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Routine ear care is good prevention
Routine ear care is an important factor in your pet's preventative health care program. Ear disease is a common occurrence in pets. Unfortunately, many pet owners do not recognize this problem until their pet's ears are infected and the ear canal is inflamed and swollen.
There are numerous causes of ear infections ranging from foreign objects in the ear canal to allergies. Infections can also be caused by ear "mites." Heredity, anatomy, and trauma often predispose a pet to this problem. Trapped moisture can cause a disease similar to "swimmer's ear."
Ear scratching, head shaking and ear rubbing are signs of a possible infection. The ears are often red and have a foul smelling discharge.
Limit routine cleanings to the outer part of the ear every one to two weeks. Don't use a cotton swab as it can pack debris and wax down to the eardrum. Also, don't use home remedies. They can create a more severe problem.
Check your pet's ears occasionally for redness and odor. If there is a problem, give us a call. Early treatment will prevent the situation from becoming more stubborn and painful.
The dangers of antifreeze!!!
When you hear the word anti-freeze, you may think that's only something to consider during the winter, but your vehicle relies on antifreeze all year long. So why is your vet telling you about something automotive related? Simple---antifreeze is VERY toxic.
Both cats and dogs are attracted to the sweet taste and smell of ethylene glycol, the active ingredient in antifreeze. Antifreeze poisoning commonly occurs when car owners replace the old antifreeze with new in their car radiators. A pet doesn't have to drink a lot of antifreeze to be poisoned. Just a FEW LICKS can be extremely hazardous to children, cats and dogs. Antifreeze poisoning can cause kidney failure, coma, and ultimately, death. The faster your pet is treated by a veterinarian, the better the chances of recovery.
There may be a hidden source of this poison hiding in the safety of your home-- in decorative "snow globes". The liquid inside these small decorations contains 2% antifreeze and is VERY toxic. Be sure to keep them out of reach of children and pets.
There are less-toxic propylene-glycol-based antifreezes on the market. Help save lives and ask specifically for a more pet-friendly antifreeze from your mechanic, or if you're a do-it-yourselfer, ask at the auto parts store
Take Care of your pet's teeth!
February may be the shortest month, but it's also an important one for pet owners. That's because it's also National Pet Dental Health Month. We want to share with you why dental care is so important to our four-legged family members.
Dogs and cats suffer from dental diseases. But unlike humans, who can take care of their own teeth, our pets must rely on us to help them maintain healthy and pain-free teeth and gums.
Plaque, tartar buildup, and periodontal disease are the most commonly seen problems in veterinary dentistry. Plaque is the soft film combination of food debris, bacteria, and bacterial waste products that are deposited on the irregular surfaces of teeth.
Plaque rapidly becomes mineralized into tartar. Plaque and tartar encourage destructive bacteria, which infect the gums, then destroy the supporting structures of teeth. As the process continues, the gums recede, exposing the tooth roots, and the teeth fall out.
Tooth roots can become severely infected or abscessed. The symptoms of loose and abscessed teeth include foul breath, excessive salivation, difficulty eating, excessive licking, oral bleeding, oral pain, and general malaise.
Check your pet's teeth and gums. Are the teeth bright white, the gums light pink and smooth, and the mouth odor free? If not, prompt veterinary attention is necessary to prevent further dental disease, and protect your pet's health in general.
Treatment usually involves removing all traces of plaque and tartar. After teeth cleaning in the hospital, we'll demonstrate the best ways for you to develop an at-home dental program. The physical brushing of the teeth with a veterinary toothpaste is the most effective means of removing plaque. We'll help you learn the proper technique, so the experience will be enjoyable for everyone, and your pet can be free of dental problems for years to come!
SPRING TIPS
Warmer weather brings with it many risks to your pets’ health. Fleas and ticks can make the days miserable for your pooch or kitty. More serious health risks include heartworms, Lyme disease, and the various life-threatening viruses such as parvo, corona, and FeLV. As these threats to your pet are transmitted in numerous ways, the chances of contracting one greatly increase as our pets take to the great outdoors.
The good news is that most of these diseases can easily be prevented with annual vaccinations. The alternative is taking the chance your pet will escape exposure to these many problems. Vaccinating your animals will give you the peace of mind that your pets are protected from these increasing health threats.
One of the hardest cases we have to care for is the pet who is gravely ill with a disease that could have been prevented with a simple vaccination. Also, an inexpensive series of shots can head off treatments that could cost hundreds of dollars. For fleas, we offer a variety of options and can make the recommendation that’s best for you and your furry friends.
Allergic Dermatitis and Pets
Have you noticed your pet losing fur or chewing excessively? Does he or she appear to have skin irritations? If so, your four-footed friend may be suffering from allergic dermatitis.
This problem is caused by an allergic reaction to any of a number of things, including inhaled pollens, contact with certain grasses, chemicals or fabrics, or the biggest of all--fleas! Inhaled pollens, which usually cause people to cough, sneeze, or weep, more often result in itchy face and feet in their usual areas of thin haircoat such as the abdomen, inside the rear legs and between footpads.
