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YOUR FEBRUARY 2021 NEWSLETTER FROM LARGO VETERINARY HOSPITAL
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| FEBRUARY 2021 PET HOLIDAYS
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| February is Dog Training Education,
National Cat Health, Spay/Neuter Awareness, Pet Dental Health Month, & Prevent a Litter Month.
Feb. 3: Doggy Date Night.
Feb. 14: Pet Theft Awareness Day.
Feb. 20: Love Your Pet Day.
Feb. 22: Walking the Dog Day.
Feb. 23: National Dog Biscuit Day.
Feb. 25: World Spay Day.
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NATIONAL CAT HEALTH MONTH ACTIVITIES
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- Take your kitty in for a check-up. Sometimes, life gets busy and those checkups get pushed back. Use National Cat Health Month as the reason to prioritize your cat’s health - you have a whole month to get it done!
- Spread the word on social media. What better excuse to blanket social media with #NationalCatHealthMonth than posting a picture of your cat? You were going to do it anyway, so use this opportunity to spread the word on National Cat Health Month to other cat owners.
- Get your cat a new toy. A good pet owner knows that emotional health can be just as important as physical health for your kitty. Investing in a new toy can improve your cat’s mood, give them a bit of exercise, and even strengthen your bond. Cats deserve a little relaxation, too! Check out these cat toys for ideas.
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MEET OUR PET OF THE MONTH
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| | Hi my name is Chester and I am a 7-year-old domestic short hair feline. My favorite things to play with are scrunchies, they're just so easy to bat around. I also love to play hide-and-go-seek; I bet you can't find me! I am a busy boy, when I'm not playing with scrunchies and hide-and-go-seek I love to jump from one place to another. Unfortunately I don't always make my jumps and then I fall, it's pretty embarrassing. Don't tell Dr. Daniels but I LOVE treats, all kinds. When I've worn myself out enough you can find me sleeping on mom's chest. |
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JOIN THE FUN, FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
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WHO NEEDS VALENTINE'S DAY? FEBRUARY 20TH IS LOVE YOUR PET DAY!
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| “Pets. Life’s apology for every crappy day ever.” – Unknown
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| Here are 5 reasons why pets deserve a special day to be loved:
- Homes with pets strengthen the immune systems of children. Children in households with pets didn’t just have less allergies to the particular animal in the home, the children also had stronger immunity systems overall.
- Pets are instant conversation ice breakers. Many people feel more at ease and are more willing to engage with a person they see who is with their pet. Just another reason for pet owners to take their dogs to the park for a walk!
- Improved heart health in pet owners. Studies have shown that owning a pet can lower blood pressure, triglyceride and cholesterol levels in their owners. Which can lower the chance of a heart attack.
- Exercising your pet improves your fitness level. Walking you dog on a regular basis or being active with your cat helps pet owners lose weight, or at the very least maintain it.
- The love of a pet improves depression. Pets have been shown as a great cure for the blues. Many people immediately feel better just by petting a dog or cat.
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| Which is Best, Natural or
Synthetic Bones?
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| How do you choose the safest option when you just need a bones to keep your chewer busy for a bit? Natural and synthetic choices both have their own benefits and flaws, so here are some facts to help you make your decision.
Synthetic Bone Chews:
PROS
- Designed specifically for supporting healthy teeth and gums, with no risk of natural bacteria.
- Come in a wide range of sizes and flavors
- Will not stain your carpets or furniture!
- Don’t have the calories of treats, so you don’t need to worry about excess weight gain
CONS
- Without proper supervision, have been known to break off and cause issues for dogs if ingested
Natural Bone Chews:
PROS
- Naturally attractive to dogs
- Natural bone marrow is full of nutrients that your dog may be missing from their basic diet
- Good quality products will have no added preservatives, meaning all the ingredients are entirely natural to your dog’s digestive system!
CONS
- Can sometimes cause vomiting and diarrhea, or other issues for dogs who chew them
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FEBRUARY IS PET DENTAL MONTH
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Did you know that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some kind of oral disease by the age of 3? Never fear pet owners — February is National Pet Dental Health Month, so now is the perfect time to call us and schedule a dental check up for your furry family members.
As with many health issues, prevention is always the best medicine. One way you can take a proactive role in preventing oral disease in your pet is by using an important tool that many pet owners neglect to purchase for their four-legged friends: a toothbrush. A soft-bristled toothbrush should be used to clean your pet’s teeth daily to remove any food particles and prevent the build up of tartar and plaque deposits. Make sure to only use toothpaste that is specially formulated for use on pets. We sell both of these items at Largo Vet.
Dental disease is more than just a cosmetic issue — when your canine companion or feline friend has red gums, yellow teeth and stinky breath, it could be a sign of serious oral disease that could, if left untreated, lead to devastating affects on your pet’s quality of life including infection, severe pain and even organ damage. Neglecting your pet’s teeth and gums can cause chronic pain issues that may even be at the center of certain behavioral problems. With regular oral health maintenance and check-ups, most of these problems can be avoided.
Dr. Daniels may recommend a professional teeth cleaning for your dog or cat once a year or as needed. Performing a thorough oral exam requires the use of general anesthesia, so Dr. Daniels will first give your pet a pre-anesthetic exam and perform pre-anesthetic blood work. Once the anesthesia is administered your pet’s vitals, including respiration, temperature and heart rate, will be monitored while our technicians take dental radiographs and uses instruments to scale and polish your pet’s teeth, removing tartar and plaque build up that could otherwise lead to dental issues. In cases of serious oral disease, Dr. Daniels may recommend a tooth extraction.
Between regular examinations with Dr. Daniels, you should look for the warning signs of gum disease such as bad breath, red and swollen gums, yellow-brown crusts of tartar along the gum lines, and bleeding or pain when the gums or mouth are touched. Pets with developing gingivitis and periodontal diseases often paw at their face or mouth frequently, have excessive drool, and may exhibit an unwillingness to eat harder foods.
Overall health begins with a good diet, but did you know that many dental health issues are caused by malnutrition? Dr. Daniels can also work with you to address your pet’s nutrition and develop a healthy eating plan. Keeping on top of your pet’s dental health has lasting positive effects — studies show that maintaining oral health can add up to five years to your pet’s life.
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A DIET THAT BRUSHES YOUR PET'S TEETH
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| Does your pet hate to have his teeth brushed or you just don’t have the time to brush your pet’s teeth twice a day? Well did you know there was a diet you could feed your pet that brushes their teeth while they eat? Yes a nutritious solution to help you to reach those hard to reach places in your pets mouth and it’s called Hill’s T/D.
Dental care for your pet is more important than you think. The association between oral health issues and systemic general health issues include affects to the kidney, heart and metabolic systems.
Hill's T/D has a special fiber matrix that scrubs the exposed tooth surface like an edible toothbrush, reducing bacteria-laden plaque. If left unchecked, this buildup can lead to gingivitis, a dental condition that can weaken the gums and tissues that support the teeth. Hill’s T/D is clinically proven to reduce plaque, stain and tartar buildup, and reduces bad breath. Hill’s T/D is a complete and balanced diet with added antioxidants to control cell oxidation and promote a healthy immune system for your dog and cat.
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CATS THAT LOOK JUST LIKE TIGERS