World Spay Day

February is recognized as spay/neuter month, and February 27^th is World Spay Day. The purpose of this recognition is to help raise awareness about pet overpopulation, the importance of spaying/neutering your pets and the added benefits it can help provide your pet.  

What is Spaying/Neutering

When you have a pet spayed or neutered you are removing their ability to produce offspring. Spaying is the removal of the female reproductive tract while neutering refers to the removal of the male's testes.

Why Spay/Neuter?

When your pet is spayed/neutered there are a number of added benefits to take into consideration. By helping to prevent the birth of unwanted litters you can help keep the pet population down. Spaying and neutering can also help lower the chances of health issues in the long term along with behavioral problems that can occur.

Other benefits include:

• Reduced risk of cancer
• Reduced aggression
• Reduced roaming
• Reduced spraying & marking
• Increased lifespan (3-5 years)

Spay/Neuter Procedure

When a pet is spay/neutered they will go through a full surgical procedure. This is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by a veterinarian. Your pet will undergo a regular surgical process that includes sterilization and general anesthesia. After completion, your pet will then be prescribed medications to help minimize the pain that may accompany the procedure. For the next few days after it is best to keep your pet as relaxed and calm as possible as this will help allow the incision from surgery to heal.

When it comes to the health and happiness of your pet spaying/neutering is one of the most significant choices you can make. Contact us to schedule an appointment or for any additional information about spaying/neutering your pet.

Dental Health and Your Pet

Dental health is not only important for humans, but pets as well. A pet should have its teeth and gums checked annually to ensure a healthy mouth and help detect any problems early. Dental problems if left untreated may cause health issues for your pet. Some of the most common dental problems are very similar to people’s and include cavities, tissue inflammation and gum disease.

Brushing your pet’s teeth

Brushing your pet’s teeth may not be easy, but is a great way to help ensure the health of their teeth, gums and mouth. Regular brushings can help prevent many of the common oral issues a pet will encounter. This in turn could also help reduce trips to the vet down the road for dental problems. Not only does brushing help keep a pet’s teeth healthy, but the proper diet (more dry food, less wet) and treats formulated to help with dental health are also very beneficial.   

Health

It is important to have your pet’s teeth checked annually. This allows for early detection of a possible problem along with keeping your pet healthy.  Your pet should have its teeth checked sooner if you notice problems such as:

·      Bad breath

·      Discoloring of teeth, or excessive tartar

·      Pain around the mouth area

·      Bleeding from mouth

·      Broken/loose teeth

·      Extra teeth

·      Unusual chewing, drooling or mouth drooping

·      Refusing to eat, or reduced appetite

·      Swelling around mouth area

Veterinarian Dental Exam

When you take your pet to the veterinarian for their dental exam, it will begin with an oral examination of the pet’s teeth and gums. If needed, x-rays may be taken to help further evaluate the tooth structure unable to be seen. A thorough cleaning will then take place, and this is generally done under anesthesia to help minimize stress and ensure the safety of the pet and veterinarian. The cleaning includes similar procedures a person would experience including scaling (scraping off of tartar) followed up by polishing of the teeth.  

If you are unsure on the proper way to take care of your pet’s teeth, talk with your veterinarian. They can help instruct you on how to properly brush your pet’s teeth along with offering recommendations on dental products, foods and treats. Happy Brushing!