River Hills Pet Care Hospital

09/29/2026

Today is World Rabies Day, which provides an important opportunity to learn about staying safe around mammals.

Did you know:
- in Minnesota, bats and skunks are the most likely wild animals to transmit rabies, but other animals can present a risk
- bat teeth are so tiny, you may not know if you've been bitten by a bat, so any physical contact with a bat should be considered a possible rabies exposure. The Northern Long-eared Bat might look big in this photo, but this bat only weighs as much as a U.S. nickel, and a bite mark could be microscopic.
- if you wake up and find a bat in your bedroom, capture it and take it to the UMN Diagnostic Lab (DLab) for testing. We love bats, but in the face of a deadly disease, human safety comes first.
- if a bat has been in a room with a child or someone who cannot communicate, it also should go to the DLab
- did you know that even horses and cows can get rabies?
- squirrels, on the other hand, do not pose a rabies threat!
- safely capturing a grounded bat is easy. Use a Tupperware container with pencil-size or smaller air holes in the lid. Use the lid to herd the bat into the container without touching the bat.
- if you find an injured skunk, raccoon, groundhog or some other mammal (excluding squirrels and mice), it is important to capture it without risking a bite. Every situation is different, so you can always give us a call for guidance on safely containing an animal.
- if you find a displaced bat once cold weather sets in (30s at night), don't release it outside - it will die. Bring it to us for safe hibernating in our WRC Bat Cave!

If a bat makes contact with your skin or is found in your home, or you are bitten by a mammal (excluding squirrels and mice), call the Minnesota Department of Health for guidance: 651-201-5414

09/15/2026

As the weather gets colder, many people turn to essential oil diffusers, candles, and liquid potpourri to create a cozy atmosphere. If you have cats, these products can pose a serious toxic risk.

Cats lack an essential liver enzyme needed to metabolize and eliminate certain toxins like essential oils. They're also highly sensitive to phenols and phenolic compounds found in many oils. Even exposure through diffusers can cause respiratory irritation or, with active diffusers like ultrasonic models, oil droplets can land on your cat's fur and be absorbed through the skin or ingested during grooming.

Watch for signs like difficulty breathing, drooling, vomiting, tremors, wobbliness, or lethargy. Cats with pre-existing respiratory conditions including asthma are at a greater risk. If your cat is exposed, move them to fresh air immediately and call or chat with us at 800-213-6680.

09/05/2026

Grapes, raisins, and even currants can be more dangerous to dogs than most pet parents realize. Even only a few grapes have been linked to sudden kidney failure that may not show up for days, and homegrown or organic grapes carry the same risk.

Veterinary medicine hasn't pinpointed why some dogs react and others don't, or confirmed what makes grapes so toxic, which is exactly why any known ingestion is treated as a potential emergency, not just the large ones.

If your dog gets into grapes, raisins, currants, or anything made with them, call or chat with our veterinary professionals at 800-213-6680.

09/05/2026

We will be closed on Monday, 9/7/26, in observance of Labor Day. Have a safe weekend!

08/28/2026

Today, we take a quiet moment for the pets who are no longer with us but never really leave. Whether it's been days or years, that love doesn't fade.

Feel free to share a photo or memory in the comments. We'd love to help celebrate the life they lived. 💕

08/26/2026

06/29/2026

Just a friendly reminder that our clinic will be closed this Friday, 7/3, in observance of the holidays. Please contact us as soon as possible if your pet needs a refill on their anxiety meds prior to the holidays!

06/19/2026

Veterinary Appreciation Day!

Today, we celebrate the incredible professionals who dedicate their lives to caring for animals and supporting the people who love them.

From preventive care and routine wellness visits to emergency and critical care, veterinary professionals make a difference every day through their compassion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to animal health and well-being. Whether they are advocating for patients, educating clients, or providing hands-on care, their work has a meaningful impact on the lives of both animals and their families.

Veterinary medicine is truly a team effort, and we want to recognize all members of the veterinary team: veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, client service representatives, kennel staff, practice managers, and support teams. Your contributions make exceptional patient care possible!

On behalf of MAVT, thank you for the knowledge, resilience, empathy, and dedication you bring to this profession. Your work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is immeasurable.

Today, and every day, we appreciate you.

🐾 Take a moment to thank a veterinary professional who has made a difference in your life or in the life of a beloved pet 🐾

04/20/2026