Category: Blog

Information and stories related to all types of animals.

Rudy and his girlfriends

The European Bassett Betty

Back to his girlfriends. Mr. Rudy Valentino has Lovie and his European girl Betty. Betty is a big girl (about 80 lbs). She is only 5 and can play a lot longer than the others but with her size Rudy calls it quits. She is fast and any wrestling is what we avoid with her. On the other hand. Lovie is 12 and let’s Rudy roll all over her. It’s so cute. The pictures below are of Betty. European Bassett hounds are taller longer and just bigger.

I can’t find a picture of Lovie but I’ll find it. Stay tuned.

Jo and the Bassett Hounds.

Jo is a very special lady. She is a foster parent for the Southern California Bassett hounds. The bassets that she handles are the elderly the ill and last chance Animals. She has had lovey for quite a while, in fact number of years and she has another named Albert and she’s had him again for a few years. Now with Betty, she was being transferred around and is a really great dog and so Jo took her into give her a place to stay that was more permanent. Jo did find an adopter for her so at the end of the month she’ll be going off to her new home and it’s going to be fabulous

Rudy and his house guest

Well this week my sisters grand dog peanut and Rudy had a sleepover. Peanut is adorable! He is a Puggle and about 12 years old. He and Rudy get along well and he puts Rudy in his place when he does not want to play or has played enough.

Enjoy

Rudy and the rabbits

Last Sunday we went over to my sisters house. She has eight rabbits all are friendly to them but run the backyard. Rudy has met them once and befriended the older rabbit Jessica. This time we went over and Rudy went out back to find the rabbit. He meant no harm but my sister wasn’t so sure.

Rudy spent the day keeping the rabbits up on the hill. The yard is divided, the lower section being grass and then a retaining wall and the hill. A fence surrounds the yard so all the rabbits have their holes up on the hill.

So with all the people that were there, Rudy made sure all the rabbits kept up on the hill. Every time a rabbit came down onto the grass he would heard it like a sheepdog back up to it’s hole on the hill. One of them, a gray one, was simply not having it. She kept coming down and Rudy, got to where he camped out next to her den. The little darling was exhausted by the time we left. I really wanted to video it but they were to fast. Imagine the speed of a rabbit and Rudy’s speed.

For those that are concerned, Rudy never over took a rabbit, he never got in front of them and always stayed behind them with space. He never in anyway made us believe that he would hurt any of the rabbits. If the rabbits started hopping so did Rudy if you can believe it! It’s hard for me to picture and I saw it but it happened and it was so adorable. 

Dog dental.

(Artical

From petmd we should dental

This is an argument for many saying it’s not necessary or to expense.

It is expensive but necessary. Their bad is a strong indication puppers needs a cleaning

Below is article on why we should this to do. For me ….

PET CARE

Whether your veterinarian has told you that your cat needs a teeth cleaning or you are just being proactive about your cat’s oral health, you have probably wondered what’s involved in the procedure and how much it’s going to set you back.

Here’s a complete guide on everything you need to know about veterinary cat dental cleanings.

WHY SHOULD YOU SET MONEY ASIDE FOR PROFESSIONAL CAT DENTAL CLEANINGS?

Research has shown that the benefits of caring for our pets’ teeth go far beyond a bright smile and fresh breath. Periodontitis—infection, inflammation and breakdown of the structures that support teeth—can lead to severe oral infections and tooth loss, to start with. And it has even been associated with an increased risk for diseases affecting the heart, lungs, kidneys and other parts of a cat’s body.

Once your cat has dental tartar, gingivitis or more advanced periodontitis, a professional dental cleaning is the only way to get rid of it. It makes financial sense to pay for a professional teeth cleaning before these issues come up, or before they turn into more costly issues that cause your pet to suffer.

HOW MUCH DOES A CAT DENTAL CLEANING COST?

The costs associated with cat dental cleanings vary from one office or location to another due to differences in overhead expenses like rent, salaries, taxes, etc.

Also, a dental cleaning for a healthy cat with minimal tartar and no other oral problems will be much cheaper than a cleaning for a cat that has severe periodontitis, several loose teeth in need of extraction, or kidney disease that requires additional anesthetic monitoring and support.

That said, according to Nationwide Pet Insurance, their average claim for a pet dental cleaning was $190, which increased to $404 when dental disease required treatment.

Your veterinarian will be able to provide you with a more individualized estimate.

Just make sure you discuss how you would like them to proceed if they find something unexpected that requires additional treatment and charges. Communication is the key to preventing unwanted surprises when it comes time to pay your bill.

WHAT DOES THE COST OF A CAT DENTAL CLEANING INCLUDE?

The only way to safely (for both the cat and veterinary personnel) and fully examine and clean a cat’s teeth is to use general anesthesia. Typically, general anesthesia for dental cleanings in cats involves:

  • Lab work in order to pick the safest anesthetic protocol possible based on a cat’s particular needs
  • Several different injectable medications to induce anesthesia and ease anxiety and pain
  • An IV catheter so that fluids can be administered to support blood pressure and to provide immediate venous access should an emergency arise
  • The placement of a tube with an inflatable cuff into the cat’s trachea to administer anesthetic gasses and to protect the lungs from liquid and debris
  • The use of several different monitors during anesthesia

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A VETERINARY CAT DENTAL CLEANING?

