Question:

What can I do to treat and/or prevent dental disease in my pet?

Answer:

While February is tradionally known as "Dental Month", we truly feel that attention to dental health is a year-round, lifelong commitment that will lead to a longer, healthier life for your pet.

The most effective preventative measures we have identified are the following:

1) Dental Treats and Chews - Abrasion from chewing mechanism cleans soft plaque off tooth surface.

2) Brushing of Teeth - Abrasion from brushing helps remove plaque and bacteria and massages gum tissue.

3) Oxyfresh Oral Solution - Oral cavity is bathed by solution in drinking water. This solution decreases bacteria along gumline and makes tartar more brittle thereby making it easier to dislodge when chewing / brushing.

4) Dental Vaccine - We have a new vaccine for dogs targeting the 3 primary bacteria in the mouth that are associated with gingivitis / periodontal disease.

5) Dental Cleaning / Polishing - If the plaque has progressed to tartar and gingivitis, a dental cleaning / polishing will remove the buildup and help to reverse the degenerative changes.

Question:

Now that we've had the first frost, it's OK to stop the topical flea and tick treatment, right?

Answer:  

Emphatically, NO!!!!! It seems that the ticks are very hardy creatures and will persist even after we have a frost. In fact, over recent years, we have found that the HEAVIEST tick activity is September and later. A General Rule of Thumb is to apply topical tick control ANY month of the year that you can see mud, muck or grass anywhere on the ground - even if there are snowbanks!!

I've heard that chocolate and antifreeze are toxic to pets, anything else around the house that I should be aware of?

 

 

Grapes and Raisins – It has been noted that ingestion of grapes or raisins in dogs can lead to acute kidney failure. The toxic substance has not been identified, but it has occurred in both store-bought and homegrown grapes and in all regions of the US. The toxicity has occurred when variable amounts have been ingested, so it does not appear to be volume related. Usually, vomiting is the first symptom, followed by loss of appetite, diarrhea, lethargy and abdominal pain. If ingestion is noted, inducing vomiting followed by administration of activated charcoal is recommended. Intravenous fluid therapy for a minimum of 48 hours is performed, with daily bloodwork to assess kidney function. If bloodwork stays normal for the first 3 days, prognosis is good for recovery.

Paintball – as odd as it seems, there have been quite a few documented cases of toxicity to dogs after ingestion of paintballs. The most common clinical signs are vomiting, diarrhea and neurologic (wobbliness, tremors, weakness, hyperactivity and seizures). It seems to be related in changes in electrolytes (specially sodium) and the effects this has on the central nervous system. If ingestion is noted, inducing vomiting within 1 hour, followed by warm-water enemas is beneficial. This is one case where activated charcoal in not recommended. Intravenous fluid therapy, correcting electrolyte imbalances and treatment of neurologic signs is warranted in symptomatic animals. Although paintball toxicosis is potentially fatal, most animals with symptomatic treatment will recover.

Xylitol Sweetner – sugar-free products sweetened with the product Xylitol can cause a profound lowering of blood sugar in dogs, leading to neurologic signs (especially a sudden onset of seizures). If not showing signs, inducing vomiting and feeding frequent small meals or oral sugar supplementation can manage symptoms. If symptoms are apparent, intravenous fluid therapy and dextrose administration are needed. Potassium levels are frequently affected and need to be managed also.

  

 

 

 

For the past several years, we have been performing a “3DX” test which detects heartworm infection and antibodies to Borrelia burgdoferi (“lyme disease” bacteria, carried by the deer tick) and Ehrlichia canis (carried by the brown dog tick). Recently, the “4DX” test has been released. This test also detects antibodies to Anaplasma phagocyophilum, also carried by the deer tick. There is evidence of increasing incidence of infection with this bacterium, and it is estimated that up to 25% of deer ticks can be “co-infected”, meaning that they can carry and transmit both Borrelia and Anaplasma. Symptoms of Anaplasma can include fever, lethargy and swollen, painful joints. There are also changes seen in the blood, including anemic and/or low platelets count. This new richettsia is treated with the same antibiotic as is used to treat Lyme bacteria, so we have been treating it in the past without being aware of the infection.

 

 

 

 

Feet have a very good blood supply, and most cuts do bleed profusely. It’s best to get a towel or bandage and wrap the foot up for transport to the hospital. DO NOT APPLY A TOURNIQUET! If applied incorrectly or for too long, they can cause serious damage.

 

Question:

 

 

 

Ticks secrete a substance that helps to “cement” themselves into the dog while they feed. This substance can cause local tissue inflammation resulting in a swollen area where the tick wasremoved. This lump will generally resolve in 2-3 weeks. If your dog has a lump that is growing quickly, draining fluid, or is painful to the touch, we recommend that it be checked by a veterinarian.