Health

Ask Vet Anything: You Asked Dr. Wilson About Your Dogs, And She Has The Answers!

Written by: Dr. Katy Nelson

May 8, 2020

Ever found yourself in a bind where the vet is fully booked and you resort to falling down an internet wormhole trying to diagnose your dog? That’s where Fuzzy Pet Health can help!

As the middle-man of sorts between veterinarians and pet owners, they know how difficult it can be to get trustworthy answers, fast. That’s why they connect you with the best quality advice, and can even deliver necessities like prescriptions and nutrition right to your door, no vet visit required (unless, of course, that’s their advice!) 

We partnered with Fuzzy Pet Health for a quick sesh of ‘Ask Vet Anything,’ so meet Dr. Wilson: a board-certified veterinarian who helps keep dogs healthy from tooth to paw. Check out the Q&A below and play each video for further information. 

My 7-month old vizsla still has all her baby teeth in the front, should I be worried? 

“The exact timing of when your puppy will lose their baby teeth is pretty variable. There are a lot of factors that go into this, including breed variability. Oftentimes around 3 ½ to 4 months of age is when puppies will start to lose their baby teeth. This process usually concludes around 6 to 7 months of age, however this can vary. Small breeds can sometimes take a little bit longer. 

Watch the video below for more details!

How do I clean my dog’s teeth when he or she hates it?

“Dental care and oral health are very important in our dog’s day to day life, just like their human counterparts. Brushing your dog’s teeth can help reduce tartar buildup as well as [improve] overall gum health. This is a great opportunity to get a regular, closeup look in your dog’s mouth. For puppies and adult dogs alike, you can help make teeth brushing something they actually look forward to by providing positive reinforcement. So how do you go about doing this? 

  • Step one: Find a treat your pup loves that comes in a paste form that you can apply to their gums. Gradually, you can work your way up to a flavored toothpaste—dog specific, of course. That can be a great way to gradually introduce having their mouth handled. 
  • Step two: You can start to introduce a cleaning instrument. It can be a dog-specific toothbrush, a bristled finger covering (some dogs prefer these), or even a washcloth if your dog is a little nervous about the toothbrush itself. You may need to play around with a few different things to see what works best for you as well as them. 
  • Step three: Gradually increase the overall brushing time as they get comfortable. This can take days, it can take weeks. Remember that consistency is key, keep these sessions short but frequent and your dog will thank you in the long run, as will their mouth.”

Watch the video below for more details!

My dog has fleas. I tried flea shampoo and he is still itching a lot. Any remedies until I can get a flea bath for him?

“Here are several options you can try to give your pet some fast relief: you can use a flea comb to help remove and actually decrease the burden of some of the live fleas on them. The flea comb has really small teeth on it, so when you pull it is actually able to remove the fleas, and you dunk it in some warm water to help kill them.

“You can consider oral over the counter fast-acting flea treatments that act quickly, but may not provide long term relief. Clean your pets’ environment. This can include vacuuming the rugs, wash the bedding, as well as evaluating the yard for flea hot spots. [Next,] get them started on a monthly preventative. There are many options out there and it’s really key to pick the one that’s going to be best for you and your pet based on age, lifestyle, [and] any underlying health issues.”

Watch the video below for more details!

My dog’s bum is a bit leaky, is that normal? 

“This can be something that happens occasionally in dogs due to full anal sacs. Anal sacs are two blind ended sacs located at approximately the 4 and 7 o’clock position right inside of a dog’s anus. Normally the anal glands produce a secretion that is released from these anal sacs in small quantities when a dog goes to the bathroom. Some dogs have difficulty emptying their anal sacs, which can cause an overflow effect and what some owners will refer to as a leaky bum, or a very characteristic fishy odor that once you smell it, it’s difficult to miss.

“If you’re noticing that odor, it’s a good idea to have your dog’s anal sacs evaluated by their veterinarian to make sure that they aren’t having issues emptying them on their own. […]

“Signs that this area may be sensitive to your pup include scooting on the ground, excessive biting or licking of the region, focal redness under the tail, or difficulty going to the bathroom. If any of these are noted, it’s really important to get your pup examined by a vet ASAP. […]”

Watch the video below for more details!

Want one more way you can help take care of your dog? Try Bright Dental, the first triple-enzymatic dental chew and toothbrush system that freshens breath, prevents plaque buildup, and uses all the best ingredients (like real chicken and zero wheat products, which can irritate puppy tummies). Try Bright’s monthly subscription box today for just $1/day! 

Featured image via instagram.com/lacorgi

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Written by: Dr. Katy Nelson

May 8, 2020

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