Pet parents postpone annual health exams for their dogs and cats for all manner of reasons. For some, it’s a fear of what your veterinarian will find during the examination. Others worry about the expense of the exam itself. And some seek only to avoid the stress a vet visit causes their pet kids. Regardless of the rationales behind not going in, the benefits far outweigh the more immediate costs of inaction.

The advantages of a yearly check-up are so vital, Dr. Sarah has devoted an entire episode of Pet Talk to the topic, providing all the motives why you shouldn’t put it off. In her clear and no-nonsense style, our good doctor walks you step-by-step through a typical annual wellbeing examination, revealing exactly what veterinarians are thinking when they’re investigating your pet kid’s health … and, why each step is vital to the long-term health and happiness of your companion animal.

Don’t miss this month’s episode of Pet Talk, and be sure to pin, tweet and share to Facebook share this important message with friends and family!


ByDr. Sarah

Skin problems rank high among the most common reasons that pets go to the veterinarian. Chief complaints include unexplained lumps and bumps that develop on the surface of the skin, under the skin, or even inside the mouth. The good news is that most of the time these swellings are simply benign (non-cancerous) growths. However, it is imperative to have any suspicious growths examined by your vet since they could lead to a more serious condition that may require treatment.

There are a few things that you can do at home if you spot a ‘bumpy lumpy’ on your pet. You should immediately inspect your companion to see if there are multiple bumps or just one. Your pet could be acting fine, the lumps not sensitive to the touch but they can still be serious. The size of a lump is not an indication of its severity. If your pet is acting normally, the lump does not appear painful, and it’s not accompanied by a bad odor, then you probably aren’t facing a dire emergency. Benign growths can include fluid-filled cysts, fatty tumors, warts, skin tags and histiocytomas. Don’t make yourself crazy by trying to diagnose the malady at home. Simply schedule a vet appointment and find out what’s going on.

On the other hand, if you do notice a change in your pet’s behavior then this should be an immediate red flag. Other red flags include fatigue, food avoidance, or inexplicable limping. Symptoms of an infected lump may include red swelling, foul odor coming from the lump, and obvious pain or tenderness associated with the area. Bumps that appear overnight could be due to an abscess, an infection in a wound. Of course, the ‘worst case scenario’ for many is that a bump will prove to be a cancerous tumor. If left unchecked, malignant tumors can grow and spread to other parts of the body. It probably bears repeating … if there’s any question about what’s going on with your dog or cat, take them to the vet for testing.

When you bring your pet in to see your vet, he or she will ask you some questions regarding when you first noticed the lump or swelling, whether you’ve noticed any changes in its appearance, and more. These questions are necessary for your vet to start narrowing down the possible causes and treatments needed. Don’t be alarmed if your vet uses the terms mass, tumor, or growth when referring to any bumps. These are simply medical terms used to describe any swellings and does not automatically mean a cancerous diagnosis. Additionally, your vet will likely perform a physical examination from head to tail. This exam is critical for the assessment of your pet’s health state, and to determine whether there are multiple lumps present (i.e., any that you might’ve missed in your home exam). The look and feel of a bump can give your vet a lot of insight towards what could be wrong. Further testing may be needed to successfully establish the source of the trouble.

After the physical exam, your vet will either offer some immediate treatment options if nothing serious is going on, or ask for permission to conduct further diagnostic testing. A simple test, known as cytology (Greek for ‘the study of cells’) of the lump, may be initially recommended. During this test, a needle is inserted into the bump or swelling, and cells are extracted. The sample will be studied under a microscope for further analysis. The only problem with cytology is that the results can provide only a limited amount of information. If this procedure does not provide a sufficient explanation for the problem, your vet may recommend a biopsy.

There are two types of biopsies: incisional and excisional. With an incisional biopsy, a small amount of the lump is sampled and sent out for analysis. An excisional biopsy requires the removal of the entire mass or swelling, also sent out for analysis. Your pet may need local anesthesia or general sedation before a biopsy is performed, dependent upon the size and location of the mass, as well as the behavioral temperament of your companion.

