Pet Dental Health

Written by Grantsburg Admin on . Posted in Blog

Pet Dental Health

Although Pet Dental Health Month is officially a couple of months away, it’s always a good time to talk about the importance of keeping your pet’s pearly whites in a good state of health. As a pet owner, attention to your pet’s teethis one of the most important routines you can do to care for them. Think of it this way…would you go for a day, two days, or even a week without brushing your own teeth? No? We thought so.

The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) has put together this quiz to test your knowledge on this subject. Try taking it! Some of the answers may surprise you.

Here are a few other things to keep in mind when considering your pet’s dental health:

Start early, and young.

By desensitizing your pet early to tooth brushing, you’ll actually be helping his dental health, but even more-so, enhancing the bond between you! On your first try, take out the toothbrush and hold it where your pet can see it, sniff it, and touch it. Then when the item isn’t quite such a curious novelty any longer, place the toothbrush near his face for small increments of time. Reward this with small, but tasty treats. After a few trials, get your pet accustomed to the toothpaste. Then it’s time to try gentle brushing for small amounts of time. Here’s a video that will help!

Many options exist for toothpastes your pet will love!

Just as you may have preferences for peppermint, cinnamon or other minty flavors in your toothpaste, your pet may find his own preferences, too!  Delicious (to them!) flavors that make you think of cringing will be right up their alley! We even offer some of these items, such as beef, poultry, or even seafood flavors in our online store! You’ll also find toothbrushes and any other supplies to help keep your pet’s teeth in tip-top shape.

Benefits of brushing your pet’s teeth daily.

Just like you, dogs can develop plaque and tartar on their teeth. Daily brushing helps to reduce occurrence of cavities. This will help keep the surfaces of the teeth clean and freshen their breath. Not only will your pet reap these rewards, but you’ll have a chance to notice any signs of obvious tooth trauma or discomfort so that you can make an appointment to visit us right away. Pets are experts and hiding their pain, and this is one way you can get an up-close view of any teeth issues.

Schedule your pet’s annual dental cleaning with us.

Daily brushing is helpful, and imperative to your pet’s health. But even with the best of dental care, much like you, a professional cleaning once a year helps to go beyond just what is visible to the eye. Professional cleanings help reach below the gum line where periodontal disease may be lurking. And if you’ve noticed your pet has foul smelling breath it’s likely there may be early stages of this disease. This process completed under anesthesia and is safe for your pet (our doctors will be able to assess if there are underlying issues which may cause complications through their pre-dental bloodwork).  

We hope these tips help you in the care of your pet’s teeth. If you have questions, reach out to us at Grantsburg (715) 463-2536 or Wild River (320) 629-7474. You can also  make your pet’s appointment here.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

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Spaying or Neutering Your Pet

Written by Grantsburg Admin on . Posted in Blog

Spaying or Neutering

When a new pet joins your family, as a pet owner, you have many decisions to make in their care…..”What type of food should I buy?”, “Where should I get obedience training?”, “How can I house-train my pet quickly and efficiently?”. However, one of the most important decisions you can make involves spaying or neutering your pet. There are many myths out there, and it’s important to separate fact from fiction. Here are our top 5 reasons why this is a good decision.

Long Term Health Benefits

Both spaying (females) and neutering (males) offer multiple long term health benefits. One of the most important is reducing the likelihood of your pet developing cancer over the course of his or her lifetime. Neutering or spaying helps prevent testicular or prostate cancer in your male pet. Breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer in your female pet can also be averted and gives you more time to share your life with your pet. Additionally, for female pets, the risk of uterine infections is reduced.

Financial Savings

The cost of spaying or neutering your pet is miniscule in comparison to treating cancer or caring for a litter of puppies or kittens. Our veterinary staff will be able to fully detail the costs that you could expect both for the actual surgery and pain relief after the surgery. In combination with the other benefits of spaying or neutering, it becomes obvious that alteration is a good decision.

Stop the “Roaming Instinct”

Instinct is a very powerful “impulse” for our pets, especially for males, who are prone to leaving your property in search for a mate. Neutering reduces aggression (and opportunities for biting), the probability of being involved in a traumatic accident, i.e. running around neighborhood and being hit by a car, and excessive marking. Keep in mind that aggression is very different than the protective instinct, and neutering will not make your pet less of a watchdog for your home.

Help Improve Behavior

Male pets, prior to neutering, may be prone to excessive aggression or fighting with any other animal perceived as a pet. Keep in mind, that if you have an unspayed female pet, every unneutered male may be attempting to make an appearing in your yard or at your doorstep. Overall, your pet may seem just simply “calmer” and less driven by  compulsive instincts to reproduce - making them a better family pet.

Spaying and Neutering Helps Reduce Euthanasias and Pet Overpopulation

Tragically, millions of pets are euthanized each year due to pet overpopulation. Furthermore, roaming pets may meet a horrible demise in traffic accidents, or being lost, when compelled by their natural instinct to roam. Feral pets, unplanned pets, and pets who are turned into shelters may run into overcrowding and meet an end to their life simply because there is not enough space. By preventing overpopulation from occuring in the first place, this tragedy can be avoided.

