Dental Care

The importance of dental care goes beyond “dog breath” or even “tuna breath”.  When ignored dental disease can lead to more than just bad breath. The build up of bacteria in the mouth can enter the blood stream and affect the body’s major organs. The best way to fight dental disease is with prevention. Establishing an oral care routine with your pet is priceless.

How to recognize dental disease:
        
Loose teeth
Bad breath
Changes in eating
Excessive salivation
Bleeding gums

If left untreated dental disease can lead to:

Tooth loss
Gingivitis
Heart disease
Kidney disease
Liver disease

How to prevent dental disease:

Yearly exams and dental check ups
Professional cleaning
Brushing
Oral rinses
Special diets and treats 

understanding the flea

The flea is a wingless insect that lives off the blood of warm blood animals. The life cycle of the flea can last as little as 3 weeks to as long as 6 months. In sunny Southern California the flea thrives all year long.  Once an adult female flea takes a blood meal she is capable of laying up to 50 eggs at a time and as many as 2000 in her lifetime.

The Larvae: The larvae hatch from the egg and begin to feed. The preferred meal is the feces of adult fleas, “flea dirt” or any organic material available. The larvae enjoy dark small places where they will continue to grow for 5 to 11 days.

The Pupa: This cocoon stage last 8-9 days and allows the growing flea to reach adulthood.  However, this pupa stage can last up to 6 months if conditions are not favorable.