We will be having some fun dog events in March!
Dog sports are a passion at All-Pets. Dr Berge like drafting with her big furry Berners, Rachel loves clicker training and Sara exhibits Kendyll regularly in obedience and rally.
To get us all ready for "dog spring training" we will be hosting some extra fun dog events.
On March 14, join Dr. Berge for a seminar on Running With Your Dog. This will be held during packet pickup for the Leprechaun Chase. It will be at the Animal Rescue League Main from noon to 12:30. Dr. Berge will talk about selecting the correct dog for running, training for running with your dog, proper equipment and canine conditioning.
On March 22, the Heartland Bernese Mt Dog Club will be hosting an event at Cherry Glen Recreation area at Saylorville Lake. We are optimistically planning on doing outdoor training in draft and obedience. The event will start at 2 pm. Everyone is invited to train dogs at all levels of experience, watch dogs work draft or just talk dogs. We will have some adorable Bernese Mt Dog puppies there to socialize, so all are welcome!
We are all looking forward to spring and hope to see you out with your dogs!
Friday, March 7, 2014
Friday, January 24, 2014
Dental disease
What are the two most common diseases of dogs & cats in the U.S.?
You guessed it: obesity & periodontal disease.
Neither of these seems immediately life threatening, but both contribute to ill health & decrease life span in dogs and cats, as well as people.
Most pets have some degree of periodontal disease. This occurs when the daily accumulation of plaque isn't removed, and hardens & forms calculus. Calculus & plaque cause the gum tissue to become inflamed & reactive. This inflammation of the area where the teeth & gums meets is called periodontitis.
Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss, dental abscesses, pain & bad breath.
Often with pets, we first notice the bad breath. Because they can't talk, they won't complain about a tooth ache or loose tooth. The teeth must be severely diseased before dental disease affects appetite. Dogs & cats just chew around the bad tooth. So, bad breath is often the first sign of problems.
Pets should have daily dental care & routine dental cleanings, just like we do. Brushing is ideal. Some pets accept this readily, but some do not. We can show you how to brush your pet's teeth, or how to use sprays & rinses when brushing is too difficult.
Routine dental cleanings in the pet do require a general anesthesia. Anesthesia is generally well tolerated, but risks should be discussed with you and your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can advise you when your pet is in need of a dental prophylaxis or extractions by means of a simple dental exam.
February is Pet Dental Health Month, so bring your pet to All-Pets today for a FREE dental exam. Call us at 515-262-8535 or 515-244-0447.
You guessed it: obesity & periodontal disease.
Neither of these seems immediately life threatening, but both contribute to ill health & decrease life span in dogs and cats, as well as people.
Most pets have some degree of periodontal disease. This occurs when the daily accumulation of plaque isn't removed, and hardens & forms calculus. Calculus & plaque cause the gum tissue to become inflamed & reactive. This inflammation of the area where the teeth & gums meets is called periodontitis.
Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss, dental abscesses, pain & bad breath.
Often with pets, we first notice the bad breath. Because they can't talk, they won't complain about a tooth ache or loose tooth. The teeth must be severely diseased before dental disease affects appetite. Dogs & cats just chew around the bad tooth. So, bad breath is often the first sign of problems.
Pets should have daily dental care & routine dental cleanings, just like we do. Brushing is ideal. Some pets accept this readily, but some do not. We can show you how to brush your pet's teeth, or how to use sprays & rinses when brushing is too difficult.
Routine dental cleanings in the pet do require a general anesthesia. Anesthesia is generally well tolerated, but risks should be discussed with you and your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can advise you when your pet is in need of a dental prophylaxis or extractions by means of a simple dental exam.
February is Pet Dental Health Month, so bring your pet to All-Pets today for a FREE dental exam. Call us at 515-262-8535 or 515-244-0447.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Pet Dental Health Month
February is Pet Dental Health Month, so lets talk about teeth!
