It's Pet Dental Health Month!
Our four-legged friends mean the world to us and we want to do the best, and be the best advocates we can for them. ❤️❤️
One area that seems to get overlooked is oral health! Why on earth would you want to stick your face and hands close to a mouth where you know Max has been eating some not so appetizing things lately?!😷
Did you know 4 out of 5 pets over the age of 3 have some sort of periodontal disease?! YUCK. It can be difficult to see unless you take a look for yourself. Dog's and cats are very good at hiding pain and aren't about to come crying to you if they have irritated gums or a broken tooth.
A mouth that has a build-up of plaque and tartar can lead to tooth decay and bacteria under the gumline. This bacteria can enter the bloodstream and affect major organs, such as the heart and liver.
Did you know that full grown dogs have 42 teeth?! Just like humans, dog's have baby teeth or "deciduous teeth" before the adult teeth grow in. In some cases, especially in small dogs, these teeth don't fall out and the adults grow in beside. This can cause malalignment of the teeth, which can affect chewing and leaves less room between teeth. Food and bacteria can get caught between the teeth and cause faster decay.
Taking care of your pet's teeth routinely will avoid bigger health problems in the future and larger dental procedures, which will save you money!
Just as your dentist has likely told you that keeping a clean mouth means a healthy body, it is the same for pets as well. 😁
-->Look out for more blogs this month for tips and tools on how to keep your dog's mouth sparkling!
The best way to make sure your pet is at their ideal weight is not by actually weighing them, but by their Body Condition Score!
A Body Condition Score (BCS) chart lays out specific guidelines to help pet owners and professionals have a hands-on assessment of fat and muscle mass. It is either scored 1-5 or 1-9 depending on what chart you use.
Click the link below to take a look at a BCS chart and figure out where your pet stands!
Oh, Christmas Tree!
Mistletoe and Holly
Making Spirits Bright
If chewed on, wires can give a nasty electrical shock and leave burns in their sensitive mouths and esophagus. Your pet can also get tangled in the wires, and cause injury to their limbs and other body parts.
Sweets and Meats
Chocolate and sweets with xylitol can be toxic to dogs. Usually causing some gastrointestinal upset, but it can also cause neurological impairment and can be fatal.
High-fat meats and other fixings can have an effect on your pooch’s digestive system, causing GI upset, and can lead to an inflamed pancreas. This can leave you with costly medical bills and one sick puppy.
If you follow these tips and keep your pet safe this holiday, it means everyone can enjoy this magical time of year!
Abigail The Emerging Hero!
Read this heartwarming story about a pit bull once used as a fighting dog and now an American Hero! At a young age of 1 year old, she almost lost her life to dogfighting.
The article states: "Abigail and her Bonnets have brought awareness to the importance of helping “End Dog Fighting.” Read about Abigail's Story
Is High Rise Syndrome in Pets a real thing???
YES- In fact it is a very real and very dangerous thing. This is a term used by Veterinarians, it came from the number of injuries and deaths of pets (especially cats) that fall from balconies, windows, and fire escapes.
Pets often end up in these situations after having been startled. It also happens when pets jump or lose their balance on a ledge of a balcony, fire escape or window. Pets trying to catch bugs and not properly judging the dangers/height of their environment has been another leading cause of this condition.
Unfortunately, these pets suffer severe injuries or death and therefore prevention is key! A couple things you can do to prevent this from happening:
When it comes to plant toxicity in dogs, it is no joke! It is important to know which plants are toxic to dogs and the signs associated with toxicity. If you think that your dog has ingested one of these plants, be sure to contact your Veterinarian immediately, or the pet poison helpline: 855-764-7661
Tick Talk
Did you know that ticks can survive in weather that is above 4 degrees! They are hearty creatures that do their best to latch onto us and our pet. Dogs can pick up ticks from other animals, humans, on walks, and of course by not being on prevention.
It is important that your dog is on prevention against ticks year around! The reason why I keep my dog on prevention year round is because of those “unpredictable winters” and summers, never knowing when the weather might spontaneously warm up or cool down. The year-round prevention of my choice is Bravecto!
Check out the life cycle of the tick below:
Source (Image): CDC
