Latest news with #vet
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Regina veterinarian under fire after questionable assessments
WATCH: Former clients of the Northgate Animal Hospital are speaking out about their poor experiences with one vet at the clinic. Mick Favel has more.
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Former clients of Regina vet speak out about experiences
Regina Watch WATCH: Former clients of the Northgate Animal Hospital are speaking out about their poor experiences with one vet at the clinic. Mick Favel has more.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
My Dog Died During A Routine Vet Appointment. If I'd Done Just 1 Thing Differently, He Might Still Be Alive.
What began as a 'routine' care decision for our beloved dogs veered into irrevocable loss. We raised our two adorable West Highland white terriers in a house of love, spoiling Duncan and Dooley beyond measure. Rather than serving them dog food, my wife prepared special meals every day — chicken and rice or hamburger and noodles. Born from the same litter, they ate with us, slept with us and traveled with us. We raced to their rescue after skunk sprayings, possum gashes and a terrifying coyote attack. But like most pet owners, it never occurred to me to consider their dental care — and I worked as a dentist for nearly 40 years. When the dogs were 11 years old, Duncan developed a benign cyst on his shoulder, and needed it removed. Our vet recommended that she clean Duncan's teeth while he was under for surgery, and, oh, why not bring Dooley in for a cleaning, too? Sedation for canine dental care is a relatively common practice done to keep dogs still during the procedure and for the safety of the dental staff. Both dogs were anesthetized, but Dooley never woke up. My wife couldn't forgive herself for putting Dooley under anesthesia just to get his teeth cleaned, and we have never gotten over the loss. Our vet, traumatized as well, vowed to stop elective cleanings under general anesthesia. The author's dogs, Duncan and Dooley. Since then, I've made it my mission to inform people about of what's needed to control their pets' oral health and how to avoid problems like infection and abscessing that can require invasive treatment or tooth extractions under anesthesia. Most people aren't aware that the exact same progression that leads to decay and periodontal disease in humans also happens for dogs; only the bacterial species is different. Inflammation causes the gums to swell and bleed, then comes breath odor, loose teeth and, finally, abscesses that typically require a tooth to be pulled. But just like with humans, there's a preventative solution for these problems — daily oral care. We know how important that is for us, but for some reason we haven't gotten that message with our pets. Stop brushing your teeth for one day and you feel the effects. It's gross. Now imagine not cleaning your mouth for weeks or years, and you begin to understand what dogs experience. The veterinary community recommends daily brushing as the gold standard, but most dog owners simply don't do it. As much as we adore our animals, one survey found that only 7% of dog owners brush their pet's teeth every day. We dog lovers take great care in feeding, sheltering and vaccinating our pets but we ignore this basic and treatable health concern. Even if your dog's teeth look healthy, it's estimated that 80-90% of dogs over the age of 3 are dealing with some form of periodontal disease. If you think those problems are minor, they're not. Periodontal disease can lead to health issues that affect the kidneys, liver and heart. If you've ever had a toothache, abscess, infected gums or mouth sore, you know how distressing and downright painful periodontal disease can be. Some say tooth-related pain in humans, when it is severe, is matched in intensity only by acute cardiac pain or the pain of childbirth. Dogs experience pain, too, but there is a difference: they can't tell you what they are feeling. That's why so many dental problems in dogs go unnoticed until they are severe. Ignoring your dog's dental care inevitably leads to more invasive treatment down the road. Without regular at-home cleaning, your pet is more likely to need intensive procedures like cleaning under the gumline to remove hardened tartar or extractions — and those almost always require sedation, which can put your pet at risk. Duncan lived to be 16 and had a wonderful life. Today, we have a new furry friend, Bogey, a Maltese-Westie mix we rescued off the street around the start of the pandemic. It's not always convenient, even for me, to clean my dog's teeth, but I do it. The author with his dog Bogey. You never want to use human toothpaste because it can contain ingredients that are toxic to them. I apply a dog-friendly product with a finger cot similar to one I used as a dentist, but a soft-bristled dog toothbrush or even a bare finger works, too. I'll rub Bogey's teeth and gums for about 30 seconds. If your dog