call at (763) 754-2381 or contact us online for more information about our pet vet clinic and what we can do to help keep your best friend as healthy and happy as possible!

Finding the Right Animal Clinic in Andover

When you get a new pet or move to a new area like Andover, it’s important to find the best animal clinic. You want your furry friend to be in the best and most capable hands possible in the Andover area. Northern Lights Veterinary Services is known as one of the best in Andover. Animal clinic care is something we take a lot of pride in. We want to give your pet the best care possible. Here are some suggestions on how to choose the best animal clinic for your pet.

Word of mouth is a great way to get recommendations on the best animal clinic. Find out what clinics your friends and family like the best and why. When you go to your first animal clinic appointment, go by yourself without your pet. Take a tour of the animal clinic and speak to one or two of the vets who practice there. Get a feel for the clinic and how they handle their patients. See how clean and well-organized the animal clinic is, and don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you want! You don’t want your precious pet to be seen by just anyone. You want one of the best in Andover, like Northern Lights.

Make sure the animal clinic is American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited, and make sure all of the vets in the practice are licensed. See what kind of continuing education they participate in. Veterinary sciences are just that – a science. So the technology and practices always changing and improving.

Of course, you can always come to Northern Lights Veterinary Services for all of your Andover animal clinic care needs. We are AAHA-accredited, our vet is licensed and up-to-date on all current technology and practices and we take care of every pet we see as if it were our own. You won’t have to worry about if you’re getting good care for your Andover pet. You can trust us as others have for 17 years. Call us today at (763) 754-2381 or contact us online for more information. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about our animal clinic in the Andover area.

Pet Vaccinations in Mounds View and Spring Lake Park

Are you the owner of a new furry friend? Then it's time to start thinking health and wellness! Your pet will depend on you for everything from food to vaccinations. Having your Mounds View and Spring Lake Park pet vaccinations taken care of should be a top priority when you get a new pet. If you're looking for a reliable vet near Mounds View and Spring Lake Park, contact Northern LightsVeterinary Clinic today.

Disease Prevention

Being proactive about disease prevention by getting pet vaccinations near Mounds View and Spring Lake Park can save you a lot in the long run. First and foremost, your pet will have the ability to live a longer and happier life. Secondly, if you don’t choose to get pet vaccinations, and your pet becomes ill, treatment can get quite expensive. Your best bet is to fully protect your furry friend.

Chance of Disease

There is always a chance your Mounds View and Spring Lake Park pet will get sick, even with a full set of pet vaccinations. This is the same in humans. Even though you got your vaccinations, we're sure you've had a few illnesses here and there. This is when it becomes important to really pay close attention to your pet. Recognize regular patterns, and note if you notice anything out of the ordinary with your Mounds View or Spring Lake Park pet.

Understanding Vaccines

There are many pet vaccinations out there today. As a new pet owner, it may be hard to understand which ones are necessary and which ones are just recommended. As your local Mounds View and Spring Lake Park pet vet, I'll be able to help walk you through the process. There are many pet vaccinations that will be great for your pet in the long run.

Are you in need of pet vaccinations near Mounds View and Spring Lake Park? Trust the team at Northern Lights Veterinary Clinic. Call today at 763-754-2381 or contact us online.

Keeping Your Pets Healthy During the Winter Months in Fridley

Winter time is almost here in Fridley, and we know what that means for us humans: flu and cold season! But what about your beloved cat Fluffy and your cuddly dog Fido? Are there any cold-weather-related precautions you should take for their health and well-being? We here at Northern LightsVeterinary Services have a few tricks we’ve learned thanks to our experienced vets at our animal clinic.

Protect your pet’s paws from the snow and ice by keeping the fur around Fido’s paws trimmed so when he walks around outside in the snow, clumps of ice don’t form and pull at the delicate fur. Salt and deicers can also be harmful to your pet’s well-being. If you allow your cat to go outdoors, Fluffy will lick her paws if they are in pain or irritated. (And Fido will too!) So be sure to pick a deicer that is non-toxic to pets, like sand, gravel or non-clumping kitty litter. Or if you’re unsure, read the label on the product to see if it’s harmful to pets. Inspect Fluffy and Fido’s paws on a daily basis. Are there any cuts? If they are really deep or are not healing properly, bring your pets into the animal clinic at Northern Lights Veterinary Services and let us check them out. Sometimes, the only first aid that’s needed is a gentle cleansing with warm water and soap. But sometimes these wounds don’t heal quickly, in which case your pet will need expert attention from some of the best veterinarians in the Fridley area.

