One of the first things that you do in the morning is brush your teeth. But do you ever stop to think about the importance of your pet’s oral health? Veterinary dentistry involves the cleaning, adjustment, filling, extraction or repair of your pet’s teeth. You should visit us at least once a year to make sure that your pet’s oral health is as it should be.

Here are some signs that you should have your pet’s teeth checked sooner than your next scheduled appointment:

• Persistent bad breath
• Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
• Refusal to eat or overall reduced appetite
• Pain in or around the mouth
• Swollen or bleeding gums
• Teeth that are broken or loose
• Abnormal chewing or drooling

You know your pet better than anyone else does; if it seems like he or she is suffering due to oral health concerns, please contact our vet!

The World Health Organization has declared the COVID-19 a pandemic. Much of the population in North America, and many other parts of the world, are practicing social distancing to help limit the spread of COVID-19. The idea is to “flatten the curve” or slow the number of COVID-19 cases—which would undoubtably overwhelm the healthcare system. Some people are in self-isolation (awaiting test results, having been exposed to COVID-19, or returning home from travel abroad) or in quarantine because they’ve been diagnosed.

But just what is “social distancing”? It’s a strategy to reduce social contact between people. This means avoiding crowds, working from home, and staying 6 feet (2 meters) away from people when you have to go out. What does this mean for our pets while we socially distance ourselves? One thing is for sure – we get to spend a lot more time with our furry friends. For many of us, our new office buddies are Fido and Fluffy! There are many questions that pet owners have about what’s okay and what’s not. Remember to thoroughly wash your hands before and after you interact with your pet and always cover your mouth/nose when you cough or sneeze.

If you're "social distancing":

• If you have NO symptoms of illness (fever, dry cough, difficulty breathing), haven’t travelled, and haven’t been in direct contact with anyone who is infected or potentially infected, then enjoy walks with your dog. The fresh air and exercise are good for both of you! But be safe. Avoid the dog park and crowded trails, as limiting your contact with others is recommended.
• If you’re anxious about going for a walk, then play with your dog in your yard or home and take your dog out for short toilet breaks.
• Again, if you have no symptoms, and no exposure, then it’s fine to interact with your cat or dog! Playing games like fetch or chase with your dog, and pounce or hide-and-seek with your cat, are great ways to keep you – and your pet – from being bored!
• Try teaching your dog some new tricks, like shake-a-paw, lie down, or roll over. This is a great way to mentally challenge your dog. And it may be a good challenge for you too, as well as help you keep your mind off the situation.
• Snuggling and petting your cat or dog is fine as long as you are not showing symptoms of COVID-19. Get some comedic relief by cozying up with your pet to watch some classic comedies on Netflix, Crave, or Prime. Take some time for yourself.
• Most importantly, remember that before social distancing, we were going off to work each day, leaving our pets on their own. They’re used to being alone from 9 to 5 so don’t feel guilty for not entertaining them all day.

If you’re self-isolating:

• If you’ve been tested and are waiting for results, DO NOT walk your dog. Remain in you home, preferably away from everyone, including your pets. Wash your hands frequently, cough or sneeze into your elbow… and discard tissues hygienically. The importance of hand-washing cannot be overemphasized.
• If possible, have someone else in your home care for your pets, including feeding, playing with, and exercising them.
• Limit your contact with your pets, including petting, snuggling, and sharing food with them.

These are difficult times. Remember that social distancing just means physically keeping away from each other. Do keep in touch with your family and friends via text, phone, FaceTime, and social media.

With Thanksgiving kicking off the holiday season, plans for get-togethers, cocktail parties, and dinners with family, neighbors, and friends are in the works! While all of these are great fun and a time to indulge on treats and sweets, it’s important to be mindful of our furry friends. Your guests have arrived! Coats and handbags get thrown in your spare bedroom when closet space runs out, but you don’t know what your house guests have stashed in their pockets. Curious pets can sniff out all sorts of items that could put a damper on festivities.

While sugarless gum, candies, and mints may seem trivial and harmless, but they can pose a danger to pets if they contain xylitol. These sweets have strong scents that can easily attract curious dogs to root around in a handbag or coat pocket. Even a small amount of xylitol can cause life-threatening liver failure in dogs. Signs of xylitol poisoning include weakness, vomiting, muscle tremors, seizures, and coma.

Medications are important to keep on hand – especially prescription medications – but if a cat or dog gets into any over-the-counter or prescription medications, there could be serious consequences. Anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., Advil or Motrin) can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, and kidney failure may result. Anti-depressants and ADD/ADHD medications can cause life-threatening tremors, seizures, high body temperature and heart problems, requiring emergency veterinary care. Cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and marijuana can cause severe toxicity and even death. The liquid nicotine in e-cigarettes can have a strong scent and can be quite attractive to dogs – especially flavored e-cigarettes.

Consuming only a few cigarettes or ingesting a single e-liquid cartridge can cause serious illness. Signs of toxicity can develop quickly (especially with ingestion of an e-liquid), and include a rapid heart rate, panting, muscle tremors, excessive excitement, and uncontrolled bodily functions (urination and defecation). In some instances, ingestion of nicotine can cause seizures, paralysis, and even death. Other sources of nicotine (e.g., chewing tobacco and nicotine gum) can cause the same signs. Marijuana can also be toxic. The active ingredient in marijuana, THC, is quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Signs of marijuana toxicity include incoordination, involuntary eye movements, depression or excitement, agitation, hallucinations, vomiting, and heart arrhythmias.

Be sure to either have your guests check their pockets or keep coats and handbags safely behind closed doors

All the yummy treats and rich foods that present themselves between now and New Year’s Day are something to look forward to and our pets are often just excited to try to get a morsel or two. When it comes to sharing your Thanksgiving meal with your pet, be cautious. All those rich foods can cause gastrointestinal (GI) upset (vomiting or diarrhea) and some seemingly safe foods are in fact toxic to cats and dogs. Remind your guests to refrain from sharing their meal and instead prepare a special bowl of food for your pet.

Avoid feeding giving your pets dark turkey meat or skin and NEVER give your pet any bones. Dark meat and skin are fatty and can cause GI upset as well as pancreatitis – not an enjoyable way for anyone to spend their holiday! Bones can splinter causing damage to the esophagus, stomach, or intestines, or they can become lodged requiring emergency surgery.

Vegetables tend to be a safe choice – but not if they’re mixed with ingredients like onions, garlic, chives, or leeks. While preparing vegetables (such as broccoli, green beans, or sweet potato), set some aside to feed to your pet later. Chocolate is definitely off the menu when it comes to sharing with