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February is Dental Care Month!
Home Dental Care Tips
BRUSH DAILY! This is the single most
important thing you can do to keep your pet's mouth
healthy.
- Wait until the mouth has healed –
start the “brushing lessons” in 3 days for routine
dental cleanings, and 2 weeks if your pet has had
extractions or perioceutic.
- Use a tasty toothpaste! Poultry
is the most popular flavor; we also offer seafood, malt,
and vanilla-mint.
- Choose a relaxed time of day and
place – after meals is often best. Gently position your
pet in a corner (of a sofa, chair, or room).
- Start gradually – smear the
toothpaste on the toothbrush bristles and let your pet
lick the toothbrush. If your pet is upset by the
toothbrush, introduce the toothpaste on your finger.
For the first 1-2 weeks, your pet may only tolerate
brushing for a few seconds each day. That's OK – keep
at it!
- Try to brush 3 areas of your pet's
mouth: the front (incisors and fang teeth), and the
OUTSIDE of the right and left side teeth (premolars and
molars). Don't bother trying to brush the inside of the
teeth (where the tongue rests) – it's unnecessary in
most cases and very difficult!
- Hold your pet's mouth CLOSED while
you are brushing the side teeth – this will prevent
chewing the toothbrush. Put the toothbrush into the
cheek pouch. You won't be able to see the teeth you're
brushing, but you can hear and feel the brush making
contact with the teeth.
- Brush in small circles at the
gumline, just like dentists tell their human patients to
do.
- As your pet gradually realizes
that the brushing experience is tasty and painless, you
can lengthen the brushing time. Work up to spending
about 15 seconds brushing each section of the mouth, for
a total brushing time of 45 seconds to 1 minute per day
(including reloading the toothbrush!).
Use Oravet
weekly – This will help to keep plaque from sticking to your
pets' teeth. Just smear a thin coat over the same 3 basic
areas you are brushing – you can use your finger or the
enclosed applicator.
Prevent worn teeth – don't let your pet
chew on tennis balls.
Prevent broken teeth – don't let your
pet chew on cow hooves, Nylabone Durable Chews, rocks, or
other hard things. If your pet is an aggressive chewer,
real marrow bones aren't a good idea either. Better choices
include rope toys, Premier toys, Kongs, and Nylabone Dental
Chews.
Bring your pet in for regular check-ups
– let us help you catch potential problems early and keep
those teeth healthy!
March was National Poison
Prevention Month
Top 10 Pet Toxins of 2010
Toxic & Non-Tonic Plants
People Food to Avoid Feeding your Pets
Animal Poison Control FAQ
Congratulations to Dr. Kim Hombs, Dr. Katie Smithson and
Dr. Laura Lathan for being recognized by Charlotte Magazine
in the February 2011 issue as
"Top Vets for your Pet"
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2012 Holiday and
Observances
May 28, 2012
July 4, 2012 September 3, 2012
November 22, 2012 December 25, 2012
January 1, 2013
In the event of an emergency, please call
Carolina Veterinary Specialists at (704)588-7015. We
will reopen with normal business hours the following day.
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