August Newsletter
- PMCOD
- Aug 14
- 3 min read
Dental Health Month is here! Cleanings performed during August are eligible for a 15% discount on the base procedure.
Important Dates
Happy birthday to Dr. Johnson and Daisy! 🎉
As of August 1st, Dr. Garcia and Ericka have been a part of the PMCOD family for 1 and 2 years (respectively).
August 14th marks Elizabeth's 8 year anniversary!
Monthly Topic
Dental Health Month
If you're thinking "Didn't we already have Dental Health Month this year?" you would be correct. DHM is observed twice a year, in February and August— it's that important! Tooth problems can lead to chronic pain, weight loss, infections, and potentially sepsis. There's also a well known correlation between gum health and heart health.
Last month, we wanted to know how many teeth cats and dogs have compared to humans.
The answer:
These numbers can vary a bit depending on genetics (Chow Chows often have two extra teeth), but generally speaking, humans have 32 teeth whereas cats have 30 teeth and dogs have 42.
Flossing is hard to achieve when you don't have opposable thumbs, so as responsible pet owners, it's up to us to keep our pets' smiles gleaming! Fortunately there are a variety of products that can help. Dental chews, water and food additives, prescription diets, and pet-specific toothpaste & brushes are all available. One of the best things you can do for your pet is brush their teeth. It's recommended to start this practice when your pet is young, but for their health and also to desensitize them to having their mouths examined. On that note...
Socialization
Careful exposure to a variety of people, animals, sounds, textures, and environments teaches pets how to react calmly instead of fearfully to unexpected stimuli. Well-socialized pets are easier to train and handle, which makes visits to the vet or groomer much less stressful for everyone involved! While the so-called "critical period" for socialization is 5-16 weeks for puppies and 2-9 weeks for kittens, pets of any age will still benefit from thoughtful introduction to new experiences.
Tips for Training
Start in a safe environment
Leash and harness training should start in your home
Avoid parks and other outdoor spaces until you pet is fully vaccinated
Make sure everyone is on the same page
Other animals should be easily controlled or contained
Remind friends and family to be respectful of your pet's personal space
Keep sessions short and sweet
If your pet shows signs of discomfort, slow down or stop
Use positive reinforcement such as praise, treats, and toys
Most of all... be patient!
TL;DR (Too Long, Didn't Read):
Poor dental health can cause serious issues like pain, infections, and heart problems. Brushing from a young age is ideal, but dental chews, additives, and pet-safe toothpaste can also help. Careful exposure to new experiences improves your pet's confidence and quality of life.
Employee Pet Spotlight
Name: Leo
Nickname(s): Pup Cup, Leoito, Mushroom Feets, Trash Panda
Employee parent: Dr. Ali
Breed: Pit bull mix
Age: 18 months
Likes: Exercise, playing, destroying toys, pup cups, hugs
Dislikes: Squeakers
Background: Remember Leo? Back in February, someone tossed this handsome boy over the clinic fence. He was underweight but otherwise healthy, so after vaccinating and neutering him, we started the hunt for his forever home. His winning personality charmed several potential adopters, but each time he was supposed to go to a new home, something came up and he had to stay at the clinic a little longer.
We're not sure exactly how old he is, but Leo is full of youthful energy. Spending so much time in a kennel began to wear on him, despite the staff's efforts to keep him exercised and entertained. The longer he was cooped up, the harder it was for him to stay on his best behavior. Finally, Dr. Ali said, “I’ll take him home for the weekend so he can stretch his legs…” and, well, that was that!
While Dr. Ali is at the hospital, Leo spends his days at doggy daycare soaking up attention and burning off his excess energy with other dogs (the bigger, the better). Aside from a few “Superman” leaps off the playground equipment that almost ended badly, he's flourished under his new routine. As a bonus, he's been helping break Dr. Ali of her workaholic habits: she has to leave work on time so she can pick him up before the daycare closes.
Trivia Corner
Fun Fact
The physics behind honeybees' flight baffled scientists in the early 20th century, but advances in photography have cracked the mystery. Honeybees can flap their wings up to 230 times a second. [link]
Pop Quiz
Just like Chow Chows can have extra teeth, some cats are born with extra digits on their paws.
September's trivia question: What is this multi-toed condition called?
Stay tuned for the answer in next month’s newsletter!
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