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Questions
Related to Vaccinations:
What is
the purpose of vaccinations? Is it really necessary
to vaccinate my dog?
The purpose
of vaccination is to prevent diseases. We vaccinate
your pets against diseases which are potentially life-threatening,
highly infectious and either have no treatment or are
costly to treat if your pet does become infected. The
best way to ensure your pet has a long and healthy life
is to keep vaccinations up to date.
I just
got a puppy, and I want her vaccinated...when does she
need her vaccinations?
As soon
as possible. Puppies require a series of shots which
can be started as young as 6 weeks. Puppies need a series
of boosters for two reasons. One is to ensure that memory
is created within your young dog's immune system to
enable it to recognize any foreign diseases/viruses,
etc... As well, a nursing puppy will receive antibodies
from its mother to protect it from diseases during its
first weeks of life. Unfortunately, these antibodies
can keep a vaccine from being as effective, and we deal
with this giving a series of shots.
Why does
my dog require yearly boosters?
The
protection which is provided by a vaccine will generally
decrease over time. To ensure that your dog's immune
system can defend itself from infectious diseases, a
yearly booster is required.
This distemper shot...will it make my dog friendlier?
No. CANINE
DISTEMPER VIRUS is a
contagious virus that attacks dogs as well as wolves,
coyotes, skunks, ferrets and raccoons. Cats and people
are not affected. The virus is spread by contact between
animals or with urine or feces of infected animals.
Early clinical signs include fever, discharges from
eyes & nose, loss of appetite and lethargy. This
then progresses to vomiting and diarrhea and possibly
pneumonia. Neurological symptoms of incoordination,
circling, seizures and coma can develop. The death rate
is very high, although some dogs with mild infections
do recover. There is no treatment. Vaccination is the
best way to prevent distemper. Distemper is very rare
in areas where dogs are vaccinated. This vaccine is
given routinely at our clinic. It is given in the puppy
series, as mentioned above, and then should be boostered
every year.
What else are dogs vaccinated against?
The
"distemper" vaccination protects dogs from
many diseases besides Canine Distemper.
| INTESTINAL
DISEASE: CANINE
PARVOVIRUS is a severe
and often fatal viral infection that causes vomiting
and bloody diarrhea. CANINE CORONAVIRUS is a milder
intestinal virus that is primarily a problems in
young puppies and so we add it just to the puppy
vaccinations. |
| LIVER DISEASE:
INFECTIOUS
CANINE HEPATITISis
a severe systemic infection that causes liver and
eye damage, respiratory disease, diarrhea and death. |
| KENNEL COUGH SYNDROME: CANINE
ADENOVIRUS TYPE 2 and PARAINFLUENZA
both cause respiratory disease including tonsillitis
and bronchitis. They are routinely in the distemper
vaccination. BORDETELLA BRONCHISEPTICA
is a bacterial infection that causes bronchopneumonia
and chronic cough. Vaccination is currently available
in an intranasal form. |
Why is rabies such a concern?
RABIES is a major concern
because it is a fatal disease that is transmissible
to people. It is estimated there are 40 000 deaths from
rabies in humans yearly, most of those being in India.
Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks
the nervous system. Animals that are infected become
unpredictable and often aggressive. It will cause gradual
paralysis and death. It is spread by bites or saliva
of infected animals. Most rabies exists in wildlife,
such as raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats. All warm-blooded
mammals can get rabies. It is always 100% fatal.
There is no test for rabies other
than autopsy. All pets that are not vaccinated and are
exposed to rabies are euthanized. Pets that are vaccinated
are immediately boostered and kept in quarantine for
3 months. Humans that have been exposed to rabies can
be treated with anti-toxin injections early in the infection.
People at high risk such as veterinarians and wild-life
workers are also vaccinated.
Do I have
to have my dog boostered yearly for rabies?
Once a
dog has had two consecutive rabies boosters one year
apart, the vaccination can be given once every three
years. However, some areas have by-laws which still
require yearly vaccinations. For people traveling across
borders a yearly booster may save hassles.
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Questions
Related to Spay/Neutering:
What does
the term 'spay' really mean?
The term
spay is used when sterilizing a female dog or cat. This
surgery involves the removal of both ovaries and the
uterus. This is similar to ovariohysterectomy in women.
