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Paw Prints and thoughts
A place to discuss common concerns and issues seen in the veterinary field
Summer Precautions for Pets
3. Vehicles
We have all been guilty of trying to run a quick errand while we have a our pet in the car. In summer months, we have to stop doing this. Even leaving our cars running doesn't guarantee their safety. Many vehicles have an automatic A/C shut off after a certain amount of time, leaving our pets in stifling hot vehicles. In just a few minutes time our cars can go from feeling comfortable to scorching hot during the summer months. It's not worth the risk, either do not make the stop or leave your pet at home.
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4. Cookouts
In an attempt to include our pets or give them a special treat we'll often sneak them some of our treats. Many of our foods pose hazards to your dog. Bar-B-Q meats often causes diarrhea and even pancreatitis if the portion is large. Corn cobbs, may seem like a good chew toy, but they're not easily digested and can even cause intestinal impaction. Always talk to children and guests about your pets diet and remind them that table food is not allowed.
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Enjoy the summer and be safe!
- Doc. V
Summer has always been a time for pool parties, vacations, and cookouts. However, with the sun starting heat things up, it's important for us to remember that our pets have their own special needs for dealing with the heat and outdoors. Read below for tips on preventing accidents and safeguarding your pet during these summer months.
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1. Hot Pavement and Concrete
Many times we leash up our pets for a walk without a moments thought as to what the ground feels like. A good rule of thumb is to stick to walks at cooler times of the day as well as placing the palm of your hand down on the ground for about 10 seconds to feel the heat. If the ground is too hot for your hand, it's too hot for paws.
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2. Salt Water and Pools
Despite what Youtube and social media wants us to believe, not all pets want or should be in the water. Breeds of dogs with shorter noses (pugs, bull dogs, boston terriers, etc.) are at especially high risks for aspiration pneumonia and heat stroke. Never let a dog bite at waves or water, despite how cute it may look. Of course, if you plan on bringing your pet boating, make sure you have a flotation device available for them.
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Veterinarians have unfortunately seen an increase in pet stores and groomers offering anesthesia-free dentals.
Here's the bottom line: you cannot properly clean an animal’s teeth while they're awake. Sure, you can scrape or chip away at the calculus and see the crown underneath, but it is impossible to clean the calculus hiding under the gum line. This subgingival calculus will inevitably go further down the root of the tooth and cause decay and infection.
Dental x-rays are needed to assess tooth roots. A tooth can look healthy above the gum line, but x-rays can reveal bone loss and tooth-root abscesses that are not able to be seen with the naked eye.
After scraping and scaling calculus, polishing the teeth smooths out any fine scratches, making it harder for plaque to cling to in the future.
Look at this dental x-ray:
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Now look at the 2nd picture:
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Anesthesia-free dentals only clean what you can see, but it's what you can't see under the gums that can cause severe dental disease and pain.
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These are what healthy roots look like.
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The jaw bone is snug around every root all the way up to the crown of the tooth. There are no pockets, bone loss, or decay around these roots.
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The dark areas around the tooth root are areas of bone loss and, potentially, painful pockets filled with pus. These impossible to see without x-rays.
