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Longwood Veterinary Clinic Blog

Pets and Presidents

Posted by: Team on 02/21/2012

Happy President's Day!

Pets have long kept our Presidents company. From George Washington's horse to Barack Obama's dog, these unelected White House residents have been among the most popular members of America's First Families.

Play this Presidential Pets Trivia with us to celebrate President's Day.   

 

  • What president had a dog who pulled off the French Ambassador's pants at a White  House event?

Ulysses S. Grant    Teddy Roosevelt     Woodrow Wilson

 

Roosevelt's pit bull, Pete, horrified White House guests by tearing off the ambassador's pants with his teeth.

　

  • What assassinated president had a dog who was murdered?

Abraham Lincoln     William McKinley    John F. Kennedy

 

Lincoln's mutt, Fido, was stabbed to death by a drunk in the street a year after Lincoln was assassinated.

　

  • What Cold War-era president housed four "pupniks" after his dog had a Soviet romance?

John F. Kennedy     Gerald Ford     Jimmy Carter

　

Kennedy's terrier, Charlie, mated with Pushinka, daughter of Sputnik dog-in-space Laika.

　

  • What president ordered a destroyer to retrace its route when he learned his dog had been left behind?

Harry S. Truman     Franklin D. Roosevelt      Dwight D. Eisenhower

 

Roosevelt had a destroyer turned around to fetch his Scottie, Fala, from the Aleutian Islands. The rescue cost taxpayers an estimated $15,000

　

  • What president caused public outcry when he picked up his beagle puppies by the ears?

Theodore Roosevelt     Herbert Hoover      Lyndon B. Johnson

 

A picture of Johnson lifting his beagles, Him and Her, by the ears was a front-page item in newspapers around the world. Johnson thought this was the correct way to pick up puppies.

　

  • What president had a spaniel whose doghouse was decorated with framed political photographs?

John F. Kennedy     Ronald Reagan      George H. W. Bush

 

Reagan's King Charles spaniel, Rex, had his own luxurious home.

　

  • What president said, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog"?

Franklin D. Roosevelt     Harry Truman     Bill Clinton

 

Harry Truman

  • What president claimed his dog Checkers was the only campaign gift he accepted?

Calvin Coolidge     Dwight D. Eisenhower      Richard Nixon

 

"The kids love the dog, and we're going to keep it," Nixon said of the black-and-white cocker spaniel.

　

  • What president had 36 dogs but would not let his slaves keep dogs?

George Washington     John Adams     Thomas Jefferson

 

Washington had 36 foxhounds, but feared that if his slaves had dogs, the slaves' dogs might harass his sheep.

　

  • What president had a dog who sat in his own hand-carved chair during cabinet meetings?

James Buchanan     Rutherford B. Hayes     Warren Harding

 

Harding's Airedale Laddie Boy had not only his own chair, but his own valet.

 

 

 

Oral Diseases - Facts

Posted by: Team on 02/17/2012

Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets

An astounding 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS).

Periodontal disease is a common problem in dogs, particularly smaller breeds.

Cats can develop painful resorptive lesions. Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.

 

Oral disease begins with a buildup of bacteria in the pet´s mouth

Bacteria, combined with saliva and food debris between the tooth and gum, can cause plaque formulations that accumulate on the tooth. As bacteria grow in the plaque and as calcium salts are deposited, plaque turns to tartar.

Bacterial plaque is the most important substrate in the development of periodontal disease. The inflammation and destruction that accompanies periodontal disease results from the direct action of bacteria and their by-products on periodontal tissues as well as the indirect activation of the pet's immune response.

Without proper preventive or therapeutic care, plaque and tartar buildup leads to periodontal disease, which affects the tissues and structures supporting the teeth. Left untreated, periodontal disease can cause oral pain, dysfunction, tooth loss and systemic complications.

Tartar has a contributory role due to its roughened surface, which enhances bacterial attachment and further plaque development, and also irritates gingival tissues.

 

Periodontitis may lead to other health problems

Periodontal disease causes red, swollen and tender gums, receding gums, bleeding, pain and bad breath. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss.

The inflammation and infection associated with periodontal disease may damage other organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys, or lead to other serious health problems.

