Dental Care for Pets Too

It is likely you have teeth that need routine care.                                              

If you have good oral hygiene; you brush, floss and swish mouthwash 1-2 times a day. You visit the dentist twice a year to have your teeth cleaned and x-rays taken. If you have a cavity or need a tooth pulled, you contact the dentist as soon as possible.

And when you get crooked teeth, you have an orthodontist attach wire and brackets to them so they can be straight.

Pets have teeth that need attention as well. Just as humans take the necessary steps to maintain their pearly whites, pets (especially dogs and cats) need the same tender loving care.

Have you ever smelled overwhelming dog or cat breath? There may be an infection in its mouth, which is caused by poor oral hygiene and lack of professional dental teeth cleanings.

This is where we come in. Our staff are highly skilled and perform multiple comprehensive teeth cleanings on a daily basis. For every dental, they take time to scale and polish each tooth, take radiographs to detect diseased teeth that may not be visible to the natural eye, chart every pathologic finding and if there are teeth that require extractions, the veterinarian steps in and carefully removes them. We recommend cleanings and oral exams twice a year.

Dental care for your pet is not only about having clean teeth. Periodontal disease is a common issue in cats and dogs that begins with plaque build-up that develops into tartar, which can get underneath the gumline and damage the jawbone and tissues that connect teeth to the jawbone. This disease not only causes pets discomfort and pain in their mouths, but problems can develop in their kidneys, hearts and livers if untreated.




Periodontal disease can likely be avoided by practicing good dental health habits for your pet.

Good Dental Health Habits Checklist

Brush teeth at least once a week (if possible)

Feed Science Diet t/d kibbles

(special dental diet to reduce plaque build-up)

Bi-annual Comprehensive Dental Cleaning and Oral Exams

Give Oravet Dental Hygiene Chews

*Sold at our clinic*

*Sold at our clinic*

February is National Pet Dental Health Month and we encourage you to develop good oral health habits for your pet starting today. Your pet will thank you with his/her dashing smile.

Taking Care of Your Guinea Pig

Guinea pigs are great pets to have. They don't require too much maintenance, have fun personalities and give lots of love!

We want to share a few tips for first time, prospective and current guinea pig owners. These little guys are so much fun!

First, let's talk about food.

Timothy hay is the major source of diet for a guinea pig. In addition to hay, a small amount of guinea pig pellets may be added to the diet . Make sure the pellets are fortified so that they are getting the correct vitamins and nutrients. We also recommend adding Vitamin C to their drinking water, since guinea pigs are unable to manufacture their own Vitamin C. There are also a number of fruits and vegetables that can be used as treats. Consult with us on which fruits and vegetables to give, as there are some they cannot eat. Also, try not to give too many treats so that they can stay on a proper diet. Treats are a great way to bond with your guinea pig!

Housing

Make sure you have a large cage for your guinea pig and provide proper bedding. Shredded paper, recycled paper bedding and shredded aspen bedding works best! DO NOT use pine or cedar shavings as the oils in the shavings can cause respiratory problems. Also, sawdust should not be used as a substrate. Make sure to clean out and disinfect the cage once a week.

GP Food/Housing Checklist

• Large cage. 12' height x 24-36' width
• Proper substrate and bedding
• Vitamin C Supplement
• Timothy hay
• Treats (veggies/fruits)
• Water bottle and dish
• Food bowl
• Safe toys

Care

Nail trims are important for your guinea pig. We perform nail trims at our clinic on a daily basis, so feel free to schedule an appointment with us. Sometimes teeth trims are required as well (do not attempt on your own; only veterinarians can do this). Also, bathing and brushing your guinea pig are good grooming habits to develop. It is good to bond with your guinea pig and take them out to play frequently.

*If you see your guinea pig eating their droppings, this is normal and do not discourage it. Eating feces actually helps them digest and are an important part of their diet.

One last thing.