Dogs & cats teeth differ from humans (so do rabbit teeth & that's another story). Dogs & cats are more carnivorous than people so their teeth are more pointy & vary more in shape. But, dogs & cats get many of the same dental diseases as people: their baby teeth sometimes don't fall out, they have abnormal bites, they occasionally get cavities, and most significantly they have plaque & calculus just like people.
Most pets have two sets of teeth: deciduous or baby teeth & adult teeth. Baby teeth erupt between 3 & 6 weeks of age and adult teeth between 4 & 6 months of age. The baby teeth fall out at starting around 4 months of age & adult teeth come in. Adult dentition is complete by 6 months. We can easily tell how old a pet is up to the age of 6 months. After that it becomes much more difficult. Pet baby teeth that remain in the mouth after the pet is 6 months of age should be extracted.
Abnormal bites are common & even accepted in some breeds. The boxer & shih tzu should have an underbite, wherein the bottom jaw & incisors protrudes beyond the top teeth. Abnormal bites in dogs & cats are usually not corrected with braces as they are in children. Having a abnormal bite can lead to more severe periodontal disease & sometimes even tooth loss. The truly correct bite in the dog is a scissors bite where the front incisors lay just over the bottom.
Cavities or dental caries are uncommon in dogs, but common in cats & people. In cats, they cause pain & tooth loss. Most teeth with cavities in the cat should be extracted. Fillings don't usually last very long in cats. We don't know what causes cavities in cats. We don't think it's related to a sugary diet or drinking pop! Most likely there are genetic factors in the cat that lead to cavities, just as there are in people.
Tomorrow, we will talk about plaque, calculus & periodontal disease & what you can do to keep your pets mouth healthy.
In honor of Pet Dental Health Month, All-Pets Hospital is offering complimentary dental exams & 20% off all dental services. Call us today to schedule! 515-262-8535 or 515-244-0447.
Dogs & cats teeth differ from humans (so do rabbit teeth & that's another story). Dogs & cats are more carnivorous than people so their teeth are more pointy & vary more in shape. But, dogs & cats get many of the same dental diseases as people: their baby teeth sometimes don't fall out, they have abnormal bites, they occasionally get cavities, and most significantly they have plaque & calculus just like people.
Most pets have two sets of teeth: deciduous or baby teeth & adult teeth. Baby teeth erupt between 3 & 6 weeks of age and adult teeth between 4 & 6 months of age. The baby teeth fall out at starting around 4 months of age & adult teeth come in. Adult dentition is complete by 6 months. We can easily tell how old a pet is up to the age of 6 months. After that it becomes much more difficult. Pet baby teeth that remain in the mouth after the pet is 6 months of age should be extracted.
Abnormal bites are common & even accepted in some breeds. The boxer & shih tzu should have an underbite, wherein the bottom jaw & incisors protrudes beyond the top teeth. Abnormal bites in dogs & cats are usually not corrected with braces as they are in children. Having a abnormal bite can lead to more severe periodontal disease & sometimes even tooth loss. The truly correct bite in the dog is a scissors bite where the front incisors lay just over the bottom.
Cavities or dental caries are uncommon in dogs, but common in cats & people. In cats, they cause pain & tooth loss. Most teeth with cavities in the cat should be extracted. Fillings don't usually last very long in cats. We don't know what causes cavities in cats. We don't think it's related to a sugary diet or drinking pop! Most likely there are genetic factors in the cat that lead to cavities, just as there are in people.
Tomorrow, we will talk about plaque, calculus & periodontal disease & what you can do to keep your pets mouth healthy.
In honor of Pet Dental Health Month, All-Pets Hospital is offering complimentary dental exams & 20% off all dental services. Call us today to schedule! 515-262-8535 or 515-244-0447.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Holiday travel
Are you traveling this holiday season?
How does this impact your furred & feathered kids?
Well, even your scaly ones..............most fish and reptiles do great if left at home. If gone for more than a few days, have a neighbor or friend come and check on these guys. Make sure not to change the thermostat too much. Ambient temperatures are very important for management of most caged pets.
