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Dental disease doesn’t just cause bad breath. The mouth is a prime source of bacteria that can seed the rest of the body. There are significant health risks associated with dental disease that can affect your pet’s heart, liver, and other organs. It can also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and pain or discomfort in the whole head.
 
Because dental disease most often affects middle-aged or older dogs and cats, a pre-anesthetic blood test is always recommended to assess your pet’s general state of health. This blood test can be done the same day as the dentistry.
 
To ensure the best possible health for your pet, schedule a dental cleaning today!  (See below for previous articles)

Dangers of Pet Waste

If not handled properly, pet waste can be a source of illness for other animals
or for humans.  Zoonotic illnesses are those that are transmitted from animals
to humans and include the following:

• Campylobacteriosis, a bacterial infection carried by dogs and cats which
  frequently causes diarrhea in humans
• Salmonellosis, the most common zoonotic infection which may include
  symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Toxocariasis, roundworms capable of being transmitted from dogs to humans,
  often without noticeable symptoms, but which may include rash, fever, cough,
  or even loss of vision

Pets and children who play in areas where animals defecate are most at risk for infection from disease-causing bacteria and parasites found in pet waste.  To keep your family safe, remember these important tips:

• When walking with your pet, take along a plastic bag or cup and dispose of the waste properly.
• Be aware of the Animal Control Ordinance that governs pet waste clean-up.
• Keep your property waste free by clearing waste yourself or by contacting the professionals at Scoops Dog Waste Removal Service at 410-757-8333.

Celebrate the Holidays Safely

A little care protects your pet from seasonal hazards.

Taking a few minutes out of your hectic holiday schedule to ensure that decorations, festive foods, and cold weather chemicals don’t harm your pet can be the best gift of all.  Approach the holidays with your pets as if you had a curious two-year-old in your home.

Ornamental dangers.  Glass balls, holiday lights, tinsel, garlands, and other ornaments pose the potential for choking, oral injury, and gastrointestinal problems.  Chewing on wires can lead to electrical shock.  And strings of any kind can get tangled up in the intestines.  Symptoms include vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and shock.  Keep all of these items out of your pet’s reach.

Batteries not included.  Corrosives generated when a battery becomes lodged in the esophagus, stomach, or intestine can rapidly cause severe injury.  Lithium batteries are particularly hazardous if eaten.

Trim the trimmings.  When pets eat too much turkey skin and gravy or other fatty foods, vomiting, lethargy, pain, and diarrhea may result.  They can go from normal to critically ill in less than 24 hours.  Onions and onion powder can cause anemia, and leftover bones can easily become lodged in the esophagus.  Grapes and raisins may cause kidney failure in some dogs.

No chocolate, please.  Chocolate, especially the dark or semi-sweet variety, is dangerous to pets, potentially causing central nervous problems, seizures, cardiac trauma, hyperactivity, restlessness, tremors, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The great escape.  Every year there are stories about dogs and cats running out the door as guests are entering the house.  They can either get lost or become victims of car accidents.  Make sure your pets are secured prior to parties or holiday gatherings with family and friends.

Be aware of other potential dangers during the holiday season:

• Candles
• Dried potpourri and scented oils
• Poinsettias, holly berries, mistletoe, evergreen, and other toxic plants
• Liquor
• Antifreeze
• Ice-melting chemicals
   
   
   
   
   
   

   

  
   
  
   
   
   
  

For additional information about toxic substances, the Animal Poison Control Center can be reached at
(888) 426-4435.  If your pet shows any symptoms of illness or injury, consult your veterinarian immediately.

Halloween Safety

Halloween can be a stressful and sometimes dangerous holiday for pets. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) recommends following these precautions:

• Keep pets inside away from Halloween activity. Be sure they're wearing collars with ID tags
  in case they get out of the house.
• Keep candy out of pets' reach. Chocolate is toxic to cats, dogs and ferrets.
• Resist the urge to put your pet in a costume.
• Keep pets away from decorations. Candles and hanging decorations can be hazards for animals.
• Don't bring pets along for trick-or-treating. A lost animal or a dog bite will end your Halloween fun.
• Keep black cats safely indoors as they may become the target of pranksters.

The doctors and staff of Bay Country Veterinary Hospital wish you and your pets a happy and safe Halloween!

Bay Country Veterinary Hospital - Articles of Interest

Dental Health

10% Discount for Active Military and Senior
 
Tuesdays & Wednesdays . . . 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
 
Military must have valid active military ID.
Seniors must have ID proving age 65 or older.
 
*Discount does not apply to heartworm, flea, or tick products
and cannot be combined with any other offer.