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You should get into the habit of examining your pets teeth, and be aware of any signs that may indicate a problem. Lift up the lips around the mouth and look at the front and back teeth, checking for anything that looks out of the ordinary. Be gentle doing this. At your pets annual check up we will also examine the mouth for any signs of dental disease. Catching problems early will help avoid any serious problems. Watch out for the following signs:-
Bad breath
Pain when chewing or reluctance to chew
Increased salivation
Red or puffy gums
Bleeding gums
Missing or loose teeth
Anything else that looks unusual

The dangers of dental disease
Plaque builds up on the teeth and turns into tartar, a hard yellowish coating on the teeth around the gum-line. These areas grow bacteria which eat away at the gums and teeth causing bad breath, dental disease, oral pain and tooth loss. However worse still is that this bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and affect other parts of the body like the heart and kidneys which is why it is so important to address any problems as soon as possible.

Preventing dental disease
Dogs start out with 28 baby teeth, cats have 26. By 6 months of age these baby teeth should have fallen out and been replaced by permanent teeth, 42 in dogs and 30 in cats. Begin a dental care routine early in your pets life. Get them used to the feeling of getting their teeth brushed and inspected. If you are unable to brush your pets teeth there are other options to help keep teeth healthy. Oral rinses are available which are made especially for pets. You can also purchase special dental treats. Remember never brush your dogs teeth with human toothpaste, it can make your pet sick. Use a finger brush or a special long toothbrush designed for dogs. A specially formulated diet can also help and avoid feeding table scraps. Chewing on dental chewy toys can can also make the teeth stronger and help massage the gums and scrape away soft tartar. We have a range of dental chewy toys for sale in the clinic.

How to brush your pets teeth
Test your pets willingness to have you touch their mouth by rubbing your finger along the gums and teeth. This will get them used to the feel of something against the teeth. Get them used to the taste of the toothpaste by letting them lick it off your finger. When they are happy with you touching their teeth and gums introduce the toothpaste and brush together. Lift the upper lip and as you approach the teeth with the brush angled so the bristles reach the gum-line. Placing the bristles at a 45 degree angle against the teeth will help the bristles massage the gum and clear away plaque. Brush in small circles getting top and bottom of each side. As you move the bristles along the gum-line, some light bleeding may occur. If bleeding is ongoing or heave it may indicate you are brushing to aggressively or be a sign of gum disease. Brush a few teeth at first working up to the whole mouth over time. Aim for two minutes daily in total. If you can get to the inside teeth great but don’t worry too much as the tongue helps keep the inside cleaner. Keep the mood light and give constant praise.

Most of all make sure you attend your vet at least on an annual basis to have your pets teeth checked!! From time to time a professional dental will be required which entails an general anesthetic. During this process your pets teeth and gums will be examined closely and the teeth will be descaled and polished. Any further treatment necessary, such as extractions will also be carried out. Some pets require a professional dental one or more times a year while others can go longer. Be certain to follow recommendations and remember what you do at home can make all the difference!

Keep pets indoors as much as possible in the cold weather. When they go out, stay with them. When you’re cold enough to go in, your pet probably is too.
If a dog stays outside for the winter , it is important to provide an insulated home. Line the floor with blankets or straw to ensure warmth and ensure that it is up off the ground. Ensure that the bedding is always kept dry. Check that their water has not frozen over.
If your dog begins to shiver when your out walking, bring him inside immediately.
Your pets health can also affect how long they can stay outdoors. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and hormonal imbalances can compromise your pets ability to regulate their own body temperature
Trim the long hair on the bottom of pets’ feet to prevent ice balls from forming.
Road salt and other de-icing chemicals are damaging to pets’ paws, and can be hazardous if ingested; wash your pets’ paws if you suspect they have got these substances on their paws while out walking.
Antifreeze is a poison, yet its sweet taste unfortunately attracts curious animals. Always clean any spills thoroughly. Or try a safer alternative, such as antifreeze made with propylene glycol.
Cats and wildlife seek shelter from warmth by crawling into available covered spaces, including vehicles. Banging on the hood of your car before starting the engine should scare out any stowaways.
Our smaller friends, such as birds, hamsters and guinea pigs, can be chilled if their cages are kept in drafty areas. Keep cages away from doors and windows in winter.
If your use a space heater or light a fire watch your pets closely. They are as attracted to the warmth as you so make sure their tails and paws do not come into contact with flames or hot surfaces that can cause severe burns.

Symptoms of cold:-
When outdoors with your pet, watch out for the following signs of exposure:-
Whining, shivering, appearing anxious, slowing down, stopping movement and looking for places to burrow. If you notice any of these signs return your pet indoors immediately.

Medical problems:-
Keep an eye our for the following two serious conditions caused by cold weather:
Frostbite happens when the body gets so cold it pulls heat from the extremities to keep the body’s core warm. In animals their ears, tails and paws can get so cold that ice crystals form in the tissue damaging it. Sometimes the tissues do not shows any signs of damage for several days and it can be tricky to treat. If you suspect your pet may have frost bite contact us immediately. (Luckily the temperatures in Ireland rarely get so severe that this is an issue.

Hypothermia is when the body temperature goes below normal. It occurs when an animal is exposed to cold temperatures for to long or when in animal is in poor health. In mild cases the animal will shiver and show sings of depression, lethargy and weakness. As the condition progresses muscles will stiffen, the heart and breathing rates slow down and the animal will stop responding to stimuli.

Treatment of hypothermia – Get your pet indoors and warm. Wrap your pet in blankets and contact us immediately.