5 Summertime Health Hazards for Dogs

5 Summertime Health Hazards for Dogs

The warm days of spring and summer are finally arriving. While that means more opportunities to get outside with your dogs, it also means the arrival of seasonal health concerns for pets. As you start enjoying the longer days with your dog, keep these health concerns in mind and take precautions to protect your pet.
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5 Common Health Concerns for Dogs in the Summer

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1. Parasites

Warmer days put pets at an increased risk of picking up fleas and ticks in addition to contracting heartworms through mosquito bites. Talk to your veterinarian about the best way to protect your pet (and your family) from these dangerous, disease-carrying pests.

2. Heatstroke

Warm weather puts dogs at risk of heatstroke. Before heading outside to play with your pet, take a moment to check the temperature and humidity level. Different breeds, weights, and ages of dogs have different heat tolerances, so it’s important to pay attention to your pet in warm weather, provide them with plenty of cool water, and make sure they have access to shade at all times.

3. Sunburn

Yes, dogs are covered in fur, but they can still get sunburnt. If you take your dog in for a haircut, be sure to leave at least an inch or more in length to help protect their skin from the sun.

4. Cars

Even on a relatively cool day (think 60 degrees and sunny), the inside of your car reaches dangerously high temperatures in a matter of minutes. You should never leave your dog unattended in your car on a sunny day. If you can’t bring your dog with you to your destination, then they are better off waiting for you at home.

5. Pavement

It’s also good to remember that the pavement can get pretty hot on a sunny day, as well, and this can put your pet’s paws at risk of burning or blistering. Invest in a pair of dog socks, go for walks in the early morning, or play in the grass.
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Have a Healthy Summer With Pet Meds From VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy

Whether your pet has a prescription or is in need of a parasite preventative, the pet pharmacists at VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy are here to help you have a safe, healthy, and fun summer with your pet! We welcome you to learn more about the advantages of choosing a compounding pharmacy for your pet’s medications and to contact us to fill your pet’s prescriptions.

Are CBD Products Good for My Pet?

Are CBD Products Good for My Pet?

Today it seems like everywhere you look — whether you’re in a pet supply store or the supplement aisle of your grocery store — there are products that contain CBD. CBD seems to be the latest craze in the health industry, but how effective is it? What’s it supposed to do? And is it actually good for our pets?
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What Is CBD?

CBD is short for cannabidiol, a type of cannabinoid compound found in hemp and cannabis. CBD usually comes in the form of an oil that can be purchased as is or after it’s already incorporated into products like topicals, drops, and treats.

How Does CBD Work?

Both humans and our pets have what’s called an endocannabinoid system that’s a part of the body’s greater nervous system. When CBD is introduced into the body, it interacts with the endocannabinoid receptors to produce certain effects.

What Can CBD Do for My Pet?

More research is needed to understand all the effects, benefits, and potential downsides of giving CBD to pets. However, it is thought that CBD has several potential benefits of use in pets including:
  • Allergy relief
  • Anxiety relief
  • Anti-inflammatory effects (relief from arthritis, joint problems, neuropathy, and other pain)
  • Anti-nausea and appetite stimulation
  • Seizure and epilepsy mitigation
  • Slowed growth of cancerous tumors
Potential side effects of CBD in pets include:
  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Lower blood pressure
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Are CBD Pet Products Safe?

There has not yet been enough research conducted on the safety or effects of CBD use in pets, and CBD products for pets are not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As a result, no dosing information is available, and these products are not regulated. For this reason, pet owners should exercise extreme caution when administering a product containing CBD to their pets.

How to Choose a CBD Product for Your Pet

If you decide to try a CBD product for your pet, first, be sure you purchase any CBD pet products from a trusted manufacturer and ensure that they’re formulated specifically for pets. CBD products intended for human consumption might contain added ingredients that are unsafe for pets.
Although veterinarians cannot yet recommend CBD products for pets (because they are not yet FDA approved), you should check with your veterinarian to make sure the product you select is safe and won’t interfere with any of your pet’s other medications or treatments.
To learn more about CBD for pets and potential interactions with medications, we welcome you to contact VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy.
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Tips for Taking Care of Your Pet’s Teeth at Home