Why should
I spay my female dog?
Overpopulation
of animals is a big problem. There are more dogs and
cats in the world then there are pet homes and every
shelter and vet clinic can attest to the large number
of unwanted pets killed every year. By spaying your
pet, you are part of the solution to this heartbreaking
problem.
There are large numbers of medical problems
associated with reproducing, not the least of which
is the need for an emergency caesarian section. Infections
of the uterus and mammary glands are common and life-threatening.
Open female dogs commonly develop mammary cancer and
there is the potential for other neoplasia as well.
There is more veterinary cost associated with a dog
that is not spayed - guaranteed.
There are many social and behavioral
problems associated with being in heat. Stray dogs hanging
around, the messy discharge, and unwanted pregnancy
are but a few. A dog that is in heat or has puppies
is more likely to be unpredictable or show aggressive
behavior than one who is spayed.
Animals that are spayed just make better
pets.
What does
neutering of my pet involve?
Neutering
is synonymous with castration, whereby the testicles
of a male dog or cat are surgically removed.
Why should
I neuter my male dog?
There
are both behavioral and medical reasons to neuter a
dog. Male dogs that aren't neutered tend to be more
aggressive to other dogs and are a problem in a multi-animal
household. They are much more prone to wandering. They
will develop urine marking behavior, which can extend
to inside the house. They frequently develop offensive
masturbation behavior on both inanimate objects and
people. And they often have a normal but disgusting
green discharge from their penis.
Male dogs that are not neutered are prone
to prostate problems of every kind. Testicular cancer
is not uncommon and other tumors, such as perianal adenomas,
are seen most frequently in intact males. These dogs
are at an increased risk for hernias as well.
Males that are neutered are healthier
and happier pets.
Will my
dog get lazy after I get them neutered or spayed?
Unfortunately,
most of the pets that we see are overweight. Like people,
pets gain weight from eating too much and/or not exercising
enough. Spaying or neutering is done at an age when
the animals metabolism is slowing and its need for food
is decreased. Remember the "college spread"?
- we all stop growing "up" and start growing
"out" at around 18-20 years of age. The same
thing happens to pets around 8-12 months of age. If
your pet continues to eat the same amount, it will gain
weight.
Pet owners can help their animals stay
fit by providing plenty of exercise, not over-feeding
and staying away from high fat treats (table scraps,
milk, gravy, cookies, cheese, etc...)
Should
my dog have at least one cycle or litter before I spay
them?
No! An
animal does not mature quicker or make a better dog
after a heat cycle or litter of pups. Spaying later
rather than sooner results in increased risk of mammary
tumours, uterine infections, unwanted pregnancy and
the possibility of problems with pregnancy. All of these
things lead to increased vet bills.
When is
a good time to spay/neuter my animal?
The best
time to spay or neuter a pet is about the age of six
months.
When should
I expect the first "heat" of my dog?
The first
heat can be expected between the age of ten months to
one year for the average sized dog. The average cycle
lasts between three to four weeks, where there may be
a mild or moderate amount of bloody discharge from the
vagina in the first week of the cycle. Dogs are most
fertile near the end of the heat cycle. The average
dog will come into heat two times a year. These are
only averages and there is a large amount of variation
in these numbers.
How long
is pregnancy in the dog?
Pregnancy
in dogs lasts approximately sixty-three days.
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Questions
Related to Worms:
My dog
doesn't have worms since it's stools are normal and
it's not losing weight, right??
Most worm
infestations in adult dogs are sub-clinical. This means
that the pet shows no external signs. The worms can
live happily inside your pet without you ever knowing.
They release eggs into the feces which are too small
to see with the naked eye. The best test for worms is
to have a fecal run on a stool sample, which will check
for the presence of these eggs.
My dog
is very healthy...does that mean I don't have to worry
about worms?
A healthy
animal could be carrying worms and if left untreated
they will eventually build up to cause medical problems,
such as vomiting, diarrhea or anemia. Equally important,
some worms can infect people. The microscopic eggs contaminate
the environment, such as gardens, lawns and sandboxes.
And while some have to be ingested, others can migrate
through the skin of both people and animals. By keeping
your animal worm free such serious concerns can be avoided.
Should
my puppy be dewormed right away?
