Have you heard our pets talking about it over the fence?

It's ALL SMILES in this month's newsletter as we get our teeth into Dental Health month. There are lots of great opportunities to keep your pets smiling and those pearly whites healthy. We're celebrating 10 years of Dental Health Awareness with a FREE Dental checkup for your pet.  Just like you, your pets need dental care too so join our Smile File and get the thumbs up on your pet's dental health.

In this month's edition you can read about Harry's day at the dentist, learn how to make your pet smile by treating them to a pet food that acts like a toothbrush, and get a FREE collectable mug when you purchase Hills Science Diet Oral Care or Prescription t/d.

We also discuss the risk of letting your guard down over winter on your pet's parasite treatment. Its not just your pets that love warm cozy places in winter.  And just because it's winter don't be fooled into thinking your pet is safe from Ticks. We warn of the coming onslaught of the tick season, having already seen some unusually potent cases in JULY!!!  

One of the biggest threats to dog and cat health is staring right at us - it's dental health. Smelly breath is not just unpleasant; it means the mouth is infected. With 85% of dogs and cats over the age of 3 having dental disease [called Periodontal Disease or POD], this is a serious national issue. To help combat this, the veterinary profession created Pet Dental Health Month in August to promote better tooth and gum care.

Most of us have grown up thinking smelly breath from dogs and cats was normal. It's actually a modern phenomenon. Processed foods and not enough chewing contribute to poor dental health. Gums become infected and teeth eventually fall out. The infection is painful and can cause bacteria to spread to other organs, such as the heart and kidneys, causing further disease that will shorten a pet's life.

3 things you can do to stop dental disease:

1. Have your pet's teeth checked in August - call us for an appointment.
2. Begin home care - use of a specially formulated food or regular brushing of teeth will help prevent the onset of dental disease.
3. Regular checks - we recommend annual, or more frequent dental checks for dogs and cats. This allows us to detect problems early leading to better outcomes and healthier teeth.

Hill's Science Diet Oral Care and Hill's Prescription Diet t/d use natural fibres in a patented technology to scrub a pet's teeth like a toothbrush. For more information click here

Harry, a Maltese Terrier with smelly breath was having trouble eating and his owners brought him to us for a health check. His teeth were a mess! Plaque and tartar had built up and there was nasty inflammation of the gums (gingivitis).

The solution involved a ‘scale and polish' under a general anaesthetic, a procedure that allows us to properly visualise what's going on and to thoroughly remove plaque and tartar - especially from under his gums.

On closer inspection it was found that the plaque had damaged the structures surrounding one of Harry's molars. The tooth had become loose leading to pain and discomfort.

Using special instruments the gum was lifted and the tooth was sectioned so it could be entirely removed. Dissolving stitches were then placed to reposition the gum. Harry was given pain relief so he was comfortable when he woke from the anaesthetic. Antibiotics and soft, but not mushy food were necessary while his gums healed.

Harry's owner thought his recovery was remarkable. He was not only eating normally within a day, he was much brighter in himself. It was clear that the dental disease had been weighing him down. Harry's mouth healed well and he now has his teeth brushed twice a week to prevent the problem recurring.

As the days are shorter and cooler your pets will be looking for that warm cozy place to escape the winter chills.  Unfortunately your warm winter home can also harbour some unwelcome guests - Fleas love warm cozy places too.

An untreated pet coming into your home can be infected with fleas. These fleas can lay eggs which drop off into the home environment. What's more a nice warm home can create the ideal breeding environment for fleas, so they can continue to develop through their life cycle away from the winter cold.

You might think the colder winter months will bring some relief from fleas, but pets can pick up fleas from a variety of sources, summer or winter, all year round.  Fleas can then survive for months in the immature stages, waiting for the perfect conditions to emerge. You may have noticed a "bloom" of fleas for spring or a summer ambush when you return to your home after vacations. That's why its important to protect your pet and home from flea infestation by treating your pets all year round.

And just because its colder, it doesn't mean your pet is safe from other parasites. Heartworm is prevalent all year round, and TICKS are on the move now, as we discuss in our tick warning below.

Don't take the risk. Visit our clinic and ask our friendly staff for the best advice on keeping your pet's parasite free all year round. Your pets will love you for it!

