Osteoarthritis | Our pets can suffer from osteoarthritis. This is often more evident with the cooler weather and is most often manifest as stiffness, limping and reluctance to exercise. Some animals will also appear depressed or more irritable. They rarely cry or show obvious pain. Osteoarthritis is most common in older pets especially large dogs. It is a process of accelerated degeneration of articular cartilage and inflammation - resulting in joint swelling and restricted motion and pain.Diagnosis is made by physical examination to rule out other injuries eg: ligament strain, neurological disease and bone diseases. In some cases radiographs (x-rays) are necessary. Examination also allows detection of other problems that may affect treatment.There are several treatment options for your pet: Drugs:There are a number of prescription medications available to treat arthritis. Some medications provide pain relief and reduce inflammation, whilst others modify the processes occurring in the joint to slow progression of the disease. Weight loss: reduces load on joints can have a dramatic effect. Nutrition: Your may need to feed more of a balanced diet in winter also, supplementing the diet with glucosamine and anti-oxidants to assist with further deterioration of arthritis in pets. Environment: Warm padded bedding raised off the ground is essential, avoid placing your pets bedding in draughts. To assist your pets with easy access around your home avoid stairs and replace with ramps where possible. Exercise: Regular gentle exercise is important to maintain muscle tone.
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|  | Winter Pet Care Tips | | Winter presents potentially serious health threats to pets, so it is especially important for pet owners to take extra precautions. *Antifreeze can be fatal if ingested. Because of its sweet taste, animals are attracted to it. Clean up all spills quickly. If you think that your pet has ingested antifreeze call us or bring them in immediately.
*A pet that is kept outside is in danger of hypothermia in frigid temperatures. Be sure to provide proper shelter for outside pets that is dry and secure from with and weather. * You can't drink ice, and neither can your pet, so check their water bowl frequently to make sure it hasn't frozen. Always have fresh, clean water available.
* During the winter months, outdoor cats sometimes choose to sleep under the hoods of cars, where it is warm. Then, when the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed in the fan belt. To prevent this, bang loudly on the hood of your car and wait a few seconds before starting the engine. This will give a cat the chance to escape.
*The winter weather can cause arthritis to flare up in our senior pets. Watch your pet closely for signs of joint pain or discomfort. If you notice any changes in your pet such as difficulty getting up, climbing stairs, limping, etc. call us to schedule an appointment for an examination. |
| | Dental Health | FEBRUARY IS DENTAL HEALTH MONTH--ALL DENTAL CLEANINGS ARE 15% OFF!
You are a responsible pet owner. You take good care of your pet. But do you always remember to take care of your pet's teeth? Pets have dental diseases and problems just like humans do. Many of these problems can be avoided by bringing your pet to your veterinarian for regular dental check-ups and dental cleanings. Does your pet have bad breath or reddened gums? If so, it could be from gingivitis. Gingivitis occurs when soft plaque hardens into rough, irritating tarter. Tarter build-up on your pet's teeth can cause damage to the teeth and gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to infection. This can cause the loss of teeth. You can prevent serious dental problems from happening by making sure you regularly check your pet's teeth and have their teeth cleaned when needed. Check out www.petdental.com for more information.
| Check This Out! | *Dr. Escobedo, Gaye Young,and Kelly Buckner (technicians)will be attending the Western Veterinary Conference in February
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