Riverside Veterinary Clinic

    

February Newsletter

National Pet Dental Month is in February. Celebrate by checking up on your pet's dental health. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) estimates more than 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have oral disease by the time they are three years old. Veterinarians offer simple ways to check your pet's teeth and keep them healthy. A few minutes can help your four-legged buddy lead a happier and healthier life. celebrate DENTAL MONTH we are giving 10% off the Dental Prophy (only).  Please call to schedule a dental. Any other discounts or coupons may not be combined.


Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Pet
  • Veterinarian
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Chew toys or rope
  1. Step 1

    Take your pet in for a friendly Dental Month exam. Talk to your veterinarian about your pet's teeth. Watch as your vet lifts your dog's lips and peers at the teeth and gums. This is how your vet tracks dental problems such as gingivitis, inflammation or other issues. Your vet may need to clean tartar and plaque off of your pet's teeth. Ask your vet for tips on caring for those little fangs.

  2. Step 2

    Buy your pet a dental gift. Get a pet toothbrush and toothpaste. Don't use your toothpaste as it can be harmful to your pet's digestive system. Learn to brush your pet's teeth. And don't be fooled by ads for pet dental gels, water additives, gum swabs and mouth sprays. They may help but are not a substitute for brushing. Like your own teeth, it's the brushing that scruffs off bad bacteria.

  3. Step 3

    Turn the dental time into a game. Start by gently massaging your dog's cheek and rewarding with praise or treats. In a few weeks, you will be doing short brushing sessions with lots of praise and treats. Make it play time-lots of petting and attention, with a little brushing mixed in.

  4. Step 4

    Check your dog's dental diet. Look at what you put in your dog's bowl. Crunchy food or a mix of dry kibble and wet food keeps the teeth cleaner than soft food. Crunchy treats can help clean teeth. Ask your vet about chew toys or ropes that are suited to your cat or dog. With the right play toys, your dog or cat can floss its own teeth. But your pet needs you to set those vet visits, brush those teeth and make those good dental decisions.

 

 

 

 

Tips & Warnings

  • You may prefer to use fingertip toothbrushes that slide onto your finger.
  • Be sure your pet is relaxed and comfortable during home dental care.
  • Pet toothpastes come in many flavors. Choose one that suits your pet.
  • Do not use human brushes or toothpaste. They may harm your pet.
  • Bacterial build-up in the pet's mouth causes plaque that can turn to tartar.
  • Dental problems in animals, as in people, can lead to serious health problems.
  • Plaque and tartar can lead to periodontal disease, weakening your pet's teeth and inflaming gum tissue. Bad breath, tooth loss and infections can occur.

 



 

How can I tell if my dog or cat has gum disease?

If your pet will allow it, open its mouth and look inside. Look for the warning signs of gum disease - bad breath, red and swollen gums, a yellow-brown crust of tartar around the gumline, and pain or bleeding when you touch the gums or mouth. Seek veterinary care if you notice any of these problems.

You can see in this photo that this pet has plaque and tartar build-up on its teeth. A professional examination administered by the family veterinarian should be done now to determine whether a cleaning is required.

 

Dog Dental Facts
Puppies have 28 temporary teeth that erupt at about three to four weeks of age. They have 42 permanent teeth that begin to emerge at about four months.
Symptoms of gum disease in dogs include yellow and brown build-up of tartar along the gum line, inflamed gums and persistent bad breath.
Broken teeth are a common problem, especially among outdoor dogs. According to veterinary dental experts, aggressive chewing on hard objects, such as commercially available cow hooves, is a primary cause of broken teeth in dogs.
  
Cat Dental Facts
Kittens have 26 temporary teeth that begin to erupt at about two to three weeks of age. They have 30 permanent teeth that erupt at about three to four months.
Symptoms of periodontal disease in cats include yellow and brown tartar buildup along the gum line, red inflamed gums, and persistent bad breath.
Resorptive lesions are the most common tooth disease in domestic cats. Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.
  
Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets
An astounding 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS).
Periodontal disease is a common problem in dogs, particularly smaller breeds.
Cats can develop painful resorptive lesions. Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.
 