During August and onwards we start to see paralysis tick cases. This is a general warning to be on the look out for ticks and to ensure you have a robust tick prevention programme in place.

The paralysis tick attaches to the pet and causes signs such as a cough, vomiting, or wobbly legs. If untreated, this can lead to coma and death. Treatment varies depending on each case but always involves the use of antivenene.

Preventing paralysis tick is ideal but difficult to do. It requires vigilance and regular treatments. You will need to search your pet every day and consider cutting the hair short for long haired breeds. Call us to discuss what's best for your pet to prevent paralysis tick.

The Vets at Nerang and Helensvale is a great place for your pet to get a "cool" new hair style. Our professional pet stylist, Lisa can get even the scruffiest coat looking great and smelling sweet. 

As the "cool times" continue, Lisa's advice is to ensure your pet will spring into spring and not be left with a winter mess. A short coat is especially important as our tick season starts and many of our pets are at risk from the potent paralysis tick as we saw in our warning above. Even though its cool, Lisa advises a full clip and a good cozy coat for warmth, then a regular bath, brush, blow-dry or even "the express" top to tail trim and tidy. Even though the coat doesn't grow as fast in winter, warm baths and brushing is important to maintain a good healthy coat. Matts and knots are painful, collect dirt and foreign matter and if left unattended can cause skin infections.

No more bad hair days for your pet this winter...Don't take the risk with ticks...Zoom in for a "cool times" Groom. Just call us for an appointment. Wishing, your pets the best in hair care.

We don't need to hibernate during the cooler winter months at Aquadog. More so, we "Get in the Swim" with some fun, therapeutic winter warm ups for your dog.

After a swim in our 28 degree heated pool, your pampered pooch can enjoy our do-it-yourself hydrobath and private drying room, equipped with a doggie blow-dryer and drying mats. So after some winter fun & fitness you can be assured they will be going home feeling warm, dry and looking great.

The Aquadog Health and Fitness Centre is a fun, safe and warm place for your pets to swim this winter. The heated pool, drying room, hydrobath and temperature controlled environment makes it the ideal winter fitness facility for your dog.

The proven benefits to heart, muscles and joints are terrific for dogs of all ages. Is your dog in the swim?? Don't miss out this winter. For more information click here

Call our friendly team at Aquadog on 5502-2444 to arrange an introductory swim NOW.

Hill's* Prescription Diet* Canine j/d has a unique formula for the management of arthritis in dogs. For more information click here.

Anytime your pet emits an odd odour, it's worth investigating. Ears are a common source of ugly smells, which often means infection. Infected ears are painful and so quick action is sensible and appreciated by your pet.

Ears get infected for various reasons: their droopy shape creates a greenhouse like environment that bugs like to live in, hairs can clog the canal and limit ventilation or allergies can affect the skin lining the ear canal, making the ear more susceptible to infection.

In addition to bad smells, other signs of a sore ear include:
1. Scratching at the ears
2. The ear canal, normally smooth and pink, is covered in dark muck
3. Head tilted to one side
4. Grumpy when patted around the head

If we find an infected ear, pathology tests can tell us which bug is the problem. Once this is identified, the correct treatment can be prescribed and most conditions can be solved with ear drops.

Puppy Preschool is where we "Love, Listen, Laugh and Learn". It's a fun way for puppies and families to learn all the skills required for a rewarding life together. Under the expert guidance of our qualified nurses, families can enjoy being involved in developing their new puppy's social skills to ensure they become polite and well behaved canine citizens. Classes are held once a week for 4 weeks 6.30 - 7.30pm at our Nerang, Helensvale and Arundel Clinics. To join our next class, please call the location that suits your family and ask our friendly staff for more details.

Our 4 week program includes a puppy water safety class at our indoor swimming facility, AquaDog Health & Fitness Centre. For more information click here.

Congratulations to our recent graduates of our Puppy Preschool classes:
At Nerang:
Class in progress. Graduates listed next newsletter

At Helensvale:
Class commenced  16.6.08
Harrison Dean, Cha Cha Shanta, Samson McLaughlin, Ellie Willmott, Boo Harrison-Miller, Sniff Harrison-Miller, Benson Cresswell, Murphy Harden.

Thank you to all the enthusiastic puppy preschoolers and their dedicated parents for sharing the experience with lots of love and laughter.