Pet care

Preparing your puppy for its first visit to the veterinary clinic is important so that the experience is a positive one and the clinical examination and everything else done during the visit go smoothly. 

What can you do to help your pet? 

1. Get them used to the carrier. If your puppy isn’t keen on the carrier, try to get them used to it before the visit. Put their favourite toys or treats inside so they associate it with something positive.
2. Handle them and pick them up. Get your puppy used to being touched and lifted. This will help them cope with being handled by the vet during the examination.
3. Run mock check-ups at home: pick your puppy up and look at their paws, teeth and ears. You can invite people the puppy doesn’t yet know to join in, so they get used to being touched by strangers. 
4. Gently open and touch your puppy’s mouth. This will help them get used to the vet opening their mouth, which is an important part of every visit.
5. Use special chew toys so your puppy gets used to having their teeth examined. Give them a chew shaped like a toothbrush: it supports healthy dental development and gets your dog used to daily oral hygiene right from the start!
6. If you have other pets, give your puppy the chance to meet them. This will help them associate a visit to the clinic with meeting other animals, and it will make socialising with other dogs easier in adult life.
7. Rewards and praise matter enormously! While training and preparing your puppy for the visit, don’t forget to praise and reward good behaviour. This helps build positive experiences. 

Useful tips before the first visit

Feel free to drop in with your puppy even when you don’t have an appointment, so they can get to know the place and its particular smells, and get a few treats from the staff. This too helps build positive associations! 

Remember that every puppy is different, so it’s important to adapt these steps to their individual needs. Before starting any procedure, we encourage you to contact the Zviropolis Veterinary Centre for detailed guidance on preparing your puppy for their first visit. 

You can find Zviropolis contact details here: https://zviropolis.pl/kontakt

We are all ready to help our youngest patients settle in. 

Keeping our four-legged friends healthy requires regular preventive care from their owners, including worming. Worming is a key part of preventing and controlling parasites in animals. In this article the Zviropolis Veterinary Centre in Warsaw answers the question: how often should you worm your dog?

Why is worming important?

As our dogs become an integral part of the family, so does our responsibility for their health. Parasites that can take up residence in a dog’s body not only affect its health but can also pose a risk to people. That is why it is important to worm your pet regularly. Parasites in dogs can lead to serious health problems such as: 

• weight loss, 
• diarrhoea, 
• anaemia, 
• and in some cases even death.

How often should we worm a dog?

The answer depends on the dog’s age, lifestyle and general state of health. 

• Puppies should be wormed every 4 weeks until 6 months of age, and then every 3 months for the rest of their lives. This is because puppies are particularly susceptible to parasitic infections.
• Adult dogs should be wormed at least once every 3 months. However, if your dog is regularly in contact with children or other dogs, or often spends time in public places (parks, playgrounds and so on), monthly worming is recommended.
• Older dogs should generally be wormed every 3 months, unless they have health problems that may make them more susceptible to parasitic infections.

Remember that even if your dog is wormed regularly, there is always a risk of parasite infection. So it is important to keep a regular eye on your pet and report any worrying symptoms to your vet.

What are the symptoms of a parasitic infection?

Symptoms vary depending on the type of parasite, but some of the most commonly seen are:

• loss of appetite,
• diarrhoea,
• vomiting,
• weight loss,
• changes in behaviour (e.g. lack of energy)
• shortness of breath, 
• bleeding 
• neurological disorders. 

If you notice any of the above symptoms in your dog, contact a veterinarian without delay.

Summary

Remember that worming is essential to your dog’s health and wellbeing. Regular prevention helps keep our four-legged friend in good shape and protects our family from potential infection. If you have any questions about worming, get in touch with us at the Zviropolis Veterinary Clinic in Warsaw. Our team of specialists is ready to help.

At the Zviropolis Veterinary Clinic in Warsaw we know that good oral hygiene helps a dog or cat live longer and feel better. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to show you how to care for your dog’s teeth and what the key rules of oral hygiene are. In this article we share our knowledge and experience to help you look after your pet’s dental health.

Why oral hygiene matters for your dog’s or cat’s health

The oral health of a dog or cat has a direct impact on their overall wellbeing and quality of life. Although many pet owners overlook it, problems with teeth and gums can lead to serious health complications, including heart disease, kidney disease and infections. That is why your pet’s oral hygiene is so important. To keep our pets’ teeth and gums healthy, the essentials are:

• regular brushing with a pet toothbrush and toothpaste,
• feeding a suitable diet, 
• and regular visits to the vet to check the condition of the teeth and gums.

Clean, healthy teeth in a dog or cat are not only free of unpleasant odour, they also matter for proper digestion. Animals with toothache or gum inflammation may struggle to eat, which leads to weight loss and general weakness. Healthy teeth also translate directly into the comfort and quality of life of our four-legged friends. With regular, proper oral hygiene we can give our pets a healthy and happy life.

Warning signs: when might your dog or cat have dental problems?

Dental problems in dogs and cats can sometimes be hard to spot, especially early on, but there are a few warning signs to watch out for. Bad breath is one of them. It may seem normal, particularly if your dog or cat tends to eat things they shouldn’t, but a persistent, strong unpleasant smell can point to health problems such as gum disease or infection. Other signs include difficulty eating or sudden changes in behaviour at mealtimes, excessive drooling, red or bleeding gums, and visible plaque or tartar on the teeth.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog or cat, we recommend contacting a vet as soon as possible. Changes in your pet’s behaviour can also be a cause for concern, such as: 

• aggression when you try to touch the mouth, 
• loss of appetite, 
• weight loss, 
• apathy. 

These symptoms may indicate that your pet is in pain because of dental problems. Remember, the sooner the problem is diagnosed, the better the chances of successful treatment and of avoiding serious complications.

Prevention – a veterinary dentist’s advice on caring for your dog’s teeth

Your dog’s dental health depends largely on regular care and preventive veterinary check-ups. A professional veterinary dentist recommends a suitable diet and regular tooth brushing. It is also a good idea to check your dog’s teeth and gums regularly so you can keep track of any changes.

Feeding rules for healthy teeth

Hard chews help remove plaque from your dog’s teeth naturally as they chew. Similarly, when choosing food for your dog, it is worth considering dry kibble, which also helps clean the teeth. 

Even the best home care, however, is no substitute for professional prevention and dental treatment. Regular visits to a veterinary dentist should be an integral part of looking after your pet’s health.

Summary

Regular tooth brushing, suitable chews and food, and keeping a constant eye on any changes in your pet’s behaviour are the foundations of dental care for dogs and cats. If you notice any worrying symptoms, such as bad breath or difficulty eating, contact a vet as soon as possible.