Useful Information
(Check back from time to time for added items that might be of interest)Contents:
- Allergies to dogs
- Canine dental care
1. Allergies to dogs
Dog allergens are very small, sticky, and lightweight. It comes from dog’s skin, saliva, and urine. The dander and saliva allergens are able to spread throughout your home, contaminating everything. Not all dog allergens are the same This is good news for allergy sufferers. Some pet allergens are breed-specific, so some breeds produce less than others. Examples of breeds that can produce less allergen are poodles, airedales, and schnauzers. These breeds shed their skin about every 21 days. Compare this to cocker spaniels, german shepards, and Irish setters, which shed their skin every three to four days. You can understand how some breeds will be more suitable then others.
You might be thinking, “I just need to find a hairless dog to end my pet allergy problem!” Although many people think “hairless” or short-haired dogs cause fewer problems for those with allergies, it is the dander (skin scales) that causes the most significant allergic reactions, not the length or amount of hair on the pet, according to the ACAAI. The fur, however, can present problems to the allergic individual. Dog fur can collect other allergens such as pollen, dust, and mold and spread these allergens throughout your home.
A standing appointment with me every week or every other week, or, once every 3 or 4 weeks for a professional bath can help in keeping these issues under control. I use only top quality shampoos and conditioners. My de-shedding treatment can help by keeping that pet dander under control.
My de-shedding treatment is a process of using a tool that pulls out the undercoat. Doing this process while your dog is in my tub, your pet’s coat and skin wet down with warm water and shampoo, the hair follicles relax to loosen up the dead undercoat and my deshedding tool pulls most of it out. This tool also messages the skin to loosen the dead skin cells that can create allergies. This is when I go town removing as much as I can. The shedding tool is then used as a final step to remove as much as possible.
2. Canine Dental Health
Daily teeth brushing of your dog’s teeth is not just the latest “fad”. Healthy teeth are as important to you as they are for your pet. Bad breath in dogs is often joked about, but it is not a laughing matter. There can be serious consequences leading to poor dental health.
Puppies start shedding their deciduous (baby) teeth by six months of age. They are replaced by permanent teeth- 42 in all. Baby teeth not shed can lead to problems like increased tartar formation, malocclusion problems (an undesirable relative positioning of the upper and lower teeth when the jaw is closed), and gingival (gum) irratation. I have personally witnessed adult dogs where this problem was not taken care of. Severe tatar build up with loose adult teeth, infection, and a bad bite (jaw alignment) resulted. This type problem can be avoided with a quick check by you or your groomer or vet.
Dental care needs to start from puppyhood for best results. Dental problems show as follows: tartar (yellow or brown build up on teeth), inflamed gums, missing, loose, or broken teeth, “chattering” of the teeth when trying to eat, lethargy, bleeding gums, eroded teeth. Dental disease progresses in stages and if caught early, you can prevent further damage and save as many teeth as possible. Don’t pay attention to these signs and the infection of the gums and teeth then become a problem for the heart, kidneys, intestinal tract and joints, as these may also be infected. The tartar and any infected areas of the mouth contain a multitude of bacteria that can ’seed’ to other parts of the body. I’ve also seen teeth infections that then abcess into the sinus cavity- an overload of bacteria in the infected tooth socket and gums. Why? Because people don’t want to take their dog’s dental health seriously. This is all preventable.
As a professional dog groomer, checking on dogs dental health is a new responsibility. We were not taught to do this until recent years. I am currantly getting into the habit of checking your pets teeth as part of the grooming procedure to prevent more serious problems at a later date.
This is what I recommend as your groomer:I suggest the prevention of tatar buildup in the first place- first by my visual inspection. If the teeth look fine, I recommend you keep them wiped or brushed with one of the many dog dental aids that are available at any pet store. Use the product daily, at best. I can also offer to brush your dog’s teeth, but if there is no follow through with you, the owner- this service, in my opinion, will be of no use.
If there is only a small amount of tartar, I highly recommend a specialy trained canine dental hygienist who can preform this service with no anesthesia. This is an art in itself and to find someone who is good at this is a treasure. This is who I recommend:
Rhonda Forst, owner of “Gentle Dental”, 949-233-8752. rhondaforst@yahoo.com
I have personally watched her work and have seen her create sparkling white smiles with her talent for handling dogs and cats. Her 25 years as a registered dental assistant (for people) adds to her experience.
She is especially aware of the dangers of working on teeth that require dental care with antibiotics and will instruct the owner that their pet is in need of vet attention immediately, before she even begins any work.