Dr. Teuscher is proud to be practicing veterinary medicine at the Island Animal Hospital of Venice. We provide animal dentistry services, wellness medicine, and emergency care. In our last blog, we talked about recognizing and treating heat stroke. This week we’ll stay on the subject of hot dogs and give some tips to keep your dog cool.

Avoid Peak Sun Hours – The line from the old song “ Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun” comes to mind here. For the sake of your own skin, as well as your dog’s health, you should walk your dog in the early morning or last thing at night. The morning will give your dog the chance to smell all the fresh smells from overnight too, making it a sensory experience for them too.

Choose a Shady Path – No matter what time you go out, choose a walk route that has plenty of shade trees or water they can go in.

Watch The Paws! – Asphalt, cement and sand get really hot under the heat of the sun and dogs’ paw pads are sensitive. You can get your dog boots, avoid those surfaces as much as possible or apply a salve to help them before they get split and painful.

Let them take a dip. – If you dog is outside for extended times, get them a kiddie pool. Not only does it provide drinking water all day (unless the splash it all out immediately) but gives them the chance to cool off at will.

Island Animal Hospital of Venice FL is your local veterinarian. We are dedicated to the health and well-being of your pets. One danger dogs face in the summer time is getting overheated. A dog’s normal body temperature is between 99.5 and 102.5. add to that a fur coat and warm temperatures and it’s easy to see how a dog can become overheated. In fact, dogs can get heat stroke just like humans

Heatstroke

• Raised heart rate
• Excessive panting
• Extreme Thirst
• Vomiting
• Bright red tongue and pale gums. Lift your dog’s gums and examine the color of the gums. Press a fingertip into the gum. The gum will turn white. If it does not return to pink immediately, your dog needs medical attention.
• Thick saliva.
• A body temperature of 103 or above.
• Look for lessened elasticity of the skin. If you pull the skin of the neck up it normally snaps back into place. In a dehydrated dog, it remains standing up.

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Treating Heat stroke

• Get the dog out of the heat.
• Make the dog sit still. Do not let him run around.
• Provide cool water to drink. Do not force him or her to drink.
• Wet the dog with a hose. Do not put your dog all the way under water and make sure the water is not too cold.
• Call a vet. Even if you think your dog is responding to being out of the heat and cooling off, it’s a good idea to double check with a vet.

Island Animal Hospital of Venice knows that a pet becomes a real part of the family and that any trouble with a pet can affect the whole family. That’s why it’s important to pick the right breed for your family. Here are some things to consider when looking at breeds for a new addition to your home.

• How much exercise can I give my pet? If you have lots of free time and space (or live close to a dog park) you can more easily accommodate a dog that requires a lot of exercise. Typically, working dogs like Border Collies and Blue Heelers and hunting dogs like Labradors will need plenty of exercise on a daily basis.
• How much grooming do I want to give my dog? Some dogs seem to repel dirt, while others seem to attract it. Long curly hair will need to be brushed often, while short flat coats will hardly need more than an occasional shampooing. Grooming can also mean extra costs if you have a dog that needs professional grooming, like a Schnauzer who needs clipping.
• Do you have allergies? Some dogs are hypoallergenic and are great choices for allergy sufferers. Poodles and Schnauzers are two of this type.
• Do you have experience training dogs? If you do have experience training dog you might be able to handle a more dominant breed, like a Husky, but if you do not, you might want to stick with an easily trainable dog, like a Poodle who lives to please

Island Animal Hospital of Venice is your local Pet Vet Clinic and we are dedicated to the good health and well-being of your family pets. In the past few days, we’ve noticed Dog Influenza making the news so we thought we’d address it in this week’s blog.

Coughing and sneezing in a dog is usually a sign of bordetella, or kennel cough but in recent weeks there have been approximately 1000 of cases of canine influenza across the country, mostly in the northern midwest. It has killed a few dogs but is still considered rare. Canine Influenza is a viral respiratory infection in dogs. A dog will cough, sneeze and run a fever, between 103-107 degree fever can last a few weeks. Dogs with ‘smooshed’ noses such as bulldogs and pugs have a tougher time with the flu than other breeds. Like other flu strains, it is transmitted through the air and through close contact

Some tips to help your dog avoid Canine Influenza follow.

• When taking your dog to a kennel, inspect the facility for cleanliness and good ventilation.
• Make sure your kennel or doggie day care insists all dogs are fully vaccinated.
• When going to a dog park take your own water bowl for you dog to use instead of the communal one.
• If your dog is very young, very old or has a compromised immune system, keep it somewhat isolated.

Caring for your dog’s teeth is more than just about keeping their breath pleasant and fresh. It is an incredibly important step for their overall health. Plaque can lead to periodontal disease, which, if left untreated, could lead to a variety of issues, including loss of teeth, severe pain and even a bacterial infection that can be spread through the blood to the kidneys, brain, liver or even heart. At Island Animal Hospital, we understand that it can sometimes be difficult to brush your dog’s teeth, which is why our animal dentistry experts have come up with this list of tips to make it easier for you:

• Choose the right tool- There are many options out there as far as animal oral care goes. You could choose a long handled doggy toothbrush, a small soft-bristled child’s toothbrush, a finger-brush or even just a square of gauze. Try these options with your pup, and find out which one works the best for you both! It can also help quite a bit to find a flavor of doggy toothpaste that your furry friend likes. They make all kinds of flavors that dogs can enjoy, including peanut butter!
• Don’t rush into anything- You don’t have to rush straight into brushing your dog’s teeth. Let your dog smell the toothbrush, finger-brush or gauze and taste the toothpaste before you get started.
• Make it positive- Dogs tend to learn more effectively with positive reinforcement. So, ensure that you associate dental care with something positive, like a tasty treat or a trip to the dog park.

Pets bring an unparalleled amount of joy, love, and acceptance into our lives. They are so much more than just our companions –they are family. Because your pets are such an important part of your life, you shouldn’t entrust their care to just anyone. If you have been searching high and low for a pet veterinarian in Venice that you can trust, then you have come to the right place. We are Island Animal Hospital, and we take pride in providing high quality care for each and every pet that walks through our door.

Whether you are coming to us for your pet’s regular checkup, you need a safe place for your pet to stay while you are on vacation, or your pet needs something more serious, like surgery, you can rest assured that we have you covered. We are truly a full service veterinary hospital. From preventative medicine to dental care, you can turn to our vet for all of your pet’s needs. The very best part about entrusting us with your pet is that we will care for them as if they were our own. We truly understand that each and every pet is special, and we do everything that we can to provide them with the care that they deserve.

Our pets better our lives in so many ways, and you should never trust your pet’s care to just anyone. Find a veterinarian that you can trust by turning to Island Animal Hospital. Visit our site to learn more or contact us with any questions or concerns that you may have.