Barb's Bits

Last month I walked Sandy along West Beach on a stormy Sunday morning. With the beach to Glenelg cut off by the incoming tide, we headed towards Semaphore, and Sandy was delighted with the wind, the waves, and the whole chaotic feel of the morning.

Sandy reached the swollen storm water channel before I did. Seeing two friendly Retrievers on the other side, she boldly plunged in, making it about half way across before the current started taking her out to sea.

Confused, she turned back towards where I was standing on the channel’s edge, into the current. With the incoming waves surging against the outgoing storm runoff, Sandy made poor headway. She was now 15 metres off shore and 30 metres away, eyes fixed on me, her head hidden from my sight every second or so by the choppy water, and I had to make a decision – do I hope that she makes it, do I risk her drowning, or do I go in to help her?

What would you do? I dumped my wallet, keys and phone on the shore and plunged in, boots and all, to reach her. The water only came up to the top of my thighs, but even so, it still almost knocked me over.

I was sodden, shaken and relieved, but Sandy thought it was super-exciting – no chance she has learnt anything from that experience!!

There is a sneaky disease that likes to hide in your pet's mouth. It is called dental disease and as many as 8 in 10 pets may be under its curse.

Dental disease is caused by food particles and bacteria that build up around the teeth. This causes irritation of the gum and leads to an inflammatory condition called gingivitis.

Eventually the tooth's attachments start to break down and the disease becomes irreversible - affecting your pet's entire health.

Things you might notice at home:

• Bad breath
• Shying away when the mouth is touched
• Drooling or dropping food from the mouth
• Bleeding from the mouth
• A loss of appetite or weight loss 

If your pet will allow it, gently open his mouth and have a smell! Look inside for red and swollen gums or a yellow-brown crust of tartar around the gum line. Sometimes the problems aren’t as obvious and an anaesthetic is needed for more a thorough exam.

Dental disease is a great example of why regular check ups with us are important. There are well known links between dental disease and kidney and heart disease. If we can pick up on dental disease early, we can implement a dental disease prevention plan are often able to prevent further damage to your pet's teeth and health. We want to give you and your pet something to smile about! 

With winter in full swing, here are a few hazards to watch out for: 

Frozen water: It may get so cold overnight that your pet’s water bowl may freeze over. This can burn your pet's tongue when they go for a drink in the morning - remember to check your pet’s water every morning on these frosty days!

Heater hazards: Don’t let your pet sit too close to the fire or heater - he can singe his fur or even burn his nose!

Coats and clothing:  A coat might be a good idea for pets that have been clipped or are old and feel the cold, but be aware that most pet clothing is unnecessary and impedes an animal’s ability to regulate his own temperature. Never leave your pet clothed and unattended as he may overheat. (It is not even recommended in the chilly UK - see here)

Who is hiding under the bonnet?: Cats (and other critters) might find a nice warm spot under your car bonnet on a cold night so always turn on your car engine and leave it running for a while before heading off just to be sure.

Anti-freeze:  If you are heading to the snow fields and are using anti-freeze in your car, make sure it is out of your pet’s reach. Dogs especially like the initial taste of anti-freeze but it is highly poisonous.

We love this dog's reaction when the music stops. It goes to show that our pets love to listen to tunes too! Have you ever thought about leaving the radio on for your pet while you are out? Not only will it pass the time, it may help your dog feel less lonely.