Pet Health Information

Welcome to our Pet Health Information section.

We believe it is important to provide our customers with a reliable resource to help you care for your pet overall well being and hence this section has been written by our dedicated veterinarians.

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Virtually everyone recognizes the importance of proper dental care for themselves and their children - regular brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing, routine visits to the dentist, preventative care, etc. - but a great number of people are not aware that the family pet needs proper dental care too. Yes, that's right, dogs and cats need proper dental care too!

Unlike us humans, dogs and cats rarely get cavities. However, the build up of dental tartar on their teeth over the years, if neglected, will eventually spread into the gums of your pet, causing gingivitis. Once this gum disease has established itself in your pet's mouth, it's likely to lead to the further development of periodontal disease, an infection and breakdown of the gum tissue that surround the teeth. The results are loose or missing teeth for your pet and increasingly large vet bills for you. Early prevention is the best remedy for both you and your domestic companion.

The first step you as the pet owner can take in preventing the development of gum disease is to regularly examine your pet's mouth. Here are some signs of oral cavity disease you should be looking out for: red, bleeding gums (periodontal disease); brown marks on teeth (dental calculus); loose teeth; missing teeth; and foul mouth odor. If any of the above are found, your pet is already suffering from some form of dental health disorder. Not only will these afflictions make it difficult for your pet to eat, they will likely suffer from loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss. Additionally, dental problems left untreated can eventually lead to organ dysfunction and shortened lifespan for your pet - all caused by the bacterial toxins released during the buildup of tartar and calculus on your pet's teeth. As you can see, simple preventative measures taken early on will benefit both you and your pet in the years to come.

Once you've established your pet does indeed have an oral disease, your next step is to schedule a visit to the family vet for an examination. Your veterinarian will assess the condition of your pet's mouth and recommend the best course of action. Once you have taken care of the current problems, regular office visits, just as we have regular dentist visits, will aid in the early detection of any future dental issues and are a vital component to maintaining your pet's overall good health. As important as these frequent professional visits are, your role as the pet owner is even more crucial. By practicing healthy preventative dental habits at home along with maintaining regular vet checkups, you will ensure healthy gums and teeth for your four-legged friend.

Among the many preventative measures you should practice at home, getting into the habit of a daily tooth brushing for your dog or cat is critical to maintaining clean teeth, free from tartar and other buildups. There are a variety of dental care products available on the market today, specifically made for dogs and cats. In addition to regular brushings, giving your pet crunchy treats or toys designed to aid in breaking up tartar can help in your efforts to keep your animal's teeth strong, white and smooth.

Dental care for dogs and cats is without a doubt a very pertinent aspect of the overall health and wellbeing of your pet. Veterinarians report that oral cavity disorders are the number one problem seen in dogs and cats and, furthermore, approximately 3/4 of the dogs and cats examined in their practice have some stage of gum disease. Armed with this overwhelming information you now have the opportunity to enable that beloved member of your family to live a long, happy and healthy life.

Dogs use a variety of methods to capture the attention of the humans around them, and exhibit a number of signs of discomfort when something is wrong - it's our job as dog lovers to pay attention to these signs. As your dog is unable to verbally indicate what is bothering him, he relies on your ability to interpret his behavior and take the actions necessary to ease his discomfort. One common signal every pet owner should take note of is that of the itchy dog.

If your dog seems to be scratching himself more than usual, appears to be uncomfortable, or displays signs of sensitive skin; you have an itchy dog and something isn't right. Don't ignore these nonverbal signals - trust your judgment that something is wrong and attempt to discover what the problem is. There are a number of things that could be causing your dog such discomfort and if you pay close attention to what your canine companion is trying to tell you, the condition can be identified quickly and taken care of before it gets worse or perhaps develops into a serious problem.The first thing you should do when you notice your dog is itching incessantly is to check over his body and coat for any visible causes. You may notice hair loss from scratching or even an itchy rash or maybe nothing at all. Any clues you discover will aid you and your veterinarian in your quest to discover just what is causing your dog to itch. Once you identify the source of your dog's discomfort you can then take steps to make him more comfortable while you eliminate the irritant.

An itchy dog could be suffering from one, or several, of many possible conditions. These include fleas, ticks, lice, parasites, allergens in the air, food allergies, bacterial skin infections, fungal infections and whole body illness - just to name a few. There are more than 500 possible causes for itchiness in dogs; but the three most commonly encountered by pet owners are parasites, allergies, and skin infections. Fortunately all three are fairly easy to identify and the treatments, as well as preventative measures, are affordable, readily available and easy to use.

The most common parasite to make a dog scratch is the flea. Flea preventatives are easy to find, easy to use, and truly essential for every dog. Even if your dog is an inside dog, you should treat for fleas. Fleas can infest your dog in the backyard, the park, or even from contact with another infected person or animal. Monthly preventative measures could save you and your dog a lot of unnecessary discomfort in the future. If you're not currently treating your dog for fleas, now is the time to start!