Small furry friends can often handle 1-2 days by themselves. Make sure caged mammals have plenty of food and water or have a friend come check them daily.
Cats and rabbits can also do well at home, but generally a daily visit to clean litterboxes & replenish food is warranted. Some cats do best if someone sleeps at the house. My orange kitties, Heather, Roland & Antoine, would probably not be able to handle more than a day without a lap!
House bunnies and cats handle cold ok, and most rabbits actually prefer colder temperatures than we do, so this is a time you could turn down thermostats.
Now dogs are a different story! Most dogs left to their own devices for more than 12 hours, just get themselves in trouble. Even if paper or litter trained, the average dog couldn't handle that much alone time without chewing something, scratching something or just going a little stir crazy.
With such a social species, boarding, daycare or a housesitter are the best options for leaving your dog. Or how about taking them? Many hotels allow dogs, and if properly crate trained & socialized, dogs are good travelers. Bring a crate along---dogs look at their crate as a portable bedroom, where they can sleep & relax in a familiar surroundings.
If you board your dog, find a reputable kennel or ask your veterinarian. At All-Pets Hospital on Second Ave, we provide large kennels or runs for the dogs and allow playtime outside in a fenced yard 4 times a day. Dogs with appropriate temperaments also get some playtime with the All-Pets pack. Our pack consists of 3-5 of our staff's dogs, ranging in size from Chihuahua Lobo to Berner Garbo. Our behavioral specialist, Rachel, always evaluates dogs in the pack to make choices on who gets along with who. She may even do some clicker training to add some skills to your dog's repertoire!
Of course, we also board cats, rabbits and even the occasional bird!
Call us at 515-262-8535 for more information.
How does this impact your furred & feathered kids?
Well, even your scaly ones..............most fish and reptiles do great if left at home. If gone for more than a few days, have a neighbor or friend come and check on these guys. Make sure not to change the thermostat too much. Ambient temperatures are very important for management of most caged pets.
Small furry friends can often handle 1-2 days by themselves. Make sure caged mammals have plenty of food and water or have a friend come check them daily.
Cats and rabbits can also do well at home, but generally a daily visit to clean litterboxes & replenish food is warranted. Some cats do best if someone sleeps at the house. My orange kitties, Heather, Roland & Antoine, would probably not be able to handle more than a day without a lap!
House bunnies and cats handle cold ok, and most rabbits actually prefer colder temperatures than we do, so this is a time you could turn down thermostats.
Now dogs are a different story! Most dogs left to their own devices for more than 12 hours, just get themselves in trouble. Even if paper or litter trained, the average dog couldn't handle that much alone time without chewing something, scratching something or just going a little stir crazy.
With such a social species, boarding, daycare or a housesitter are the best options for leaving your dog. Or how about taking them? Many hotels allow dogs, and if properly crate trained & socialized, dogs are good travelers. Bring a crate along---dogs look at their crate as a portable bedroom, where they can sleep & relax in a familiar surroundings.
If you board your dog, find a reputable kennel or ask your veterinarian. At All-Pets Hospital on Second Ave, we provide large kennels or runs for the dogs and allow playtime outside in a fenced yard 4 times a day. Dogs with appropriate temperaments also get some playtime with the All-Pets pack. Our pack consists of 3-5 of our staff's dogs, ranging in size from Chihuahua Lobo to Berner Garbo. Our behavioral specialist, Rachel, always evaluates dogs in the pack to make choices on who gets along with who. She may even do some clicker training to add some skills to your dog's repertoire!
Of course, we also board cats, rabbits and even the occasional bird!
Call us at 515-262-8535 for more information.
Monday, December 9, 2013
Christmas puppies?
We are starting to think a lot about Christmas.
In Iowa, it snowed yesterday & the temperature hasn't reached 15 degrees yet. Yes, it's cold............but that is expected in December. I love snow in December, not so much in February & March.
With this cold weather, come thoughts of Christmas & joyous times spent with friends & family.
