Your dog’s health is important to you. You show him how important he is by keeping him well fed and groomed, making sure he gets plenty of exercise and providing a collection of fun, safe toys for him entertainment. You don’t skimp on the quality of his food. And to reward good boys and girls, there are always lots of delicious treats in the cupboard.

But if he has bad breath, you could be overlooking a serious problem with your dog’s health. “Dog Breath” is such a common condition that we make jokes about it. Sometimes we even tease our human “friends” using “dog breath” in playground style name-calling ( although hopefully this is limited to teenage boys.) And I know many pet owners who comment that they love their dog or cat like a child, but just can’t stand the smell of the animal’s breath! Well, guess what? “Dog Breath” isn’t normal.

It’s estimated that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats over the age of three suffer from the periodontal disease - a serious deterioration of the gums and supporting bones of the teeth. Yes, it’s periodontal disease that’s responsible for “dog breath”. But the problem doesn’t confine itself to your furry baby’s mouth. It’s an infection, and the tiny creatures responsible for it can break loose and enter the bloodstream. Once they do, they can infect vital organs such as the liver and kidneys, endangering your dog’s health by causing a far more serious illness.

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“Doggy breath” - that unpleasant odor emanating from the mouths of Rover and Boomer - can be a signal of serious health problems.

A dog’s mouth is his primary means of contact with the world around him.  He uses his mouth to eat, to investigate and to communicate.  The jaws are a powerful tool used to grind, gnaw, crush and carry.  Keeping this part of your pet’s body healthy is vital to his quality of life and longevity.

Fifty to eighty percent of all dogs suffer from periodontal disease.  Tartar buildup is the primary cause.  Just as in humans, small particles of food remain on the teeth after eating.  If not removed, these particles decompose, causing the growth of bacteria that then forms plaque and tartar.  As tartar grows, it literally pushes the gums away from the teeth which then loosen over time.  Loose teeth reveal root sockets which can easily become infected.  In untreated cases, the infection can travel from the root socket to the dog’s bloodstream where the bacteria takes up residence in the kidney, liver and heart causing disease of these organs.

How do I recognize periodontal disease in my dog?

There are specific signs and symptoms that indicate mouth problems including a change in eating habits.  While not all dogs suffering from periodontal disease change feeding habits, changes can be an indication of trouble.  Pawing at the mouth, abnormal drooling, mouth tenderness, facial inflammation, obvious oral bleeding, sneezing, nasal discharge and swelling around the eyes are also indicators of mouth problems.  The most obvious and usually the first sign of a problem, though, is that tale tell bad breath.

What can I do to prevent and/or treat my pet’s periodontal disease?

The experts agree that a diet consisting of primarily soft canned food is not a good idea.  “The buildup of plaque in pets’ soft canned diets is very rapid,” says R. Hines, DVM.  Opinions differ on the tartar-removing properties of hard foods, but experts DO agree that crunchy, dry food does not adhere to the teeth as much and therefore tartar and plaque do not build up as quickly.

Besides diet, yearly dental checkups are advised.  Even if you don’t give annual vaccinations, regular oral exams by a professional can make a huge difference in your pet’s health.  Herbal supplements such as Echinacea and other herbal medicines can be used internally to improve immune system health.  Herbs can also be used as a tea or mouthwash.  (Our next newsletter will address the issue of herbs and our pets.)

If you do suspect periodontal disease already at work, do not hesitate to visit your veterinarian for a professional cleaning and possible antibiotic treatment if he detects an infection.

The most important thing you can do to protect your pet’s dental health is to brush his teeth!  Use a child’s toothbrush and a toothpaste developed for pets.  Your vet can advise on the best methods of training your dog to let you brush his teeth.

Good dental health and preventative care can add years to your dog’s life and save him undue suffering from kidney, liver and heart disease.  Its never too late to get started!

Looking for an all-natural dry food to benefit your pet’s dental health?  Take a look at Flint River Ranch, available from Barker and Friends at   Flint River Ranch’s all natural ingredients promote good overall health with easily digestible kibble free of chemical preservatives and additives.  Combining a healthy dry food, all natural treats from Barker and Friends at  and regular dental exams can help your furry friend live a long and happy life.

An encouraging word:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

Your dog can die from dehydration. Please understand how serious this can get. It’s not like when humans get dehydrated, can drink some water and cool off, and they will recover quickly. It is much harder for a dog to recover. Caused by sickness, heat exposure, or lack of water intake, the situation must be taken care of immediately. If the dehydration lasts for too long, your dog’s organs can start failing and he will die. Unfortunately, it is much easier for a dog to become dehydrated than it is for humans. But, luckily, it is also very easy to prevent it from happening.

To be able to prevent dehydration, it is important to understand how and why it occurs in dogs. Dehydration occurs after an extreme loss of bodily fluids. The essential minerals called electrolytes are depleted from the body. Dogs do not have sweat glands to cool them off like humans do. To relieve themselves from heat, they pant to regulate their body temperature. But the process of panting results in a rapid loss of bodily fluids, which will result in dehydration if the electrolytes do not get replaced.

