Essex Area Veterinary Clinic Emphasizes  Pet Dental Care

At Paw Prints Pet Hospital, we emphasize the importance of pet dental care to all of our clients. Why? Recent studies have shown that the great majority of all cats and dogs over the age of three will suffer some form of periodontal disease. This alarming statistic can lead to infection, loss of teeth, inability to consume food and even illness later in life. A serious infection called Stomatis can also develop when the immune system of the animal becomes allergic to plaque buildup and begins shedding teeth. If left untreated, Stomatis can even lead to malnutrition and death.

What responsible pet owner would want their companion to suffer through all that?

Pet Dental Care is Easier than Most Owners Think

The truth is pet dental care is a lot easier than most owners think. By giving your pet the gift of an annual dental examination and cleaning during their normal veterinary hospital checkup, there is a great chance most problems can be caught early. Routine dental cleaning, very similar to the process undergone by humans while in a dentist's chair, can also prevent infection.

But, not all pet dental care happens at a veterinary hospital. Choosing foods and toys that help reduce tartar and minimize tooth damage can also help. Dog and cat teeth brushing at home is also recommended by our Essex veterinarian. For tips on toys, treats, and how to brush your pet’s teeth at home, just ask our staff. We are happy to provide advice on pet dental care.

What are you doing to make sure your pet is getting adequate dental care?

Paw Prints Pet Hospital offers routine pet dental examinations, cleanings and teeth polishing. In certain cases, we also offer tooth extractions and minor oral surgery procedures. Nottingham, Essex, Parkville, Rosedale and Dundalk pet owners interested in scheduling a dental appointment with our clinic may do so by calling us.

What steps do you take to keep your pet’s mouth healthy?

Halloween Safety Advice from Our Essex Veterinarian

For people, Halloween means costumes and candy. For pets, those same costumes and candy can spell danger, leading to a visit to the local animal clinic or emergency vet. At Paw Prints Pet Hospital, serving the Essex, Nottingham, Parkville, Rosedale and Dundalk areas, we have some tips to keep your pets happy and safe this Halloween.

Avoid the Chocolate, Avoid the Emergency Trip to the Veterinary Clinic

While your pet may want to eat all the chocolate she sees, don't let her as doing so may result in an emergency trip to our veterinary clinic. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and other pets. The stronger the chocolate, such as dark chocolate, the more harm it can cause your pet. Keep all candies well out of the reach of your pet.

Take Care Around Jack O' Lanterns

If you have a pet that likes to run around the house or yard, be especially careful about carved pumpkins. A happy puppy can accidentally knock over the pumpkin, spelling disaster if it has a lit candle inside. Pets that get too close to the flame can burn themselves, even if they don't knock the pumpkin over. Avoid the risk of fire and burns by using an electric candle or LED tea light.  If your pet does get burned, take him to your local animal clinic for care right away.

Rethink the Costume

Just like people, not every pet likes dressing up. Some pets may chew on or eat parts of their costume, making the costumes a choking hazard. If your pet struggles when you try to put a costume on him, skip the costume this year. If your pet does let you put a costume on him, make sure it is free of choking hazards and that any loose pieces, such as zipper pulls or ties, are well out of the reach of his mouth.

What do you do to keep your pet happy and safe at Halloween?

 

Rosedale Veterinary Clinic’s Summer Pet Safety Tips

The heat is on in most of the country right now, and not only are we feeling it, our pets are too. In fact, with the risk of dehydration and heatstroke, the heat can be especially dangerous for dogs. However, some good common sense and protection from the heat will reduce the risk of a pet developing a heat-related illness that requires a trip to our Essex veterinary clinic to see our emergency vet.

The most important thing for dealing with a pet in the heat is to keep them cool. Always have fresh, cool water available for a pet to drink. Although not recommended, if a pet needs to be outdoors, make sure it has a shady spot to lie under. When walking a dog during the summer, choose early morning or evening when the temperature is cooler and the sun is lower.

Avoid having a pet's paws be exposed to prolonged hot asphalt or sand, which may burn the paws. In the summer, dog houses may trap the heat, so they are generally not a good idea to use on very hot days. Most importantly, never leave a dog in the car unattended or without air conditioning — even if you have the window open. The temperature in a car can soar over 100 degrees in a matter of minutes.

