Helpful Tips

Why should I be giving my pet tick prevention? https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952009

Is heartworm prevention really necessary? https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951491

What is this Leptospirosis vaccine that is being recommended? https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951453

Upset Stomach, Vomit, Diarrhea?

If your pet is vomiting, withhold water for 12 hours. After fasting for 12 hours, offer ¼ to ½ cup of water. If vomiting recurs, withhold water for another 6 hours and try again.

If your pet has diarrhea only (no vomiting) do not withhold water as it may cause dehydration. Withhold food for 12 to 24 hours. Puppies, kittens, or toy breeds do not withhold food for more than 12 hours. Then introduce a bland diet.

 

For Cats: You can feed 1-2 tablespoons of baby food every 4-6 hours until a normal formed stool is produced. Then start mixing in his/her regular diet gradually over a few days. You should not feed your cat baby food for more than 5 days because it is not a balanced diet. It is not uncommon for your cat to not defecate for 1-2 days during this time due to the highly digestible food being fed. If the problem does not resolve or if your pet is straining to defecate, call the clinic to schedule an appointment.

 

For Dogs: You can feed 2 tablespoons to 1 cup (based on the size of your pet) of a bland diet every 4-6 hours until a normal formed stool is produced. A bland diet consists of a 50/50 mixture of either boiled chicken or beef with white or brown rice. You can also offer plain cooked pasta, toast with NO butter (it’s high in fat), plain yogurt, or scrambled eggs.Then start mixing in your pet’s normal diet over a few days. Do not feed your dog a bland diet for more than 5 days because it is not a balanced diet.It is not uncommon for your dog to not defecate for 1-2 days during this time due to the highly digestible food being fed. If the problem does not resolve or if your pet is straining to defecate, call the clinic to schedule an appointment.

New Puppy or Kitten!? Wondering how much to feed?

Puppies

We recommended feeding 1 cup of high quality puppy food per 10 lbs of body weight divided into three meals a day (ex. A 20 lb puppy should be fed ⅔ cups three times a day). For large breed dogs (great danes, mastiffs, cane corsos, bernese mountain dogs, etc.), we recommend feeding puppy food that is labeled for large breeds. This has less calcium and calories in it to help large breeds grow more slowly and evenly to minimize joint issues.

 

Kittens

We recommend offering a variety of both dry and wet food to help alleviate them from developing food preferences. Canned food is especially important because it contains higher amounts of protein (compared to dry food) which is needed for growth. Dry food is higher in carbohydrates which leads to obesity, diabetes, and intestinal disease. If a diet has insufficient protein (which shuts off your cat’s appetite center) your cat will always feel hungry and beg for more food. Canned food also contains a higher moisture/water content which may help prevent urinary tract infections. Providing mostly wet food with a small amount of dry is ideal.

 

After Alteration

Once your pet is spayed or neutered, their caloric requirements will decrease by 25%. This is the time to decrease their calorie intake. It is much harder to lessen their feeding habits 6 months later, after they are overweight.

57.6% of cats and 52.6% of dogs are obese. To learn more about obesity and how to prevent it click the link below. https://www.petobesityprevention.org/

How to properly clean ears

Cleaning ears can be a challenge! If you are up for it, you may want to ask a second person to help distract your pet with treats or help hold your pet. If that doesn’t work you can seek a groomer who offers professional ear cleaning or contact us to schedule an appointment.

Before we get into the nitty gritty there is some information you should know. Dogs’ and cats’ ear canals are in the shape of an “L.” What you can see is their external ear flap. Wiping that with a tissue will only remove built up wax and debris from the external canal but will not reach the internal ear canal. That’s where ear cleaner/flush comes in handy. Just like human doctors it is not recommended to insert anything smaller than your pinky finger into the internal ear canal. Although it’s unlikely to damage the ear drum due to the “L” shape of the canal, it is still possible to straighten out the canal by gently pulling on your pet’s ear flap.

 

Below are instructions on how to properly clean your pet’s ears.

1. To prevent any other debris entering the canal, it’s best to wear gloves or wash your hands before cleaning the ears.

2. Pour a liberal amount of the ear cleaner/flush directly from the bottle into the ear canal. Massage the base of the ear until you hear a swooshing noise. Then shield your eyes and allow your pet to shake their head. This allows any loosened debris from the internal ear canal that was broken up to the surface.

3. Wipe away the debris with a gauze square, cotton round, or cotton balls. You can use a Q-tip to remove debris in the nooks and crannies of the external ear canal. Reminder to not push the Q-tip down into the internal ear canal. Leave that to the ear cleaner/flush and professionals.

