Brushing is not impossible! Get started with three easy steps:

• Calmly touch your pet’s muzzle and rub your fingers along their lips. Praise them and continue in small sessions until they seem comfortable.
• Progress to actually lifting your pet’s lip away from their teeth. Introduce the pet toothpaste and practice rubbing your finger along their gums and teeth.
• When your pet seems comfortable with you touching their teeth, move to using the toothbrush. Focus on brushing the outside surfaces of the teeth only.

Remember, having you touch the inside of your pet’s mouth is not natural for them. Keeping things positive, praise and patience are keys to success. Each pet is different, some move quickly through the steps and others require more time, this is normal. If you suddenly meet resistance with your pet, go back a step for a day or two and try again. When training is finished, brushing should become a regular part of your pet’s routine, something to be expected, like a daily walk or mealtime. Along with yearly dental exams by your veterinarian, brushing will help to keep your pet healthy and happy!

By : Danika Glover-Netherton RVT.

Commonly thought of as insects, ticks are actually arachnids (same family as spiders and scorpions).  Ticks cannot jump or fly, but will climb onto blades of tall grass or shrubs and grab onto an animal as they walk past.

Why Should we be Worried About Ticks?

Over the past few years ticks have become more and more prevalent in our area.  We are seeing them in places where pets had not previously encountered them.  Besides being a nuisance, ticks carry disease and can infect both our pets and ourselves.  Serious diseases, such as Lyme disease, are starting to be diagnosed in our pets with more frequency than in the past.

What Can we Do?

The best defense against ticks is prevention.  When possible, it is best to avoid areas known to have ticks present.  If you and your pet are in an area with ticks, daily skin checks should be done to identify them early.  Monthly preventive medications, vaccines, and yearly testing for tick-borne diseases are available and recommended.

What do I do if I Find a Tick on my Pet?

If you see a tick and are uncomfortable removing it, call your veterinarian and they will remove the tick for you.
To remove a tick, grasp the tick as close as you can to the skin and with a pair of tweezers gently but firmly pull the tick away from the skin.  Do not squeeze, burn, or apply anything to the tick before removing it.

Call your veterinarian  to get your pet tested and started on Tick and other parasite prevention today!

Listlessness, shortness of breath, chronic cough and weight loss usually only develop in advance cases, when permanent organ damage has already occurred. Most heartworm positive pets show no clinical signs. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to have your pet tested for heartworm annually each spring. Heartworm testing is a noninvasive, quick blood test administered by your veterinarian and is not limited to just dogs. Cats are susceptible to heartworm infections as well and should also be routinely screened for infection, especially those that have access to the outdoors.

In combination with annual testing, heartworm is easily prevented with monthly topical or oral medication prescribed by your veterinarian. This medication is given for the duration of heartworm season, usually April through to November. With our warmer winters however, some people are choosing to treat year round. Heartworm prevention medication should never be given to an animal before it has been tested for heartworm. This is because giving the medication to an animal that is heartworm positive can result in serious health risks for your pet. The weather is getting warmer and the sun is coming out (thank goodness!) but so are the mosquitoes.  Yearly testing and use of prevention is a simple way to protect your pet from a very serious condition. The season is upon us!

By : Danika Glover-Netherton RVT.

Fleas are small, brown, jumping insects that feed on blood.  Adult fleas live, feed and mate on our pets.  The female flea lays eggs which fall off the pet into the environment and hatch.  The immature flea can live in the environment for weeks to months.  Once the flea matures into an adult, they jump onto a host animal and the cycle starts over again.

When an animal has fleas, treating the infestation can  be challenging.  Not only must the infected pet be treated, but any other animals in the house need to be treated as well.  Usually some sort of treatment for the home is needed as well.  This can be costly and time consuming

The most effective way to deal with fleas is prevention.  By the time an owner notices signs that their pet has fleas, most times the animal has already brought the fleas into the home and they have a significant infestation.   Your veterinarian is the best person to advise you on your best option for flea prevention and control.

Ticks

Commonly thought of as insects, ticks are actually arachnids (same family as spiders and scorpions).    Ticks cannot jump or fly, but will climb onto blades of tall grass or shrubs and grab onto an animal as they walk past.  Ticks feed on the blood of their hosts.  A tick feeds slowly over several days and usually goes unnoticed by the animal they are on.   Ticks are known to carry and transmit several diseases, with the most common one in our area being Lyme disease.  Once contracted, Lyme disease is a painful condition and can be difficult and costly to treat.