The 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats lists twelve steps to follow before, during and after a dental cleanings, surgeries and procedures. Here’s the paraphrased version of what’s involved:

  1. Perform an oral evaluation on the conscious patient before administering anesthesia (often easier said than done!).
  2. X-ray the entire mouth of the anesthetized patient. This is the only way to determine if deeper structures, like the roots of teeth, are healthy.
  3. Scale the teeth (remove plaque and tartar) above and below the gums using appropriate tools.
  4. Polish the teeth to smooth the enamel, which helps inhibit the reformation of plaque and tartar.
  5. Perform oral evaluation using a periodontal probe, looking for deep pockets between the teeth and gums that require treatment.
  6. Flush out the pockets between the teeth and gums to remove debris, and add polishing paste in order to fully inspect the area.
  7. Perform indicated periodontal therapy (root canals, for example) or extractions after informing and receiving consent from the owner.
  8. Administer either systemic or local antibiotics where indicated.
  9. Apply antiplaque substances such as barrier sealants to the teeth.
  10. Biopsy all abnormal masses and submit them to a qualified pathologist.
  11. Maintain an open airway via intubation until the animal is swallowing and can lie by theirself on their chest.
  12. Provide instruction on at-home dental care, including the use of safe cat dental products.

By: Jennifer Coates, DVM

Featured Image: iStock.com/KMQ

Holiday safety from pet md.

Winter holidays are especially exciting, with all the sparkly lights, delicate ornaments and brightly colored garlands—and don’t get us started on the candies and treats! All of these things are great fun for us, but they’re also intriguing to our pets.

Putting up a Christmas tree is one of the best parts, and pets agree. So, before you set up the tree and start lining up the decorations, take a few minutes to consider these Christmas tree safety tips. 

CHRISTMAS TREE SAFETY TIPS

It can be very difficult to keep a young, still-in-training pet away from the Christmas tree, particularly if this is his first Christmas. Even for an older pet, who may have learned not to jump on the tree, you will still need to be cautious.

Here are a few pet safety hazards along with some precautions you can take.

BRANCHES AND NEEDLES

A live tree can be especially hazardous. Dogs and cats like to chew on the limbs, and the fir tree oils can be irritating to the mouth tissue, causing such symptoms as drooling and vomiting. Also, if your pet is chewing on the branches, there is a good chance he is also swallowing some of the needles.

When ingested, pine needles can get caught in the intestinal tract, puncturing the lining or bunching together and causing an intestinal obstruction. Both can have deadly consequences. You should be careful with artificial trees as well, because they can cause the same kind of obstruction, and pets are likely to chew those crunchy needles, too.

The best solution is limiting your pets’ access to the area where you are setting up your Christmas tree. In some cases, this can be achieved with a dog pen that surrounds the tree.

FLOCKING

A popular tree decoration called flocking, or imitation snow, can also cause serious problems when significant amounts of it are swallowed. If you are going to have a tree in your home, it is best to at least get a non-flocked tree.

CHRISTMAS TREE PRESERVATIVES

In addition, some trees are treated with chemical preservatives to keep them fresh longer. These chemicals leach into the water in the tree base, making the water poisonous to drink. And pets will definitely drink the water if the base is left uncovered. You can cover it with a festive tree skirt, or you can use a towel, plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS

Christmas lights should be positioned away from the very bottom of the tree, unless you are sure that your pet has been successfully trained not to chew on the cords. Electric cord injuries are very damaging to the mouth tissue and can lead to long-term problems with eating, amongst other issues, including difficulty breathing and death. Check the electric light cords frequently for signs of chewing (also a fire hazard).

ORNAMENTS

Hang your delicate and most treasured ornaments on the uppermost branches of the tree, and secure them to the branches tightly. In general, it is easier on the whole household if you select tree ornaments that are not likely to shatter. For delicate, glass or priceless ornaments, you might consider creating an area where they can be displayed that is out of reach for your dog or cat. You can hang these from a garland that is placed across a mantel or over a doorway or window, or you can hang them in shadowboxes on the wall, for example.

TINSEL

Tinsel, for all its glittery prettiness, is one of the most dangerous tree decorations you can choose. If your pet ingests even a few strands of tinsel—and pets do this more often than you might guess—she is highly likely to suffer the ill, and even deadly effects, of an intestinal obstruction. The same goes for edible ornaments, such as popcorn and cranberry strings and candy canes. The strings can tear the intestines, endangering your pet’s life. Leave these things off your tree, or your pet will be climbing the tree to get to them.

Other tree decorations that can be hazardous to pets (and children, for that matter) include angel hair, a spun glass or plastic decoration; garlands; lit candles; mistletoe; poinsettia plants and holly berries; advent calendars that hold candy (often chocolate); and liquid potpourri, which can be spilled or ingested.

When you can rest in the knowledge that you have done everything to make sure your pet cannot be harmed, then everyone can share in a happy, healthy holiday season together.