We want your guinea pig to be happy and healthy. If he/she shows any sign of illness, let us know.  Being a prey species, guinea pigs hide their illnesses very well. Please contact our clinic should any of the below listed signs occur.

Common Signs of Illness

• Drooling
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Swollen, painful joints and ribs
• Reluctance to move
• Bleeding from the gums
• Straining or uterine bleeding
• Hair loss
• Panting and/or convulsions
• Swelling/lameness of the feet
• Labored or rapid breathing
• Discharge from eyes and/or nose
• Excessive tilting of head
• Diarrhea
• Excessive scratching

Guinea pigs are great pets! If you have any questions about them, always call our clinic. We are happy to help you!  

What is so important about spaying and neutering?

 By having your pet spayed/neutered, you are not only helping to decrease the pet population, but giving your loved one a happy and healthy life.

Millions of healthy cats and dogs are euthanized each year in the U.S. due to overpopulation and homelessness. You can do your part to end this by having your pet sterilized at a young age. There are also health and behavior benefits for your pet that receives the spay or neuter.

Health Benefits

Longevity

Studies show that pets who are spayed/neutered, have a longer life than unaltered animals.

Cancer

Spayed females have a greater chance of avoiding cancer, including breast tumors. Also, females that are spayed before their first heat tend to be healthier than those that wait.

Neutering your male pets can help prevent testicular cancer and prostate problems.

Pyometra

Unaltered female dogs run the risk of contracting Pyometra, which can be avoided if they get spayed. Pyometra is an infection in the uterus that can occur if the female has had several heat cycles without getting pregnant.

Clinical signs of Pyometra are determined by an open or closed cervix. The most common symptom of an open cervix is excretion of pus or abnormal discharge. Other symptoms include fever, lethargy, anorexia and depression. A closed cervix is much more dangerous because the discharge collects in the uterus, causing a distended abdomen. Bacteria from the uterus drains into the bloodstream and the dog can rapidly become ill. Contact our office as soon as possible if any of these symptoms occur in your dog.

Behavior Benefits

Females will not go into heat if they are spayed. A pet in heat normally will urinate all over the house, so you are saving yourself a lot of trouble by having the surgery done.

Roaming is less likely in neutered pets. Intact males like to go out looking for females and will leave your house frequently to find them. They risk getting hit by a car or fighting with other male animals.

Neutered males act much better. Intact males mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine everywhere. They are more aggressive and will mount on almost everything, including your leg. Neutering helps decrease this.

Have we convinced you?

We encourage you to do your research before spaying or neutering your pet, however, do take into consideration that there are more pros than cons for having the procedure done. You can make a huge difference in ending pet overpopulation simply by making the first step and scheduling an appointment with us.

Happy National Train your Dog Month!

Why train your dog? Why NOT?

  
Dogs don’t come programmed knowing what sit, stay or come means; nor do they know difference between an expensive pair of shoes or piece of furniture.  The moment we bring home a four-legged animal--sometimes three-legged fur child--we owe it to them to show them the ropes. The house rules need to be clear and consistent. Investing in your dog through training can provide lasting benefits. Training should be approached in a positive hands free manner with the intention of being a calm and consistent leader.  Training also allows quality time to bond with your canine companion which is key.  A genuine bond helps the both of you work as a team. A trained dog has a higher chance of staying in a forever home with a forever family. Out of pure canine logic they display gratitude through loyalty, love and slobber kisses.  It’s a win-win!

--Courtney Stauffer, Certified Dog Trainer


All of us at Parrish Creek highly recommend that as soon as your puppy is old enough, to have him/her trained by a professional dog trainer. By starting good behavior habits, you are providing a safe and healthy relationship with your dog for the rest of his/her life. While it is true that you can teach old dogs new tricks, it is more preferable to train your dog at a young age. Like a young human child, puppies soak things up like a sponge!

This new year, resolve to have your new dog trained. You won't regret it! Contact our resident dog trainer, Courtney Stauffer, for more information on getting started. Visit her Facebook page, Bark to Basics, L.L.C.