The best defense against ticks is prevention.  When possible, it is recommended to avoid areas where ticks are known to be.  If an animal is in an area where ticks may be, daily skin checks are recommended to identify ticks early.  Monthly preventative medications are  available and effective.  As well, yearly testing for tick borne diseases and vaccinations are recommended.  Talk to your veterinarian about what options are available and which would be best for your pets.

What is Heartworm?

Heartworm is a blood parasite transmitted by mosquitoes to our pets.  The worms live inside the heart and surrounding blood vessels, and feed off of nutrients in the blood.  They can grow as long as 15-30 cm and in severe cases, an animal can have hundreds of worms.  The heartworm damage heart muscle and block blood flow, leading to the death of the animal

What are the signs of heartworm disease?

Most animals won’t show signs they are infected for the first few years.  Symptoms start to appear in the later stages of the disease when the damage has already been done.

Signs include a chronic cough, trouble breathing, less active animal, and weight loss.   Sometimes these symptoms can be mistaken as “old age changes” and if yearly screening isn’t done,  infection won’t be  diagnosed until it is too late.

Can Heartworm be treated?

Yes, but it is costly and can have serious side effects.  It is much safer and less expensive to keep your pet up to date on yearly testing and preventatives.

How do we prevent infection?

I strongly recommend testing your pet each year prior to mosquito and flea season and putting them on preventative medication.  Testing will identify infection early and minimize treatment risks.  There are preventatives available that are given monthly and protect against heartworm, fleas, mites, intestinal worms, and ticks.

Our veterinarian’s will help you choose the right preventative for your pet.  Call us and book your pet’s annual heartworm check today.

Lets start with a few definitions

Wheat – the whole grain
Wheat Gluten – the protein portion of the grain

Facts

• Discovered in the Middle East 11,000 years ago, wheat is one of the oldest of our cultivated crops
• Wheat is the 3^rd largest produced grain in the world
• It is the leading source of vegetable protein in human food

 Nutritional Value of Wheat and Wheat Gluten

• Wheat Gluten is a very valuable protein source in cat and dog food
• It is 99% digestible
  • improves stool quality
  • reduces odour and gas
• Wheat gluten complements meat protein providing a complete amino acid profile for a diet
• Low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium
• Low in phosphorus – ideal for certain medical diets

 Wheat Gluten and Human Disease

Wheat and Wheat gluten have come under scrutiny because of the association with celiac disease (an autoimmune disorder) found in a small portion of the population.  These individuals are sensitive to Gliadin, a glycoprotein found in gluten sources such as wheat, rye, barley and oats.

Celiac disease is a serious condition that affects less than 1% of the population.  For those affected, avoiding consumption of gliadin generally controls the disease.  People at risk are those with a genetic pre-disposition or have other risk factors such as type 1 diabetes mellitus, iron deficiency anemia, etc.

Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy

This is a disorder seen in dogs, where they have sensitivity to Gliadin.  It is NOT a food allergy to gluten.  Consuming wheat or wheat gluten is NOT a risk factor for developing the disease.  This is a very rare condition and is seen in certain pure breeds.

 For the vast majority of pets, wheat gluten is a valuable and healthy source of nutrition.  There is a lot of misinformation out there for the average pet owner to deal with.  Remember, your veterinarian is your best resource when it comes to your furry family member – including their nutritional needs and health!

The Facts about Corn

 Corn, a valuable and nutritious ingredient, provides all of the following nutrients to our pets.

Essential Fatty Acids

Corn is a source of linoleic acid (omega 6 fatty acid) which promotes healthy skin and hair coat

Vitamin A

Involved in healthy vision and skin health

B Vitamins

Enhance immune and nervous systems

Essential amino acids

Corn is a source of amino acids which are the building blocks for protein.  Protein is used in the body for muscle mass, growth, and
immune system function

Antioxidants

Reduce damage to cells in the body – corn contains Beta-carotene, vitamin E, lutein and zeaxanthin

Fibre and highly digestible Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are used as energy sources in the body and have fewer calories per gram than fat
Fibre helps with gut health and motility

Minerals

Corn is rich in phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, and selenium which are needed for many different body structures
and functions

Common Misconceptions about Corn:

• Corn is not Digestible
  FALSE – When the corn kernel is broken by grinding, corn becomes greater than 90% digestible
• Food Allergy to Corn is Common
  FALSE – If your pet suffers from a food allergy, they are far more likely to be allergic to the meat protein in the diet
• Corn is a Cheap Filler
  FALSE – Corn is not a “filler” at all.  Fillers have no nutritional value, whereas corn has many important nutritional componentsand is a valuable source of  many nutrients
• Carnivores (meat eaters) do not do well on a diet high in Grains
  FALSE – Carnivores rely on meat sources for certain nutrients they require, but these animals do not eat meat ONLY.  In fact,all meat only diets are unbalanced and lack nutrients that can lead to several medical issues and diseases, such as skeletal / bone problems

With all the information out there, and everyone claiming to be an “expert”, it’s hard to know what to believe and who to listen to when it comes to our pet’s health and well being.  A veterinarian is your best source of information on all things relating to your pet.  Please call with any questions, we are here to help!

