Archive for the ‘Dental Care’ Category

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Dental Care for Your Pet

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

Pet DentalFebruary is National Pet Dental Health Month. It is a great time to take a few moments to consider what you are doing to keep your pet’s teeth healthy. Just as with people, it is important that dental health be addressed in our pets, as well.

When it comes to your dog or cat, their overall health and well being can be impacted by how well their dental hygiene is handled. There are several things you can do to help promote good dental hygiene in your pet, including:

Getting them used to having their teeth brushed each day. Yes, it really is possible to get them used to this type of tooth care, with a little effort and dedication!
Providing your pet with treats that have been designed to help remove tartar from their teeth. These can easily be found in most stores and some can be quite effective in helping to reduce plaque issues.
The most important part of keeping your pet’s teeth and gums healthy is to have them seen regularly by a veterinarian. A veterinarian can help to keep the teeth clean and identify problems in early stages, so they can be addressed more easily and inexpensively.

If your pet drools, has bad breath or inflamed gums, or is having loose tooth issues, the best option is to have a veterinarian examine them. Some of these can be signs of oral disease or gastrointestinal issues.
While February may be a good reminder that we need to consider our pets’ dental health, actually taking care of their teeth is a year-round job. Doing so will promote a longer, healthier lifestyle for your pet.

The veterinarians at Pet Doctors of America, serving the entire Jacksonville area, are experts in pet dental health. Contact us today to see what we can do to help get your pet’s teeth in tip-top shape!

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How to Care for Your Puppy and Kitten’s Teeth

Monday, October 25th, 2010

Caring for your puppies and kittens teeth at an early age can prevent problems later on in life. Even the most devoted pet owners may not realize that proper oral care is as important for their puppies and kittens as it is for people. Puppies and kittens need to maintain strong, healthy teeth for more than just eating, grooming, catching a Frisbee or capturing a catnip mouse. In pets, dental disease can be life threatening. Bacteria from tooth decay and gum disease can enter your pet’s bloodstream, resulting in infection to the heart, lungs and other parts of the body. That’s why taking care of your pets teeth from an early age is so important.

Jacksonville Veterinary Care

Pet Doctors of America is your “no appointment needed, ever” pet care solution. Our licensed veterinarians provide peace of mind, and a friendly, compassionate staff is always here to serve you. To learn more about our Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach veterinarians, click here.

Now Open In Jacksonville Beach for All of Your Jacksonville Beach Veterinary Needs

To better serve the Ponte Vedra, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach communities we have opened a new location which is located at the corner of 3rd Street and 11th Avenue South in Jacksonville Beach, FL. To learn more visit PetDoctorsofAmerica.com.

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4 Must-Know Signs of Canine Dental Disease

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

Proper oral care results in more than just sparkling white teeth. It keeps your pet from experiencing serious complications that are easily prevented. Here’s how to recognize signs of trouble:

  1. Bad breath – Foul smelling breath means there’s bacteria present in the mouth that leads to plaque.
  2. Build-up on the gum lines – Yellow or brown deposits are hardened plaque known as tartar or calculus. Not just unsightly, it can lead to heart disease.
  3. Red line along gums – Healthy gums are pink. An early sign of gingivitis, or gum inflammation, is a red line at the base of the gums. Without proper treatment, the teeth can eventually be lost.
  4. Pus, loose teeth and severe sensitivity of the mouth – All indicate the later stages periodontitis. This means bacteria have found their way into the gums, eating away the bones that hold the teeth in place.

Regular cleaning by Pet Doctors of America’s licensed Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach veterinarians is the most effective way to ensure good dental health. We also offer vaccines that can aid in the prevention of periodontal disease.

To learn more about our dental services or to book an appointment give us a call at 904-201-4148.

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Healthy Teeth Extends Your Pet’s Life

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Even the most devoted pet owners may not realize that proper oral care is as important for pets as it is for people. Pets need to maintain strong, healthy teeth for more than just eating, grooming, catching a Frisbee or capturing a catnip mouse. In pets, dental disease can be life threatening. Bacteria from tooth decay and gum disease can enter your pet’s bloodstream, resulting in infection to the heart, lungs and other parts of the body.

That’s why we put so much importance on oral care at Pet Doctors of America. Regular cleaning by our Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach veterinarians is the most effective way to ensure good dental health.

As part of our emphasis on the importance of dental care in the month of September we are offering pet owners a FREE dental exam so that you can get your dog(s) or cat(s) checked out by our veterinarians to be sure their teeth are not at risk of causing serious health problems down the road. Additionally, we are offering $50 off an ultrasonic dental cleaning for your pets in the month of September!

Jacksonville Veterinary Care

Pet Doctors of America is your “no appointment needed, ever” pet care solution. Our licensed veterinarians provide peace of mind, and a friendly, compassionate staff is always here to serve you. To learn more about our Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach veterinarians click here.

Now Open In Jacksonville Beach for All of Your Jacksonville Beach Veterinary Needs

To better serve the Ponte Vedra, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach communities we have opened a new location which is located at the corner of 3rd Street and 11th Avenue South in Jacksonville Beach, FL. To learn more visit PetDoctorsofAmerica.com.

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Dog and Cat Teeth Cleaning: Its More Important Than You May Think

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Introducing your new puppy or kitten to dental care early in life may be one of the most beneficial steps you take in the health of your pet. Even though dogs and cats don’t often get cavities, 80% of pets that are over three years of age have a certain degree of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, an infection caused by plaque, can cause detrimental effects if left uncontrolled. Dog and cat teeth cleaning is an important step to take early in life. This alone can help avoid many types of problems and diseases, as they get older.

Having your veterinarian check your puppy or kitten is the first step in oral care. The vet will give an oral examination to determine if any problems exist. This is a good time to discuss with your veterinarian the routine care for your pet. If you need help, your veterinarian can teach you the proper dog and cat teeth cleaning procedures. If your pet develops periodontal disease, or other dental problems, he will need to see the vet for treatment and possibly teeth cleaning.

With some preparation dog and cat teeth cleaning is possible at home. Start by getting the puppy or kitten used to being touched around the mouth. Start out slowly by gently touching him around the mouth a few minutes each day. Talk softly to him and reward him with a hug or a treat. Once he is relaxed when touching his mouth, wrap some gauze around your finger, and get him use to you stroking his mouth with the gauze-covered finger. Spend about a week practicing this until he is calm with it. The next step is to lift up his lip on one side, and gently rub the surface of his teeth. After he becomes comfortable with this, do the other side. Always finish with a hug and a treat.

Once accustomed to the gauze-covered finger, move on to a finger brush or a toothbrush with the same gentle movements, hugs and treats. When you move to a brush, use a soft circular motion and clean the area where the tooth and gum come together.

There are several methods to help keep teeth and gums clean. A few products include dry kibble, dog biscuits, and hard rubber toys. All of these methods will help scrap off and dislodge plaque. Many pet stores and veterinarian offices have a multitude of treats and toys made especially for dog and cat teeth cleaning. Look for dental supplies such as finger toothbrushes, regular toothbrushes and pet toothpaste at your veterinarian’s office or at your favorite pet shop.

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