If your dog is itchy due to an allergy, there are several possible causes and it's your job as the loving pet owner to figure out exactly which one it is. Once you've determined what it is that's irritating your dog, you can then take the steps necessary to eliminate the source from his environment. The best way to start this process is to check your dog for the most common dog allergies - chances are it's one of these. The number one pet allergen happens to be the very same parasite mentioned above...the flea. Dogs with fleas feel itchy and uncomfortable, but dogs that also have an allergy to the fleas will likely be miserable after just one bite. Yet another good reason to utilize the flea preventatives referenced earlier.

If fleas are determined not to be the allergen responsible for the itchy behavior, your dog's discomfort could be caused by the second most common source of itchiness - environmental factors. These factors, which include seasonal allergens (like pollen and mold) and non-seasonal allergens (like dust mites), need to be narrowed down and the offensive one(s) identified. Testing done by your veterinarian can help you discover exactly what is causing the allergy. Once you've determined what it is that's irritating your dog's system you can avoid it altogether, if possible, or hyposensitize your dog to it. Until you're able to identify and remove the allergen from your dog's environment, you can treat the symptoms with anti-inflammatory medicine and shampoos.

The third most common cause of an itchy dog is a bacterial or yeast skin infection. These infections usually occur when your dog's immune system is weakened due to stress, allergies, or an illness of some sort. The bacterial infection will look like small bumps on your dog's skin while the yeast infection may be smelly and appear oily - both are uncomfortable and will be itchy for your dog. Both types of infections are easy to treat with either skin repair products or medicated shampoos and conditioners, designed to relieve itchiness in dogs for a variety of skin conditions. As important as it is to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms exhibited by your dog, treating the underlying stress or illness is even more so. Take the necessary steps to provide relief for your pet, but be sure to explore the primary condition or seek the advice of your veterinarian.

If you know your pet and are familiar with its usual mannerisms, you will immediately recognize any aberrant behavior. When you notice something seems off or different with your pet, act on it! Don't feel silly calling your vet when you feel like something is wrong - chances are you are correct as no one knows your dog better than you. Your ability to notice discomfort in your pet, and act on it, is exactly why your dog loves you and trusts that you will take the necessary actions to remedy the situation, whatever it may be. Your beloved dog does not have to suffer from the torment of constantly itching - you can help your itchy dog!

Ear mites are, unfortunately, a fairly common problem in cats and dogs. These tiny little spider-like creatures have eight legs and make their home either on or just under the surface of your pet’s skin.Painful and troublesome ear infections can result if your pet’s ear mites are left untreated. In addition, skin diseases can also occur. Therefore, it is important to use a product such as Ilium Ear Drops to help kill off the mites. Be sure to follow the directions carefully and to administer the drops for the recommended duration. Otherwise, the life cycle of the ear mites may not be adequately halted. As a result, the ear mite problem will return and you will have to begin the process over again.

There are two types of ear mites that commonly cause ear infections in pets. These are Notoedres and Otodectes. Notoedres cause infections and cats. They can be found in the body and sometimes in the ear. Otodectes infects dogs and cats, as well as ferrets and foxes. A third type of mite, demodex, can sometimes cause a skin infection on the head and around the ears, but it does not actually cause an infection inside the ear canal.

Ear mites are easily transmitted from one animal to another, but they are most commonly found in younger pets. They are particularly common in abandoned puppies and kittens and animals in pet shelters. Older pets tend to be more resistant to ear mites, though it is still possible for them to get them. If the ear mites happen to infect a human ear, they die within a couple weeks because humans are not hosts of these mites.

Recognizing an ear mite infestation in your pet is usually quite easy. Generally, an ear mite infestation will result in dry, black discharge from the ear that looks similar to coffee grounds. This discharge is made of blood, earwax, inflammatory biochemicals, and the ear mites themselves. The discharge can also have an unpleasant odor.

Nutritional supplements for pets are special products that help fulfill a nutritional need for a pet. The National Animal Supplement Council, or NASC, is a voluntary organization that monitors the standards for these supplements.

Fatty acids, which are naturally occurring in every one of the body’s cells but most densely in the brain and the nervous system, is a supplement that can help pets in a variety of ways. Fatty acid supplements, such as Omega 3, can help improve a pet’s mood, help relieve allergies, reduce inflammation from arthritis, and improve the pet’s ability to learn. Another fatty acid, Omega 6, can help improve the pet’s coat and skin.

One nutritional supplement product called Missing Link provides pets with both Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. It also contains molasses, flax, oysters, liver, sprouted green barley, alfalfa, yucca, kelp, and lecithin. All of these ingredients work together to keep the pet’s coat shiny and to help it resist allergies. It also helps strengthen the brain and the immune system.

