February 2013 PPAH Furry Friends News

February is an exciting time at Portage Park Animal Hospital. We will be participating once again in theCook County Spay and Neuter Program (Save $40) and be offering a Dental Special (Save 10%).

If your pet has not been spayed or neutered yet and/or has bad breath and is in need of a good dental cleaning call us today to schedule.

Financing options available through CareCredit.

Does your pet have bad breath? It may be time for a dental

When was the last time you looked at your pet's teeth? Take a moment and flip the lip....
Did it look like any of the photos below? If so, you should schedule your pet to have their teeth cleaned, they may even need extractions.

Research shows that proper dental care is probably the most important thing you can do to add years and quality to your pet's life. Just like in humans, pets are susceptible to plaque and tartar build-up, which can lead to gingivitis and even periodontitis, a chronic form of the disease that can be painful. Whenever it is possible, preventing disease is preferable to treating it. 

 If your pet is not cooperating with you to look in their mouth, bring them by for a free dental consult. One of our dental specialists can evaluate your pet's teeth and let you know what stage dental cleaning they will require.

Our dental packages include IV catheter and fluid therapy, dental x-rays, scaling and polishing, pain medication (when required) and a dental care kit. Bloodwork is recommended prior to anesthetic procedures (additional cost).

We do dental cleanings Monday through Friday.

Call us to schedule a dental cleaning for your pet today! 

  

Remember prevention IS the best medicine!

Thank you for placing your pet's health and trust in us. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Roger Schrock 

Portage Park Animal Hospital & Dental Clinic

Winter Hazards

Now that the holidays are over and we’re in the thick of winter, a new set of toxins exist for your pet that we want to make you aware of: de-icers and antifreeze.

De-icers are commonly used in the winter and they can pose several problems for pets.

First, they can act directly as a skin irritant if they remain in contact with the skin for too long. This is most commonly seen in the feet, especially in the webbing between the toes. The skin may be red, swollen or painful and cause the pet to bite/lick the feet or possibly limp. If it’s impossible to completely avoid areas with de-icers, booties may be your pet’s best option. Not all dogs tolerate this, in which case rinsing the feet with warm water may prevent irritation. This can be done with either a bowl of water or with a wet towel.

Second, they can act as a gastro-intestinal irritant if orally consumed. The severity is directly related to the amount consumed. The typical signs are drooling, depression or vomiting. In very severe case, electrolyte imbalances and neurologic signs can occur.

In general de-icers containing calcium salts tend to be the most irritating to the skin and GI tract. Urea based de-icers tend to be the most pet-friendly, but unfortunately are supposedly the least effective at de-icing.

Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is another common hazard to your pet. Ingestion of just a few teaspoons is enough to cause potentially fatal kidney failure in dogs and cats. Unfortunately, it is very sweet and has a pleasant taste to most pets. Be sure to keep it in tightly closed containers and stored in secure cabinets. Thoroughly clean up any spills and keep your dog away from suspicious puddles on a walk. Pets that have ingested antifreeze may have an increased thirst or urination or may act lethargic. Contact your vet right away if you have any suspicions of antifreeze toxicity.

-Dr. Ken Schwartz.

On The Road With Rover

For many Americans, dogs and cats are a part of the family. For some pet parents no road trip is complete without their furry companions. If you are planning a road trip, no matter the distance, there are a few traveling tips that will make your pet comfortable and safe while in route.

The first step before driving off on a new family adventure is to make sure your pet is in a well-ventilated pet carrier or crate. The crate must have enough space for your four-legged friend to have room for standing and stretching. Also, it's easier if your pet is familiar with the carrier beforehand. You can introduce the crate a few weeks prior to the trip, and start familiarizing your pet by placing treats inside it. Make sure that the carrier is secure and stable inside your vehicle. For bigger dogs a special seatbelt or safety harness may be an option. It is especially important to restrain your dog if you are planning to keep car windows open.

The key things to remember are:

• Feed your pet minimally and keep them well hydrated while traveling. 
• Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle, even for a short period of time. Not only it is unlawful, but with summer temperatures in the triple digits it is too hot and dangerous for pets to be left in cars. Temperatures in cars can exceed 120 degrees in a matter of minutes. 
• Bring a pet emergency kit on the trip. The kit should be basic items such as paper towels, food and water dishes, a leash, food, plastic bags, waste scoop, any medication your pet is on, and a toy from home for comfort. 

Another tip for traveling with pets is to have an ID tag with the pets picture and your information just in case you and your pet get separated. Getting a microchip implanted can also help to reunite you and your pet if you become separated. All animal shelters, veterinary clinics and city pounds are equipped with microchip scanners. There are also pet collars with GPS tracking devices. If you and your family plan on staying in hotels, always check if your hotel has pet accommodations or restrictions.

A veterinarian could evaluate your pet's current health and fitness level, and advice on such issues as car sickness, extensive exercise, exposure to tick/mosquito borne diseases, and general travel safety. Please don’t hesitate to contact one of our knowledgeable and trusted veterinarians at Portage Park Animal Hospital and Dental Clinic.

When Your Family Member Wanders

As our team members observed, we are taking in more and more stray pets lately. They now average at one or two each day. A lot of them are older dogs that need special attention and care. Please rest assured that we do everything we can to reunite lost pets with their owners. In addition to scanning the online resources, it may also involve legwork, scouring for signs in the neighborhood and even paying visits to people’s homes when phone numbers are disconnected.

Today we caught another runaway, Alley, at Portage Park. Her outdoor adventure lasted for only 45 minutes. After sneaking out of the house, she headed straight north, managed to safely cross several major streets and ended up the park being chased by police in vain. Our receptionists, Denise and Danielle went out there with treats and brought her back here without any trouble. Lo and behold, Alley had a microchip which allowed us to trace her owners in a matter of minutes. They had not even realized that she’d gone missing!

This success story is another reminder to all responsible pet owners: please consider micro chipping your pets. It is one of the best ways to assure their life-long companionship and safety. Feel free to contact us for more information. We offer Home Again chips and implantation with no examination charge.