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As a responsible dog owner you should take your dog to the veterinarian at least once per year. This is a good habit to form with your dog that will keep him healthy for years to come, as well as enable you to prevent diseases, instead of waiting for them to form. A yearly physical examination will consist of evaluating your dog’s general attitude and appearance. The eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and skin will be fully checked. The vet will also check the musculoskeletal, respiratory, nervous, digestive, genitourinary, and circulatory systems.

Serum Chemistry Profile Sometimes called a “chem scan”, the Serum Chemistry File is an extensive battery of tests that provide a broad database to evaluate your dog’s general health. These tests confirm the results of the physical examination and will provide you with early warning signs of unsuspected problems. Have your dog fast for at least 12 hours before this test, to ensure the best of accuracy with the results.

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Vaccination and its Important Role in a Dog’s Life

Active immunization is the introduction into the body of killed or satisfied microorganisms or their products for the purpose of stimulating the body’s defence mechanism. This concept is also applicable to other species like the dogs.

Historically the area of veterinary medicine had not yet realized the potential benefits of vaccinations. It hasn’t been until recently, that veterinary experts formulated certain solutions so as to combat the alarming increase of death in digs. Namely, most of the causes are viral infection.

With the inception of vaccinations, many dogs were saved from probable death brought about by many diseases like leptospirosis, hepatitis, upper respiratory infections, and parvovirus.

Like humans, dogs need vaccinations even at an early age. That is why it is important to immunize puppies so that they will survive until they are fully grown.

Basically, puppies get their immunity from their mother’s milk, which is also the same as that of human beings. However, these immunities tend to lose their effects by the time the puppies are already 6 to 20 weeks old. It is during this time that they have to be immunized.

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It can take a while for us humans to suspect that we may have diabetes and go in for tests. It’s much harder for us to spot the symptoms of diabetes in dogs. The disease tends to sneak up and the symptoms will often go unnoticed until the disease has become quite advanced. Here are some things you should always watch for in your dog and take them to a vet to be tested if you suspect that your dog may have developed canine diabetes.

**Canine Diabetes Symptoms To Watch For**

Drinking a Lot of Water

Although it’s natural for your dog to be thirstier in the summer or after a bit of rambunctious exercise, excessive drinking throughout the day and that continues for several days can be a sign of diabetes. If you notice that you’re having to fill the water bowl more often, you may want to have your dog tested for canine diabetes. Other diseases may also cause an increase in thirst as well, so having a veterinarian check your pet is a good idea.

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Even if you have the perfect first aid kit for you and your family, it might not help when Fiddo or Fluffy gets hurt. To help pets in an emergency, assemble a pet first aid kit.

Just like a human first aid kit, a portable, durable watertight container is needed to hold all the supplies. Assemble all of your supplies first so that you know how big of a container you need. Plastic food containers or tackle boxes make excellent first aid kits.

A pet’s needs in an emergency are similar to your own, so make sure to include gauze pads, adhesive tape, scissors and tweezers, and have a blanket handy.

Be sure to ask the pet’s veterinarian of specific supplies the animal might need like anti-diarrhea medicine, syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting in case of poisoning, and activated charcoal to ease stomach upsets. Include some eyedroppers in the pet first aid kit to give pet medicine. Also make sure the current contact information of the pet’s veterinarian is included in the kit.

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The ten worst excuses not to spay or neuter a pet are:

1. Just one litter and then we’ll have Fluffy spayed.
(Studies show that virtually the entire pet overpopulation stems from the “just one litter mentality.)

2. My dog doesn’t run loose, so he doesn’t need to be fixed.
(Murphy’s Law says otherwise.)

3. We always find homes for the kittens.
(And that means that an equal number of kittens at the pound will be killed.)

4. I want the children to witness the miracle of birth.
(Rent a video.)

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One of the things you may, or may not, be prepared for when getting a new puppy is its desire to chew. Often this can be quite destructive depending on exactly how you handle this situation. Instinctively puppies often chew because they need to- not because they want to destroy your personal items.

As puppies begin to lose their “milk teeth” and get their 42 adult teeth they chew to help alleviate some of the discomfort they are experiencing. Overall, the best thing you can do is protect your puppy from potentially harmful situations and help set him up to be successful.

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Dog Bite: Prevent or Deal with It

Statistics show that 4.7 million people get bitten by dogs yearly. These bites range from minor nips to major attacks. Dog’s are man’s best friend, not his worst enemy….With this thought in mind, here are some tips to prevent being bitten by a dog.

Bite Prevention:

1. Don’t Approach a Strange Dog
   Don’t go near just any dog you find adorable, particularly when that dog is tied, fenced-in or in a car. A new or strange dog might think that you are threatening him or you are an intruder.
2. Don’t Pet a Strange Dog
   It is not advisable for anyone to pet strange dogs, or even his or her own dog, without letting him sniff and recognize you first.
3. Don’t Turn Your Back and Run from a Dog
   A dog’s instinct will be to chase and catch you. So, running away is not a good option.
4. Don’t Disturb a Dog
   When a dog is sleeping, chewing on anything, caring for her puppies or eating, it is bad idea to shock or disturb it.
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