Other nutritional supplements that are gaining in popularity with pets are joint supplements. These supplements, also called chondroprotectives, are particularly helpful for pets suffering from hip dysplasia, arthritis, and disc disease. These supplements help repair the joint, making it possible to reduce the amount of pain medication the pet needs. If joint supplements are started early, pets may even have fewer injuries to the joints and injuries that do occur can be less serious.

For some pets, it is only necessary to use one type of nutritional supplements. For the most part, however, pets do best when different nutritional supplements are combined. In fact, it is generally best to use small amounts of several supplements rather than providing the pet with large doses of one supplement. Since nutritional supplements are not actually medication, it is perfectly safe to use more than one at a time.

While nutritional supplements are beneficial to pets, it is not a substitute for a proper diet. The food your pet eats forms the base for its diet and overall nutrition. Therefore, its diet should be healthy and well balanced. Food without chemicals, dyes, preservatives, and sugars are ideal.

The general term “arthritis” means an inflammation of the joint. There are three main forms of arthritis: Septic Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and OsteoArthritis. Septic Arthritis is caused by an infection and Rheumatoid Arthritis is caused by a malfunction in the immune system. The most common form of arthritis in pets, however, is OsteoArthritis, which is caused by the bones.

When your pet develops OsetoArthritis, its bones become damaged from the cartilage wearing away. The cartilage is a natural barrier that is in place in order to prevent the bones from hitting each other when the joint moves. If this cartilage becomes rough, or dries out or becomes chipped, your pet’s bones become exposed.

Over time, the exposed bone becomes flat and it loses its resilience. As a result, the joint stops moving smoothly and causes creaks and jerks. In an attempt to repair the damage, your pet’s body sends white blood cells to the joint. Instead of fixing the problem, however, the white blood cells cause enzymes and free radicals to be released. This actually causes the problem to become worse because the synovial fluid, which helps lubricate the joint, becomes damaged. Over time, the area becomes inflamed and causes painful arthritis in your pet.

OsteoArthitis is a common problem in animals. It is the most common type of skeletal disease affecting dogs and, as such, most dogs develop arthritis as they get older. Approximately 20% of cats develop arthritis as well. In fact, signs of arthritis are even found in dinosaur fossils.

A variety of factors contribute to your pet developing OsteoArthritis. Dogs that are obese and athletic are prone to developing arthritis. Dogs suffering from Cushing’s disease and diabetes are also more susceptible to arthritis. In addition, dogs that have experienced injury or trauma, including elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia, are more likely to develop OsteoArthritis.

A variety of products such as Ecovet PR, which contains natural glycosamines, can help manage your dog’s arthritis.

Fleas are a pesky problem that many pet owners have to contend with. Unfortunately, they can be difficult to get rid of once they infest the home. This is mostly because fleas do not just live on the pet alone. They also live freely and happily in the home and in the yard. Therefore, getting rid of flea’s means doing more than removing them from the pet. Understanding the different types of flea products available makes it easier to decide the best way to get rid of these pesky bugs for good.

Flea powders can actually come in two different forms. Some flea powders are designed to be used directly on the pet, while other flea powders can be sprinkled on the carpet within the home. Flea powders applied directly to the pet tend to be less effective then other methods of killing fleas on pets. This is mostly because powders tend to wash off more quickly, giving it less time to work on the pet.

Flea powders for the carpet can be an effective way to get rid of fleas within the home. These powders are sprinkled on the carpet and then vacuumed up, just like powder carpet freshener. Unfortunately, using carpet flea powders alone is rarely enough to kill off all of the fleas in the home after it has become infested. Furthermore, these flea powders should never be used directly on the pet.

Shampoos such as Killyptus Flea and Tick Shampoo and Petgloss Insecticidal Shampoo are quite effective in killing fleas on both dogs and cats. Shampoos do not, however, provide your pet with ongoing protection. Rather, they kill the fleas currently residing on the pet. In order to keep your pet free of fleas, however, additional action will need to be taken.

Sprays and dips are an effective way to kill and prevent fleas on your pet. Some sprays can last for up to three months, while others may need to be used every day to prevent fleas. Permethrin sprays, such as Fido’s Fre-Itch Rinse Concentrate and Permoxin are great sprays for killing fleas on your pet, though Permoxin should not be used on cats.

For most houses infected with fleas, it will be necessary to set off flea bombs in order to kill the existing fleas and to break their life cycle. Since approximately 95% of all fleas actually live in the house and the yard rather than the pet, flea bombs will get rid of more fleas then simply treating your pet. Of course, the pet needs to be treated, as well. Sometimes, it takes several treatments of the home and the pet before fleas can be completely eradicated.