Whatever the stimulus, the result is the same--an intense itching which causes the pet to scratch too much which, in turn, breaks the skin resulting in even more itching. The progressive “snowballing" effect can evoke such an intense reaction that the pet can lick, chew, or scratch a large raw spot overnight. Treatment for any of these conditions of hair loss or inflamed skin needs to begin with an examination.
Use of medications on the skin are seldom effective alone because they don’t counteract the allergic infections which result from bacteria entering the broken skin.
Is your pet suffering from Arthritis?
In many ways, our pets have a lot in common with
us. They can suffer from some of the same mala-
dies as humans, including that common old age
complaint——arthritis. Watch for these symptoms:
• Decreased activity
• Reluctance to walk, run, climb stairs, jump or play
• Stiffness
• Limping
• Difficulty rising from a resting position
• Lagging behind on walks
• Soreness when touched
• Yelping or whimpering in pain
• Acting aggressive or withdrawn
• Exhibiting other personality changes
Holiday season has hidden dangers for our pets
The holiday season brings with it good friends, good food, gift buying and festive decorations. These decorations are a wonderful playground for a mischievous pet. They can also be very dangerous. Everyone wants to pamper their loved ones during the holidays even their pets. But please be careful. It is possible to kill them with kindness. Here are a few tips to keep your pets safe so that everyone can enjoy the holidays.
* Keep Christmas lights and electrical cords off of the floor. Puppies and kittens may chew on the cords and pay the consequences
* Avoid using tinsel if you have a cat. Cats are very attracted to the shimmery tinsel and may swallow it. The same goes for ribbons on pack-ages. Both can cause serious blockages in the cat's digestive tract.
* Poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly are poisonous if eaten. They will cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Keep them out of reach.
* Holiday foods can be dangerous for your pet. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats. It can cause seizures and irregular heartbeat! Bones are also to be avoided. They can splinter and lodge in the animal's throat.
* Lastly, when servicing your car, don't leave antifreeze/coolant lying around. It tastes sweet and can be fatal if swallowed. Clean up any spills and and put any unused portions out of reach.
Taking a little extra care with our holiday decorations will allow you and your pet to have a safe, enjoyable time! And please feel free to call us if you should have any further questions about your pet and the holiday season.
New Year resolutions for your pet
We’ve welcomed in another new year and you
may have made some resolutions. Perhaps you
want to get in better shape, quit a bad habit, or
finally clean out those closets. Please be sure
to help your pet with some resolutions, too.
Resolve to help your pet lose weight if he or she has
been putting on the pounds. This may mean changes in
diet, exercise, or both. We can help you decide how best
to help your pet shed that excess weight.
Resolve to help your pet avoid serious illnesses by ensur-
ing they’re receiving all the necessary vaccinations and
coming in for their annual examinations and lab tests.
Resolve to help your pet have good breath and good
dental health by bringing them in for professional teeth
cleanings. You’ll both be glad you did!
Urinary tract infections
Your pet may be susceptible to a very serious problem—urinary tract infection. Although more common with felines, your dog could also suffer from an infection of this kind. A leading cause of urinary tract infection can be found in your pet’s diet. Be sure your pet has a steady source of fresh water available to him or her. It’s essential your pet is on a nutritional program that supplies all the needed minerals and nutrients, in the correct proportions. Ask us for recommendations about your pet’s specific dietary needs.
A note from Dr. Sallee on giving medication
Like children, most pets don’t like to take don’t pills and some will even spit out the medication when you’re not looking! Squirming and biting can be a problem as well. I myself have learned a few tricks over the years and would like to share the ones that work best for me. This is the quickest, easiest method and Instead of trying to place the pill in the back of the mouth with your hand, I’ve found a pill gun often helps. These are -plastic with a soft rubber tip and are real finger savers! Some people will give table food to hide the taste of medication. This is not a good idea for several reasons. One concern is the calories and additional fat that they don’t need. Another is the possibility of- GI upset or pancreatitis that could be serious enough to require hospitalization. For those pet parents who like hiding medications in food, pill pockets have been designed for hiding pills and works for most pets. There are some picky eaters that will not eat a pill pocket. In this case, medicines can be compounded with flavors or even, as a last resort, a transdermal applied to the skin can be specially made for your pet. Your pet’s health depends on you being able to give them medications as directed. Please.call us if you need help.
Allergies and pets -- NEW --
Allergies are the body's immune response to foreign materials. There are many materials to which our pets can become allergic, but some of the main causes are flea bites and pollens from plants. A pet can also be allergic to certain foods or things in the household environment.
There are several sign that could alert you that your pet suffers from allergies. If your pet has hair loss, reddening of the skin, or small sores on any area of the body, it could be allergies. If left untreated your pet may itch and scratch the problem areas until a large raw area referred to as a "hot spot" develops.
If you suspect your four legged friend is suffering from allergies, make an appointment right away. We can offer treatment options to ease the problem.
