By Dr. Signe Wass, on January 9th, 2012 
Yesterday we removed the stitches from a great 8 month old yellow lab, Zoey. At the end of November Zoey decided to chew up and swallow bits of plastic and string. This was an unfortunate event because the plastic got stuck in her stomach and the string traveled into her intestines and caused multiple holes to develop. This was a very sick puppy! Luckily, we took her to surgery ASAP and removed the plastic and string. The many holes were sewn shut and lots of fluids, antibiotics and pain meds were given. She now is a happy, healthy active puppy! Whew…
By Annie, on January 6th, 2012  Dear Dog Lovers,
Have you ever been amazed at how hard it is to sneak open a potato chip bag in your house without attracting a dog within seconds? Ever notice how we dogs hear our master’s car coming down the road a block away? I’d like to think it’s Superhuman Senses, but actually it’s just how we are wired.
Canine ears whether they stand up or droop over, capture more sounds at greater distances and wider frequencies than human ears. My favorite word that I can hear from almost a mile away is “treat.” People can hear sounds in a frequency range between 63 and 23,000 Hz. Dogs can hear in ranges between 67 and 45,000 Hz, but they take a backseat to the family cat in hearing abilities. Cats can capture sounds between 45 and 64,000 Hz, making them much better at tuning in to a mouse in the house. But, I ask the question “Will a cat come when it’s called?”
The ability to hear is strong, but takes second place to a dog’s ability to smell. Olfactory cells inside the canine nose along with hair help trap scents. People have about 5 million olfactory receptor cells compared with more than 100 million in dogs. Although I may smell worse than humans at times (before my bath), I smell about a million times better than them.
Your pal,
Annie
By Dr. Rich Lorang, on December 31st, 2011 
With 2011 coming to a close we would like to thank you for trusting us with your pets health and well being. We look forward to serving you and your pets throughout 2012 and wishing you a happy and healthy NEW YEAR from Countryside Animal Hospital and Kennels!
By Laura CVT, on December 23rd, 2011 
Lucy is a 7 month old Hedgehog who came to us in need of a nail trim. Lucy was a little shy about letting us take a good look at her, (especially her little toes), due to the natural way that Hedgehogs curl up into a ball when they are threatened or scared. We decided that using a safe gas anesthetic would be less stressful for her and safer for us to be able to handle her. To our surprise, Lucy was not very shy about getting into our “exotic animal jar”, that we use to gas them down in. She climbed right in! We were able to successfully trim her nails and examine her and she did a great job! Thank you to her owner Sarah for letting me be a part of her visit today, as this was my first experience as a tech handling a Hedgehog! It was very exciting and I am looking forward to seeing Lucy come in for her future visits!
By Dr. Rich Lorang, on December 23rd, 2011 
Earlier this week Countryside Animal Hospital was presented with a certificate of appreciation and letter from their executive director thanking us for our participation in the PEHS spay and neuter program! Prairies Edge Humane Society is one of the numerous rescue groups we work with in the area. We all like to do our part to control the animal population so there are not so many homeless pets; especially over these cold winter months. Take care to spay and neuter your pet before they are old enough to reproduce!
By Dr. Signe Wass, on December 16th, 2011 
For all of us with a geriatric cat at home, there is a new way to treat one of the most common geriatric diseases of cats, hyperthyroidism. It’s the new Y/D diet from Science diet. Hyperthyroidism is caused when the thyroid gland starts to produce excess amounts of thyroid hormone. In cats, this causes severe weight loss, heart murmurs, hypertension, stroke and eventually death. For years our most common treatment involves giving the cat a pill twice a day. This can be problematic for many reasons, the most significant is no one wants to pill their cat twice a day. The Y/D diet helps to treat hyperthyroidism by limiting the amount of iodine in the food. Iodine is the essential element the thyroid gland needs to produce excessive amounts of hormone, so restricting the amount of iodine essentially decreases production of thyroid hormone and alleviates symptoms. At this time we are beginning to use y/d as part of our treatment protocol and are hopeful that it will either decrease the amount of medication needed or possibly eliminate medication in some lucky patients. To discuss if this is an option for your cat, please contact Countryside Animal Hospital to schedule a visit with your veterinarian.
By Dr. Rich Lorang, on December 12th, 2011 As many of you know Signe and I are proud graduates of the University of MInnesota college of Veterinary Medicine. We still go up there for classes and we follow their veterinary research projects. But the most important relationship we have with them is for their medical support.
Just recently I had an emergency case you may have seen in the Northfield News on the weekend that was in need of an oxygen cage because of smoke inhalation and exhaustion. The U of M was ready for the pet when it arrived and was placed in an intensive care unit for constant monitoring. I could go on and on about all the great medical, surgical and diagnostic tools they have up there, but I’ll just get too excited about it so, just take comfort in knowing, when needed, we have friends in high places.
By Jess CVT, on December 9th, 2011 
UPDATE: This sweet girl was Adopted!! This beautiful polydactyl female cat is looking for a home! Being a polydactyl cat, she has extra toes on every foot and loves to play! We believe she is around 1 year old and she is very social! With interest in adopting this sweet girl, call Countryside Animal Hospital and Kennels at 645-4522 before 12/13!
By Annie, on December 9th, 2011  Greetings!
I’m a frisky 10 month old Labrador Retriever named Annie. I live in scenic Northfield. I’ve noticed that this town is filled with bicycles, stained glass, the smell of muffins, and dogs. I’ve decided to be the voice of these dogs for their owners. Every month I will bark out a problem and attempt to give you insight to solve them.
This time of year I hear children begging their parents for a new puppy. I even hear them promising to feed, walk, and play with the pup. It seems like the parents are put in the “dog house” trying to make this important decision. Should they say “yes” or “wait?”
Caring for dogs develops responsibility and self-esteem in their young owners. If you are looking for the magical age to purchase a pup, forget it. The actual skills necessary to care for pets, though, depend more on a child’s ability to take responsibility and exercise self-control than on an age group.
While walking down the side walk I heard 2 people talking about the added expense of purchasing a pup. I reminded them not to forget the added responsibilities involved as well. Were they willing to care for the dog when their children grew up or headed to college or careers?
I suggest including the children in all discussions on caring for your dog. Often, kids can offer great suggestions and be part of the solution when it comes to any behavior problems in your dog.
Because some of my best friends at Doggy Daycare are rescue dogs, I’d suggest checking them out if searching for a dog. These “slightly used” dogs are looking for warm and friendly homes.
One last thing. I suggest you secure the services of a dependable veterinarian like Dr. Rich Lorang or Dr. Signe Wass. Neither one of them has cold hands, and really seem to like taking care of animals.
Your pal, Annie
By Michael Gunderson, on December 9th, 2011 The best time to teach your puppy is in the first 6 months of its life as a puppy’s brain is perfectly developed to learn. Many perspective dog owners cringe at the thought of a barking pup chewing everything in sight while soiling inside the house. Many of these unwanted issues can be prevented by early training. As many people know, a dog is a pack animal. They love to hang with a group and in this group much learning can be done. Well you have the power to control this group. Join a puppy class. Your puppy NEEDS socialization almost much as his first vaccinations. In fact, dogs can get in more trouble mentally and physically by NOT being socialized. Countryside Animal Hospital & Kennels are now offering puppy classes. Call Michael at the Kennel (507)-645-5051 for more information.
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Countryside Animal Hospital & Kennels
708 Schilling Drive
Dundas, MN 55019
(507) 645-4522 Clinic
(507) 645-5051 Kennel
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