Petsmu

If you have a pet pooch, you’re probably already familiar with the benefits of dog ownership. Owning a dog means that you get to form a loving relationship that will last for years to come. Dogs can enrich the lives of individuals and families alike, improving emotional and psychological health, as well as increasing overall happiness and satisfaction.

But did you know that pet ownership has been proven to have beneficial physical effects? One of the most appealing of these is that dogs can lead to lower blood pressure. Because the stress of a job can lead to high blood pressure, this effect can be a good way to reduce work-related stress. Many employers recognize this and are starting to allow their workers to bring their dogs to the office. Before you start, however, you should remember the following tips:

1. Your dog should be well-behaved and social. Bringing your dog to the office will only be successful if he gets along with people and other dogs. You’re still working, after all, so your pet can’t interfere with your business.

If your dog does start acting up, just take him for a walk. This will tire him out and calm him down. Try a long walk before work and a quick game of fetch at lunch. If you don’t have the time, hire someone who does. And remember: regular bathroom breaks are a must!

2. You need to bring the essentials. If you’re bringing your dog to the office, he’s going to need bowls for food and water, a few toys to keep him busy (avoid noisemakers), a blanket for napping, grooming tools, and a few treats. Don’t forget the gear to clean up accidents, just in case.

3. You need to set boundaries. Your dog needs to stay in your space. Some people are afraid of, allergic to, or dislike dogs, and especially in a business setting, you need to respect their rights. You could tie his leash to your desk, use a pet gate or kennel, or simply close your door.

Not everyone has the good fortune of being able to enjoy the workday in the company of their beloved pet, so if you’re one of the lucky ones, be thankful! You should also remember that your dog will need time to get used to the new situation. Allow for this so that you will both be able to enjoy your time together, and soon your dog will be loving the attention he gets from all his new friends at the office.

About the author: Ian Spellfield, an occasionally frustrated pet owner, tests and reviews cat urine removal products at his blog Urine Off Reviews.
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

February is pet dental health awareness month. Nearly 85% of our pets over the age of 7 already have dental disease and some suffer silently.

Periodontal disease is the most common dental disease affecting our pets and develops when the bacteria in the mouth mix with the mucin in the saliva and forms a white, sticky substance called plaque. If the plaque is not removed on a daily basis either by brushing or by mechanical means, such as dental chews, the bacteria adds minerals from the saliva and forms a hard substance called tartar.

The tartar is not easily removed once deposited on the tooth. The bacteria then continues to spread, creating by-products and toxins that began to irritate the gum and slowly works its way between the gum and the tooth. The by-products then begin to eat away at the bony structure holding the tooth in the socket, loosening the tooth and infecting the gum and tissue. The bacteria can now enter the blood stream, showering the body and causing infections in the heart valves, kidneys and other major organs.

Signs of dental disease can include excessive drooling, dropping food when eating, eating on one side of mouth, pain when eating or a foul odor coming from the mouth. Some dogs do not exhibit any outward signs until the disease is well advanced.

What can you do to help keep your pet’s mouth healthy?

1. Brush your pet’s teeth. It is best to begin getting your pet used to brushing when they are still young. Start by lifting the lips and giving a treat when they oblige. Put toothpaste designed for pets on your finger and rub it on their teeth. As you and your pet progress, you can start using a toothbrush. Do not use human toothpaste. It has fluoride in it that can be toxic when swallowed. I have yet to teach a pet to rinse and spit. In older pets, a dental exam should be done before you start to brush. If there is already some dental disease present, fractured teeth or exposed nerves, the brushing will be very painful for the pet.

2. Use dental chews that are designed to help remove the plaque. CET chew, Greenies and Enzadent chews are examples of chews made to remove the plaque and tartar. Do not use real bones, cow hooves or other really hard products. These can result in fracturing the teeth.

3. There are special diets available that are also designed to promote dental health. Ask your veterinarian which one they recommend.

4. Bring your pet in for an annual dental exam by your veterinarian. If there is significant amount of tartar visible on the teeth, there is a good amount beneath the gum-line not visible. It may be time for a professional prophylaxis by your veterinarian. Once the teeth are cleaned, it is then up to you to keep them that way.

What is involved in a dental prophylaxis?

The pet prophylaxis and a human prophylaxis have many commonalities. The main difference is a thorough pet prophylaxis involves general anesthesia.
The anesthesia used in veterinary medicine today is a lot safer and can be done on older pets.

