Barrett Station Veterinary Clinic

Find Out More About Your Pet's Health With These Resources

We recently provided information on brushing your pet’s teeth and discussed spaying and neutering dogs. You can discover more information about your pet’s health with the links below. To schedule an appointment for your pet at our St. Louis office, call Barrett Station Veterinary Clinic at (314) 822-2882 today.

• Learn more about the importance of dental care for pets with this article from the American Veterinary Medical Association.
      
• You can learn about brushing cats’ teeth with this article from WebMD.
     
• The ASPCA provides additional information on brushing your dog’s teeth.
      
• This article from the American Animal Hospital Association contains more information on the benefits of having your dog spayed or neutered.
       
• To learn more about the canine spay procedure, take a look at this article from PetEducation.com.

The Importance of Spaying or Neutering Your Pet

While many people are aware of the problem of pet overpopulation, they may not realize that simply monitoring their pets is not enough to avoid contributing to this nationwide issue. It takes only a brief escape from your home for your unaltered dog or cat to add to the pet overpopulation problem.

With this clip from The Humane Society of the United States and HSVMA, you can learn more about pet overpopulation. The veterinarian in this video describes the benefits of spaying or neutering your pet and discusses common myths surrounding spaying and neutering, such as the belief that a female dog or cat should always have one litter before being spayed.

You can help keep your pet healthy and prevent unexpected litters of puppies or kittens by having your pet spayed or neutered. To learn more, contact Barrett Station Veterinary Clinic at our office in St. Louis by calling (314) 822-2882.

A Guide to Canine Spaying and Neutering

If you recently adopted a dog or puppy, you may be wondering if spaying or neutering your new pet is necessary. Bringing your dog to a veterinary clinic to be spayed or neutered will provide a number of benefits both for you and your pet.

• Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Dog

Having your female dog spayed or your male dog neutered will prevent your pet from reproducing. This is important for dog owners who do not want to care for unexpected litters or contribute to the problem of pet overpopulation. Spaying or neutering your dog can also provide health benefits, such as the prevention of uterine or testicular cancer. Spaying or neutering dogs can also help prevent unwanted behaviors, such as marking territory inside your home, roaming to find mates, and attracting other dogs.

• Spay and Neuter Procedures

Blood tests are performed to ensure that a dog is in good health before general anesthesia is administered to sedate the dog. For female dogs, an incision is made in the abdomen, through which the veterinarian removes the uterus and ovaries. A veterinarian neuters a male dog by making an incision in the scrotum and removing the testicles. We recommend intravenous catheter and fluids during surgery to insure better anesthesia and hydration.

• Recovery After Spaying or Neutering

Your dog will be very groggy after surgery, so it is important to allow him or her to rest on a comfortable bed. The incision that was made to complete the surgery will be closed with sutures that must be kept clean. Your pet may try to pull out these sutures, so a dish-like collar that blocks his or her access to the stitches may be required. After being spayed, female dogs can return to normal activities and be bathed 14 days after surgery, while male dogs can become active and be bathed five to seven days after being neutered.

You can learn more about spaying or neutering your dog by speaking to the veterinarians at Barrett Station Veterinary Clinic. To learn more about these procedures or to schedule an appointment for your dog, call our clinic in St. Louis today at (314) 822-2882.

Tips for Brushing Your Pet's Teeth at Home

While you may think that bad breath is normal for dogs and cats, it can actually be a sign of serious dental problems. You can maintain your pet’s dental health by visiting a veterinarian for professional teeth cleanings and by brushing your pet’s teeth at home.

• Start Early

Try to begin brushing your pet’s teeth when he or she is young. Introducing tooth brushing to a puppy or kitten between the ages of eight and 12 weeks can often be easier than beginning the practice with an adult pet. However, brushing your pet’s teeth is important at every age, so do not feel discouraged if your pet is full-grown when you begin regular tooth brushings.

• Help Your Pet Feel Comfortable When Brushing

It is important to get your pet used to the idea of tooth brushing before you actually begin. Start by gently holding your pet’s muzzle or face while petting his or her lips and cheeks for a few minutes at a time, allowing your pet to become accustomed to you handling his or her mouth over the course of a few days before you begin brushing.

• Use a Toothbrush and Toothpaste Made for Pets

Toothpaste that is made for humans can be toxic to pets, so be sure to purchase toothpaste that has been made specifically for cats or dogs. These toothpastes often have a savory flavor that your pet will actually enjoy. It is also important to use a toothbrush for pets that has soft bristles.

• Brush Teeth and Gums Gently

When you are ready to brush your pet’s teeth, position the bristles of the brush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth, then use small circular strokes to clean the teeth and the gum line. At first, you may only be able to brush a few teeth at a time, but you should eventually be able to brush all of your pet’s teeth.

The veterinary team at Barrett Station Veterinary Clinic can provide additional information on maintaining your pet’s dental health. To learn more about brushing your pet’s teeth, call our clinic in St. Louis today at (314) 822-2882.

Do's for Decreasing Behavior Problems

These suggestions are meant to teach your dog you are their leader.  Often we, without even knowing it, are teaching our pets improperly through our interactions.

1. Feeding:  Do control meal times.  Feed at a regular time and leave food down for 20 minutes and then pick it up.  Dogs must also perform or work for treats, not just looks cute.  Please do not feed from the table as this encourages begging.

“Pack Leaders” control the food.

2. Resting:  Do not allow your dog into people resting spots.

“Pack Leaders” get the best sleep areas

3. Toys/Play:  Do keep toys picked up when not in use.  Only play fetch.  Tug of war and rough housing encourages physical expression of dominance.  When you let go or stop, your dog considers himself the victor.

“Pack Leaders” possess the toys and let others borrow them.

4. Do make your dog go through doorways after you.

“Pack Leaders” lead.Also, it reduces escaping from the house and into danger.

5. Territory:  Do make your pet move rather than stepping around them as dogs consider this submissive.

“Pack Leaders” Can go anywhere in their territory.

6.  Affection:  Do control petting sessions.  Make your pet obey a command to sit or lay down.  Petting is earned.  If your dog nudges your hand or paws at you, ignore them, as this is their way of controlling affection.

“Pack Leaders” give affection.  They do not wait for the favors of others.

The staff at Barrett Station Veterinary Clinic is here to help coach you!  Please call us with any questions or concerns! 314-822-2882.