Dog Bite Prevention

Dog bites are a serious health concern and should not be taken lightly. There are a variety of reasons  why a dog may bite. Even dogs that are well-trained and have never bitten anyone can still bite if caught off-guard. One example:

A little girl startled a well-behaved dog while it was eating its food and it immediately latched onto her face. The dog had never had a history of biting, but because it had one moment of surprise, it bit and sent the girl to the hospital to get stitches.

We shouldn't underestimate dogs and their instincts. Dogs are animals and they will bite in certain situations.

Why do dogs bite?

There are a few different reasons why a dog may bite, and it doesn’t always mean that they are an “aggressive dog”. Evaluate your dog’s biting behaviors. Is it present prominently during play? Or is it in certain situations, i.e. greetings from adults or children, or at the groomer or veterinary clinic? A dog may bite as to say, “Leave me alone I don’t want to be bothered.” A dog can bite because they’re in pain. Or simply put, a dog can bite because they haven’t been taught manners. If nipping/biting is only present during play, then a great way to teach him to not bite is to redirect his attention on to something  he can place his mouth on like a rope toy, ball etc. In other circumstances be aware of your dog’s warning signs of any discomfort or uneasiness. Some signs include lip raising, baring teeth, growling, and snapping at the air. Their body language may include a tucked tail, ears back and possibly cowering and trying to flee the scene. Set your dog up for success. Diffuse the uneasiness by moving forward slowly by making your dog more comfortable through space or distance from any triggers. Redirect his attention on to his favorite toy or treat. Be on the lookout for any calm reactions and praise and reward heavily. Be patient while teaching your dog that biting is an unfavorable behavior. Punishing or berating a dog who bites will only make things worse. Always approach it in a positive and force free manner.

How to prevent dog bites

• Educate yourself on how to approach dogs
• Socialize your dog with other people and animals
• Be a responsible dog owner
• Avoid situations where a dog could potentially bite you
• Notice a dog's body language

Being aware that dogs are animals and could potentially bite can help you be more cautious around them. Educate yourself and try to avoid situations where you or someone else could get bit.

Pet Dental Month=Clean Teeth, Discount

February is National Pet Dental Health Month, and if your pet has never had a dental, this is the perfect month to start. We are offering 10% off every dental scheduled in February.  

In addition to routine teeth brushing, it is recommended that dogs and cats have annual comprehensive teeth cleanings and oral exams twice a year. Why is this so important?

Periodontal disease is a common issue in cats and dogs and causes them to experience discomfort and pain. Not only does it affect their mouths, but can cause problems in their kidneys, hearts and livers if untreated. Periodontal disease 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.

When we examine your pet’s teeth, we grade them on a periodontal disease scale of 1-4.

1 is normal—minimal tartar

4 is severe—infection, teeth extractions typically necessary  

Here at Parrish Creek Veterinary Clinic, we know how important it is to perform a thorough and successful dental on your pet. What sets us apart from places like spay and neuter clinics?

First, let’s discuss dentals at spay and neuter clinics. Although they are usually offered at a lower rate, dentals at spay and neuter clinics are quick procedures with minimal attention to detail. These types of clinics often see 50 or more patients in the course of one day. Blood work is not required, x-rays are rarely given and if a patient has grade 4 periodontal disease, they are referred to another clinic with the proper resources anyway.

Dentals at PCVC:

We start by giving your pet a comprehensive oral exam, which tells us the severity of his or her teeth. After we know what type of services are needed for your loved one, we provide you with an accurate estimate for a dental cleaning. We always include pre-surgical blood work. Why? When we run a blood test, we can determine if your animal is healthy enough for safe anesthesia. In our experience, we have tested animals scheduled for dentals and discovered they have kidney disease or other issues that make them an unfit candidate for an anesthetic dental.

Radiographs

We do dental x-rays on every mouth that comes in for an extensive cleaning. Our technicians, who perform cleaning and polishing on your pet’s teeth, are highly skilled in administering dental x-rays. We have found things such as residual roots in the gums that would have gone unnoticed if we had not taken radiographs. They also help us know if teeth need to be extracted. If teeth need to be extracted, our technicians will pass the task on to our veterinarians.

Anesthesia

Dr. Folland and veterinarians everywhere agree that anesthesia is the best method for performing dentals. It can be painful for your pet to experience a dental, especially if extractions are necessary. Anesthesia prevents any discomfort or pain your pet may experience during the cleaning. Also, pets tend to move around, escape from the table or bite those performing dentals. Anesthesia is helpful for everyone involved with the procedure.

Be assured that your pet will be monitored from the moment the pre-anesthetic is administered, to when he or she wakes up from the dental. We take precaution with every animal that goes under anesthesia. This sets us apart from spay and neuter clinic dentals. Because they have a high volume of dentals, they are unable to monitor each animal throughout the entire process. We ensure that you and your pet have the best experience possible. Please feel free to speak with any of our staff if you have questions and concerns.

If you schedule a dental within 30 days of your pet’s exam, you’ll always get 10% off your dental bill.

Don’t forget to schedule your dental today!