If it’s time to spay or neuter your pet (usually between 6-12 months of age) or if you’ve adopted an older pet who’s not been altered, make an appointment with us today to schedule this life-saving surgery for your pet.

Sources:
Decameron Web | Society, Brown University, www.brown.edu/Research/Colwill_Lab/CBP/spaynueter.htm.
“Spay/Neuter Your Pet.” ASPCA, www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/spayneuter-your-pet.
“Top 10 Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Pet.” WebMD, WebMD, pets.webmd.com/reasons-spay-neuter-pet.
“Why Spay or Neuter?” Petfinder, www.petfinder.com/dogs/dog-health/why-spay-or-neuter/.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

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It's the Season of Gratitude - Thank You for Choosing Grantsburg Animal Hospital

Written by Grantsburg Admin on . Posted in Blog

Season of Gratitude

Here at Grantsburg Animal Hospital, we are always grateful for the customers that have trusted us with their pet's well-being.  We love taking care of your pets here and giving them the highest quality care is our ultimate goal. We know that you only want the best for your pets, so we are truly grateful that you choose Grantsburg Animal Hospital to care for your pets.

We Love Your Pets

When your pets are ill, we know that it is hard on you as a pet owner. So, choosing our animal hospital means a great deal to all the staff here. It is a privilege to be able to care for your sick pets, and we’re so glad that you trust us to support you and your pet at this difficult time. The staff here at Grantsburg Animal Hospital know that you need someone to listen to your needs and make sure they are fulfilled. We are more than happy to do this.

Our Staff

All of our staff are fully trained and qualified in treating your furry friends. Not only are they trained professionals, they are also all very compassionate people who have a love of animals. Looking after your animals is something that they take pleasure in doing, and that’s why we know that our staff only offer you the best levels of care. Making the best decisions possible for your pet is just one of the things that our professional staff will do for you. There is far more to the job than just helping animals get their health back to normal, and our friendly team will be there for you each step of the way along your pet's journey.

Going The Extra Mile

We know that when you bring your pet to us, you expect our staff to be quick and efficient. That’s what we can offer you here, we will be fast and effective at getting your pet attended to, without compromising the quality of care that your pet will receive. All of our staff are willing to go that extra mile for you and your animals, so if you are ever in need of anything,  you should not hesitate to ask a member of staff. Nobody here will make you feel as though you are asking a silly question, because when it comes to the welfare of your pet, there’s no such thing! Any questions or concerns that you have about your animal’s well-being can be answered happily and with expertise by one of our staff.

We Love Helping You

Seeing your pets get well again is one of the biggest joys that our staff experience. Caring for your animals is the best part of any day, and the fact that you choose to bring them to our animal hospital means the world to us. The journey that you go on with your pets at times may be difficult, but we are so proud to be a part of that journey with you. So thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for choosing Grantsburg Animal Hospital to care for you, as well as your pets.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

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Preparing for Colder Weather With Your Pet

Written by Grantsburg Admin on . Posted in Blog

Colder Weather With Your Pet

As we enter into the winter months, you need to make sure that you are not only thinking of yourself at this time but your pets, too. Your pets need you to protect them in this winter time, and it is your job as their owner to do so. But, if you are not familiar with how you should go about doing this, you need to read the advice below. Let’s work together here to prepare for the cold and keep your pets safe this winter.

Time Outside

Depending on what pet you have, they might still need to go outside in the cold weather. So, where a cat could happily stay inside all day your dog will need to go outside for walks, exercise, mental stimulation, as well as to relieve themselves. As this is the case, it is important that you take all the precautions that are necessary to keep your pets safe when the temperatures plummet.

If you need to take your dog outside, make sure you only stay out there as long as it is absolutely necessary. Your dog will let you know if they are too cold by whining, shivering and walking slowly, once you notice these signs, you need to get your dog inside.

To help ease the cold for your dog, consider getting booties for their paws to make it easier on them when they do have to venture outside. This is just a way to make the cold less harsh on your dog's paws. This will not only protect your favorite canine's feet from the harsh ice, but salt and or/icemelt, as well.

Antifreeze Can Kill

It is difficult for animals to distinguish between antifreeze and water. What might look like a refreshing drink to your pet, could actually end up causing their death. For this reason, you need to be careful where you store antifreezein your garage, but additionally, you need to keep an eye out for this when you are walking your pet. Even the smallest amount of antifreeze could either kill or seriously harm your pet.

Emergency Plan

You need to have an emergency kit ready for the winter months. This is not just the case for the humans in your family, but your little friends too. There should be enough water, food, blankets, as well as any medication your pet takes. You don’t want to be stranded somewhere, even in your own home, without everything that you are going to need for at least a couple of days.

Ensure that your pet has a warm place to sleep if this happens. We know it can be difficult when you are trying to keep everyone warm, but you should not forget about your pet here. Even letting them sleep with you, or under a warm blanket could be the difference between them freezing, and not.

You know that in Wisconsin, the winters can be harsh and long, so you need to make sure that your pet is protected through this time, and with the tips above, you can make sure that they are.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

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