Dog Food Allergies vs Dog Food Sensitivities – What’s the Difference?

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Dogs are not the pickiest eaters. In fact, many pet parents end up needing to seek internal medicine vet care in Lawrence, KS because the dog ate something they shouldn’t have. However, canines can also be prone to both dog food allergies and dog food sensitivities. What’s the difference? How do you know what is actually happening? Here is a closer look at both canine health conditions.

Dog Food Allergies Explained

Dog food allergies don’t usually show symptoms immediately. Usually, this condition will be characterized by things like vomiting, diarrhea, or even skin issues. However, the problem can seem to get worse over time. This is because a dog food allergy leads to a buildup of inflammatory markers in the dog’s blood as they are exposed to a certain allergen. Allergens a dog may be sensitive to include certain grains, filler ingredients like meat meal, and even certain additives.

Dog Food Sensitivities Explained

Dog food sensitivities come about because the dog cannot properly digest some ingredients in the food they usually eat. Common culprits can be certain types of grains, additives for color or flavor, and even certain types of meat. Symptoms can happen out of nowhere, but if the food is not changed, the symptoms can persist and lead to a lot of health problems for the dog. You may notice the dog is dealing with diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, or even weight loss.

Talk to a Lawrence, KS Veterinarian for a Proper Diagnosis

Whether your dog is dealing with food allergies or food sensitivity, both are issues that need to be addressed by a veterinarian in Lawrence, KS. Reach out to us at Gentle Care Animal Hospital to schedule an appointment for a proper diagnosis.

How to Pick Your Pet’s Veterinarian

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Picking the right veterinarian is important! Your pet’s veterinarian plays an important role in your pet’s well-being and also your pet’s quality of life. The right veterinarian will have the skills to help keep your pet healthy, the knowledge to help guide you as a pet owner, and also the people skills to make you feel comfortable that your pet is in good hands. If you’re looking for a veterinarian in Lawrence, KS, here’s what you need to look for.

Range of Services

The veterinarian you pick for your pet should offer a range of services including surgery, pain management, internal medicine and more. The more services your pet’s veterinarian offers, the more your pet’s veterinarian will be a one-stop shop for your pet. Some veterinary clinics even offer pet boarding in Lawrence KS, which means that you can bring your pet to the veterinarian when you go on vacation too!

Good Reputation

You should always bring your pet to a vet office that has a good reputation. The vet you choose should be known for having a way with animals, great customer service, excellent business practices, and a clean facility.

You can find out what a veterinarian’s reputation is by checking with people you know who have brought their child to that vet. If you don’t know anyone who has used that vet clinic, try checking references before bringing your own pet.

Skills and Experience

A veterinarian’s skills and experience says a lot about what they’re capable of doing for your pet. Choose a vet that has substantial experience with pets like yours. It’s best if the vet you select has been in business for many years, because they will have seen it all and will know how to care for your pet.

To find out more about how to choose the best vet in the area, contact Gentle Care Animal Hospital.

5 Signs Your Pet Needs Dental Care

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You know that you’re supposed to go see the dentist on a regular basis – but did you know that your pet should, too? Pets need dental care just like people.

If your pet doesn’t get dental care, they might develop cavities, gum disease and they may even lose their teeth. Dental conditions can be painful for pets, and expensive to treat. It’s better to keep your pet coming back to the vet for preventative dental care in Lawrence, KS.

1. Reluctant to Eat

If your pet is experiencing difficulty eating, this could be because of problems with your pet’s teeth. Pain in the mouth can make eating unpleasant, which could lead your pet to be reluctant to eat at all.

2. Missing Teeth

Have you noticed that your pet is missing teeth, where once teeth used to be? This usually happens when pets experience dental decay and dental disease. Missing teeth are a sign that your pet’s dental disease is advanced. Your pet may need veterinary care to save the remaining teeth.

3. Bad Breath

Pets develop bad breath because of bacteria in their mouth. Most pets have breath that isn’t fun to smell, but very bad breath could be a result of extra bacteria. Have your pet’s bad breath investigated by a veterinarian in Lawrence, KS as soon as possible.

4. Difficulty Eating

Does your pet struggle to eat the way they used to? This could be because your pet is contorting their mouth to get the food they need. This is likely because of dental pain, like pain in your pet’s tooth or gums.

5. Discolored Teeth

Check in your pet’s mouth to see what color their teeth are. Healthy teeth will be white, but unhealthy teeth may have black or brown spots.

If your pet hasn’t had a dental cleaning recently, contact us to make an appointment!

Does Your Dog Need Dental Help? 4 Signs

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Your dog needs dental care, just like you. Taking your dog to the vet to get dental care can prevent your dog from experiencing painful dental problems that could impact their health and well-being. It’s never too late to start taking your dog to the vet for pet dental care in Lawrence, KS. Familiarizing yourself with the signs that your dog needs dental help is important. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Bad Breath

Dogs aren’t known for having the best breath, even when their teeth are healthy. That said, your dog shouldn’t have awful breath that prevents you from enjoying playing with or petting your dog. If your dog’s breath is so bad that your relationship and time together is impacted, this is a sign that your dog needs dental help.

2. Teeth Discolored

Teeth discolorations are a sign of dental problems. Look inside your dog’s mouth. If the teeth are black, gray, have spots or stains, make an appointment with the vet.

3. Reduced Appetite

If your dog is suffering from poor dental health, they may experience a reduced appetite. It’s not that they’re not hungry – it’s just that they don’t want to eat through the pain. Changes in your dog’s eating habits could be signs of other health problems as well, so contact your pet’s veterinarian right away.

4. Food Dropping Out of the Mouth

Is your dog becoming a messy eater over time? This could be a sign that your dog is compensating for tooth problems – either by eating in a way that is clumsier, or because food is escaping from gaps in the teeth.

Regardless of whether your dog is showing signs of dental distress, you should have your dog’s teeth cleaned regularly. Contact your pet’s veterinarian in Lawrence, KS to make an appointment today.

The Importance of Caring For Your Pet’s Teeth

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Your pet’s teeth are susceptible to the same problems that can plague human teeth. Without proper cleaning of your pet’s teeth, your pet may develop bacteria buildup, plaque, tartar, periodontal disease and gingivitis. While your pet’s teeth look different than human teeth, they need similar care and maintenance throughout your pet’s life.

Clean Teeth Mean Fresher Breath

Your pet’s breath may become odorous and unpleasant if you don’t care for their teeth properly. Infected teeth and gums harbor foul-smelling bacteria that give new meaning to the term, dog breath. With proper dental care, your pet may not have minty-fresh breath, but it will certainly be much better.

Dental Disease Can Lead to Heart Problems

Harmful bacteria in the mouth can travel through the blood stream and damage the heart. This may happen with advanced dental disease, but there’s plenty of time to avoid this scenario through proper dental care.

Lost Teeth Can Impair Nutrition

Your pet needs teeth to bite and chew their food. If your pet loses teeth, it won’t be able to beat properly and will lose access to vital nutrients necessary for good overall health. In fact, one of the common symptoms of a dental problem is a pet’s unwillingness to eat as usual.

Pets Can’t Let You Know of Issues

Another reason to routinely care for your pet’s teeth is that your pet can’t tell you when there’s an ongoing issue. The only way you can catch potential problems early on is by visually inspecting teeth on a regular basis. This is why your Lawrence, KS veterinarian always looks around your pet’s mouth when you go in for an exam.

If you’re uncomfortable cleaning your pet’s teeth, your vet will be happy to do it for you. To schedule teeth cleanings and exams with your vet, please contact us today.