Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth

Equally important to annual dental exams at your veterinarian’s practice is home dental care, including brushing your pet’s teeth every day if possible. AAHA recommends a technique for both younger and older animals, although it’s easier to start brushing when your pet is young. To introduce a fearful cat or dog to the idea of dental care, start slowly and gradually. Dip a finger into beef bouillon (for dogs) or tuna water (for cats) and gently rub along your pet’s gums and teeth. The most important area to focus on is the gum line (the crevice where the gums meet the teeth), where bacteria and food mix to form plaque. Focusing on the gum line, start at the front of the mouth, then move to the back upper and lower teeth and gum areas. Once your pet is okay with a little bit of touching, gradually introduce gauze over your finger and rub the teeth and gums in a circular fashion. When your four-legged friend can handle the gauze, try brushing with a toothbrush specially designed for pets or a very soft, ultra-sensitive toothbrush designed for people. The bristles should be held at a 45-degree angle to the tooth surface and be moved in an oval motion. Scrub in the gum line, as this is where odor and infection begin. Gradually add special dog/cat toothpaste (flavored with meat or fish), but never use people toothpaste or baking soda, as both will upset your pet’s stomach. Use the following process to clean the inside surfaces of your pet’s teeth: 1. Place your hand over your pet’s muzzle from the top 2. Gently squeeze and push his lips on one side between the back teeth (to keep his mouth open) 3. Pull his head back gently so his mouth opens 4. Brush his teeth on the opposite side 5. Repeat this process for the other side The entire process should only take a minute or two. If your dog or cat continues to resist, try gently wrapping him in a large bath towel with only his head sticking out. Above all, avoid overstraining and keep sessions short and positive. With plenty of praise and reassurance, your dental sessions can bring the two of you closer---a closeness that won’t be marred by the perils of dog breath. Home care can be improved by feeding your pet an unmoistened dry pet food and offering him hard biscuits after each meal. Both dry food and hard biscuits produce abrasion to help keep plaque to a minimum on the crown of each tooth. Dental care of dogs and cats is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of pet health care; however, it is necessary to provide optimum health and quality of life. Diseases of the oral cavity, if left untreated, are often painful and can lead to more serious health problems including heart, lung and kidney disease. AAHA encourages pet owners to regularly examine their pet’s teeth for signs of periodontal disease, such as brownish colored teeth; swollen, red, or bleeding gums; persistent bad breath; loose teeth or loss of teeth; pus between the gums and teeth; broken teeth and any unusual growth in the mouth. Reluctance to eat, play with chew toys, or drink cold water are warning signs of periodontal or gum disease. Consult your veterinarian if you notice any of these signs in your pet to schedule a dental exam. There are two critical components of your pet’s veterinary dental care: oral examinations and dental cleanings. Veterinary dental care begins at the puppy and kitten life stage. As your pet ages, your veterinarian will look for developmental anomalies, the accumulation of plaque and tartar, periodontal disease and oral tumors. Veterinarians can perform a basic oral examination on patients that are awake. However, when a cleaning is required, your pet will need to be induced under general anesthesia wherein a thorough examination will be done prior to the cleaning. Dental cleanings performed while your pet is awake is not only dangerous for the team member performing the cleaning but dangerous to your pet as well. Since there is an element of risk associated with any medical procedure, it is important that safety precautions are used. Among the many standards in the dentistry section, AAHA accreditation requires that veterinarians perform thorough examinations of the teeth and structures of the oral cavity in patients presented for dental procedures and only properly trained practice team members perform dental procedures. Additionally, AAHA Standards recommend that dental procedures are accompanied by pain assessment and appropriate pain treatment. For more information on pet dental care, read our AAHA Dental Care Guidelines article. Click here for an instructive video by the Cornell Feline Health Center on brushing your cat’s teeth. Originally published on Healthy Pet.

Dental Health: How to Brush Your Pet's Teeth

Did you know dogs have 42 teeth and cats have 30? Here's a video from the American Veterinary Medical Association that gives easy, step-by-step instructions on how to teach a dog or cat to accept a daily tooth brushing.

Holiday Cat-Friendly Treat Recipe

Ingredients: 

½ cup of hamburger

½ teaspoon shrimp paste (see Asian food section of your local grocery store)

¼ cup shelled shrimp, washed in hot water, and minced

½ teaspoon catnip

Directions:

Mix shrimp paste with the catnip and then hand work it into the hamburger.

Add minced shrimp to the hamburger mix and make into little meatballs.

These can be fed raw, or baked at 425° F for 10 minutes.

Happy Work Anniversary, Stacy!

