I recently read a blog by Dr. Ernie Ward, a veterinarian in North Carolina. Dr. Ward told a story about a client whose dog became infected with heartworm disease. The client thought that it was impossible because she was applying a topical preventative on her pet every month. She had purchased the preventative at a store and thought she was doing what was needed to provide the best protection for her dog. In reality she was not giving a heartworm preventative at all but was applying a flea preventative. This was a costly mistake for the woman and for her pet’s health. More »
News & Blog
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A Personal Journey to Africa
I recently returned from an incredible journey to Tanzania, in East Africa. I went to Tanzania with a group of twelve adventurous men and women, led and organized by Richard Leider who is the founder of a company called the Inventure Group. The trip was inspired to lead us on our own personal journey of discovering purpose in our lives as we explored the beauty and wonder of this region of Africa.
February is Pet Dental Health Month!
Veterinary Dentistry has come a long way in the last 20 years. We now know that our pet’s oral health is an integral part of their overall wellness. To raise awareness of the importance of dental care for your pet, Rivertown Animal Hospital is offering 10 percent off of the cost of a dental procedure booked during the month of February. Click here for details. More »
Acupuncture and Chiropractic to treat a Dachshund with Disc Disease
Rivertown Animal Hospital is fortunate to have a certified veterinary acupuncturist and veterinary chiropractor, Dr. Mary Arnesen.
On Saturday we had a call from a gentleman looking for Dr. Arnesen because his three year old Dachshund, Zoey, was unable to walk.
Zoey ‘s owner had met Dr. Mary about 10 years ago when his other Dachshund, Abbee, had a similar problem. At that time he had been told by another veterinarian that the only hope for Abbee was to have spinal surgery at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Hospital. More »
Rivertown Cares For Cats
Did you hear? We’ve joined the American Association of Feline Practitioners! The association works to improve the health and welfare of cats by supporting high standards of practice, continuing education and scientific investigation. This new partnership extends our commitment to providing compassionate care for America’s favorite pet. In addition to our membership in the AAFP, we also work closely with the Catalyst Council and the American Humane Association. To learn more about how we care for cats, visit our Caring for Cats page or call as at 651.430.2229.
Date Set for Next Mini Vet School is Saturday, February 11
Our November Mini Vet School was so much fun we can’t wait for the next session! The date is the afternoon of Saturday, February 11. Mini Vet School is a fun learning experience for kids ages 7–12. The kids and Rivertown staff have a great time at this popular event. Check out our Facebook page for Mini Vet School photos. Call us at 651.430.2229 to register. If you are interested in more information, we are always happy to answer your questions. You can also visit our Mini Vet School page.
A New Look for Our Website
We’ve launched our new website! With clearer navigation and even more helpful info, we hope it will keep you connected and informed. Learn about us, the services we provide, 
and special events we have planned for you and your pet.
I am excited about our new website and blog. The goal of this effort is to let others know about the exceptional care provided by Rivertown Animal Hospital. Our new logo and tagline – “Compassionate, exceptional care for your pets.” – were created to help reflect our professionalism and the quality of care we provide for our patients. More »
“Did you feed your dog onions?”
That was a question I had to ask my good client John last week after his little white poodle Bobby came in sick and pale with unexplained anemia.
Bobby had his teeth cleaned at Rivertown on a Friday morning. He had been thoroughly examined, had blood work completed, and was a healthy little five-year-old, six-pound poodle. Bobby’s stay in the hospital went smoothly and he left with clean and shiny teeth. The following Monday, John called and said Bobby wasn’t feeling well. He came to the hospital and had another blood test done. This time his red blood cells were not normal and he was extremely anemic. It was a puzzle. More »
Mini Vet School Date Set for Nov. 5
As the kids head back to school, it is time to put another educational (and fun) opportunity on your calendar.
Rivertown Animal Hospital has set the date for the next session of our popular Mini Vet School: the afternoon of Saturday, November 5. This is our fourth year of teaching Mini Vet School. More »
Be Aware of Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases
We had a banner year for ticks. Each year, ticks and tick-borne diseases become more widespread. Minnesota and Wisconsin are among the most prevalent states for the deer tick Ixodes scapularis which carries Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis. In the past several years we have seen increasing numbers of other tick-borne diseases, including Ehrlichia canis, Babesia and even Rocky Mountain spotted fever. All of these diseases are debilitating and can be life-threatening to pets and to humans. More »
