Hi! It's Chris of Pet Dental Works. This weekend I will once again be performing non-anesthetic dentals at the Tucolata Springs campground. If you haven't read my blog postings from last February that describes veterinary oral disease and describes the dental procedure, take a look if you have the time! Lots of information there!
I will remind you that the non-anesthetic dental procedure should be performed twice a year - so those pets that had dentals last Feb. at Pechanga are now again due for the procedure! This upcoming trip will be the last trip with Rainbow RV that Delanie and I will take with the group until this fall sometime, so if you're considering having your pet's teeth cleaned, this weekend is the best time to accomplish that! Give me a call at 949-350-6464 to schedule an appointment - I'll be happy to take a look to see if your pet is a candidate for my procedure - and we'll be in site A22 this coming weekend. I will try to do most dentals on Friday all day and Saturday in the morning. We will arrive late on Thursday. Alternately, just drop by if that suits you!
I know a very good dog trainer in Orange County, Mary Jensen. She wrote a very good article on recognizing pet bite warning signs and tips on how to avoid bites. I'd like to share some of that info with you here:
LOOK FOR PET BITE WARNING SIGNS LIKE:
HAIR UP - Means the pet is either scared or aggressive. Where is the hair up? If the pet's hair is up at the tip of the neck and base of the tail only, the pet is scared. If the pet's hair is all the way up across the whole back, growling or bearing teeth, the pet is aggressive.
STANDING STIFF - Means pet is in a high state of alert, so your chances of getting bit are higher.
LUNGING - A pet will lunge because it is either playful or aggressive. The pet's body language will give you the answer. If the pet is lunging, growling or baring teeth, then the pet is aggressive. If the pet is wiggling and not baring teeth, then the pet is playful.
GROWLING - How is the pet growling? Look at the pet's body language for the answer. If it is cowering and growling, then the pet is scared. If the pet is stiff, lunging or growling or baring teeth, then the pet is aggressive. Watch out! Both types can bite you! If the pet is wiggling and not baring teeth, then the pet is playful.
BARING TEETH - Means the pet is aggressive.
TAIL TUCKED - Means the pet is scared.
COWERING/HIDING - Means the pet is scared.
PANTING, DROOLING AND PACING - Means the pet is uncomfortable.
JUMPING - How is the pet jumping? Look at the pet's body language for the answer. If the pet is jumping up at the owner constantly, the pet is uncomfortable. If the pet is wiggly, running around and jumping at you, they are excited.
DOES NOT LIKE TO BE TOUCHED - (In a certain way or area) - Careful!!
AFRAID OF ANY CIRCUMSTANCE (Blow drying, nail lipping, shots. etc.) - Look out!!
TIPS TO HELP AVOID BITES
IF THE PET IS SCARED - Giving the pet a high value treat can help make you their friend. Move slowly, making less eye contact, standing sideways..instead of in front will help make the pet feel at ease.
IF THE PET IS STANDING STIFF - Waiting a few moments and talking to the owner can help the pet settle down.
IF THE PET IS AGGRESSIVE - If the pet is aggressive in the owner's arms, have them put the pet on the ground. Avoid eye contact with the pet. Don't act scared of the pet. Best of all, if you do not need to have contact with this pet, keep your distance!
LASTLY - Regardless if the pet is scared or aggressive, the more force used the worse the pet will react! Wait to see if anothers pet will come to you first, because this will let you know that the pet is truly friendly. If an owner warns you about possible aggressive behavior from their pet, trust their judgement! Do not test that pet!
See you this weekend! Safe traveling to all!