http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Toronto2013?px=3162479&pg=personal&fr_id=1431

Check out our Facebook page for a few pictures from the bike route!!

http://www.durhamregion.com/videozone/1599038–your-life-pets.

http://www.durhamregion.com/videozone/1599203–your-life-spring-time-is-flea-time

http://www.durhamregion.com/videozone/1599489–your-life-how-to-protect-your-pets-from-ticks

If you would like to learn more about this really cool species, below are some interesting facts about Crested Geckos.

• The crested gecko or Rhacodactylus ciliatus, also referred to as “eyelash gecko” or “crestie,” is a small, prehensile-tailed gecko which originates in New Caledonia.
• Crested Geckos are semi-arboreal spending most of their time in small trees and low shrubs. They will however seek out hiding places near the ground to sleep during the day.
• The average lifespan is thought to be 15-20years with proper care although this is not completely accurate as they have not been in captivity for long enough to know for certain.
• An adult gecko can weigh on average 40-45 grams with a tail, though some may get a fair bit larger than this, up into the 60-70 gram range.  You should strive for healthy-bodied geckos that do not look overly ‘obese’, as obesity in geckos can have the same drawbacks that it does in other species affecting overall health.
• An average length for an adult from snout to tail tip is about 8 inches.
• As a crested gecko grows it will shed its skin. You will not often find skin in the enclosure after a shed as the gecko will normally eat the entire thing.
• Crested geckos feed on both insects and fruits. The easiest and most convenient method of feeding in captivity is to use the powdered Crested Gecko Diet and crickets. All crested geckos have the ability to change colour under certain circumstances. This is commonly known as ‘firing up’ which causes their skin to sharpen and brighen.
• A crestie can use its tail to wrap around branches (or your fingers) to slow its descent or help balance itself. The tip of the crested gecko’s tail has small ridges, a bit like a smaller version of its toe ridges, to help further slow itself should it be moving downward on a branch. This useful tail, however, is not always a permanent fixture on the gecko. If it is bitten by a predator or another gecko, or it is just startled by its handler, the gecko can drop its tail. The tail will continue wiggling for some time after it is dropped, which could possibly distract a would-be predator while the gecko makes its escape. Unlike some other lizards, the crested gecko will never grow its tail back.

While a gecko may tolerate handling that doesn’t mean she likes it and it may be traumatic for her. Always keep in mind that a crested gecko is a reptile and as much as we would love to form bonds with them as we might a dog or cat, their minds work differently from a mammals. If you want a pet you can snuggle please consider something fuzzy!

The fundraising is going well and I have raised $2200 towards my ultimate goal of $3000. Please visit my personal page (see link below) to learn more about this epic adventure and help support me.

More to come as the weather improves!

Help me in the “Ride to Conquer Cancer”. Support me at:

http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR?px=3162479&pg=personal&fr_id=1431&s_src=BF_emailbadge2012

Louis is doing FANTASTIC!! He even beat his brother eating breakfast the following morning and happier than ever.  We have attached some before and after pictures to demonstrate what was done during his dental procedure.  If you have any questions about dental health in your pet or dentistry in general please call the clinic!

Dental disease is the most common disease in dogs and cats. Over 68% of all pets over the age of three have some form of periodontal or dental disease. Most pets will show few signs of dental disease. It is up to the pet’s family and veterinarian to uncover this hidden and often painful condition.

Are dental problems the same in pets and people?

No. In man the most common problem is tooth decay which, due to the loss of calcium from the enamel, results in painful infected cavities. In the dog decay represents less than 10% of dental problems, the majority of which are caused by periodontal disease.

What is periodontal disease?

This is simply inflammation or infection of the tissues surrounding the tooth. Accumulation of tartar (calculus) on the teeth contributes to gum recession around the base of the tooth. Infection soon follows and the gums recede. Untreated infection then spreads into the tooth socket and ultimately the tooth loosens and is lost.

Is periodontal disease very common?

It is estimated that over 68% of dogs over three years old suffer from some degree of periodontitis, making it by far the most common canine disease.

What is tartar?

The mouth of all mammals is home to thousands of bacteria. Many of these bacteria will breed on the surfaces of the tooth and form an invisible layer called plaque or biofilm. Some of this is removed naturally by the dog’s tongue and chewing habits but if allowed to remain the plaque thickens, becomes mineralized and is then visible as tartar (calculus). The tartar presses on the gums, which recede, and the bacteria then result in gum inflammation and infection (gingivitis). The gums continue to recede until ultimately the socket is infected and the tooth is lost.

As the oral infection increases tonsillitis and pharyngitis can also occur. In addition, the bacteria are absorbed into the blood stream and can be carried to other organs. Heart valve infections (endocardiosis or endocarditis), kidney and liver problems are frequently due to bad teeth.

Can tartar be prevented?

Plaque is mineralized in some dogs much quicker than others. Special canine toys as well as feeding veterinary prescription dental diets helps to reduce tartar build up, as does regular home care – tooth brushing. Regular tooth brushing is the gold standard for prevention of dental disease in our pets.

Will feeding dry food remove tartar?

Once tartar has formed it will be necessary to remove it with a professional scaling and polishing under anesthesia. There are exciting new dental diets that can help reduce the formation of plaque and tartar in your pet.

What is involved with a dental cleaning for my dog?

