Heritage Plaza Animal Hospital

09/12/2025

🐾 Zoonotic Diseases: Protecting Pets and People

Some illnesses can pass from pets to people—these are called zoonotic diseases. While uncommon with proper care, they’re important to know about:

⚠️ Examples include:
• Rabies 🦇 – fatal if untreated, fully preventable with vaccines.
• Leptospirosis 🌧️🐀 – a bacterial disease spread through water or soil contaminated by wildlife; it can make both dogs and people seriously ill. Protection is included in the 9-way canine vaccine we recommend.
•Ringworm 🐾 – a fungal infection affecting skin, hair, and nails.
•Intestinal parasites 🪱 – like roundworms and hookworms, which can spread through contaminated soil or f***s.
•Toxoplasmosis 🐱 – a parasite sometimes carried by cats, especially concerning for pregnant women.

✅ Prevention is key:
•Keep your pets up to date on vaccines
•Use year-round parasite prevention for fleas, ticks, and worms.
•Practice good hygiene—wash hands after handling pets, litter boxes, or soil.
•Schedule regular veterinary checkups to catch problems early.

At Heritage Plaza Animal Hospital, requiring rabies and recommending vaccines like leptospirosis isn’t just a policy—it’s about keeping your pets, our staff, and our community safe. 💙🐶🐱

📅 Call or text us at (405) 737-4000 to check your pet’s vaccine status today.

09/11/2025

🐕 September is Responsible Dog Owner Month – Here Are 3 Key Ways to Show Your Dog They Matter

1. Prioritize Health & Preventive Care
Routine veterinary visits, timely vaccinations, parasite prevention, and dental care keep your pup healthy throughout their life—from puppyhood to their golden years. Preventive medicine, like vaccinations for rabies, distemper, and heartworm protection, form the foundation for a long, happy life.

2. Commit to Training & Socialization
Well-trained dogs are calmer, more confident, and better companions. Positive reinforcement training—teaching commands like sit, stay, and recall—not only helps with manners but strengthens your bond  . Early and ongoing socialization helps dogs feel at ease around people, pets, and new situations.

3. Keep Them Active & Safe
Daily physical activity keeps your dog mentally sharp and physically fit. Whether it’s a stroll around the block, a vigorous game of fetch, or a hike—find what lights up your dog’s tail wag. At the same time, proper safety matters: secure fences, sturdy collars or harnesses, and anti-slip leashes help prevent escapes or accidents.

Why it matters: A recent survey found that 90% of U.S. dog owners view their pet’s health as equally or more important than their own. They’re increasingly prioritizing diet, exercise, vet visits, and dental hygiene to boost their dog’s well-being and longevity.

By focusing on health, training, and safe activity, you’re not just meeting your dog’s basic needs—you’re helping them thrive, strengthening your bond, and enriching your entire community.

How to take action this week:
• Schedule or check off that overdue wellness exam
• Try a short training session or introduce your dog to a new friend
• Take your pup out for longer walks or safe playtime in a well-fenced area

Let’s celebrate Responsible Dog Owner Month by making smart choices for our pups—because they truly deserve it.

09/10/2025

🚨 Rabies Cases Rising in Oklahoma – Vaccines Are Our Key Defense 🚨

Oklahoma’s State Veterinarian, Dr. Rod Hall, is raising a red flag—rabies cases are on the increase, with 29 cases already reported in 2025. Though this pattern isn’t unusual for mid-year, it’s still a serious concern, especially during spring and summer when wildlife like skunks and bats become more active .

Dr. Hall urges both pet and livestock owners to stay vigilant: vaccination remains the most effective protection. Rabies is fatal once exposed, but preventable with timely immunization .

At Heritage Plaza Animal Hospital, we require rabies vaccinations—not as a formality, but as a vital safety measure. Keeping your pets up to date helps protect:
• Your beloved pets, who are at risk when encountering wildlife carriers.
• Our staff, who care for your pets daily.
• Our entire community, by preventing a disease that can cross species and threaten public health.

If your pet’s rabies vaccine is due—or past due—let’s get them scheduled soon. It’s a small step that offers big protection.

Stay safe. Stay vaccinated.
(And feel free to check out the full story from OK State Vet for more details.)
🔗

Oklahoma's state veterinarian is urging pet and livestock owners to update rabies vaccinations as cases increase, particularly during spring and summer.

09/09/2025

🎉🎂 Happy Birthday to Matt! 🎂🎉

Today we’re celebrating Matt Jorgensen, our Practice Manager here at Heritage Plaza Animal Hospital! 🐾

Matt works hard behind the scenes keeping the clinic running smoothly—whether it’s supporting our team, handling the business side of things, or helping with marketing. We’re grateful for all he does to make sure our patients (and their people!) get the very best care.

