I heard some plants are poisonous, where can I find out if my plants are harmful?

• Removing harmful plants from your home and garden can help keep your pets safe.  Here is a website which lists common household poisonous plants. http://www.housepetmagazine.com/poisonous_plants_dogs.htm#
• This is a website that show safe houseplants for pets: http://www.petfriendlyhouse.com/information/Plants/non_poisonous_plants.aspx

Why should I spay or neuter my pet?

• Spaying (removing the ovaries and uterus) a dog or cat eliminates heat cycles and pregnancy, ovarian cancer, uterine infections (called pyometra), and uterine cancer.  If they are spayed before their first heat cycle, it reduces the risk of mammary (breast) cancer too. 
• Reduces roaming behavior.  Most of the pets that we see that are hit by a car are intact, especially intact male dogs.
• Neutering (removing the testicles) pets eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and reduces risk of prostate disease.  It also reduces urine marking and certain types of aggression.

At what age should I spay or neuter my pet?

• We typically recommend having the procedure performed between four and six months of age.  This way they do not go into heat or have the desire to mate with others. 
• As long as the pet is healthy, we can do the procedure well into their senior years, as there are still health benefits.

Why should I brush my pets teeth?

• Gingivitis (swollen gums), fractured/broken teeth, anc abscessed/infected teeth can be very painful and greatly affect their overall health.  Periodontal disease (disease of the teeth) can also lead to bacteria being spread through the bloodstream to damage the liver, kidneys, and valves of the heart. 
• Toothbrushing can help prevent gingivitis, tartar, and plaque accumulation.  Other things such as tartar control diets/treats and certain types of chew bones can also help minimize tartar accumulation.
• Professional teeth cleanings may also be needed to avoid or treat painful periodontal disease. 

What types of foods can be toxic/poisonous to my pet?

• Foods that can be harmful to pets include, and therefore should be avoided include (but are not limited to): grapes/raisins, onions, chocolate (especially dark chocolate), macadamia nuts, rising bread dough, sugarless gum containing xylitol, and moldy foods can all be toxic. 
• We do not recommend regularly feeding human food to pets, as this can be a bad habit to start, as well as predisposing to digestive upset (vomiting/diarrhea), weight gain, and pancreatitis.  If you must, please stick to low fat items and limit the quantity.  Remember, a "bite" to a 10 pound dog, is the equivalent to about 10-15 bites for humans...so be careful.

• The LASER seals blood vessels and nerve ending as it cuts tissues, which lessens bleeding, pain, and swelling.
• The LASER can be used for a wide variety of surgeries including:  spay/neuter, declaw, dewclaw removal. wart removal, vascular tumor removal, stenotic nares ("pinched nostrils"), and oral surgeries.