4. Maintenance ear cleaning can be done monthly, weekly, or even daily if needed.

 

If your pet is shaking their head or scratching at their ears excessively even after cleaning them multiple times they may have an ear infection. In that case it’s time to call us to schedule an appointment so we can swab the ears for cytology. Why is cytology important even if your pet has had a history of ear infections? Ear infections can stem from a number of reasons e.g. anatomy debris and water/moisture to become trapped, genetics, and allergies (both environmental and food based). Infections can contain multiple different bacterias and/or yeast. Also ear medication is not one size fits all. That’s where cytology will aid in discovering what type of infection your pet has so we can appropriately treat it.

If your pet has chronic ear infections that we’ve treated for we may recommend an ear swab to be sent out to the lab for a culture and sensitivity test. The lab will rub the swabs in media and test it against multiple different antibiotics to see which ones the current infection are susceptible to and which ones it is resistant against. This may need to be repeated throughout your pet’s life unfortunately due to the build up of antibiotic resistance.

Internet pharmacies FAQ

With the recent emergence of Internet pharmacies, many pet owners have questions regarding their safety and credibility. The American Veterinary Medical Association appreciates the rising cost of healthcare for pets as well as humans, but cautions pet owners to be aware of the risks that may be involved. Like you, we and your veterinarian want to ensure the highest quality of care for your animal.

Q: A friend told me about an Internet site that sells drugs for pets, and it’s cheaper than I pay at my veterinarian. Why shouldn’t I order my pet’s drugs over the Internet?

A: Finding a “deal” makes you feel great…like you’ve outsmarted the system. But it’s only a great “deal” if you’re also receiving a quality product. Without quality, lower prices can prove to be a false savings. And sometimes the prices are not lower.

Q: Internet pharmacies sound like a good deal. But some people are against buying drugs from them. Why?

A: A number of problems have been reported, such as sales of pet medications without valid prescriptions. These drugs could pose a health threat to pets, and we’re concerned about the welfare of these animals.

Q: Why can’t I get a prescription from just any veterinarian?

A: For the same reason you can’t walk into any doctor’s office that’s listed in the telephone directory and ask for a prescription for yourself. Because it’s illegal, not to mention unethical, for a veterinarian to authorize a prescription without a valid “veterinarian-client-patient relationship.” In order for you to get a legal prescription, you must be a “patient of record.”

Q: I found an Internet pharmacy that says I don’t need a prescription. Do I?

A: It is illegal and unethical for a pharmacy to send prescription drugs for animals without a valid prescription obtained from your veterinarian.

Q: Well then, how can I find an Internet pharmacy that’s credible?

A: We haven’t found a fool-proof way to assure a “good” pharmacy. That’s why the AVMA supports a program called “VIPPS,” a voluntary certification program created by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. The VIPPS seal of approval identifies those online pharmacies that are, according to NABP, appropriately licensed, are legitimately operating via the Internet, and that have successfully completed a rigorous criteria review and inspection. If you do experience problems, you should report the pharmacy to the Boards of Pharmacy in your state and the pharmacy’s state.

Q: Can my veterinarian tell me if the Internet pharmacy I’m using complies with regulations designed to protect me?

A: No. Veterinarians cannot ensure compliance nor are they obligated to do so.

Q: If I’m still thinking about buying my pet’s medications over the Internet, what should I do?

A: Please be careful. Insist on the same quality that you would expect from your veterinary clinic or from your neighborhood pharmacy. Your pet deserves nothing less.

Q: What else can I do?

A: Talk to your veterinarian. He or she wants to offer both convenience and good will, and is likely to offer you some assurance about the legitimacy and safety of his/her medication. This information has been compiled by AVMA Scientific Activities Division staff.

Does my dog or cat really need a Rabies vaccine, they don’t go outside?

What Pet Owners Need to Know About Rabies Vaccinations in New York State

(Effective November 20, 2002, this information sheet must be provided by pet dealers to consumers upon the point of sale of cats, dogs, and ferrets.)

State law requires rabies vaccinations (shots) for all cats, dogs and domesticated ferrets! (Note: Ferrets are illegal in New York City.)

Where can I get my pet vaccinated?

All counties (excluding New York City counties) are required to provide a free vaccination clinic every four months. Contact your county health department for the schedule in your area. Rabies vaccinations are also available from your veterinarian. If you have questions about new vaccines developed specifically for cats and for pets at younger ages, contact your veterinarian.

 

When should my pet receive its first rabies vaccination?