Birds and bloodwork

Why does my bird need to have bloodwork? This is a question we often encounter from some of our clients when we suggest a blood screening, and it is a reasonable question.

Birds are unique animals. They require a lot of care and attention both at home and in a veterinary clinic. When a bird is in the wild, it hides signs of illness for as long as possible to protect against predators and also to blend in with its flock. Birds in captivity have similar behavior. If your pet bird is sick, he or she has probably been sick for a while. Routine blood screening allows us to detect diseases early on before your bird starts showing symptoms. And the sooner we are able to identify an illness through blood testing, the sooner we can control or cure it. Don't wait until it's too late!

What's included in annual bloodwork?

Complete Blood Cell Count (CBC)
Chemistry Panel
Triglycerides

CBC
We learn information about your bird by monitoring the red and white cells, and platelets. By doing this, we are able to detect signs of infection, cancer, anemia, and much more.

Chemistry Panel
This helps us get an idea of how the organs are functioning inside your bird. Although an organ appears healthy on an x-ray, this doesn't always mean it is functioning normally. This is why we recommend pairing bloodwork with x-rays to get the best results and confidence that your bird is indeed healthy.

Triglycerides
This is a type of fat found in the body and when elevated, it could indicate dietary imbalances, liver disease or even reproductive problems. Most issues in birds are a result of poor diet, which usually consists of fatty foods.

X-rays+3 types of bloodwork=confidence in your bird's health

Our Avian veterinarians are trained to draw blood from all types and sizes of birds, and our technicians are skilled in bird handling. Be assured that your bird is in safe hands.

Make a resolution this year to give the best care possible to your little feathered friend!

We love Tracy Aviary!

What many may or may not know about Dr. Folland is his involvement with Tracy Aviary. For over 20 years, he takes the weekly drive into Salt Lake City to treat numerous birds in the area south of Liberty Park. We have a special place in our hearts for the Aviary and its many programs, events, shows, education and conservation efforts.

Most of the birds at Tracy Aviary sustained injuries in the wild and now after being rehabilitated, play a huge role in educating people about conservation and protecting wildlife and habitats. Some of the resident birds include bald and golden eagles, tropical birds, owls and the infamous Andean Condor, Andy.

Throughout the years, our clinic has seen and helped the birds of the Aviary, whether it's the angry hornbill, the sweet owl or the magnificent eagles. We support the efforts of the Aviary and its programs. Nature in the City is one of the many wonderful programs that helps children and people of the community get outside and explore nature in their backyards.

There are many opportunities to get involved with Tracy Aviary. They always take donations, including the option to adopt a bird (not to take home) and provide it with food, toys and other necessities. There are also many volunteer opportunities for all ages and groups.

If you haven't experienced the Aviary, we highly recommend you take advantage of what it has to offer. You aren't simply watching birds, but learning about how you can help endangered species in the wild. We have the responsibility to protect nature and its beauty.

Thank you, Tracy Aviary!

Xylitol and Peanut Butter

Please be extra careful when feeding your dog peanut butter.

Do not let your dog do this!

Although peanut butter is a good way to disguise medication, and a yummy treat for your dog, it can contain a dangerous ingredient that could cause death: Xylitol.

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free foods such as gum, toothpaste, mouth wash, candy, peanut and nut butters, etc. If a dog ingests it, there can be serious problems, just like there can be issues if a dog eats chocolate. So make sure you add Xylitol next to chocolate on your list of things dogs can't eat.

Please be extremely careful when using peanut butter as a treat. ALWAYS check the label for Xylitol before giving it to your dog. The safest way of avoiding an issue is to avoid peanut butter altogether, but if you do let your dog snack on peanut butter, double check the ingredients.                                                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                          
Symptoms of Xylitol poisoning:

• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Lack of coordination
• Depression/lethargy
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Coma

If your dog does ingest peanut butter with Xylitol, immediately contact us or the Animal ER.

Visit the Pet Poison Helpline for more information.