They can get cavities, but they don't typically happen as we get them. It's not very frequent that they get them, and it's even less frequent that we do a filling. However, that is something that can be done, but we don't worry as much about cavities in dogs as we do in people. They don't have the same sugar intake and things like that that really eat at that enamel. They do get other issues that need to be addressed, which can actually be worse than a cavity.

Toothbrushing is our gold standard for dental care at home. I use Greenies, treats, chews, and things like that in situations where you cannot brush your dog's teeth because the dog won't allow it or you just absolutely don't have the time, which I know none of us do. The next step would be to use treats and other things. Again, if you can brush their teeth, that's ideal.

They make toothpaste specifically for dogs. That toothpaste has everything safe for a dog to swallow because as hard as it is to get a dog to brush their teeth, it's really hard to get them to spit. So you don't want to use human toothpaste because they will swallow that, which can upset their stomach.

Yes, they make flavored toothpaste. It's easier to start with a puppy and get them used to it, but even older dogs can be taught new tricks. So don't give up if you have an older dog. Start with using just a little bit of the toothpaste on your finger, let them get used to that flavor, and let them enjoy it. Then, as each session continues, you'll do a little bit more and a little bit more. Once they're used to the toothpaste, use the toothbrush, and let them chew around on it. Don't try to brush, but just let them play with it. Put some toothpaste on it and let them lick it off. Let them get used to the idea, and then you'll start brushing. I typically just start with one side, upper and lower, for a session. Once they're done, praise them and tell them they were really good, and then come back a day or two later and try the other side. So start slow and be consistent.

They're just like us, so ideally, we want to brush them twice a day. Every time they eat, they're going to get bacteria in their mouth, but I tell people, it's just not feasible sometimes, and we understand that. If you're going to brush your dog's teeth, try to aim for at least three days a week. The more, the better, but a minimum of three days a week is needed to make a difference.

Again, it just depends on their lifestyle and what they do. There are also areas of the country that have a much higher mosquito burden than we do. Think of the deep south, Louisiana, places like that have a lot of heartworms. That being said, we have heartworms here, so it is important, and it is something that we see quite a bit of.

Depending on how often your dog is outdoors and how often you're near standing water, those factors will increase your dog's risk. It's not to say that if your dog is not very active or doesn't go outside very often, he is not at risk. He still most likely goes outside to go potty, and you have to remember mosquitoes can get into your house. So even indoor cats can be susceptible to heartworms. All dogs need to be on prevention, but especially those outside dogs that go to the lake, they're in the woods and things like that. They are definitely at a higher risk of developing heartworm disease.

Dog heartworms are spread by mosquitoes. Here in this area, we've seen mosquitoes 12 months out of the year. We don't have a cold enough winter to eradicate those mosquitoes. A mosquito that is infected with heartworms bites your dog and spreads those little microfilariae or those baby heartworms into your dog's bloodstream, where they then go and set up shop in the lung and heart area. They reproduce and multiply and cause problems with your dog.

That depends on the dog, the severity, and the groomer. We do have some behavioral modification medications that calm their anxieties and maybe sedate them just a little bit to help some dogs because we don't want to have a negative experience that they are scared of. That will make it harder and harder for them to be groomed in the future. So that's something that you definitely want to bring to light with your groomer. Talk to them, and see what their comfort is. Maybe do a meet and greet session between your dog and the groomer and see what we can get.

Yes, we recommend that all dogs be vaccinated for several viruses and diseases and also be on flea and tick prevention. Anytime you take your dog somewhere, you're risking them being infected, whether it's a virus or you take them to the park, and there are fleas there. We don't think about that. So anytime you take your dog out of the household, you risk them being exposed to these different diseases. We do recommend that they are fully vaccinated and on prevention.