The law requires that your pet’s first rabies vaccination be given no later than four months (three months in New York City) after its date of birth. Many rabies vaccines are licensed for use at three months, although some may be given at younger ages.

When should my pet receive its second rabies vaccination?

Your pet should receive its second rabies vaccination within one year after the first vaccination. The second rabies shot and all shots thereafter are sometimes called booster shots.

 

After my pet gets its second rabies shot, when is the next booster shot due?

After the second rabies shot, you need to get additional booster shots either annually or every three years, depending on the type of vaccine administered.

 

What proof will I have that my pet received its rabies shots?

The veterinarian, or a person under the veterinarian’s supervision, will provide you with a certificate as proof that your pet has been vaccinated. The veterinarian’s office will also keep a copy of your pet’s vaccination certificate. The law requires the veterinarian to provide the vaccination certificate to any public health official for any case involving your dog, cat, or ferret

that may have been exposed to rabies, or in any case of possible exposure of a person or another animal to rabies.

 

What if my pet needs to be taken to the veterinarian?

Whenever you bring your pet to a veterinarian, s/he will verify if the animal is up-to-date on its rabies shots. If the animal is not up-to-date on its rabies shots or exempt as stated below, or if the veterinarian cannot find proof of the animal’s rabies vaccination history, you may request your pet be vaccinated at that time.

 

If my pet bites a person, does it have to be euthanized (put to sleep)?*

If your pet bites a person and you wish to avoid euthanizing and testing it for rabies, it must be confined and observed for ten days. If your pet is not up-to-date on its rabies shots, the ten-day confinement/observation period must take place, at the owner’s expense, at an appropriate facility such as an animal shelter, veterinarian’s office, or kennel. If your pet is up-to-date on its rabies shots, the county health department may allow the ten-day confinement/observation period to take place in your home. During the ten-day confinement period, the county or a designated party must verify that your pet is under confinement and observation, has remained healthy during and at the end of the ten-day period. (*In New York City, ten-day observation periods may be done at the home of the pet owner, regardless of the animal’s rabies vaccination status.)

 

Fines

If your dog, cat, or domesticated ferret is not vaccinated, is not up-to-date on its vaccinations, or is not properly confined after biting someone, as the owner you shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $200 for each offense. Additional fines may apply locally.

 

Exemptions

The vaccination requirements shall not apply to any dog, cat, domesticated ferret if the animal is transported through New York state and remains in the state 15 days or less; the animal is confined to the premises of an incorporated society devoted to the care of lost, stray or homeless animals; a licensed veterinarian has determined that the vaccination will adversely affect the animal’s health; the animal is confined to the premises of a college or other educational or research institution for research purposes; or if the animal is unowned (feral, wild, not socialized).

Oral Disease in Dogs and Cats

Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed problem for pets. An astounding 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by the age of three. The most common dental problem among pets is periodontal disease, a painful condition that animals often suffer in silence.

Animals can suffer the same kinds of dental problems as humans, including infection, pain, and fractured teeth. Fortunately, pet owners can help prevent dental disease in their pets by providing dental care. To prevent dental problems, we recommend many various dental products, such as toothbrushes, tooth sealants, special treats, etc. We recommend that pet owners look for warning signs such as bad breath (halitosis), tartar buildup on teeth, change in eating habits, fractured or abscessed teeth, and swollen, receding, or bleeding gums. Call us at (585) 377-1160 if any of these symptoms are present. These warning signs can be a sign of serious dental health problems.

Proper dental care is critical to a pet’s overall good health. It is suspected that if oral infections such as periodontal disease are left untreated, they can travel through the bloodstream and damage internal organs.

Oral disease begins with a buildup of bacteria in the pet’s mouth. Bacteria, combined with saliva and food debris between the tooth and gum, can cause plaque formations to accumulate on the teeth. As bacteria grow in the plaque and as calcium salts are deposited, plaque turns to mineralized tartar.

If tartar is not removed from the teeth, pockets of pus may appear along the gum line and further separate the teeth from the gum. This allows for food and bacteria to accumulate. Without proper treatment, this plaque and tartar buildup may cause irreversible periodontal disease, which affects the tissue and bone supporting the teeth.

Periodontitis is irreversible and may lead to other health problems. Unlike the inflamed gums of gingivitis, which can be treated and reversed with thorough plaque removal and continued plaque control, periodontitis can only be contained to prevent progression. The disease causes red, swollen and tender gums, receding gums, bleeding, pain, and bad breath. Untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss.

