Winter 2018 Newsletter

Caring Animal Hospital

Winter 2018

Burr…it's cold outside. Ticks and Fleas are still lurking!

With winter here, pets should continue getting tick and flea prevention. Contrary to widespread belief ticks and fleas don't die off with the first frost. Also, consider that many winters in Michigan are mild. Last year 36 of 62 days from December 1^st, 2016 to January 31^st, 2017 were above freezing (32º).

Ticks start their prime feeding time when temperatures are dropping. Certain species of ticks are most active in fall and winter time. These ticks attach to their host (your pet) and feed on them through these months.

Ticks are hosts for many diseases that are transferred to your pet when they attach and feed. The only way to prevent many of the diseases is to prevent ticks. Don't stop tick prevention in the fall and winter months. In many cases these months are when prevention is most effective.

Fleas are present in garages, pole barns, houses, and outdoor kennels. Adult fleas hatch out of the pupae stage when they detect motion and humidity from your pet's breath. Your pet just needs to walk by a flea infected environment and it will get fleas. One flea will lay 50 eggs per day. Once fleas are on your pet they are in your house, and when you are cuddling in front of a nice winter fire, your pet isn't the only thing you are cuddling with.

Don't let your guard down. Ticks, fleas, and the disease's they carry are present all year round.

Famous Quotes

They don't care what car you drive.

They don't care who you know.

They don't care what you wear.

They don't care where you live.

They only care that your there.

       -Alanna Chasin 

Pass the Salt

With freezing temperatures ice forms. Many of us use road salt to melt this ice. Keep in mind that salt used to melt ice can be dangerous to our pets.

Prolonged contact on our pet's feet can cause chemical burns. Ingestion of road salt can cause increase thirst, fainting due do decreased blood pressure, decreased muscle function, seizures, coma and even death.

When purchasing your road salt this year keep in mind how it effects our precious pets.

Some brands of salt are safer to use than others. An example of a product that is safer for pets is Morton Safe-T-pet Ice Melt. 

National Dental Month

Don't turn your nose and ignore your dog or cat's bad breath! That odor might signify a serious health risk, with the potential to damage not only your pet's teeth and gums but its internal organs as well.  Dental health is a very important part of your pet's overall health. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that your pet's teeth and gums be checked by your veterinarian at least once a year to look for early signs gingivitis, dental disease, and tartar.  Some symptoms you might recognize at home that may indicate a dental health concern would be bad breath, broken or loose teeth, extra teeth, retained baby teeth, abnormal chewing, drooling, dropping food from the mouth, decreased appetite or refusal of food, inability or refusal to eat hard or dry foods, pain around mouth, or swellings around the mouth.  If you note any of these symptoms an appointment to have your pet evaluated immediately is highly recommended.  If your pet is scheduled to have a dental prophylaxis, you can anticipate a thorough oral examination, ultrasonic removal of calculus from the teeth, scaling, probing of gingival pocketing, full mouth x-rays, polishing, and tooth extraction if needed.  Radiographs (x-rays) are used to evaluate the health of the jaw and the tooth roots below the gum line, because most dental disease occurs below the gum line, where you can't see it.  Dental cleanings are done under general anesthesia. We are unable to ask even the best of patients to hold still and say "Ahh" for an hour or longer.  After a dental cleaning, the most common question we are asked is, "How can I prevent further tartar accumulation and progressive dental disease in my pet?" Prevention is the key and consists of frequent removal of the dental plaque and tartar that forms on teeth. Daily brushing of your pet's teeth is the single most effective thing you can do to keep their teeth healthy between dental cleanings, and may reduce the frequency or even eliminate the need for periodic dental cleaning by your veterinarian. Daily brushing is best, but it's not always possible and brushing several times a week can be effective. Most dogs accept brushing, but cats can be a bit more resistant; patience and training are important.  There are also many pet products marketed with claims that they improve dental health, but not all of them are effective. Our favorite product to reduce accumulation of plaque on the teeth are Oravet chews.  The active ingredient in these, delmopinol is a prescription product that coats the teeth and stops the bacteria from adhering to one another on the teeth.  This will decrease bad breath and prevent further accumulation of tartar.  February is National Pet Dental Health Month and in order to celebrate we will be offering 10% off discounts on all dentals scheduled between January 30th and March 1st.  Call right away to make an appointment as spaces are limited.  These appointments are on a first come first serve basis, so don't delay!

Fish Oils Use in Our Pets

Fish oils are one of the most important supplements we should give to our pets.

Fish oils are made up of eicosapentoaenoic (EPA) and docoshexaenoic (DHA) fatty acids. These fatty acids are also called Omega 3 fatty acids. EPA & DHA are bonded to a 3-carbon backbone structure called glycerol. When these are together the molecule is called triglycerides.

When purchasing Fish Oils, make sure you purchase from reputable company and get a triglyceride formulation. Animal based EFA have proven to be beneficial to your pet's overall health in the following ways:

• Protects the heart
• Helps develop a skin barrier to protect against dry/flaky skin
• Helps slow down the progression of kidney disease
• Aids in arthritic joints
• Improves neurologic development/cognitive function
• Lowers blood triglyceride levels

We here at Caring Animal Hospital recommend using fish oils in your pet's everyday regiment.

Dr. Steele Corner

I would like to thank everyone who donated and/or bought a shirt to help the 4-legged victims of Hurricane Harvey. We donated all proceeds to the Houston Humane Society.

(517) 694-6766

www.caringanimalhospital.com