Yes. They
should be dewormed for roundworm and hookworms as both
can be passed from mother to puppy. Puppies can be seriously
debilitated by worms.
Are the
worm capsules from a retail outlet as good as the medication
available from my veterinarian?
Different
worm medications have different effectiveness. Most
veterinarian dewormers are 95-100% effective, while
those purchased elsewhere are often not that effective.
Also, there are many different types of worms, and many
non-prescription medication will not even treat all
of the common ones. A fecal test can be used to identify
the specific types of worms which can be eliminated
with specific and effective medication, or a more broad-spectrum
prescription dewormer can be chosen.
What are
the common types of worms and what can they do?
The common
types of worms are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms,
tapeworms (however there are many other less common
worms and parasites too)
| ROUNDWORMS
- This worm is transmitted
to puppies through the placenta and through mother's
milk. The mother then gets reinfected when she cleans
her puppies. Adults dogs commonly pick up the worms
from microscopic eggs that are shed in feces. Even
when the feces is long gone, the eggs will contaminate
the ground. Areas such as parks often have high
worm burdens in the soil. As well, hunting dogs
can become infected from eating such things as rabbits.
Healthy adults rarely have
symptoms of roundworms. Roundworms are very debilitating
to puppies though, causing poor growth, pot-bellies,
colic, vomiting, diarrhea and cough.
|
| HOOKWORMS
- Hookworms can be transmitted
all the same ways as roundworms, but also they can
penetrate directly through the skin. They live in
the upper intestines and stomach where they literally
hook on and feed off blood. They will eventually
cause illness such as anemia, anorexia, diarrhea
(often bloody) and weight loss. Hookworms can be
fatal to puppies.
|
| WHIPWORMS
- Whipworms are only transmitted through the ingestion
of eggs. These worms cause a colitis type of diarrhea
with weight loss. Because the adults only intermittently
shed eggs, they can be very difficult to find even
on fecal.
|
| TAPEWORMS
- There are two types of tapeworms. One is carried
by the flea and the dog becomes infested when he
eats it while grooming. The other is carried by
wildlife such as rodents and rabbits and the animal
becomes infected from hunting.
Tapeworms are the only worm easily diagnosed
at home. The adult worm sheds little packages
of eggs, that look like pieces of rice. These
are often are visible on the rear end and the
dogs feces. These eggs are not infective to the
pet but rather have to find a rodent or flea to
reinvest.
|
Are these
worms a health hazard to people (zoonosis)?
Roundworms
and hookworm eggs are transmissible to people who ingest
them, with children who play in the dirt and around
animals at the highest risk. Hookworms can also migrate
through the skin of bare feet. The larvae of the worms
migrate under the skin and cause itchy rashes. More
seriously, roundworm larvae can migrate to the eyes
and have the potential to cause serious vision problems.
Because humans are not their proper host they never
grow into adults in our intestines.
Tapeworm segments, while they are disgusting
to most owners, pose no health hazard to people. To
be infected a person would have to eat a flea or raw
rodent ... not likely!
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Questions
Related to Heartworms:
What is
heartworm?
Heartworm
is a parasitic roundworm that lives in a dog's heart.
It obtains nutrients from the blood for growth and development.
These worms can eventually grow as long as 30 centimetres!
Above:
Interior cross section of canine heart
infected with heartworm
Source: http://www.comvet.com/
How is it spread?
Heartworm is transmitted from dog to dog by the mosquito.
A mosquito bites an infected dog and takes up immature
worms (microfilariae) from the dog's blood. It will
mature into a larval form. When this mosquito bites
an uninfected dog the larvae are transmitted. The larvae
then travel to the heart where they grow and mature
into adult worms. These adults then produce more microfilariae
which are carried throughout the bloodstream. This life
cycle can take over 6 months.
Why is it so deadly?
The accumulation of heartworms in the heart can reduce
blood flow to the various parts of the body such as
the lungs, kidneys and liver. This stresses the heart
and will eventually cause heart failure. Each year,
over fifty million dogs in North America are infected
with heartworm, resulting in death or disability. If
left untreated, heartworms almost always prove to be
fatal.
What are the symptoms of heartworm?
Unfortunately, symptoms are usually not apparent until
the late stages of the disease. Common symptoms include
weight loss, loss of stamina, a persistent cough that
worsens with exercise, and difficulty in breathing.