Located in the neck, this gland controls metabolism (energy use) for the entire body.  Hypothyroidism is the condition where the thyroid gland is not producing enough hormone to maintain this control.

What causes Hypothyroidism?

The most common reason is called Idiopathic Thyroid Gland Atrophy (which means the gland shrinks for unknown reasons).  It is thought to be related to the pets own immune system, but this is poorly understood at this time. Other causes include infection, cancer, and other rare diseases.

 Signs your dog may have Hypothyroidism

 How do we diagnose Hypothyroidism?

A veterinarian can run blood tests that will tell us if your pet is affected.

 Treatment

We can treat Hypothyroidism and maintain a good quality of life for your pet, but we cannot cure the disease.  Once managed, regular testing is required to monitor your dog’s health.

If your dog is showing any of the above signs, give your vet a call and have their thyroid gland checked today!

Valentine’s Day can be as much fun for pets as it is for humans, but a little preparation and awareness is necessary in order to keep our furry family members safe on this holiday.  To sum up our advice,

Don’t leave the goodies lying around!

Chocolate
Chocolate (especially dark or baking chocolate) is very dangerous for dogs and cats. Our pets are unable to digest chocolate and their bodies turn the chocolate into a potent toxin.  Signs of toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, rapid heart rate, increased thirst, and seizures.

Flowers
Many pet owners are still unaware that ALL species of lily are potentially fatal to cats. So if you are giving or getting a bouquet of Valentines day flowers, try to stay away from Lilies,  pick out any dangerous blooms, or make sure your cat can not get to the tempting arrangement.  Signs of toxic plant ingestion include stomach upset ,vomiting, diarrhea, and behavior change.
Rose thorns are also something to be aware of.  An animal biting down on a thorn or stepping on one can puncture skin and cause pain and infection.

Candy and Sweets
Xylitol (a type of sweetener) can be found in many different types of candies and is poisonous to dogs.  It can cause a sudden, dangerous drop in blood sugar.  Signs include behavior change, dizziness, and seizures. In some cases, xylitol can lead to liver damage.

Candles and Fire
Setting the mood with candles and a roaring fire is very romantic… until a curious pet knocks that candle over or burns themselves.  Keep an eye on your animals and keep them away from open flames.

Wine and Spirits
Due to our pet’s smaller stature, spilled wine, half a glass of champagne, or some leftover liquor can be more than enough alcohol to seriously effect our furry friends.  Alcohol intoxication can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, depression, tremors, difficulty breathing, and even coma.

Gift Wrap
Gather up tape, ribbons, bows, wrapping paper, cellophane and balloons after presents have been opened.  If any of these things are swallowed, they can cause problems such as choking, vomiting, or blockages which require surgery to correct.

         Have a Happy and Pet Safe Valentines Day!

This month, veterinarians will be educating their clients about oral care for their pets.  Your pets teeth are vitally important to their overall wellbeing and should be examined on a regular basis.  Just like us, regular cleanings are necessary to help maintain your pets health and promote an overall good quality of life.

     Here are some fun dental facts about our animal friends:

• Adult dogs have 42 teeth – 20 on top and 22 on the bottom
• Adult cats have 30 permanent teeth – 16 on top and 14 on the bottom
• Pet Rabbits, Hamsters, and mice have teeth that continue to grow their entire life, and must chew on hard surfaces to wear them down
• Mammals have the most developed teeth in the animal kingdom
• Teeth are the hardest part of your body
• Elephant tusks are actually modified teeth
• A male African Elephant’s molars can be more than a foot long, and weigh around 10lbs each
• Sharks constantly grow and lose teeth – up to 20,000 in their lifetime
• Giraffes have the same number of teeth as humans do – 32
• Dolphins have more teeth than any other mammal (some dolphins have over 200), and scientists can tell the age of a dolphin by counting the rings on their teeth

If you haven’t done so yet, call your vet and book a dental check visit today!

Happy Dental Month!