Pre-anesthetic blood work is recommended to screen for underlying diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease.

An intra-venous catheter is inserted for administration of fluids and medications.

The pet is then intubated with an endotracheal tube and maintained on gas anesthetic and oxygen. A cuff on the tube is inflated to keep fluids from the mouth from entering the lungs and to maintain the proper flow of anesthetic and oxygen.

A pulse oximeter is used to monitor the oxygen saturation, heart rate and breathing.

Radiographs are then taken to view the roots for any problems that cannot be seen on visual inspection. The mouth is also examined closely for any tumors or other defects.

The teeth are then cleaned with an ultrasound dental scaler. A broad tip is used to get the bulk of the tartar off the main part of the tooth. A very thin tip is used to go beneath the gum and clean what can not be seen.

A periodontal probe is then inserted around the tooth checking for any sub-gingival pockets that may need further treatment with antibiotic gel.

Teeth with significant disease are extracted. If desired, some teeth can be saved with extensive salvage techniques such as root planing, root canals and crowns. Veterinary dentists with specialized training can perform these procedures if the owner desires. Because of the cost and after care needed for these procedures, the tooth is sometimes extracted. Pets with significant amount of dental disease do much better without the diseased teeth than with them.

The main point is to start preventative maintenance earlier to avoid the extractions.

Once the teeth are scaled and the diseased teeth are treated, the tooth surface is then polished, just like human dentistries. The polishing also makes a smooth surface to slow down the plaque from sticking to the teeth.

The teeth are then treated with fluoride to help strengthen the enamel.

The veterinarian will then recommend to apply Oravet to the teeth. Oravet also coats the tooth and keeps plaque from sticking to the tooth. The Oravet must then be applied on a weekly basis by the owner for it to be effective.

Antibiotics are also given and sent home to help with the infection. Depending on the amount of dental work performed, pain medication may also be given and sent home.

Once home, it is up to the owner to take care of the teeth to keep them healthy.

Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian and develop a dental health plan for your pet. A healthy mouth makes for a healthy and happy pet.

About the author: Dr. Debra Garrison is a veterinarian and owns a small animal hospital in Spring, Texas. Her goal is to promote the bond between pets, their owners and their veterinarians,the other family doctor. Visit her clinic website at www.tvet.com.
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

The idea of having a pet is an idea that many people consider but they rarely take the various needs of their new pet into account when they start the process to adopt this pet. These people will just see about adopting any pet that they see in pet stores and at the pet shelters that look cute. It is only when the animal adoption process is finished and they have taken the new family member home, that they are confronted by the reality of their having adopted an animal.

For this reason and many others when you decide to adopt any type of pet you should see if you have the ability to take of that pet. There are many different animals that can be considered as pets. These pets are generally dogs, guinea pigs, cats, parrots, rabbits, hamsters, and different varieties of fresh water fish and saltwater fish.

While these are the main types of animal adoption pets that people consider having as companions or just plain pets, there are other exotic pets that some people think would be appropriate as pets. These types of pets include snakes, turtles, other reptiles and hawks, and even lion cubs.

Regardless of the type of animal that you may consider owning there are certain factors that need to be thought of before you go through with an animal adoption procedure. These factors will include the animal’s emotional state, mental state and the physical condition of this animal once you have taken the animal to your home.

While you may think that owning a pet is easy there are many requirements that your new pet will need seen to. As these various animals have different temperaments and requirements for their happiness and health, you will need to talk with an animal veterinarian or staff at animals shelters to understand the various needs of your new pet.

In an animal adoption you are taking home a pet whose likes and dislikes are already probably well established. These likes and dislikes will extend even to their dietary requirements. When you are looking into the types of food that are suitable for your new pet you should understand what are the foods that will provide them with a good nutritious meal.

These many facts are needed to be thought of when you are looking into an animal adoption. Even though there are lots of pets who need a home and lots of love you have to be suitable for their future needs and happiness. So until you are sure about giving a 100% of your time and attention to these animals you may want to wait a while before you adopt a pet.

About the author: Muna wa Wanjiru is a web administrator and has been researching and reporting on internet marketing for years. For more information on animal adoption, visit his site at ANIMAL ADOPTION
Source: http://www.free-article-zone.com