These symptoms are attributed to heart failure.
How can I prevent heartworm in my dog?
Heartworm can be prevented by using medication which
stops the development of any heartworm larvae which
may be passed to a dog by a mosquito bite. This medication
is given monthly.
Typically, a simple blood test
is performed before the preventative medication is given.
This test checks for evidence of adult heartworms. This
test is important to monitor the spread of heartworm
and to ensure your dog does not already have heartworm.
This test is rerun at regular intervals, which will
vary depending on the risk of heartworm in your area.
At our clinic we currently run this blood test the first
two years in a row and then every three years.
Is there
treatment available for those dogs infected with heartworm?
Yes. An
infected dog must undergo a series of injections to
kill the adult worms. The dog must then remained confined
for several weeks, as even minor exertion can lead to
serious lung damage. Medications are then used to eliminate
immature worms from the bloodstream. Finally, a heartworm
prevention program is administered.
Unfortunately, any damage already
caused to the heart may not be reversible.
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Questions
Related to Fleas:
My pet
doesn't scratch so he doesn't have fleas...Right?
While
many animals itch from fleas, others are not bothered
by them. Fleas themselves are fast moving and often
hard to see. A fine tooth flea comb is the best way
to check for fleas. Besides picking up the bugs, it
will also pick up flea dirt. This black stuff that looks
like pepper is actually flea feces. It can be differentiated
from soil by putting it on a paper towel with a drop
of water. It will dissolve into red as it is digested
blood.
Why are
fleas so hard to get rid of?
We actually
have no problem killing fleas. The difficulty is that
we can't kill them fast enough. So before they die,
they have already reproduced. Every time a flea bites
it lays 30-40 eggs. These eggs hatch off in a week or
so, causing the population to skyrocket rapidly. On
top of this fleas do develop resistance over time to
most insecticides. So we have been fighting a losing
battle using stronger insecticides with longer residuals
(which isn't good for the pets or the environment),
until we learned how to stop them from reproducing!
My dog doesn't
have fleas, and I don't want him to get them...what
are my options?
Use a
product that will sterilize the fleas your pet will
come into contact with. This will prevent fleas from
infesting your property and home. All pets in your household
should be treated. The best time to start this treatment
is early in the flea season, preferably May. Some choices
include Program oral once a month pills (these come
combined with heartworm preventative as well) or an
Ovicollar, a non-insecticidal flea collar. You
can also purchase sprays or mousses with insect growth
regulators in them. While this needs to be applied at
least once a month, it is a very economical approach
to multi-animal households. A wonderful product for
cats that treats roundworm, hookworm, fleas, and mites
is REVOLUTION an all-in-one medication that is
applied to the skin (since giving cats oral medication
can be a real challange).
If I use
a flea prevention, will my dog still get fleas?
In a perfect
world where all pets are treated and there are no wildlife,
the flea prevention alone would be 100%. However, in
the real world your pet may still pick up an occasional
flea, more if they visit a hot spot such as an infested
beach or house. They won't be able to reproduce so they
cannot infest your home. Keep an insecticidal spray
or shampoo or topical around for such emergencies.
When are
fleas at their worst?
In Nova
Scotia, fleas are worst during hot humid summers, and
peak in the months of August and September. It is best
to start a flea prevention during May, before the fleas
are able to build up their population.
My dog
has fleas!! What do I do??
If the
problem is mild and your pet does not appear to be bothered
by them, any of the flea preventative products available
at your local vet clinic will take care of the problem
in time by breaking the reproduction cycle of the flea.
However, if they are a problem, treat
with an insecticide. Insecticides kill fleas, however,
fleas can become resistant to them and there is always
the potential for toxicity. That is why it is best to
start your pet on a flea prevention product early, before
fleas can become a problem. These prevention products
are non-insecticides, and sterilize the fleas to prevent
reproduction.
Advantage is a newer, very effective
insecticide that has a high safety margin. Coming in
vials that are applied to the skin on the neck of cats,
and down the back of dogs, it will kill the majority
of fleas within two days, and has a residual of one
month. Sprays and Mousses are not as effective but are
still an option. They need to be applied weekly. Shampoos
provide a temporary relief but have no residual, and
will not be adequate alone.