Left untreated, oral disease can systematically affect your pet’s heart, liver, and kidneys in addition to making daily life miserable from the oral pain they suffer. Additionally, pets with advanced oral disease often suffer from lethargy due to chronic pain, difficulty eating, and constant exposure to infection.

5 Signs of “Dental Pain” in Pets

Your pets can’t tell you when they’re suffering from a toothache or other types of pain. If you notice any of these signs, contact us at 585-377-1160 to schedule an exam.

1. No signs at all.

Dogs, cats and other companion animals, such as rabbits, rarely show signs of dental pain. This is a survival mechanism, an instinctual behavior that our domesticated animals have in common with their wild ancestors.

2. Bad breath.

The odor is a byproduct of the bacterial metabolic process. In pets with periodontal disease, there is more bacteria in the mouth, and so the odor increases. “Doggy breath” or “tuna breath” is not normal and needs to be evaluated.

3. Altered behavior.

Chewing on one side of the mouth, dropping food, running away from the food dish, crying when yawning, hiding, not grooming themselves and acting “grumpy” are all signs of dental pain. You know your pet better than anyone, so look for abnormal behaviors.

4. Bleeding.

Bleeding from the mouth is usually due to periodontal disease, but it could also be evidence of fractured teeth, lacerations or ulcers on the tongue or gum tissue or the presence of an oral mass. Look for thick, ropey saliva, spots of blood found on toys or beds or drops of blood in the water or food dish. If the periodontal disease is severe enough, you may notice bleeding from the nose or bloody discharge when your pet sneezes.

5. Return to normal.

Once our veterinary team addresses your pet’s oral issues your pooch may show he’s feeling better by acting like a puppy again or your kitty might seek extra attention.

Don’t let your pets suffer in silence! They don’t just have a toothache, they have a whole mouth full of toothaches. Daily dental hygiene is free. All you need is a toothbrush and a couple of minutes to help prevent periodontal disease.

Bad breath (halitosis) in pets

Does your pet’s mouth smell not so sweet? A bad odor can be a sign of serious problems for your pet, such as periodontal disease or oral or systemic infection. So discuss your pet’s problem with your your veterinarian.

 

Common mouth myths: true or false?

Pets are supposed to have bad breath. False. An odor is not normal. Just like in people, bad breath in pets is often a sign of dental disease and requires treatment to safeguard your pet’s health.

Pets don’t need regular oral hygiene. False. Even with regular dental cleanings at your veterinary practice, your pet still needs regular tooth brushing to keep his breath sweet and his pearly whites sparkling.

Pets’ mouths clean themselves. False. While there are some natural enzyme systems at work in your pet’s mouth, it will not keep your pet’s mouth clean. Debris builds up on your pet’s teeth and requires brushing or rubbing to keep the mouth fresh.

Cats don’t need dental care. False. Cats and small-breed dogs often require more dental care then larger-breed dogs.

Cats have stinky breath because they eat smelly foods. False. An odor in your cat’s mouth is a sign of health problem, and you should discuss your pet’s problem with your veterinarian.

 

Prevention: The best medicine You can prevent bad breath and dental disease with regular oral care. Your veterinarian recommends daily tooth brushing. This is the best way to keep your pet’s mouth healthy. You may also use daily oral hygiene rinses, dental diets, water additives, and safe chew toys to keep your pet’s mouth clean.

Remember, the more home care that you offer to prevent dental disease, the less care your veterinarian will need to provide to treat problems in the future.

Signs your pet is suffering from dental disease

● Bad breath

● Red gums (healthy gums are a pink, shrimp-like color)

● Pus oozing from gums

● Facial swelling

● Yellow or brownish buildup on the teeth

● Pain

Another clue that your pet may be in pain is if it goes to the food bowl and backs away as if scared or drops food from its mouth.

Treatment: What your veterinarian will do Your veterinarian will conduct a thorough head-to-toe exam as well as a comprehensive oral exam. If the doctor identifies signs of dental disease, he or she may recommend preanesthetic testing. This may include blood work and an electrocardiogram to see whether your pet is a candidate for anesthesia. It is necessary for your pet to be anesthetized for your veterinarian to fully diagnose the source of the problem and take steps to correct it.

Remember, untreated dental problems in pets have been linked to serious medical problems, including heart, liver, and kidney disease. So if you notice bad breath or other signs of dental disease, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. The Veterinary Oral Health Council is helping to control the most common disease in dogs and cats, Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease). The VOHC has a list of products that have been awarded the VOHC seal, based on pre-set standards. To learn more about these products, click https://vohc.org/accepted-products/