We have some wonderful Christmas traditions: at All-Pets, we pick one day, usually the Thursday before Christmas and have games, food, drink & fun all day at work. That way no one has to fit another event into their busy schedule. We don't take any appointments, don't groom any dogs or do surgery. We will answer the phone & take emergencies. I don't see any way around that if we are going to have a party during work hours. Rachel's favorite event is stealing Santa. Everyone brings a gift & we can pick our gift from un-opened presents or take someone else's---if it strikes our fancy. We all enjoy loud board games, music and food all day.
For our family: each pet always gets one present, typically a toy. The dogs understand how to open the presents, with a little encouragement. The cats have not figured that out yet. We also go to the movies on Christmas eve. And we put up our Christmas tree! We are probably the last family in the United States to wait until Christmas eve. My husband's family always waited & he does insist. We always get an excellent price on our tree & since it's only up for about a week, the cats rarely knock it over.
Another Christmas tradition is to get a pet as a gift. When I was 9, all my dreams came true and Santa really did bring me a Christmas puppy. She was a cocker mix & I named her Crisi (for Christmas). She wasn't quite as smart as my expectations (Lassie set the bar pretty high), but she was a very sweet dog---good with kids & quite adorable.
My parents had thought long & hard about my wishes for a Christmas puppy & they made a good choice for the family: a small sweet dog, good with children. I showed a strong, consistent interest in dogs, & they also realized they would have to take care of the expense & help with her care.
It's not completely wrong to give a Christmas pet, but this should never be done on a whim. The receiver should sincerely want a pet. If a pet is given to a child, the parents need to be fully aware of the situation & understand that they (never the child) are the primary caregivers.
The best place to get a puppy or kitten is from a rescue group or quality breeder. Pet stores and commercial breeders are the most accessible, and often have more pets available at Christmas. You may get a wonderful, adorable pup from a pet store or commercial breeder. But, the real issue is finding out how the parents of that critter have been treated. Sometimes commercial breeders keep the dogs outside (even Chihuahuas & poodles), sometimes vet work isn't done, rarely are dental issues taken care of. These are questions you can ask when you buy a puppy: where does the mother live? how many dogs do you have? when did they last go to the vet? when was its last dental prophylaxis? All dogs should have regular checkups, and medical problems should be treated promptly. To most commercial breeders, dogs are commodities and they are not willing to invest money in quality vet care. The signs of a quality breeder: the dogs live in the house, the dogs see their vet regularly, the dogs have health testing done. Typically a high quality breeder will only have one breed that they are very invested in. Most good breeders wouldn't let you take a pup home right at Christmas. The pup would come to your house after the excitement of the holidays, when the focus could be on the puppy. With a quality breeder, you may need to wait for a puppy, but its worth it.
So, make sure to get your pets an extra toy or treat at Christmas & enjoy this wonderful, chilly time with friends & family.
In Iowa, it snowed yesterday & the temperature hasn't reached 15 degrees yet. Yes, it's cold............but that is expected in December. I love snow in December, not so much in February & March.
With this cold weather, come thoughts of Christmas & joyous times spent with friends & family.
We have some wonderful Christmas traditions: at All-Pets, we pick one day, usually the Thursday before Christmas and have games, food, drink & fun all day at work. That way no one has to fit another event into their busy schedule. We don't take any appointments, don't groom any dogs or do surgery. We will answer the phone & take emergencies. I don't see any way around that if we are going to have a party during work hours. Rachel's favorite event is stealing Santa. Everyone brings a gift & we can pick our gift from un-opened presents or take someone else's---if it strikes our fancy. We all enjoy loud board games, music and food all day.
For our family: each pet always gets one present, typically a toy. The dogs understand how to open the presents, with a little encouragement. The cats have not figured that out yet. We also go to the movies on Christmas eve. And we put up our Christmas tree! We are probably the last family in the United States to wait until Christmas eve. My husband's family always waited & he does insist. We always get an excellent price on our tree & since it's only up for about a week, the cats rarely knock it over.
