Dental Care for your dog
March 2013
"Eeewwww! Your breath stinks!" These are words that many dog owners say, which can actually be a warning sign about their dog's dental health. The odour is caused by bacteria in the mouth which can cause many painful problems for your dog. Not only does poor dental health cause pain, tooth loss, periodontal disease, and gum disease but can also cause heart disease and kidney disease as the bacteria travels through the dogs body.
One of the best ways to help prevent major problems is to brush your dog's teeth daily. It only takes 24-48 hours for plaque to harden into calculus which then needs more than a toothbrush to remove it. Giving your dog things they can chew on is very helpful for their teeth and gums. During your dog's wellness check-up every 6-12 months is a great time to discuss any concerns with your vet. Your vet can provide a full evaluation as well as the dental services your dog may need. Many products are available for home care to help between vet visits such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, oral rinses, dental chews and water additives. There is also several anesthetic free teeth cleaning services where your dog can have his/her teeth cleaned without being knocked out. For more information ask the Ola Puppy Team and remember, there are no doggie dentures, so help keep your dog's mouth healthy and happy!
Removing undercoat
September 2013
Correctly removing undercoat from your dog is very important. The solution to cooling down your dog in warm weather is not necessary shaving him. Larger breeds often have a thick undercoat and once removed your dog will feel much cooler and his skin will be able to breathe. This thick coat is removed using several methods such as a rake, slicker brush and much combing! After the undercoat is removed it is much easier to bath your dog and have him thoroughly washed down to the skin. If you have any questions please ask any of our well trained Ola Puppy team!
Allergies? Or yeast overgrowth?
October 2013
Candida is a type of yeast that is a normal part of healthy gut and intestinal flora that is normally kept in balance and under control by healthy and helpful probiotic bacteria. Quite often though, a combination of a weakened immune system, poor quality processed diets full of grains and sugars, and the use of antibiotics can lead to an imbalance and eventually a yeast overgrowth in our bodies as well as our pets.
A candida dog will suffer from skin and ear infections, greasy coat, itching and redness, hair loss, they often even smell sweet and ‘yeasty’. Usually blamed on some sort of allergy, antibiotics and antihistamines/steroids are prescribed, and a special veterinary formula kibble is recommended to help bring relief of the ‘allergy’ symptoms.
The antibiotic does its job and there is improvement for a little while but, much to the frustration of the dog and his owner, the infection comes back!
The most important thing when treating a candida dog is to strengthen the immune system naturally with a nutritious diet. There is mountains of information available to pet owners about the benefits of raw food diets, but if raw is not for you a quality grain free kibble is still a step in the right direction. As far as supplementation, an extra virgin coconut oil and a daily probiotic supplement for pets is going to be a helpful addition to the food bowl. It is important to realize that antibiotics work to wipe out infections, but they also wipe out all the good guys that keep the belly in balance. This allows nasties like candida to flourish, often creating a vicious cycle of recurring infections! Coconut oil has many health benefits and uses, it is going to be helpful for treating a candida dog because it is a source of caprylic acid, an antifungal, which is going to work internally to destroy that overgrowth of yeast. As the yeast dies off, it is important to work on replenishing those good guys, get that gut back in balance and prevent this issue from ever returning, which is why a probiotic is necessary. Feeding the two separately is best!
Something to consider when doing any kind of cleanse with your pet, and making a switch to a healthier (preferably raw) diet is the detox reactions. Negative reactions like lethargy, skin flare ups, gunky eyes, bad breath and body odour are all signs these changes are working and your friend is going through a detox. Don't panic! Stick to your guns, in 7-10 days (sometimes longer, sometimes less) these symptoms should pass and you’ll find a healthier and happier, more comfortable pet!
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