Pet owners should look for warning signs of oral disease
Common indications of oral disease include bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the face or mouth and depression.
If any of these signs are present, the pet should be taken to the veterinarian for a dental exam.
Broken teeth are a common problem, especially among outdoor dogs. According to veterinary dental experts, aggressive chewing on hard objects, such as commercially available cow hooves, is a primary cause of broken teeth in dogs.
 
The good news is that pet owners can reduce the risk of oral disease by following AVDS recommendations
The first step in preventing oral disease is a routine physical examination including a dental exam.
Pet owners should practice a regular dental care regimen at home, which may include brushing the pet´s teeth with specially formulated toothpaste. It´s best to start early, but grown dogs and cats can learn to tolerate brushing. Toothpaste for humans is not recommended because it may upset the pet´s stomach.
Schedule regular follow-up care with your family veterinarian and ask about specially formulated foods with proven benefits in plaque and tartar removal.

  

 

Snow and Ice Related Paw Discomfort

 

 

 

Pets may experience discomfort from walking in the snow due to two primary factors:

The first is the development of ice pellets in the hair between your pet’s toes. This occurs because the warmth of our pet’s paws melts the snow that clings to it causing the hair on the paw (especially between the toes)to become wet, refreeze, and begin to accumulate more snow. Eventually the ice pellet enlarges and causes discomfort during walking, much like a pebble in the boot would do to us. This is often aggravated by the licking/chewing as the animal attempts to remove the snow accumulation.

The second likely cause is paw discomfort resulting from exposure to the salt commonly used to prevent ice build up on walkways or roadways. Salt can be very irritating to the feet with excess paw hair tending to trap the salt and prolong its contact with our pet’s paws.

 

 

Preventing Snow Related Paw Discomfort

Fortunately, the solutions to these problems are relatively simple. Begin by trimming excess hair from between your pet’s toes. If you feel uncomfortable doing this, enlist the assistance of a professional groomer. If possible, avoid areas that have been salted and use alternate methods to prevent ice build-up on your own property, such as regular shoveling and sand. Ensure that any residual salt is rinsed off or removed with a damp cloth once you are back home, drying the feet afterwards. If avoidance of salt is impossible, consider the use of paw covers. Several companies make different types that are easy to put on, durable, and most pets accept them quite readily.

 



 

 


 

  

 

 



 





Wednesday's Special

$5.00 off Baths
Not valid with any other offers or discounts
Up-to-Date vaccines required.
Mention Newsletter for discount.




Lupine Leashes and Collars
10% off when you purchase a leash and collar combo.



Angel Care Fund

 

 

Riverside Veterinary Clinic has established a fund called the Angel Care Fund and is currently taking donations of a dollar to help pets in need.  Please stop by if you are interested. 

 


Merchandise  

 To offer our clients a variety of pet supplies, we are now offering therapeutic memory foam beds, especially good for pets with arthritis.   We also have small fleece beds in addition to the toys in our toy box.

Check out our supplies the next time you’re in.

 

 

Thank you to everyone who has referred a new client in the past.  Referrals are very important to our business. As a thank you to our loyal clients, we are starting a client referral reward program.
When you refer your first new client, you and the new client will receive a free nail trim.  For each successive client see our reward chart below:
2nd- $5.00 credit on account
3rd- Pet toy
4th-Gourmet dog/cat treats
5th-$10 credit on account
6th-Lupine leash and collar set
7th-Bath
8th- Gift Basket
9th- $15 Wal-mart gift card
10th-$25 gift card to a local restaurant

Every new client that you refer will receive a free nail trim.  Be sure your new client referral mentions your name.  To e-mail your friends and let them know about our services, click on "Other Features" above, then go to "Spread the Word."


Save a life today! Adopt a kitten this holiday!


Stop by to see the kittens we have for adoption.  The adoption fee for these little guys is $50, which includes a FeLV/FIV test, first vaccines, fecal, and deworming.  Adoptee will be responsible for all other care once the kitten is adopted.

 

 

 



 
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