Did you know that your pets’ teeth need cleaning and care just like ours do? Most of us don’t take the time to brush our dog or cat’s teeth, yet we complain about their breath smelling like a trash can. Well, February is Dental Health Month, so in honor of that, the EZVet team wanted to help raise awareness for your pets dental health, and help save your noses from some potential stink. We know a lot of you don’t think the risks of putting a pet under anesthesia aren’t worth it just for a dental, so that’s why we’re recommending the non-anesthetic dental option. EZPet Dentals make this experience painless, and convenient for you and your pet! Here are some FAQs about the procedure:

Q: How can you effectively perform cleaning on a dog or cat while it is squirming around and under stress?
A:  The hygienist uses gentle persuasion to maintain control while keeping the patient calm and comfortable. No pets will be forced or bullied into submission. Most pets will remain calm and compliant once trust and security is established.

Q: Will thorough cleaning be done below the gum lines or just what is visible on the teeth?
A: Absolutely! Our professional dental technician will clean all tooth surfaces including surfaces close to the tongue and detect any signs of dental abnormalities and any possible signs of early periodontitis.

Q: Aren’t most pets afraid of the sounds dental devices makes?
A: We address this by building the pet’s trust in us. With patience and gentle persuasion, the pet will get accustomed to the sound and comply.

Q: Do you perform the cleaning in intervals as I am not sure whether my pet can stay still for a long period of time?
A:  We make every effort to keep your pet comfortable. If necessary, we will take a break.

Q: Have you found this technique to be effective with high-risk patients?
A: Yes! Non-anesthetic dental cleanings are usually a much better alternative for older pets, and for pets with chronic kidney, liver or heart disease who might not be a candidate for general anesthesia.

Q: Can your professional dental technician perform a cleaning on virtually any dog?
A: We are able to perform cleaning on a vast majority of dogs and cats. While most pets benefit from anesthesia free dental cleaning, there are some for whom it is not appropriate such as pets with severe cases of gingivitis, caries, fractured teeth or stomatitis.  Our professional dental technician is aware of the limitations of our drug-free techniques. In cases like this, pet owners become much more receptive to traditional dental methods because they know they have tried the sedative-free option first.

Q: What do you do if a pet is completely uncooperative, overly fearful, or demonstrates highly aggressive behavior?
A:  We will not compromise the safety of the pet or the technician at any cost.

We hope you consider an EZPet dental for your pet! If you’d like more information, please visit ezpetdentals.com. To make an appointment please call  1-800-319-3880.

New year’s resolutions are always about improving ourselves, and often about getting in shape. Our pets can actually be good motivators for us to stay active and get fit. Unfortunately, about 80% of the American population does not get regular exercise and over 50% of the population is now considered obese.

The rise of obesity in Americans correlates with obesity in the pet population, especially since many overweight owners are not taking the time to exercise their pets. Additionally, many pet owners cannot accurately judge their pet’s Body Condition Score (BCS). The BCS is a chart from 1 to 9 in dogs and cats with lower numbers indicating an underweight pet, numbers 4 and 5 indicating ideal weight and anything from 6-9 indicating an overweight pet.  Numbers on a scale cannot be relied upon in the pet world and that is why a body condition score is much more reliable than exact pounds.  A study showed over 70% of owners in a study rated their pet’s body condition score (BCS) as much lower than it was when compared to a Veterinarian who objectively measured the pet’s BCS. This means that most Americans have no idea that their pets are overweight.

There are graphics that illustrate these BCS charts for dogs and cats but you can also use the Knuckle test as a simpler way to understand your pet’s body condition.  Basically, if your pet is too thin, then the ribs will be visible and will feel like the top of your knuckles when your hand makes a fist. A pet who has an ideal body condition will feel like your knuckles when your hand is flat, palm down.  An overweight pet’s ribs will feel like your knuckles when felt from the palm aspect of your open hand.

There are many different reasons for a pet to be overweight other than being under-exercised and overfed with dog food and/or human foods. Regular exercise and cutting calories and treats are always a good way to start  but if you are not being successful at decreasing your pet’s weight to an ideal body condition then you should partner with your Veterinarian who can help you with more specific recommendations based on your specific pet’s situation. Overweight pets, like people, are more likely to have chronic disease such as diabetes, arthritis and other underlying chronic conditions. For example, hypothyroidism can be common and there is an easy 15-minute blood test for diagnosis. Treatment is simple and your pet will show new life and usually a better coat. Arthritis may also keep your pet from wanting or being able to exercise. Fortunately, we can control pain and use prescription diets that are formulated for weight loss and have joint supplements included in them.  Some breeds are especially prone to becoming obese including, but not limited to, Bulldogs, Pugs, Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, Beagles, Labs, and almost all house cats.

Unless you’re preparing for a specific event such as running a marathon or playing a specific sport, 30 minutes of walking a day is recommended by the National Academy of Sports Medicine for a healthier lifestyle with a multitude of benefits comparable to spending two to three hours in a gym three times a week. Bringing your pet with you on these walks will help both of you stay healthy and work toward New Year’s Resolutions for you and your pet.

