Dr. Teresa Hershey

LS disease, or lumbosacral disease refers to a disease of the lower back. An explanation of the anatomy of the lower spine will help to understand this disease further. The vertebrae are the bones that surround and protect the spinal cord. Dogs and cats have 7 cervical (neck) vertebrae, 13 thoracic (chest) vertebrae, 7 lumbar…

Several years ago, Dr. Josh Stern, a veterinary cardiologist at the University of California Davis noticed an alarming trend. He began diagnosing more and more Golden Retrievers with a heart disease called Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), an unusual disease in Golden Retrievers. In this condition, the heart muscles dilate, the heart enlarges and no longer can…

There is a parasite lurking in our area that the public should be aware of, and that all dog owners can help to control. That parasite is called hookworm. Hookworm is found throughout the world, however, in Minnesota, we see two different species: Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala which are both carried by dogs. Hookworm…

If your kitty starts to urinate outside of the litter box, this can be a very frustrating problem that can seriously damage the bond you have with your cat. The good news is that your veterinarian can help you sort through this problem, and hopefully help you correct it, so that you and your cat…

Acupuncture is an ancient healing art that dates back 5,000 years. Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors discovered centuries ago that the body has an amazing power to heal itself if given the right stimulation. Although the benefits of acupuncture have been known for a long time, it is only recently that science has stepped in to…

Every spring, we get a “rash” of phone calls about round, red lesions on the belly. Often times, these are “grass gnat” (also called black fly) bites. These biting insects emerge and create worrisome bite marks on dogs. The bites usually show up on the belly or groin area where there is less fur. The…

One of the most frequent questions I get is “what should I feed my pet”. This is a very important question to ask, especially if you own a cat. Cats are so different from dogs in terms of their nutritional needs, and understanding their dietary requirements is essential to optimal feline health. If you want…

If you find an “abandoned” bunny nest, the first thing to do is not disturb it. Many people do not know that mother rabbits only attend to their bunnies once a day during the early hours of the morning. If you are observing a nest, and never see the mother, don’t assume that the bunnies…

Dr. Teresa Hershey Congratulations to Westgate Pet Clinic for winning “Best Veterinarian in Edina” for 2018! A special thank you to all of our dedicated clients that voted for us. Words cannot express how much we value and appreciate you and your “furry children”. Also, thank you to Edina Magazine for including us in their…

Dr. Teresa Hershey There are several times throughout a dog’s life where they may need some type of activity to stimulate their brain, but they may not be able to do much physical exercise. Sometimes this is due to doctor’s orders (such as recovering from a surgery), or because the patient has limited mobility from…