Fresh Facts About Your Pet's Dental Health
Did you know?
- By the age of 3, 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have some kind of oral/peridontal issue. Periodontal disease is a disease that affects teeth & their surrounding structures, such as the gums. A dog has 42 teeth, compared to a human’s 32. There’s a lot of room for disease in there!
- A common myth is that bad breath is normal for pets.
Signs of periodontal disease can include: Bad breath, Difficulty chewing, Oral discomfort, Blood-tinged drool.
Nasty bacteria causes most of the problems in your pet's mouth. When bacteria builds up in your pet’s mouth, it can create plaque and tartar, plus it can affect the gums.
PREVENTION is the key. There are a variety of products, including toothpaste, chews, rinses, & water additives, that you can use to prevent bacteria from accumulating.
Brushing your pet’s teeth with a pet-safe toothpaste is best. (Remember – human toothpaste contains higher levels of Xylitol, which can be toxic to pets).
However, we know that getting them used to tooth brushing can be tricky at first. The pet dent gel we carry can actually help fight bacteria if you just get it on your pet’s teeth with your finger. From there, you can work your way up to brushing with a pet toothbrush.
Be sure to ask the our staff for more tips on brushing your pet’s teeth.
Is Your Pet Scratching? They Could Have Allergies!
Insect bites, food, pollen, grass and fungi are just a number of things your pet might be allergic to. Animals are just like us in the the way their bodies react. An allergic reaction is when their body detects a substance as harmful (however harmless it may seem) and over reacts to it. The item causing the reaction is called an Allergen.
If your pet is itching and scratching a lot there is a very good chance they are allergic to something in their environment. Once you have established this allergen, the next step is to eliminate it from your pet's surroundings. Depending on the severity of the reaction this may suffice however supplementary treatment may be needed for some cases where the reaction is severe and the allergen hard to remove.
If your pet is showing signs of an allergic reaction bring them to see us so we can assess them and send off a sample for testing. It takes 2 weeks and could significantly improve your pet's life.
Easter & Your Pet
Easter/Spring Break Pet Do’s and Dont's!
Spring is all about birth and new life and it is often celebrated with a lot of tasty treats for us humans! Chances are your furry family member is going to feel left out when the human family members of your house may be getting gifts this year, some of which may be highly toxic to your furry friends. Check out our tips on how to show your love without spending the spring season in the ER.
1. Do keep Easter egg chocolate away from pets!
Chocolate ingestion by dogs can result in agitation, vomiting, diarrhea, tachycardia, tremors, and seizures, depending on the dose ingested, but there are other people foods which can also be harmful for our canine companions. Macadamia nuts, coffee beans, grapes, and raisins. If you think your pet has eaten chocolate please bring him to us straight away!
2. Don’t forget the less obvious Easter dangers!
Cat owners should check all flower bouquets closely for lilies as these flowers can be deadly to cats (although they are safe for dogs) Even exposure to lily pollen and water from a vase of lilies can result in rapid onset kidney failure when ingested by cats. If you think your pet has eaten lilies please bring him to us straight away!
3. Share the love this Spring with animals in need of love!
Springtime could be a great time to visit an animal shelter and donate your time and attention to rescued pets who need a new lease of life/a fresh start. If you have been thinking about adding a furry friend to your household, Spring could be a great time to adopt!
We wish all of our clients a wonderful spring!
Why yearly vaccinations?
Protecting your pet from diseases such as Canine Distemper, Rabies, Feline Leukemia and more is not only necessary but crucial for their health. Yearly vaccinations train your pet's immune system so when the time comes they can fight off deadly diseases that come their way.
Vienna Vets offers all of the vital inoculations that your pets need plus a free of charge health check every 6 months to ensure your pet is in tip top health and to put at ease any concerns you may have about their health.
For further information contact us on 04 388 3827 or stop by the clinic and ask our knowledgeable staff.
"Excess weight is NOT inevitable"
If your pet needs to lose some weight, it doesn't have to be a struggle. There are a few areas to address to help your pet reach his/her ideal healthy weight.
- A nutritionally adapted diet with low calorie and low fat foods is the best first step. These are specifically developed for overweight pets and help them kickstart their weight loss.
- In addition to this ensure you respect the feeding guidelines on the food packaging. These have been developed specifically to compliment the food to aid weight loss. It is not about depriving your animal of food but rather assist him/her in getting used to the correct daily intake.
- Getting rid of snacks and treats. These are bad habits but can unfortunately do a lot of damage. Some treats and snacks are very calorific and can noticeably increase your pet's daily energy intake.
- Finally, encouraging physical exercise is key to helping your pet lose weight. Whether it is taking your dog for a walk on the beach or using a laser pointer to play with your cat they should be moving and having fun to compliment their diet.
Obese animals have a shorter life expectancy so don't let those extra pounds set in. 1 or 2 extra kilos may not be visibly harming your pet's health but they can quickly lead on to obesity and this can have severe consequences.
For more advice on obesity, diet and exercise contact us!
We are here to help!
"Its always 'Tick Season' in Dubai!"
Unlike other countries, ticks love pestering your dogs and cats all year round in Dubai. Ticks can cause immense irritation and subsequently terrible infections that need further treatment. This doesn't need to be a worry as ticks are easy to prevent with regular application of spot on treatments and sprays. We also now have the option of a collar your pet can wear to prevent those pesky ticks annoying them. We can provide you with all the information you need and recommend the right product for you and your pet's lifestyle.
Ask us at the clinic or give us a call on 04 388 3827!