We want to wish you the best in the new year! Please feel free to contact us if you would like a consultation with Dr. Wendt.

It’s an exciting time of year with the holidays around the corner. One of the best things about this time  is that we get to take some time off to decompress and travel with our families. Sometimes, our pets even get to come with us on planes (if they’re small enough). For those of you who have pets that need to travel in crates, we thought it might be helpful to share some of our favorite safety tips for travelling with pets.

1. Label your pet’s crate properly.
   Make sure your pet’s crate says “LIVE ANIMAL” on it so personnel can be sure to handle with care. Also, be sure to include your contact information and a picture of your pet should your pet get lost. This could help easily reunite the two of you. We would even recommend including information like your dog’s weight, and any distinguishable features that might help someone identify them, like the color of their collar or a spot on their eye.

2. Try to avoid connecting flights.
   This prevents unnecessary worrying that your pet may be left behind, lost, or mishandled turning layovers. If you can fly direct, we recommend you do so for your furry friend’s safety and your peace of mind.

3. Get a USDA- approved crate.
   The crate you buy should have enough room for your pet to stand and turn around in. Also, consider lining the crate with a bed and/or newspaper to absorb any potential accidents during travelling. Make sure you securely close the crate, but do not lock it. You want personnel to be able to open it in case of emergency.

4. Provide your dog with food, water and a leash.
   It’s always a good idea to tape a small bag of food to the top of your pet’s crate in case of a layover so airline personnel can feed them. We also recommend you provide your pet with water during the flight. A good way to do this is to freeze a bowl of water and put it in their crate. This will help prevent any spilling during boarding, but will give the water sufficient time to melt for drinking on the plane. We also suggest you include a leash in the crate as well, so if your dog needs to be taken out for a potty break, airline personnel can do so. Just make sure the leash is bundled up and not loose in the crate which can be a choking hazard.

Thanksgiving is such a special holiday. Family comes into town, we cook, we laugh, we eat, we drink and then we slug around and complain about everything we’ve consumed. It’s a day to be thankful, for sure, for all the wonderful things life brings us, like our furry companions. It’s so nice to have them around to celebrate with us, but what a lot of people don’t realize is that we should be careful about sharing this holiday with our pets- especially everyone’s favorite part, the food. We’ve come up with a quick list of 5 Thanksgiving foods you should keep away from your pets to keep them safe this year:

1. Stuffing
   Although stuffing itself is not necessarily toxic to pets, a lot of its ingredients are. Common ingredients like onions and garlic can cause anemia in pets and be extremely health- threatening.
2. Turkey Bones
   Cooked bones can be very dangerous for pets to consume. Not only can they splinter and cause severe internal damage to your pet’s digestive system, but they can also cause an obstruction or even puncture your pet’s stomach. Please keep these away from your pets.
3. Ham
   If you didn’t know this, a lot of pork products can cause upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea for your pets. Additionally, ham is very caloric, so if you’re struggling to keep your pet’s weight at bay, ham should be an automatic no go.
4. Nuts
   Please keep all nuts away from your pets. They’re commonly added to many Thanksgiving dishes and can very easily end up consumed by your dog. We recommend you try and avoid this at all costs. Macadamia nuts, specifically, are the most dangerous, causing potential vomiting, seizures and neurological problems. Nuts generally have a high fat content and can cause pancreatic issues, so we strongly recommend you keep your pets away from them if you can help it.
5. Desserts- especially chocolate ones
   We all know that chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats. Unfortunately, dogs love the smell of chocolate. With the common dessert spread on Thanksgiving, your dog may be tempted to steal some. Make sure to keep an eye on your dog if there is chocolate around.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your pets!

Did you know that an animal is abused every 10 seconds?  Since 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has a long history of helping abused animals of all sizes and has dedicated April as their campaign for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.  Similar to the pink ribbon for Breast Cancer, the ASPCA has designated the color orange to show support for their important cause.

How can you help in this endeavor?  Learn more at the ASPCA.org website.  Support your local shelter or rescue groups by donating, volunteering, acting as a foster home, or adopting a needy pet.  Whether you want a mixed breed or a purebred, rescue groups are out there doing their part to assist through rescuing, protecting, and placing animals.  Go online to see if a specific breed rescue group is in your area if you have a certain breed in mind.  Mixed breed dogs also make amazing pets and give just as much love to a family.

Did you know that abusing an animal is still considered a Class 1 misdemeanor in most states?  Dog fighting, animal hoarding, and puppy mills are far too prevalent for our overextended judicial system.  If this issue is important to you, check locally to see if a petition has started to create stronger punishments for animal abusers.  The Animal Legal Defense Fund has created an app for your smartphone to report any negligence or abuse that you know of within your community.  Go to www.aldf.org for more information.

Let’s all do our part to prevent animal cruelty. Pets needs kindness and love too.  Use your social media to spread the word to wear orange for animals, use #fightcruelty with a tag to the ASPCA, or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram.  Contact your local shelter or rescues to see how you can help.  Animal cruelty can be stopped so let’s do what we can to put an end to animal abuse.