My friend
told me that my dog can get worms from eating a flea...is
that true?
Yes. Fleas
are the carrier, for the tapeworm larvae. If your pet
eats a flea that is infected while grooming, your pet
will get worms.
Will brewers
yeast or garlic prevent fleas from attacking my dog?
Although
they are unlikely to do any harm, there is no scientific
proof that these products control fleas. There are many
effective flea products available at your local vet
hospital to help control flea infestations.
My dog
is itching constantly!! Does he have fleas?
Certainly
fleas are possible but many other skin diseases also
cause pets to itch. If there is no sign of fleas and
if flea treatment doesn't help, it is likely something
else. Puppies are often itchy because they are growing
so rapidly. Most puppies gain between 1/2 to 3 pounds
a week, and this can cause mild flaky skin and some
itch.
If there are fleas but flea treatment
doesn't help, it is likely the pet has Flea Allergy
Dermatitis and often medication is required to stop
the itch. It is time to visit your veterinarian.
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Questions
Related to Diet:
Is there
a difference between a premium pet food and a lower
grade food, besides the price?
A quality
food is nutritionally balanced. Animals eat to satisfy
their caloric requirements. The other nutrients have
to be balanced within their serving. An imbalanced diet
can have excesses as well as deficiencies. Often, lower
grade foods are bulky and animals cannot get enough
energy before filling up. Foods that are nutritionally
imbalanced result in poor coats, excessive shedding,
poor growth and stress on internal organs and bones.
A quality food is also digestible. This refers to the
percentage of food that is nutritionally available to
the animal. A food with low digestibility will require
animals to eat more, resulting in higher cost, and produce
more stools.
As well, many lower quality foods
market themselves based on palatability and formulate
foods to simply provide enough nutrients to prevent
series deficiencies. By making foods too palatable,
and encouraging overeating, obesity has become our number
one nutritional problem. Premium foods on the other
hand, market optimum nutrition to promote health, longevity
and performance.
Can I determine the quality of the food from the label?
No! The
label, which must meet the standards of the national
research council, is a list of the minimum and sometimes
maximum percentage of the nutrients (such as fats, proteins,
ash, etc...) in a food. It is NOT a nutritional analysis,
does NOT say the diet is nutritionally balanced, NOR
that the ingredients are in a digestible form. A food
meeting NRC requirements could be made from shoe leather
and motor oil with a vitamin/mineral supplement. These
labels are at best a crude guideline and cannot be used
to compare foods!
How can I judge a food?
Nutritional
analysis and feeding trials are the only way to guarantee
the quality of a food. All foods marketed by veterinarians
are backed by scientific data and extensive feeding
trials. For most lower grade food, this information
is not available...and may not even exist!
A premium high quality diet is: (1) Nutritionally
balanced (2) Highly digestible = more nutritional value
per serving = animals eat less = less residue/feces
(3) Consistent in quality (4) Uses quality ingredients
to provide palatability, not salt, sugar and fat (5)
Provides optimum nutrition for HEALTH.
What are
the best treats to feed my dog?
The most
common problem in dogs is obesity. The best treats for
dogs are those that are low in fat. Some examples include
low fat dog biscuits and raw fruits and vegetables,
such as carrots and apples. Table scraps should be avoided
as our rejects are usually loaded in calories and most
people give so much it discourages the pet from eating
dog food. Overall, bones should be avoided. The ones
from our meals are small and splinter. They are an accident
waiting to happen - commonly resulting in vomiting and
diarrhea, occasionally obstruction and even death. If
you really want to give a bone, the best choice is a
large marrow bone from a butcher.
Why does
my dog get diarrhea when I switch his diet?
Different
nutrients required different enzymes for digestion.
When a dog is given a new diet, there may be new nutrients
that he can't immediately digest and this results in
diarrhea. He needs time to build up the enzymes to handle
these new foods. The best way to switch diets is gradually,
by mixing the new diet with the old one.
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Questions
Related to Dental Care:
We never
used to worry about dog’s teeth. Why has it become
a problem?
More pets
are indoors now, live closer with their owners and live
longer, making dental problems more common and harder
to ignore. An animal’s tendency to develop dental
problems is the result of many factors including genetic
predisposition, diet, and chewing habits.