If you suspect a pet has heatstroke, try to cool it right away by hosing down with cool water, providing ice chips, placing ice packs in the groin area, and applying alcohol to the paw pads. If a pet is still showing signs of discomfort, bring the animal into our clinic right away

Comprehensive Pet Wellness Care in Dundalk, Essex, Nottingham, and Parkville

In addition to providing heatstroke care, our animal clinic provides micro chip identification, routine exams, emergency care, vaccine administration, and much more. Of course, we provide wellness care for dogs and cats, but we also care for birds, reptiles, ferrets, rabbits, and horses.

What are some unique ways you and your pet try to beat the heat together?

Vaccinating Your Pet at Our Animal Clinic

At Paw Prints Pet Hospital, we can ensure that your pet receives the vaccinations that he or she needs to stay safe around other animals. We know that economic times are tough right now and understand that it can be hard to find the funds to vaccinate your pet each year. At our Essex veterinary clinic, we offer a reduced cost preventive care clinic every Saturday from 9AM until 11AM for pets whose owners are in financial need.

We hope that the low-cost vaccination options offered by our emergency vet clinic will lead to the immunization of more animals and will help reduce the transmission of many preventable diseases throughout Maryland.

Important Information About Pet Vaccines From Our Veterinary Clinic

The warm summertime weather creates a great excuse to go and enjoy outdoor adventures with your family pet. Before you head outside, make sure that your animal is up to date on his or her vaccinations. Vaccination can help protect your pet from contracting one of several dangerous diseases that can be transmitted by other animals you may encounter. Vaccines are extremely effective, help reduce disease transmission within the animal population, and can help prevent you from paying for expensive medical care down the road should your pet contract one of these preventable diseases.

Dogs should receive the 5-in-1 DHPP vaccination or the 6-in-1 DHLPP vaccine, the coronavirus vaccine and the bordetella vaccine. Cats should receive the 4-in-1 FVRCPC vaccine and the feline leukemia vaccine. In addition, both dogs and cats should receive the rabies vaccination which is required by law in most areas of the country. These vaccines will help protect your pet from disease and keep them healthy and happy for years to come. We encourage residents in Essex, Dundalk, Nottingham, Parkville and Rosedale to keep their pets' vaccines up to date.

Have you gotten your pet vaccinated at our animal clinic? What tips or experiences do you have to share with our readers?

 

 

Essex Veterinary Clinic Recommends Flea and Tick Prevention

Flea and tick prevention is essential to proper pet care. Flea and tick infestations do not only make your pet miserable with the itching and scratching, but they can also cause your pet to become seriously sick. Common problems caused by fleas and ticks are tapeworm, anemia and hair loss, just to name a few. Here at Paw Prints Pet Hospital and veterinary clinic, we strive to provide your pet with quality and effective pest control.

Our animal hospital is dedicated to the health and well being of your pet, from emergency vet services, routine wellness care, vaccinations and flea and tick infestations. We proudly serve the areas surrounding Essex, from Dundalk and Nottingham to Parkville and Rosedale. Your family pet's well being and happiness is our number one concern. Pets that are suffering from health problems or pest infestations are not happy pets and therefore the family is unhappy as well.

Animal Clinic Supports Pest Control

Flea and tick control begins with prevention. Regular monthly preventatives should be part of any pet wellness plan, whether you bring your pet into our animal clinic or you purchase the medications to use at home. These days, preventatives are easy to apply and are highly effective. The most effective flea and tick control are those that kill the fleas and ticks in all stages of life, leaving nothing to grow and cause problems.

Without proper pest control, your pet can become infested and, in turn, infect your home with fleas and ticks. Fleas and ticks can make your pet sick, causing problems beyond incessant itching and skin issues. Problems such as tapeworm and anemia are common results of untreated flea infestations in your pet.

Our staff at the Essex veterinary clinic can provide you with all pertinent information and options in order to allow you to make an educated decision as to what pest control method is best for your pet. A healthy family pet is a happy family pet.

What is your favorite flea and tick prevention?