resists, try just the front teeth first. Once they get used to it, you'll find that it's a real bonding moment for you and your pup. It's recommended that you brush every day or, at the very least, three times a week to help keep your dog's mouth healthy. It is time to end the disconnect and start educating dog owners about the science of canine oral health. That begins with dispelling certain myths people have about dog's teeth. No, dogs' mouths are not cleaner than humans' mouths. No, chewing on bones won't clean their teeth; in fact, fragments from bones often cause injury to dogs. Perhaps the saddest fallacy is that dental problems are just an inevitable part of a dog's aging process — that your pup will get old, get infections and lose a couple teeth — but it doesn't have to be that way. Learning from Dooley's passing was tough — it showed us how crucial dental care is for our pets. That lesson came too late for him but it's not for others. Start cleaning your dog's teeth early and keep it consistent. We owe it to our four-legged family members to prioritize their dental care — not as an afterthought, but as a fundamental responsibility. By doing so, we not only safeguard their well-being but also deepen the loving and powerful connection we share through our commitment to their overall health. Henry Crossetti, D.D.S., M.S., a retired periodontist who lives on Johns Island, South Carolina, now researches and develops solutions for canine oral health care. Visit his LinkedIn page for more info. This article originally appeared on HuffPost in August 2024. Also in Goodful: I Prayed For Years That No One Would Discover The Issue With My Private Parts. Now I'm Done Hiding. Also in Goodful: 21 "Fatal" Safety Mistakes People Make Every Day (And How To Avoid Them), According To First Responders Also in Goodful: "It's Soul-Crushing": People Are Revealing The TellTale Signs Someone Has Been Through A Lot Of Shit In Their Life, And Some Of These Might Surprise You
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mum's warning after family cat dies due to poisoning
A mum-of-four says her family has been left devastated following the death of their beloved cat who they believe was poisoned. Leanne Roberts rushed three-year-old Sky to the vets after she found Sky looking lethargic in her front yard on Wednesday (May 7). Leanne, 42, says that despite the best efforts of the vets, Sky had to be put to sleep after being poisoned with toxins. Speaking to the M.E.N about the heart-breaking ordeal, Leanne from Bacup said: "When I went out for the school run at 3pm, she was just laying near the wheelie bins in my driveway. "I thought, that's not like her, so I shouted at her. She tried to get up, but then she just flopped back down to the floor. I got my son to bring her back into the house and I went to the school run. READ MORE: Police put ENTIRE Greater Manchester borough under immediate 24-hour order after tip-off READ MORE: Driver flees police after crash leaves two cars wrecked on Greater Manchester street "When I came back he had her on the bed and she was doing this twitchy thing, I rang the vets up and they said just bring her straight into Blackburn. Then I started crying thinking about the vet bills that my boy's dad paid for, and they were around £300. "The vet said it's toxins, she was definitely poisoned but they couldn't say exactly what. They tried to put her on oxygen and said they could put her on a drip, but we would be looking at around £1,500 for that and he didn't think she could survive it. "So then, we made the decision to put her to sleep there and then. It's left the kids really sad, they've been crying and my youngest keeps looking for Sky, asking where she is." Leanne, who lives on South Street, says that Sky was the first in a series of cat deaths in her area which include two other felines that belonged to her neighbours. She says that she has gone to the police regarding the incident, but says that nothing can be done as of yet, and has been advised to raise awareness through social media. "I genuinely thought that she'd been in someone's garden and someone's put something down without noticing." Said Leanne. "On Thursday, my friend who lives behind me put on Facebook that she's had to have her cat put down. Then another girl who lives near us said on the same day she had her cat put down as well." Antifreeze is primarily used on cars to prevent corrosion, overheating and freezing. However, it is highly toxic to cats as it contains ethylene glycol, a substance that causes severe kidney damage when ingested. The symptoms of antifreeze poisoning include vomiting, lethargy, seizure, difficulty breathing and more. "Two of the cats were tested for antifreeze but mine wasn't." Said Leanne. "If people have cats in the area, I want them to be careful and if someone is doing it on purpose then I want them to realise the effect that it's had on children more than anything. "Also the vet bills, you don't expect to pay that much for a three-year-old cat."