Of course, you will probably be checking on your car on a regular basis to make sure that there is a sufficient amount of antifreeze in it. But did you know that antifreeze is extremely poisonous, especially to curious dogs and cats? This can be a life-threatening condition, so it is extremely important that if you suspect Fluffy or Fido drank antifreeze, you bring them to the animal clinic at Northern Lights Veterinary Services so we can begin immediate treatment. If your pet stumbles around, starts to vomit or seems depressed, these are some of the first signs of antifreeze poisoning. If caught early enough, the damage to your pet’s kidneys can be limited.

Winter can be a fun time of year to play with your pets! Dogs are especially fun to take outdoors and play with in the snow in Fridley, plus it ensures Fido is getting plenty of exercise during the cold months. But consider keeping Fluffy indoors for the duration of the colder temperatures. This will ensure Fluffy stays warm and healthy during Old Man Winter’s visit.

If you have any questions or concerns or if you’d like to schedule an appointment, you can call us at (763) 754-2381 or visit our website and fill out our online form to request more information.

3 Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Pet

The list of benefits of spaying or neutering your pets goes on and on. Your pet will be happier and healthier throughout the course of their life. If you're looking for a Coon Rapids spay/neuter clinic, look no further. We can provide your pet with this and other essential procedures.

Your Pet's Health

It's actually healthier for your pet to be spayed or neutered, rather than not. If you're not going to let your pets mate, then it's best to get them spayed or neutered. Studies have shown that animals that underwent this procedure lived longer than those who hadn't. It cuts down on the urge to roam, aggressive behavior and even helps cut down on some cancers. It's a good idea to have your animals spayed or neutered early in their life.

More Homes for Pets

By making sure your animals don't have any babies, you are ensuring more loving homes for animals that are already alive. Shelters are crowded and there are many animals that need a home. If you find homes for all the babies that your animal produces, that's reducing the possibility that those homes would adopt a pet that is already in need. By spaying or neutering your pet, you're leaving more homes for other animals.

Reduces Costs

Though there is a cost associated with having any procedure performed on your pet, which may deter you, you have to weigh the benefits. The long-term costs associated with raising a pet will far outweigh the cost of a procedure. Even if you're not planning on keeping your pet's babies, someone will have to, or they will end up in a shelter. All of these options costs money for someone. Prevent the costs associated with raising a pet by having your animal spayed or neutered.

Are you in need of a Coon Rapids spay/neuter clinic? Give us a call today to schedule an appointment by calling 763-754-2381 and browse our full list of services online.

5 Tips to Being a Good Client for Your Pet Vet

We see a lot of sick animals come in, and a lot of healthy animals go out of our clinic. We love keeping your animals healthy and spry. As your local Coon Rapids pet vet, we can provide you with some advice on keeping your pets healthy. Having a good relationship with your veterinarian can pave the road for many years of excellent pet care. Here are five things you can do, as a pet owner, to help us help you.

1. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian and be on time. It is courteous to reschedule an appointment you will not be able keep. That time slot can be used to treat other patients.

2. Even in the case of an emergency, you should call to make sure your veterinarian is available. If your pet can't be seen that day, you may have to defer to an emergency animal hospital.

3. Routinely visit your pet vet. Don't wait until your animal is sick to stop by the clinic. With routine checkups, some of those illnesses may be able to be prevented.

4. Become familiar with your pet. If you can catch an illness at the first sign of symptoms, it may be easier to treat. It's best if you can avoid an emergency situation.

5. Be friendly and polite with your vet. Your vet loves animals just as much as you do. Trust them to know how to best take care of your pets and follow their advice.

Do you need a reliable pet vet in Coon Rapids? Then give us a call today at 763-754-2481 or Contact Us Online.