If you see Matt around the clinic this week, be sure to wish him a Happy Birthday! 🥳💙🐶🐱

09/08/2025

Meet the Staff Monday!
🌟 Meet Kellsey! 🌟

She joined Heritage Plaza Animal Hospital in June and brings a lifetime of animal experience—from showing cattle and chickens in FFA to running the petcare department at PetSmart. 🐄🐓🐾

Kellsey loves helping pets feel their best and strengthening the bond between animals and their families. When she’s not in the clinic, you’ll find her with her American Bully, Dolly, helping out Edmond FFA, fishing at the lake, or cheering on livestock shows (Dr Pepper in hand, of course!).

We’re so excited to have her on the team—be sure to say hi next time you’re in! 💙

09/05/2025

🐾 Myth-Busting: Raw Diets Edition 🐾

Here’s the scoop: Raw food isn’t a “wild-only” shortcut to health. From nutritional gaps to serious safety concerns, the risks outweigh the benefits for most—especially without veterinary oversight. Dr. Kim recommends sticking with balanced, vet-approved diets to support your pet’s long-term well-being. Want to explore safe feeding options or discuss your furry friend’s diet? Schedule a nutrition consult with us today!✨

09/04/2025

🚫🐾 The Dangers of Off-Brand or Off-Label Flea & Tick Products 🐾🚫

It may seem convenient to pick up an off-brand or off-label flea and tick product at the store or online, but these can put your pet at serious risk, including:

⚠️ Toxic reactions and seizures
⚠️ Skin irritation, burns, or hair loss
⚠️ Ineffective protection against fleas and ticks
⚠️ Life-threatening complications—especially in cats

At Heritage Plaza Animal Hospital, we carry several safe and effective flea & tick preventatives that are veterinarian-approved and tailored to your pet’s needs.

✅ Keep your furry family members protected the right way—give us a call or text at 405-737-4000 to learn which option is best for your dog or cat!

09/03/2025

At Heritage Plaza Animal Hospital, we believe peace of mind shouldn’t come with surprise costs. That’s why every Pet Wellness Plan—for both dogs and cats—includes UNLIMITED office exams. That means you can bring your furry friend in anytime something feels “ruff” or “not purrfect,” all without worrying about extra fees.


And that’s not all! You can conveniently add-on:
• Spay/neuter packages, complete with pre-op blood work, spread over easy monthly installments
• Dental cleanings.
• Heartworm, flea & tick prevention, giving your pet year-round defense with simple add-ons


Whether you have a playful puppy, a curious kitten, an adult companion, or a wise senior, there’s a plan made just for your pet’s life stage. All with predictable monthly billing, crafted by our veterinarian to meet real-life needs.


Swipe in—or rather, scroll in—and give your pet the care they deserve every day of the year. Ready to enroll or curious about what works best for your furry family member? Call or text us at (405) 737‑4000, or email support@hpahvet.com—we’d love to help you choose the perfect plan.

09/02/2025

Your pet’s dental cleaning is a lot like your own — the only difference is they’re under anesthesia so the procedure is safe and stress-free. During a dental, your dog or cat gets:

✨ Dental x-rays to check below the gumline
✨ Scaling to remove plaque and tartar
✨ Polishing for a smooth, clean finish
✨ A fluoride treatment to protect enamel

Healthy teeth mean fresher breath, less pain, and better overall health for your pet’s heart, liver, and kidneys.

🐾 Call or text us at 405-737-4000 to schedule your pet’s dental appointment. Want to make dental care part of your pet’s routine? Ask us about our Snout Wellness Plans, which can include a yearly dental as part of your pet’s preventive care!

09/01/2025

🇺🇸 Happy Labor Day from Heritage Plaza Animal Hospital! 🇺🇸

Our clinic is closed today in observance of the holiday. We hope you and your pets enjoy a safe, relaxing day!

🐾 We’ll be back to our regular business hours tomorrow and look forward to seeing you then.

08/15/2025

🐾 Did You Know? (Because I Sure Do!)
Hi, it’s me—your pet. Did you know our vet has these SNOUT Wellness Plans where I can visit for unlimited exams? Yup—anytime I feel “a little ruff” or “not quite purrfect,” you can bring me in without worrying about exam fees.

They also cover vaccines, preventive care, and even big stuff like spays, neuters, and dental cleanings—so I can stay healthy (and keep the treats coming).

Enroll Here: https://hpahvet.com/pet-wellness-plans/

08/08/2025

“Little Darling” was our first patient to get the new BRAVECTO QUANTUM injection. Her mom, Susan, is excited not to have to find a way to get her to eat the chewable.

Bravecto Quantum is a veterinarian-administered injection that protects dogs from fleas and ticks for up to 12 months. It's the first and only yearly flea and tick injection for dogs.

Call or text us to find out more about this flea and tick prevention.
405-737-4000.

Heritage Plaza Animal Hospital in Midwest City, OK, provides exceptional veterinary care for dogs and cats. From wellness exams and vaccinations to dental care and surgery, our experienced team is dedicated to keeping your pets healthy and happy. Visit hpahvet.com to schedule an appointment today!