Another Christmas tradition is to get a pet as a gift. When I was 9, all my dreams came true and Santa really did bring me a Christmas puppy. She was a cocker mix & I named her Crisi (for Christmas). She wasn't quite as smart as my expectations (Lassie set the bar pretty high), but she was a very sweet dog---good with kids & quite adorable.
My parents had thought long & hard about my wishes for a Christmas puppy & they made a good choice for the family: a small sweet dog, good with children. I showed a strong, consistent interest in dogs, & they also realized they would have to take care of the expense & help with her care.
It's not completely wrong to give a Christmas pet, but this should never be done on a whim. The receiver should sincerely want a pet. If a pet is given to a child, the parents need to be fully aware of the situation & understand that they (never the child) are the primary caregivers.
The best place to get a puppy or kitten is from a rescue group or quality breeder. Pet stores and commercial breeders are the most accessible, and often have more pets available at Christmas. You may get a wonderful, adorable pup from a pet store or commercial breeder. But, the real issue is finding out how the parents of that critter have been treated. Sometimes commercial breeders keep the dogs outside (even Chihuahuas & poodles), sometimes vet work isn't done, rarely are dental issues taken care of. These are questions you can ask when you buy a puppy: where does the mother live? how many dogs do you have? when did they last go to the vet? when was its last dental prophylaxis? All dogs should have regular checkups, and medical problems should be treated promptly. To most commercial breeders, dogs are commodities and they are not willing to invest money in quality vet care. The signs of a quality breeder: the dogs live in the house, the dogs see their vet regularly, the dogs have health testing done. Typically a high quality breeder will only have one breed that they are very invested in. Most good breeders wouldn't let you take a pup home right at Christmas. The pup would come to your house after the excitement of the holidays, when the focus could be on the puppy. With a quality breeder, you may need to wait for a puppy, but its worth it.
So, make sure to get your pets an extra toy or treat at Christmas & enjoy this wonderful, chilly time with friends & family.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Fall is here!
We are really enjoying the fall colors here in central Iowa. My yard is ablaze with beautiful maple foliage. Such a lovely fall makes outdoor activities with big dogs more fun.
Garbo (my Bernese Mt Dog) and I are running 3-4 times per week.
Garbo is crazy about it! And has gone as far as 7 miles last weekend on the Summerset Trail. During the week, we ran from our East Village veterinary office all the way to Gray's Lake.
Garbo is super fit. Don't ever run with your dog unless you have her checked by your veterinarian first. For more information on running with your dog, come to the ARL's Running With Your Dog Seminar. This will be held on November 16 at 1 pm at ARL Main. Guess who will be speaking? Yep, yours truly, plus some other people who know more about running. I suppose I will be considered the dog expert.
We are continuing to see lots of fleas, since we have had a warm fall. Don't forget to continue to use Frontline, Trifexis, or Revolution for flea control. Call your veterinarian if you are seeing fleas---veterinarians and their staff are expert at talking you through all the options for flea control.
A few events we are looking forward to:
The Wild Rose Film Festival tonight! We will be seeing Butter Cow Productions new short: "Co-Pay", starring Des Moines' Greg Anderson. This film, directed by Paul Berge, doesn't have any dogs in it, but does show the vagaries of customer service in human medicine. As veterinarians, we think we do a much better job. If you see the film, check out the radiographs in the nurse's scene. Maybe there is a dog in this film?
East Village Promenade November 22!
This kicks off the holidays in the East Village. All-Pets East Village will be having an open house with decorated windows, hot hard cider, cookies & treats for dogs and humans alike. Our dogs will also be at the information table in the Historical Building. Bernese Mt Dog, Garbo, Dalmatian, Cloud, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Kendyll, and Chihuahuas Lobo & Gulliver are excited about the holiday season in downtown Des Moines.
So, enjoy our lovely fall, before the snow flies and the rush of the holidays.
We are really enjoying the fall colors here in central Iowa. My yard is ablaze with beautiful maple foliage. Such a lovely fall makes outdoor activities with big dogs more fun.
