October 9, 2008Show us those pearly whitesI admit it. We neglect our pet’s dental health at my house. We do not brush their teeth like we should and not one of them have never been professionally cleaned. All of our pets are young and healthy now, but they could have expensive problems later if we don't take care of their teeth now. 
Chew toys and rawhides help a little, but they are not enough to thoroughly clean your dogs' choppers. If your dog already has tartar build-up, the article recommends taking him or her to the vet for a professional cleaning. Brevitz also recommends having the vet clean your pets' teeth if there is a likely chance the pet will bite you if you attempt it. I would recommend checking with your vet first if you have any apprehension about becoming your pet's dental hygienist. If you are nervous or unsure, it likely won't be a good experience for you or your pet. Dogs can read your emotions better than you can. If you think you have a dog that is amiable to a little brushing, here's what you need to get started: • A soft toothbrush that fits your pooch's mouth (the human kind is fine) Brevitz' instructions are to wet the brush, dab on the toothpaste, and use a gentle circular motion, concentrating at first on the upper canines (fangs) and the upper fourth molars (the first large teeth in the back of the mouth.) She wrote that these are the teeth that get accumulate the most tartar. If you pooch has cooperated with your so far in brushing these four teeth, try for the others, focusing on the gum line where plaque tends to build up. She said with practice you can accomplish a good cleaning in only a few minutes a day. I plan to try it this weekend with the greyhounds first, since the extensive handling they had all their lives at the racetrack makes them pretty cooperative for almost anything we need to do for them. Then we can try it on little Stormy. My biggest worry is that he will run off with his new chew toy, the toothbrush. Anyone else have any experience with home dental hygiene? Post a comment and let us know what worked for you and especially what didn't. October 8, 2008Libraries go to the dogsRoanoke County Public Libraries are observing Adopt a Shelter Dog Month with fun family events that include the pooches, and will be collecting pet food donations at all four branches to help the Roanoke Valley SPCA. 
Author and dog trainer Lorie Long will discuss her book "A Dog Who's Always Welcome: Assistance and Therapy Dog Trainers Teach You How to Socialize and Train Your Companion Dog" at the library's headquarters on Electric Road on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. Also that day at the Electric Road branch there will be a silent auction of gift items for pets and people who love pets from 1 to 4 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Roanoke Valley SPCA. Bring the kids to hear children's author Tristan Perry, accompanied by her poodles Nutmeg and Mocha, read from her latest book "Furry Tails: The Adventures of Cinnamon Persimmon" at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 20 at the Hollins branch. 
And if you do decide to enter your sweetie in the ugly dog contest, e-mail the picture to pets@roanoke.com and I will post it here on the blog. Maybe we can drum up a few votes for you. October 6, 2008Doctors warn against exotic pets for young kidsCHICAGO (AP) — Warning: young children should not keep hedgehogs as pets — or hamsters, baby chicks, lizards and turtles, for that matter — because of risks for disease. That's according to the nation's leading pediatricians' group in a new report about dangers from exotic animals. Besides evidence that they can carry dangerous and sometimes potentially deadly germs, exotic pets may be more prone than cats and dogs to bite, scratch or claw — putting children younger than 5 particularly at risk, the report says. Continue reading "Doctors warn against exotic pets for young kids" » For Stormy, the dog park is already a hitThere are many benefits to taking your dog to a park. The dog gets to play, run, socialize and exercise. And when you bring the dog home, he's tired. Very tired. 
Just imagine if he could have played off-leash with all his new friends. He might have slept through his own supper. Yesterday's event raised an estimated $1,600 toward the $30,000 needed to erect the fence and add other amenities to the acre of land in Highland Park earmarked for the off-leash area. The next fundraiser is “Going to the Dogs”, a block party to benefit not only the dog park, but also the RVSPCA and St. Francis Service Dogs. The event is scheduled for Oct. 29 in downtown Roanoke. Click here for more details about the dog park and here for more details about the block party. |
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