Why should
I worry about my pet’s teeth?
Besides
very bad breath, dental disease is a constant drain
on your pet’s immune system that causes premature
aging. It can lead to chronic cough from tonsil and
throat infections and can cause both lung and sinus
disorders. Infection in the mouth may also be picked
up by the bloodstream and spread elsewhere in the body,
most commonly to the heart and kidney. Because animals
are often stoic when is comes to dental pain, problems
can be easily missed until the teeth are rotten and
abscessed, requiring major dental work. A dental exam
is an important part of your pet’s yearly check-up.
What are
the signs of dental disease?
Bad breath,
Cough, Red gums, Drooling, Staining and tarter on teeth,
Decreased appetite, Dropping food, Eating on one side
of the mouth
What can
I do to prevent my young dog or cat from having bad
teeth when he gets older?
|
IF POSSIBLE TEACH YOUR PET
TO HAVE ITS TEETH BRUSHED
- Try a soft cloth wrapped
around your finger, a CET Finger Brush or a
soft toothbrush. The small infant toothbrushes
are suitable for cats. Hold the mouth closed
to wipe upper teeth, then allow to open to brush
lower ones. The brush can be dipped in broth
or tuna juice as an added incentive. Once the
pup is used to this, start brushing teeth from
gum line to tip of tooth with pet toothpaste.
CET toothpaste comes in poultry and malt flavors.
Never use human toothpaste or baking soda as
they are unpalatable to pets and can cause an
upset stomach.
|
|
FEED YOUR PET PRIMARILY DRY FOOD
- Animals fed solely canned food
or table food will have much worse teeth than
those on dry kibble.
- Dog biscuits don’t provide
much more cleaning value than dry food and are
usually very fattening, so they must be given
with a cautious look at your pet’s waistline.
- Hills T/D is a new low calorie
maintenance dog and cat food that is much larger
and tougher than most kibble and provides excellent
teeth cleaning. It can be fed as a sole diet
or mixed in with another kibble depending on
your pet’s needs. Mixing a bit of canned
food with it will encourage your pet to chew
it more.
- If you want to give your
dog our food as treats stick to crunchy fruits
and vegetables, such as apples and carrots.
|
|
ENCOURAGE YOUR DOG TO CHEW
- Rubber, nylon and rope toys are excellent
for the teeth. Rawhides must be given cautiously
as they commonly cause vomiting and diarrhea.
They are not digestible and need to be large
enough the dog cannot eat them in large chunks.
Real bones are another common causes of intestinal
upset and obstruction. Large marrow bones are
the safest choice. Small dogs who don’t
like to chew may like Doggyfrice, a flavored
gum-like treat that releases enzymes that reduces
tarter accumulation.
- Seek regular veterinary care and HAVE TEETH
CLEANED before irreversible dental disease occurs.
|
My pet
already has a serious tarter build-up – what can
I do?
At this
point your pet needs a general anesthetic and his teeth
cleaned. If the problem is ignored, it will result in
periodontal disease and infected, rotting teeth.
Having the teeth cleaned (dental prophylaxis)
is a time-consuming procedure, usually taking between
30 and 60 minutes. It takes longer with animals than
people because of the amount of tarter and staining
that has usually been allowed to accumulate. To do a
proper job requires a general anesthetic.
Cleaning a pet’s teeth is not a
one-time procedure that corrects all dental problems.
It is important to consider the different options for
home care, to help keep these newly polished teeth clean
as long as possible. Even so, many pets will require
dental prophylaxis at regular intervals, varying from
6 months to every couple years. The more that can be
done at home, the longer the interval between teeth
cleaning and the better the chances your pet will keep
his teeth into his old age.
My pet
has bad breath and gum disease but he doesn’t have
much tarter. Why?
Most of
these pets are very sensitive to the plaque that accumulates
under the gum line and are developing gingivitis and
periodontal disease. Mouth rinses that can be squirted
along the gum line decrease the bacteria in the mouth
and are helpful in controlling the gingival disease.
Maxiguard Gel is a flavorless oral gel while
Novaldent is a cherry flavoured rinse. T/D dog helps
to control this tarter and can significantly improve
the dog’s breath. Regular dental cleaning is recommended
for all pets with moderate gingival disease.
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