Many people avoid necessary dental cleanings for their older pets due to
fears of anesthetic complications. Regular dental cleanings can add years
to your pets life - and can prevent suffering from chronic diseases such as
kidney failure. We are now routinely using an ultra safe dental anesthesia
- a combination of torbugesic and forane gas for many of our furry little
senior citizens. Dental cleanings are regularly being performed on pets up
to 15 years of age with a very high level of success. Of course, we always
recommend a blood test before the dental for good safety measures.
If your pet has been needing a dental, but you were too afraid before to
make that appointment, then call us and request the ultra safe anesthesia
for your pet.
HEAT STRESS AND HEAT STROKE
This looks like a good place to talk about my lawn again. Long time
newsletter readers will recall my ongoing lawn saga. Well, after adding 4
tons of topsoil this spring, along with seeding, watering , fertilizing,
and all those other things the experts tell you to do, I now own a
crabgrass farm.
I was the envy on my street for about a month ....that new grass looked so
fantastic.....so lush , so green, and so nice to walk on barefoot.
I would not mind this misfortune so much if I had not paid Metro water a
small fortune for my crabgrass farm. Who remembers when you could send in
a letter stating that you are watering your lawn or garden this spring and
summer? They would take off almost half of your bill (for the sewer
portion that you don't use anyhow) and you would save a bundle. Metro
water now has this new complex system to average your water bill
(supposedly everyone is included). This is supposed to save you and
everyone else money....as Bill Cosby used to say in his Noah and the Lord
routine "RIGHT". Call them and let them know what you think of their new
system ...I did :)
Just like my lawn, pets suffer from heat stress too. Signs of heat stress
and heat stroke in dogs include severe panting and weakness. Some pets
will also exibit vomiting and diarrhea. The most important thing to
remember is to cool your pet down immediately if you suspect heat stress or
stroke....the best way is to place your pet in a bathtub full of ice water
immediately and then call our office. Make sure to pour the ice water over
the head (or place an ice pack on the head) to prevent brain damage, which
can occur within minutes.
Here are several tips to remember so that you can prevent summer time heat
stress and heat stroke. Always make sure your pet has plenty of fresh
water available at all times...it is even a good idea to put out 2 bowls of
water in case one gets knocked over during the day. I prefer heavy bowls
that are not easily tipped.
Make sure your outdoor pet has plenty of shade....most outdoor pets do fine
in hot weather as long as they can get out of the direct sun and have
plenty of water available. Breeds with the darkest coats are the most
sensitive to heat stress. Many people have long haired breeds shaved in a
summer clip; this is a great idea and I am sure these pets are more
comfortable during this weather.
Never leave your pet in a hot car ! ...not even for 5 minutes....not even
if the windows are cracked ! A pet can exibit symptoms of heat stress in 3
minutes and heat stroke in 5 minutes under these conditions! I have seen
people leave their pet in the car just to run into the store for a "minute"
only to return to a pet in a severe state of heat stress or stroke.
Be very careful not to exercise your pet during the heat of the day. Early
in the morning or late in the evenings are the best times. Your pet will
feel much better and so will you!
DR. P.'s COMPUTER TIP OF THE MONTH
....where else can you get computer and
pet advice at the same time? :)
If you don't already know....NEVER open an executable file that comes in
your e mail ! DELETE it immediately if not sooner!
There is a new computer worm making the rounds called w32.sircam.exe. This
is a dangerous executable file that will delete large portions of your
hard drive and may send files on your drive to people on your e mail
list. This e mail may arrive in your in box with a subject title something
like "I need your advice" or "thanks for your help" and will appear to be
sent by someone that you know. Click on http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.sircam.worm@mm.html for more
detailed info.