We would like to wish a Happy Work Anniversary to Stacy, our Practice Manager. We appreciate all the hard work you do, and we are so glad to have you as a part of our team!

Candy & Chocolate

During Halloween, our pets are often exposed to more dangers than at any other time of the year. Kids often spread their Halloween treats on the floor, and candy is often kept in bowls on low tables or on the floor for trick-or-treaters. For your pet’s safety, please be sure to keep them away from easily-accessible treats that could be toxic to them!

Fall Football Gatherings & Pets

Do you like to go to football games or tailgate parties in the fall? If you’re planning on bringing your pet, it’s important to make sure that they’re safe. Picnic foods –such as greasy burgers, sugary desserts, ribs, chicken with bones, and shish-kabob sticks—can be extremely dangerous for your pet if they’re consumed! Also charcoal grills can be easily knocked over by excited or skittish pets, causing injuries. Remember to keep your pet safe and secure while you’re engaging in activities that could be dangerous for them.

How to Make a Cat Toy Puzzle

Looking for something to keep your cat entertained? View this video about creating your own puzzle game for your cat to stimulate their mind.

Pets & Hot Pavement

Have you ever thought about the way you hated walking on hot asphalt when you were a kid? As adults, we don’t spend as much time outside barefoot, so it’s easy to forget. We want to remind you that your pet goes outside barefoot every day and can experience this pain. It’s important to limit their time on black asphalt during walks, and when possible, take walks before it’s reached the hot part of the day.

Pets & Camping Safety

Camping with your pet can be a fun adventure, but also a dangerous one! It’s important to be fully prepared for bringing a pet with you into the woods BEFORE you go. Make sure your pet is up-to-date on all parasite prevention, and be sure to pack plenty of food and water. If you’re filtering your water, don’t forget your pet needs filtered water too! And most importantly, check campground rules where you’ll be staying, because some campgrounds don’t allow pets because of the danger of large wild animals, like bears! Make sure you keep your pets and family safe, and have a great trip!

Heat Stroke

Heatstroke is caused by overheating and dehydration, but did you know that it could be fatal? Pets that are left outside in the sun or not given plenty of fresh water to drink are at risk. Signs of heatstroke include shaking, excessive panting, and disorientation. If you think your pet is having heatstroke, it’s important to apply cool towels to your pet’s body to lower their temperature and bring them into our office as quickly as possible.

Pet Friendly Treat Recipe

1

Combine 1/2 cup plain yogurt with 1/4 cup shredded carrots or chopped apples. Chop 4 ounces cooked liver, and add it to the yogurt mixture. Spoon the yogurt treats into an ice cube tray, and freeze.

2

Mix a can of chicken or tuna with 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic and two containers of plain yogurt. Add some cooked vegetables, if desired. Stir the mixture together, and put it in some small paper cups.

3

Make some quick-and-easy frozen dog yummies. Mix a cube of beef or chicken bouillon with 1 cup of warm water. Add several pieces of finely chopped leftover beef or chicken, and freeze the yummies until they're solid.

4

Create a frosty doggy treat with a jar of chicken or beef baby food. Add the baby food with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and 2 tablespoons of honey. Mix well, and spoon the mixture into small paper cups or ice cube trays. Double the recipe for large dogs.

5

Chop a cup of peanuts, and stir them into a mashed banana for a fruit and protein treat. Add 1/4 cup wheat germ and 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter. Mix well and freeze.

DISASTER PLANNING TIPS

Whether it’s a large-scale natural catastrophe or an unforeseen emergency that causes you to leave your home temporarily, everyone’s family can benefit from having a household evacuation plan in place before disaster strikes.  Every disaster plan must include your pets!