Tips for Taking Care of Your Pet's Teeth at Home

You love your pet and want them to have the best life possible. But have you ever brushed your cat’s or dog’s teeth?
If you answered “no” then you’re like most pet parents who either don’t realize that their pets need dental care or don’t know how to provide it. However, learning how to care for your pet’s teeth is essential to their overall, ongoing health.
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Why Dental Care Is So Important for Pets

By age three, an estimated 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have already developed some form of gum disease (periodontal disease). Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gums that occurs when plaque and tartar buildup along the gum line, creating pockets where bacteria thrive.
Periodontal disease causes local problems like:
  • Oral pain
  • Red, swollen, and bleeding gums
  • Loose and missing teeth
  • Jawbone deterioration
  • Persistent bad breath
Left untreated, bacteria from periodontal disease can enter a pet’s bloodstream and wreak havoc throughout the body. So, dental care is super important for pets because dental disease can lead to several secondary illnesses in pets like liver, kidney, and heart disease, general inflammation, and respiratory illness. Eventually, unchecked periodontal disease can even cause early death.

5 Tips for Caring for Your Pet's Teeth at Home

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1. Brushing

You’ll need to start brushing slowly by training your pet to simply get used to having his mouth handled and your fingers touching his teeth. Be sure to use a toothbrush or finger brush designed for your pet (species and size) and toothpaste formulated for pets. Focus only on the outside surfaces of your pet’s teeth and provide plenty of treats and love to make teeth brushing a positive experience.

2. Dental Wipes

If your pet won’t accept a toothbrush, you can remove some plaque from their teeth with pet dental wipes.

3. Treats and Chews

Give your pet dental-friendly treats and chew toys.

4. Veterinary Oral Health Council

Look for VOHC-approved products.

5. Professional Cleaning

Okay, you can’t do this one at home, but pets can benefit greatly from professional teeth cleaning. Ask your veterinarian about pet dental appointments during your pet’s next wellness exam.

Post Pet Dental Prescriptions the Way Your Pet Prefers

If your pet has recently had a dental exam, they might require a prescription for antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatory medications. At VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy, we can fill your pet’s prescription in a way that makes it a breeze to administer. With medicine in tasty treats, your pet will enjoy taking the medicine they need to stay healthy!

Are Grain-Free Diets Healthy for Dogs?

Are Grain-Free Diets Healthy for Dogs?

Choosing the right pet food can be one of the most difficult choices you make for your dog. Over the last several years, grain-free pet foods gained popularity through clever marketing, but grain-free dog food might actually be making our dogs sick.
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The Troubling Reality of Grain-Free Dog Food

As grain-free pet foods became increasingly popular, veterinarians noticed that they were diagnosing more dogs with a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) which is characterized by stretching, thinning, and weakening of the heart muscle. DCM hinders the heart’s ability to pump blood. Although some breeds have a genetic predisposition to developing DCM, veterinarians were diagnosing the condition frequently in dogs with no predisposition. Veterinarians began to wonder what was causing the rise in DCM diagnoses.

The FDA Investigates Grain-Free Dog Food

The FDA opened up an investigation in response to the increasing DCM diagnoses.
After collecting reports from veterinarians and pet owners, the FDA found that 90% of dogs diagnosed with DCM were eating grain-free pet food and 93% were on a grain-free diet that contained peas, lentils, or other legumes as one of the top ingredients.
The FDA looked at the foods the pets were eating and tested them for minerals, amino acids, and metals and found no surprises or abnormalities.
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So, Is Grain-Free Bad for Dogs?

Although there seems to be a pretty strong link between grain-free diets and DCM, more research is needed to understand exactly how grain-free diets are affecting dogs’ hearts. However, it seems that legumes (frequently used as a replacement for grains) might be blocking dogs’ ability to use the amino acid, taurine.
When taken off the grain-free diet and given a taurine supplement, dogs diagnosed with DCM can improve. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for all dogs, as some continue to worsen even after their diets are changed and supplemented.

Are Grains Harmful to Dogs?

Although the findings regarding grain-free diets are so far inconclusive, there is no evidence that diets containing some grains, like rice or corn, are harmful to dogs. So, there’s truly no reason – other than flashy marketing – to choose a grain-free diet for your pet.
When choosing a proper diet for your pet, the best place to start is with your veterinarian. They can recommend a healthy diet based on your pet’s species, breed, size, age, and condition. As a result, you can feel confident every time you fill your pet’s bowl that they’ll be receiving the healthy blend of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fats that they need to achieve optimal wellness.