Day & Evening Pet Hospital

Veterinarian Palm Harbor

Call: 727-785-7200
511 Magnolia Ave
Palm Harbor, FL 34683

Brush Your Dog's Teeth!

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Dogs can actually get Gingivitis.  It is a type of periodontal disease and this is how it works:  plaque builds up on the teeth and can then harden into tartar.  This causes your dog’s gums to swell and gives them discomfort.  Their teeth loosen up and it becomes harder for them to eat, etc.  They will also get bad breath.

You can brush your dog’s teeth daily to help prevent this disease.  This may sound tedious, and depending on your dog, it may be totally unworkable.  But, if you can do it at least two times a week this would help your dog a lot!

Firstly, you need to obtain dog-friendly toothpaste.  Once you have that, get a toothbrush and put a bit of toothpaste on the brush.  If your dog will let you, go ahead and brush over the entire mouth.  Use small circles over the teeth.  If your dog is eager to get outside and play, just do a couple teeth each day or so.  This will go a long way in prevention of mouth diseases for your pet.

Your dog does need to see a vet to get a full dental cleaning at least once a year (some breeds require more than annual visits, so check with Dr. Adney next time you see him).  However, to keep your dog even healthier, brushing their teeth on a weekly basis will be most beneficial to you and your dog!

Additionally, there are special prescription diet foods designed specifically for dental improvement.  There are also treats that dogs love which are good for teeth cleaning.  The Day and Evening Staff will be happy to help you on deciding the best care for your dog.  You can call them at:  (727)-785-7200.

Brush Your Cat's Teeth!

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Cats can actually get Gingivitis.  It is a type of periodontal disease and this is how it works:  plaque builds up  on the teeth and can then harden into tartar.  This causes your cat’s gums to swell and gives them discomfort.  Their teeth loosen up and it becomes harder for them to eat, etc.  They will also get bad breath.

You can brush your cat’s teeth daily to help prevent this disease.  This may sound tedious, and depending on your cat, it may be totally unworkable.  But, if you can do it at least two times a week this would help your cat a lot!

Start with a gradient approach:  First you need to get cat-friendly toothpaste.  You can ask the Doc about this.  Once you have your toothpaste, put a little on a toothbrush.  (You can also just use a small gauze, put it around your finger and spread the toothpaste on the gauze.)  As good as you can, do circles over your cat’s teeth.  Just do a couple teeth and then call it a day.  Do a couple more teeth the next day or in the next few days until you’ve got the whole mouth.

Your cat does need to see a vet to get a full dental cleaning at least once a year (some breeds require more than annual visits, so check with Dr. Adney next time you see him).  However, to keep your cat even healthier, brushing their teeth on a weekly basis will go a long way!

As a note, there are special treats you can get for your cat that will help with dental cleaning.  The Day and Evening Staff will be happy to help you on deciding the best care for your cat.  You can call them at:  (727)-785-7200.

Really? A Dental Exam For My Pet?

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Have you thought getting a dental for your pet was not that necessary?

Actually, their mouths need care just like ours do.  Let’s say your cat or dog is an outside pet.  There is no telling what he or she may have eaten as a midnight snack.  Or maybe your dog went to say “hello” to another animal.  Or maybe your cat gave another cat a bath.  Regardless, that’s a lot of different bacteria spreading around and they do not get their teeth brushed several times a day like ours do!

Your dog or cat is susceptible to bacteria growing and causing infections and diseases in his or her mouth!  You can do things to help them by buying good teeth chews or treats for their teeth.  “Greenies” are a good choice.  You can even get your dog on a healthier diet.  Dr. Adney and Dr. Paredes specialize in pet diets and pet dentals so ask the vet about it and he can recommend the food for your dog’s needs.

Sometimes, a tooth(s) can get so badly “infected” that it would need to be removed.

Some signs that your dog or cat is overdue for a dental are bad breath, puffy or swollen gums, discolored teeth and ulcers on the gums.

Giving your dog or cat a good diet and treating them with some yummy chews that are good for teeth cleaning do not replace an actual dental; however, they do help keep your pet cleaner and healthier.

February is National Pet Dental Health Month.  So, call us and make an appointment.  One of the things we are known for are our dental specials.  Giving your pet a healthy mouth will ensure a happier and longer life.  And that’s exactly what we want!

 

 

 

Fleas and Ticks, Oh My!

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Fleas and ticks are not only annoyingly scratchy for your pet, but they are a burden for you too!

Firstly, what exactly are fleas?  Fleas are wingless, jumping insects that will feed on the dog or cat’s blood for survival.  There are actually over 2000 different types of fleas!  Dog and cat fleas will even use us as hosts to feed on if they can.  Fleas can carry different kinds of parasites that can later turn into diseases that can affect the life of you and your pet.  It’s important to know what you can do to prevent them.

When you bring your dog or cat in, Dr. Adney or Dr. Paredes will do a thorough physical examination.  One of the things they will check for is to see if your dog or cat does have fleas or ticks.  If your pet does, they are simple to treat and they will give you recommendations as to what to do for your specific pet.  If your dog or cat doesn’t have any, (Phew!) you will most likely hear about a tick and flea preventative.  This is a monthly application that is easy and simple for you to give.  Dr. Adney recommends Frontline as the flea and tick preventative to use.  The clinic usually has specials on it so call and ask!

So now you have your flea and tick preventative and now you’re all set, right?  …Maybe!  Lets check over a couple other areas.  If your dog or cat is let out to play in the backyard there are some other preventative steps you can take.  Look over your yard.  Fleas like to live in darker, shadowy places with areas of higher humidity.  Examples of places like this would be a dog house outside, underneath the porch, swing set, places like that.  Ticks like areas where the grass is tall (makes it easier for them to jump on your pet or you!).

So keep these things in mind and keep them clean, keep the yard trimmed and keep your pet on a flea and tick preventative.  It really does make all the difference in the world for you and your pet.

What Are Heartworms?

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Heartworms have several stages.  They don’t start out as “worms.”  Heartworm disease is actually brought about through mosquito bites to your dog or cat.

Heartworms themselves start out as a parasitic entity circulating in the blood of an infected animal.  The mosquito gets this parasite from biting whatever animal that was.  After that parasite is given to the mosquito, it is allowed to grow through several stages in the mosquito.  (We will keep it all less technical!)  Later,  when the mosquito has a meal and bites your dog or cat, these parasitic entities are then passed into the bloodstream of your pet.  Once this occurs, the parasite is allowed to grow into a full worm.  During this growing stage of the worms in your pet, it won’t show up in a heartworm test if the mosquito recently bit your dog or cat.  The reason for this is because it does take a couple months for the heartworms to go through the different growing stages it goes through before it can show up on the test.

It is called a heartworm because they congregate in the heart of your dog or cat.  When your pet is first bit, the heartworms go through the bloodstream and stop in the heart.  Before they become full worms and are just larvae, they reside in the heart where they are allowed to grow quickly in both length and size.  Female worms have been seen to grow 14 inches long!  As they grow and mature, they become sexually active and mate.  Offspring is produced which puts more heartworms in your pet.

The solution to all of this is to get your dog or cat tested regularly and on a Heartworm Preventative!  Heartworm preventatives are pills given monthly.  Correct and honest heartworm testing is very important for the long life of your pet.  Dr. Kevin Adney and Dr. Al  Paredes give state of the art tests to ensure your pet’s results are accurate.  Take time to do it.