The goal of dental scaling and polishing is to remove the tartar and invisible plaque. We will perform pre-anesthesia blood tests to ensure that kidney and liver function are satisfactory. Sometimes antibiotic treatment is instituted before full dental prophylaxis is carried out.  We will be happy to discuss this with you.

We take full mouth digital radiographs before starting the dental procedure as this helps us evaluate the health of the teeth below the gum level.  We can then accurately identify problems and ensure that all appropriate teeth are identified for extractions, if these are necessary.

Tooth scaling will be performed both by hand and using ultrasonic cleaning equipment to remove tartar both above and below the gum line. The tartar beneath the gum line causes the most significant gum recession. The teeth are then polished in order to help prevent subsequent plaque build-up. It may be necessary to carry out other procedures at the same time such as extractions and special applications such as fluoride may be indicated to decrease tooth sensitivity and strengthen enamel.

These procedures will be fully discussed both before your pet’s dental cleaning and when you bring your pet in for the procedure. We will need a telephone number where you can be reached during the dental cleaning so that we can discuss any additional work that may be indicated once we begin.

Do I have to make an appointment for my dog to have a scale and polish?

Yes. We will perform pre-anesthesia blood tests and examine your pet for any other underlying disorders.

How can I prevent tartar accumulation after the procedure?

Plaque and tartar begin forming in as little as six hours after your pet’s dental cleaning. We recommend beginning a home dental care program for all pets. We will provide you with detailed instructions on how to brush your pet’s teeth.

Can I use human toothpaste?

Do not use human dentifrice or toothpaste on any account. These are foaming products and are not meant to be swallowed. Additionally, many types of human toothpaste contain sodium, which may cause problems in some pets.

This service is available on our website 24/7 under the Forms page.  A one-time registration for the website is required to access this section and can be found on the New Clients page.  The Clinic Access code is “trapper”.

Please allow 2-3 business days when requesting a refill to allow time for orders to arrive.  We will call you as soon as your product is ready for pick up at the clinic!

It is incredibly boring sitting on a bike in my basement in the middle of winter peddling like mad and never getting closer to the cement wall in front of me.

One thing I can assure everyone is that it takes about 10 minutes to have one’s backside become numb. We figure we will have to sit on a bike for upwards of four hours in June so need to put some serious time in the saddle before that.

Compared to what cancer patients go through, it is really not that much of a hardship

I’ll keep everyone up to date-perhaps with some photos as to my progress. Once the better weather arrives we will be out on the road and the miles will go by much faster

Thanks to all those who have donated to this great cause. To date we have raised $2025-incredible work. Please keep up the support. Let your friends know about this so they can visit the site and help make a difference

Cheers,

Dr Dave-team KPMG

Holiday ornaments should be given careful consideration.  These are usually shiny and tempting and who can blame your pet for mistaking them for toys?  If your pet is the inquistive type make sure to be thoughtful about where you place holiday ornaments and consider not allowing any access to the Christmas tree unless it is supervised.  Old-fashioned bubble lights may contain poisonous chemicals.  Chewing on ornaments can cause lacerations in the mouth, risk of ingesting harmful substances and also risk of foreign body obstruction of the gastro-intestinal tract.  Tinsel is one holiday ornament that can prove deadly if ingested because it can result in a severe linear foreign body that can cause serious injury to the intestines or even cause a rupture!

Antifreeze is a chemical used during this time of year that can be found in numerous sources and ingesting just a small amount can be fatal.  Signs of early poisoning include acting drunk or uncoordinated, excessive thirst, and lethargy.  While signs may seem to improve after eight to twelve hours, internal damage is actually worsening and crystals develop in the kidneys resulting in acute kidney failure.  Immediate treatment is vital if you suspect that your pet may have been exposed to antifreeze.

Pointsettas and other festive holiday plants can pose a serious risk to dogs and cats.  Poinsettia, holly berries, mistletoe and rosemary can all be toxic to pets.  Recently florists have started to use Japanese Yew to make wreaths and all parts of this plant are very poisonous.  Lilies are often used in floral arrangements and just one or two bites from a lily can result in severe acute kidney failure in cats – even the pollen is poisonous!  When in doubt don’t keep the bouquets in the house, or put them in an inaccessible spot.

Holiday foods can present many hazards for your pet.  Be careful to keep these delicacies away from your pets and don’t let friends or family sneak in treats.  Foods containing grapes, raisins and currents can result in kidney failure in dogs.  Chocolate and cocoa contain theobromine, a chemical highly toxic to dogs and cats.  Ingestion in small amounts can cause vomiting and diarrhea but large amounts can cause seizures and heart arrhythmias.  Many sugarless gums and candies contain xylitol, a sweetener which is toxic to dogs.  It causes a life-threatening drop in blood sugar and liver failure.  Leftover, fatty meat scraps can produce severe inflammation of the pancreas leading to abdominal pain, vomiting and bloody diarrhea.  Finally, even though most people know not to give alcohol to their pets alcohol poisoning in pets is fairly common because alcohol can be found in surprising places!  Rum-soaked fruitcake or unbaked dough that contains yeast result in alcohol poisoning and other problems.  Intoxicated animals can experience seizures and respiratory failure.

If you think your pet has been poisoned contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680.  For more information regarding services visit the PPH website at www.petpoisonhelpline.com .

We hope everyone, and their furry family members, has a happy and safe holiday season!