Garbo (my Bernese Mt Dog) and I are running 3-4 times per week.
Garbo is crazy about it! And has gone as far as 7 miles last weekend on the Summerset Trail. During the week, we ran from our East Village veterinary office all the way to Gray's Lake.
Garbo is super fit. Don't ever run with your dog unless you have her checked by your veterinarian first. For more information on running with your dog, come to the ARL's Running With Your Dog Seminar. This will be held on November 16 at 1 pm at ARL Main. Guess who will be speaking? Yep, yours truly, plus some other people who know more about running. I suppose I will be considered the dog expert.
We are continuing to see lots of fleas, since we have had a warm fall. Don't forget to continue to use Frontline, Trifexis, or Revolution for flea control. Call your veterinarian if you are seeing fleas---veterinarians and their staff are expert at talking you through all the options for flea control.
A few events we are looking forward to:
The Wild Rose Film Festival tonight! We will be seeing Butter Cow Productions new short: "Co-Pay", starring Des Moines' Greg Anderson. This film, directed by Paul Berge, doesn't have any dogs in it, but does show the vagaries of customer service in human medicine. As veterinarians, we think we do a much better job. If you see the film, check out the radiographs in the nurse's scene. Maybe there is a dog in this film?
East Village Promenade November 22!
This kicks off the holidays in the East Village. All-Pets East Village will be having an open house with decorated windows, hot hard cider, cookies & treats for dogs and humans alike. Our dogs will also be at the information table in the Historical Building. Bernese Mt Dog, Garbo, Dalmatian, Cloud, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Kendyll, and Chihuahuas Lobo & Gulliver are excited about the holiday season in downtown Des Moines.
So, enjoy our lovely fall, before the snow flies and the rush of the holidays.
Friday, October 25, 2013
All-Pets staff is very excited about upcoming events for Halloween.
The Susan G Komen Race for the Cure will wend its way around our East Village office tomorrow. We won't be running this year---work beckons. If you do visit us in the East Village, use the parking garage behind our office (its the attached building), as street parking will be difficult.
Sunday is a big day! We start with the Spooky Paws Parade. All-Pets staff and dogs have big plans for the parade---think cold, think sinking ships & think icebergs. We are excited. The parade starts at 2 pm near Simon Estes amphitheater and ends with Jimmy John's sandwiches at Jett & Monkey's Dog Shoppe. This downtown Des Moines event guarantees fun for people & pets.
After the parade, Dr Berge heads to Osceola Iowa for a Sneak Peek film event for a film she produced with her husband. The short film, "Co-Pay", sheds light on the current state of health care in America. The film, directed by Paul Berge, stars the hilarious local actor, Greg Anderson.
Next Thursday, Halloween hits the East Village with candy, dog treats, and costumes at All-Pets East Village from 5-7 pm. Please bring your kids, both 2 legged and 4 legged.
We love the fall & we love Halloween!
The Susan G Komen Race for the Cure will wend its way around our East Village office tomorrow. We won't be running this year---work beckons. If you do visit us in the East Village, use the parking garage behind our office (its the attached building), as street parking will be difficult.
Sunday is a big day! We start with the Spooky Paws Parade. All-Pets staff and dogs have big plans for the parade---think cold, think sinking ships & think icebergs. We are excited. The parade starts at 2 pm near Simon Estes amphitheater and ends with Jimmy John's sandwiches at Jett & Monkey's Dog Shoppe. This downtown Des Moines event guarantees fun for people & pets.
After the parade, Dr Berge heads to Osceola Iowa for a Sneak Peek film event for a film she produced with her husband. The short film, "Co-Pay", sheds light on the current state of health care in America. The film, directed by Paul Berge, stars the hilarious local actor, Greg Anderson.
Next Thursday, Halloween hits the East Village with candy, dog treats, and costumes at All-Pets East Village from 5-7 pm. Please bring your kids, both 2 legged and 4 legged.
We love the fall & we love Halloween!
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