Tips for Purchasing a New Pet:

Brushing Your Pets' Teeth:

Step 1: Start With Fun Time:

Playtime is a great way to introduce any type of health-care routine; it makes it easier on both you and your pooch. To begin, gently hold your dog's mouth while you peek at their teeth and gums.

If your dog resists, leave it on a good note and try some more the next day. Opening your dog's mouth for a daily peek will help them get use to your fingers, and eventually the toothbrush, moving around their mouth. When your pet allows you to do this, tell them how wonderful they really are (lots of love).

Step 2: The Toothbrush:

When your dog is comfortable with the idea of your fingers in their mouth, introduce the toothbrush. There are toothbrushes made especially for dogs/cats that are available at your vet clinic or you can purchase a really soft childs toothbrush. If your pet doesn't like the toothbrush you could try a finger toothbrush, face cloth or gauze wrapped around your finger.

Remember only toothpaste formulated for dogs and cats should be used. As seen in the above picture, gently raise the upper lip to expose the teeth. By doing this and raising teh head your dog should open their mouth. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the toothbrush of choice and genlty begin brushing in a circular motion. Remember to angle the brush so you give the gums a good cleaning too!

Step 3: Always Reward Good Behaviour:

Each time you brush your pet's teeth (at least once a week) make sure to do it in the same order (molars, canines and incisors) so that your pet will always know what to expect. Be sure to always end each session with playtime, lots of love, or treats that promote dental health! Dental treats are avaliable at any veterinary clinic.

How To Keep Your Pet Cool In The Summer:

As the cooler wather gives way and the summer heat invades, you and your pet most likely will be spending more time outside going for walks and playing. While you are having fun in the park with your pet you got to remember to protect them from heat-related illness and injury.

Sunburn:

White haired and fair colored dogs are more at risk for getting sunburns. Long-term sun exposure can lead to skin damage and in some cases skin cancer. It's best to limit the time spent in the direct sunlight. If any type of discoloration or sore appears, consult your veterinarian for a check-up. Areas that are commonly affected are the ears, eyelids and nose.

Heat Injury:

Heat injury occurs when a dog's body temperature exceeds his ability to cool himself. When temperature elevates above normal, normal cooling mechanisms are overwhelmed, which results in a serious condition requiring intervention and medical treatment. The severity of the heat injury can range from a mild/moderate temperature increase called heat stress to a potentially life threatining condition referred to as heat stroke. Heat stress can happen suddenly, sometimes only a few minutes. Even pets who spend a lot of time outdoors can succumb to the heat if their cooling mechanisms are exceeded.

Preventing Heat Stroke:

Grooming your pet can help keep the heat down. If you find a good groomer who can cut down to just a few inches can be more comfortable for your pet. Do not have your pet shaved down to the skin becuase then it will be more prone to sunburns. In the heat of midday, keep your dogs indoors as much as possible in a well ventilated area. You could use fans to keep the air flow throughout the house to keep it cool. If you have a pet who enjoys water keep a small swimming pool in the back. Your pet can keep cool and also have some fun in the sun!

Paw-ticular Information:

Did you know?
 There are two emergency hospitals in the city of Edmonton. You should keep their numbers handy.

Edmonton Veterinary Emergency Clinic:
 11104-102 Avenue
780-433-9505

Animal Emergency Hospital South Ltd:
 3823-99 Street
780-436-5880

Benefits Of A Good Quality Pet Food:

What constitutes a good quality dog or cat food?
What is the best dog or cat food a pet owner can buy?

The answers to these questions depend on a few things, such as:

NOTE: Usually require prescription diet for life.

Some things to keep in mind when selecting a food are:

Physical Signs Associated with a High Quality Diet:

Physical Signs Associated With A Low Quality Diet:

Canine First-Aid:

Emergencies come in all forms, automobile accidens, bite wounds, burns, heatstroke, poisioning, seizures and more. For a general overview of what constitues an emergency, refer to our fact sheet on Canine Emergencies.

What is First-Aid?
First-Aid is initial treatment given in an emergency situation, the purpose being:

Priorities:

What Is Shock?

Shock is a complex condition often following an acute injury or emergency. A life-threatening fall in blood pressure is a dangerous part of shock.

What are the signs of Shock?

Signs include rapid breathing and heart rate with pale mucous membranes, (gums, lips or under the eyelids). The feet or ears may feel cold and your dog may vomit and shiver. Most pets become quiet and unresponsive.

What should I do?

Keep the pet as quiet as possible and try to conserve heat by covering it with coats or newspapers. If neccessary, apply the A, B, C of first aid:

A - Airway:

Anything that obstructs the airway and prevents oxygen entering the lungs. Do your best to clear the mouth and throat of any obstruction (vomit, salivia or foreign bodies such as sticks or balls). Be careful, your pet may bite in panic.

B - Breathing:

If your dog is unconscious and does not appear to be breathing, try gently pumping the chest with the palm of your hand, at the same time feeling just behind the elbow to detect a heartbeat. Close the muzzle with your hand and blow into the nostrils. This is best accomplished by covering the pet's nose with your mouth. Be careful, injured pets may bite you out of fear. If you are unsure about the health or vaccination status of the injured pet, avoid contact with bodily fluids and blood.

C - Cardiac Function:

If you are unable to detect a heartbeat or pulse or if appears weak and slow, try pressing on the chest with your palm. Five chest compressions followed by one to two deep breaths is a simple form of animal cardio-pulmonary resuscitiation.

Specifict First Aid:

Blood Loss:

Once you have checked A, B, C above, if the bleeding is severe, try to stop it. If bleeding from a cut pad or paw, apply a dressing using a piece of bandage or clothing. If the bleeding persists and is soaking through the dressing, this is a medical emergency. Most bleeding wounds will require medical or surgical treatment. If the wounds are treated within four hours, they can often be sutured. Deep cuts treated after four hours have increased risk of infection and complication.

Burns & Scalds:

Cool the burned area with cold water as quickly as possible. Cover the burned area with damp towels. If the injury is due to caustic substance, rinse with cold water for fifteen minutes and contact your veterinarian.

Eye Injuries:

Injuries to the eye are always very painful. If a foreign body (grass awn, stick etc. ) can be seen, it may be possible to remove it genlty rinsing the eye with eye wash or contact saline solution. Seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.

Seizures:

Seizures can be due to many causes. These range from eclampsia (milk fever) to epilepsy. If due to eclampsia, remove the puppies from the mother immediently. All dogs that are seizuring or have had a recent seizure should be kept in a dark, confined area until medical help can be sought. Contact your veterinarian immediently.

Heat Stroke:

This most commonly occurs in hot weather when dogs are left in cars without adequate ventilation. Body temperature rises dramatically. Clinical signs are excessive panting and obvious distress quickly followed by coma. Reduce the pet's body temperature as quickly as possible using cool water and transport the dog to the veterinarian wet. Keep the car windows open. Evaporation will help reduce body temperature. Avoid using ice or ice water because this may drop the temperature too quickly and cause additional complications.