Helpful Resources

We recommend daily dental home care for every dog and cat. Brushing is the gold standard but there are many other options for dental home care, such as dental diets, chews, rinses, and water additives. We thought it would be good to share with you that the staff is recommending to our clients something that we are also doing for our own pets.

Dr. Gary Wheeler, feeds his two labradors and four cats the Hill’s T/D dental diet.

Dr. Sarah Spindell, uses the VetriScience PerioSupport Powder on her staffordshire terrier’s food and gives him an OraVet chew every other day.

Dottie L.V.T., feeds her two cats Hill’s T/D dental diet and her dog gets an OraVet chew everyday.

Laura L.V.T., feed her three cats Hill’s T/D dental diet and Feline Greenies as their daily treat.

Savannah L.V.T, gives her spaniel mix a Purina DentaLife chew everyday, and is training him to accept brushing his teeth.

Adrienne, Vet. Assistant, gives both of her staffordshire terrier and boston terrier mix, pet toothpaste in their kongs, a Purina Dental Chew or Milk Bone Brushing chew several times a week. Her boston mix also gets her teeth brushed twice a week.

Erin, Vet. Assistant, gives her mastiff mix and american hairless terrier, an OraVet Chew everyday and brushes their teeth weekly.

Leah, Vet. Assistant, gives her two pekingese a Purina DentaLife chew everyday and feeds her cats Science Diet Oral Care food.

Melissa, Vet. Assistant, gives her collie an OraVet chew several times a week.

Biada, Vet. Assistant , gives her chihuahua an OraVet chew several times a week.

Pat, CSR, feeds her cattle dog mix, Hill’s T/D dental diet and gives her a CET Veggiedent chew daily. Her two cats get Feline Greenies everyday for treats.

Ginny, CSR, feeds her dachshund Hill’s T/D dental diet as treats, she also gets regular dental cleanings.

Jenny, CSR, feeds her dachshund mix Hill’s T/D dental kibble as his treats and gives him an OraVet chew a few times a week.

Ashlie, Kennel Attendant, Gives catahoula and corgi a Canine Greenie everyday.

As you can see, when a staff member of Bridgton Veterinary Hospital gives you a recommendation for dental home care you are receiving a recommendation that we truly believe in.

Winter wellness – be sure your pets are up to date with their annual exams. A healthy pet will be much better prepared to weather the harshness of winter.

Keep pets warm. Do not leave them out in severe cold if unsupervised. Know their limits. Some pets will be happier outdoors than others for longer periods of time. Use coats and sweaters to help protect them from the cold. Keep pets indoors as much as possible.

Avoid shaving pets down to bare skin during cold winter weather. Jackets and sweaters will be helpful if shaving becomes necessary.

Adjust your pets’ feed appropriately. Some pets may require additional calories to burn if they spend much time outside in the cold, however, most of our house pets will actually require a reduction in calories due to staying inside and and getting less activity.

Keep your pets exercised as much as possible indoors. Play games and teach tricks to help keep them mentally and physically active.

Keep your home humidified to guard against dry, itchy skin and static electricity that might irritate your pets.

Be sure to use plastic dishes when leaving water available outdoors for your pets. This way they can avoid getting their tongues stuck to a metal container during cold temperatures. Check often to be sure water bowls have not frozen.

Clean up any coolant spills to avoid antifreeze poisoning. Pets may be attracted to the sweet taste of these products, but the liquid is highly toxic. It is possible to switch to pet-friendly coolants to avoid this hazard at your own home, but the danger is still around other locations.

Check under the hood. Cats will sometimes climb up into a wheel well or the engine area of acar trying to find some warmth. Knock on the vehicle or honk the horn to startle or alert the cat before turning the engine on and driving away.

Additional pet-proofing of your home may be necessary when you begin using wood stoves, space heaters or other heat-producing equipment.

Use reflective or lighted collars, harnesses and leashes when walking your pet. Good to do any time of year, but the longer periods of darkness in winter months call for this extra precaution.

Consider your pets when planning for severe weather and power outages. Keep plenty of their food, medications and water on hand, and have a plan for moving them to alternative shelter if necessary.

Avoid icy areas when possible. Slipping and falling on ice can cause bumps and bruises, as well as more major injuries such as muscle sprains and strains and knee injuries. Poorly frozen lakes, ponds and rivers are very dangerous – especially after temperature changes or winter rains that may thin ice layers even further.

Wipe down pets after they come in from outside. If rinsing off, be sure to dry them thoroughly and keep them warm. Pay special attention to their feet, legs and undersides where salt and ice may accumulate – especially after walking on paths or roads that have been heavily salted. Use pet safe ice melts whenever possible. Getting a pet used to wearing booties may also be helpful.

Keep your pets’ nails clipped short and avoid having pets walk through crusty snow that may lead to torn nails or dewclaws.

Take additional care to ensure trustworthiness of enclosures and restraint systems. Shovel pathways inside the perimeter of pens, so pets won’t be able to climb over fences as snow accumulates. Keep gates clear of snow and ice so they will close securely. Check snaps and hooks of tie-outs to keep them free of ice and working properly.

Be sure your pets are microchipped and wearing current ID in case of wandering off or escaping.