 

 

Dental Facts

Posted by: Team on 02/15/2012

Dog Dental Facts

Puppies have 28 temporary teeth that erupt at about three to four weeks of age. They have 42 permanent teeth that begin to emerge at about four months.

Symptoms of gum disease in dogs include yellow and brown build-up of tartar along the gum line, inflamed gums and persistent bad breath.

Broken teeth are a common problem, especially among outdoor dogs. According to veterinary dental experts, aggressive chewing on hard objects, such as commercially available cow hooves, is a primary cause of broken teeth in dogs.

Cat Dental Facts

Kittens have 26 temporary teeth that begin to erupt at about two to three weeks of age. They have 30 permanent teeth that erupt at about three to four months.

Symptoms of periodontal disease in cats include yellow and brown tartar buildup along the gum line, red inflamed gums, and persistent bad breath.

Resorptive lesions are the most common tooth disease in domestic cats. Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.

 

 

How to brush your pet's teeth - Step by Step.

Posted by: Team on 02/10/2012

Just like in humans, dental care is an important part of your pet’s overall health. imagesCAAL2772

Here’s a step-by-step guide to keeping those chompers sparkling white at home.

1- Start brushing your pet’s teeth early—8 to 12 weeks old is best. If you brush every day, your pet will become familiar with the routine when their permanent teeth erupt. Please note: You may need to stop brushing while your pet loses her baby teeth. Her mouth will be a bit sore and handling may cause more pain. Continue once all permanent teeth come in.

2- Work with your pet’s mouth. Be patient and make it fun. Use love and praise, and try to practice at the same time each day to establish a routine. Choose a quiet time, such as late in the evening. Or, if your pet is highly motivated by food, try just before dinner so she’ll be rewarded for her cooperation.

3- Handle your pet’s muzzle and touch her lips. Work up to rubbing the teeth and gums

with your finger.  Put a few drops of water flavored with low-sodium chicken or beef bouillon for dogs and tuna juice for cats in your pet’s mouth and she’ll begin to look forward to these sessions.

4- Rub the teeth gently with a washcloth or a piece of gauze wrapped around the end of your finger and soaked with bouillon- or tuna flavored water.

5- Finally, use a finger brush or a soft veterinary toothbrush to brush the teeth using the bouillon water or tuna juice. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the tooth and brush gently back and forth or in a circular pattern from gum to tip. Brushing the tongue side of the teeth is less critical, but still good. Offer rewards and treats when your pet allows you to brush.

6- Consider other dental aids. A large selection of veterinary toothpastes, oral rinses, and gels are available to you. Our team can help you select the right one for you and your pet. These products all enhance your home care program, but daily brushing is best. Avoid human toothpaste because fluoride and detergents can be harmful if swallowed. Hydrogen peroxide can be harsh on the gums and shouldn’t be swallowed either. Baking soda has high sodium content and should be avoided in older pets.

7- Pick kibble and rubber chew toys that will help keep the teeth clean. Avoid natural bones, which are hard enough to fracture teeth. Our veterinary team can recommend a complete and balanced professional diet to use at feeding time and as a treat.

Please don’t hesitate to call us, we are here to help!

 

 

 
 

Parvo outbreak.

Posted by: Team on 02/08/2012

Thinking about enjoying the weather this weekend by taking a trip with your pup?? Think again if your destination is Southwest Florida.  Around 20 cases of Parvo have been reported in Lee County in recent weeks and at least two canine deaths have been attributed to the outbreak.

The disease is passed from dog to dog after contact with feces from an infected dog or through contaminated dirt or surfaces (for example, a kid petting several dogs at a park without washing his/her hands between pups).

Symptoms of Parvo disease could be any of the following: lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and fever.

However, since you cannot prevent anyone from coming to our area, what you can do is guarantee that your beloved pooch is protected. Make sure your dog had a recent DAPP or DHPP vaccine, also known as "Distemper Combo" in the last three years or if you have a pup, certify that he or she is not due for any booster. This is the age when they are most susceptible to infections.

If you are not sure about their vaccines, log into your pet portal at www.longwoodvet.com and make sure your dog is safe and sound.

 

 

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