1.        If you evacuate your home, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND!  Pets most likely cannot survive in a disaster by themselves.  If they do survive, you may not be able to find them when you return.
2.        For public health reasons, many emergency shelters cannot accept pets.  Find out, well in advance of needing them, which motels and hotels in your area allow pets.  Alternatively, arrange in advance for family or friends to house your pets in case of emergency.  Include Great Bridge Veterinary Hospital’s phone number (547-1600) and the Animal Control office number (382-8080) on your list of emergency numbers to call for information regarding pets during a disaster.
3.        Ask your veterinarian or a veterinary care team member about microchipping your pet. In the event of separation during a disaster, the microchip placement and pet registration may help you and your pet be reunited easier. Make the microchip part of your family's preparation before disaster strikes.  Don't forget to update your registration when your information changes.
4.        Prepare a Disaster Kit for your pet.  Keep an Evacuation-Pack and supplies handy for your pets. Make sure that everyone in the family knows where it is located.  This kit should be clearly labeled and easy to carry. (Visit the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website (www.aspca.org).  Look under “Disaster Preparedness” to order a Free Pet Safety Packet and a Free Pet Rescue Sticker.  To purchase a pet first aid kit and guide book, you can visit the ASPCA store to buy one on-line. Items to consider keeping in or near your pack include:
a.        Medications and medical records in a water-proof container
b.        Information on feeding schedules and medical conditions
c.        First Aid Kit
    i.        Three to seven days' worth of canned (pop-top) or dry food.  Be sure to rotate the food every two months.
    ii.      Disposable litter trays (Aluminum roasting pans are perfect.)
    iii.      Paper towels
    iv.      Liquid dish soap and disinfectant
    v.       Disposable garbage bags for clean-up
    vi.      Pet feeding dishes
    vii.    Extra harness and leash (Note: harnesses are recommended for safety and security.)
    viii.    Photocopies of feeding schedules, notes on medical conditions, and medical records (with the name of your veterinarian/veterinary hospital) in a waterproof container. Include a two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires. (Remember, food and medications need to be rotated out of your emergency kit—otherwise they may go bad or become useless.)
    ix.       At least 7 days' worth of bottled water for each person and pet.  Store the water in a cool, dry place, and replace it every two months.
    x.         A traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each  
    xi.        Flashlights
    xii.      Blankets (for scooping up a fearful pet)
    xiii.     Especially for cats: Pillowcase or Sack, toys, scoopable litter
    xiv.     Especially for dogs: Long leash and yard stake, toys and chew toys, a week's worth of cage liner (or newspaper).
   xv.      Name and number of your pet’s veterinarian:  Great Bridge Veterinary Hospital, 1010 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA
              23322, 757-547-1600, greatbridgevet@msn.com
5.      You should also have an emergency kit for the human members of the family. Some items to include: Batteries, duct tape, flashlight, radio, multi-tool, tarp, rope, permanent marker, spray paint, baby wipes, protective clothing and footwear, extra cash, rescue whistle, important phone numbers, extra medication and copies of medical and insurance information.
6.        Place up-to-date Pet ID tags on your pets and have recent photos of your pets handy in case your are separated and need to make a “Lost” poster.
7.        If you have no alternative but to leave your pets at home, there are precautions you MUST take. Remember that leaving your pets at home alone can place them in great danger!  Confine your pet to a safe area inside - NEVER leave your pet chained outside!  Place notices outside in a visible area stating that pets are inside.  List the pets that are inside the house and where the pets are located.  Provide a phone number where you or an alternate contact can be reached, as well as the name and number of your veterinarian.
8.       For more information:
          Visit Humane Society of the United States at www.hsus.org and click on “Emergency Services.”
         Visit American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at http://www.aspca.organd click on “Disaster Preparedness.”

Pets & Cookouts

Did you know that some of the most common foods we eat during our cookouts are the most dangerous foods for our pets? Meat with bones in it, such as chicken and ribs, are extremely dangerous for our pets to get a hold of and bones can puncture the stomach and other organs if swallowed because they cannot be digested. Corn-on-the-cob can also be dangerous because dogs have been known to swallow the cob whole! What do you do to keep your dog busy with something else during the barbeque?

Pets & Easter Chocolate

Chocolate is delicious to most of us, but for your pet, it's a different story. Chocolate can contain high amounts of fat and methylxanthines (a caffeine-like ingredient), which can cause flu-like symptoms in your pet if eaten. Some of these symptoms could include vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, seizures and in severe cases it can be fatal. Avoid endangering the life of your pet...give them pet-safe treats instead!

Flea Season

Spring is almost here and it is the season for fleas, so make sure your pet is protected today! Great Bridge Veterinary Hospital recommends Trifexis and Vectra3D for canine companions and Revolution for feline friends to protect them against these pesky parasites. Please ask us how your pet can be “flea free” this season at your next visit.

 

If 'Pets Had Thumbs Day'

Tomorrow is 'If Pets Had Thumbs Day'. Imagine if your pet could play board games with you or start the car. If your pet had thumbs, what activity would you be most excited to do with them?

 

March is Poison Prevention Month

March is Poison Prevention Month! Did you know that some of the foods we eat every day can actually be toxic to our pets, such as avocado, macadamia nuts, and even grapes? We encourage you to invest in some delicious, pet-safe treats and avoid feeding any table scraps to your pet, in order to avoid accidental poisoning. Use precaution, and give your pet a long, healthy life.

 

Valentine's Day

Thinking about spoiling your favorite furry one this Valentine's Day? You're not alone. The National Retail Federation expects consumers will spend $367 million on their pets for the holiday. What is the most extravagant gift you've given your pet on Valentine's Day?

 

Amazing Dog Trick