Ultimately, treatment options will depend on the results of the lump’s analysis. Your vet may determine that the lump or swelling is only cosmetic and poses no threat to your pet kid’s health. In this case, you will want to keep a close eye on the area and notify your vet of any changes. If the diagnosis is more serious, your veterinarian will discuss all available treatment options to address, and hopefully heal, whatever’s going on.

If you remember nothing else, the take-away here is that your greatest resource in diagnosing and treating any skin problem is your vet.

Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place for companion animals.

Does your dog have a chronic case of ‘dog breath’? If so, she’s in good company, as it’s currently estimated that 80% of companion animals over age three suffer from ‘yuck mouth’. That’s right, even the most caring and devoted pet parents have been known to routinely relegate these duties to the ‘I Will Deal with this Tomorrow’ pile.

What many pet parents don’t realize is that dental disease isn’t restricted to the mouth but can indirectly impact the heart, kidneys, intestinal tract and joints. If your companion’s dental hygiene hasn’t been a priority, then you should definitely check out this episode of Pet Talk with Dr. Sarah.

In this short video, our staff veterinarian shares her insights and helpful tips to prepare you and your companion animal for a lifetime of better dental health. Sarah covers all the basics, from what products your furr kid will need to help achieve oral health, why a well-thought-out regimen is necessary for maintaining health throughout the body, how a better approach to dental health can help minimize pain, and much more.

For some excellent pointers on brushing your pet kid’s teeth, we encourage you to watch a 
classic episode of Pet Talk.

Take time out to learn just how easy it is to combat bad breath and defeat dental disease. A few minutes now may prove to be one of your best investments towards the long-term health and well-being of your dear companion. Thanks for watching!

New! Dog Treat Sampler Pack
Your Price: $3.49 Click HERE to try them today!

 In this amazing collection you’ll find: three Antioxidant Health Bars - Oatmeal & Apple Recipe (with oatmeal, flaxseed meal, peanut butter, apples, honey, eggs, cranberries, carrots, vitamin C, beta-carotene and vitamin E); three Gourmet Dental Treats – Honey Peanut-Butter Recipe (featuring harvest grains, top-quality proteins, calcium, vitamin C and parsley); three Wholesome Hearts – Low-Fat Treats (with pumpkin, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, apples, yellow field peas, cranberries, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg); one Porky Puff chewable pig snout treat; and one-quarter-ounce of Tasty Rewards Nutritional Training Treats (mouthwatering morsels containing high-quality proteins, lecithin, vitamin B12 and pumpkin seeds).

Dogs will rejoice with our Dog Treat Sampler Pack!

Tasty Rewards Training Treats
When training your pet, a reward system is used for them to understand they've done a good job. Well training your pet can now also be beneficial for their health. Tasty Rewards Training Treats contain proteins, minerals, vitamins and essential fatty acids. Their are even ingredients that stimulate brain activity - perfect for learning new things.  And, like all of Life’s Abundance products, you’ll find no added chemical preservatives or artificial coloring. With Tasty Rewards Training Treats, discipline can be delicious and healthy for them all at the same time!

Wholesome Hearts 
It's hard to say no to a dog who is begging for a treat, but what if he could stand to lose a few pounds off his waistline? Well, by adding Wholesome Hearts to his diet, he can still enjoy a fully nutritious low-fat treat. Even if your dog is in shape, this is a great way to maintain his weight and still give a tasty treat.

Antioxidant Health Bars
Every day Americans grab something to snack on. The number one snacks is a health bar. Your dog can snack the same way we do with Life’s Abundance’s Antioxidant Health Bars. This snack does not simply hold them over till the next meal, but it contains a broad spectrum of antioxidants they may not get anywhere else in their diet.  Plus, they are guaranteed to love the taste.

Dental Treats
Since every dog needs a good teeth cleaning to stay in top physical health, next time you go to grab a doggie treat, grab the treat that will keep his teeth clean and healthy. This treat is loaded with nutrients to support healthy bones and teeth.

Studies show that 98% of dogs and cats suffer from plague build up, which is the leading cause of bad breath in our pets. When you go to cuddle with your lap friend, is that what you want to smell? I suppose not! Besides just the smell, it is also harmful to their health, as it is critical to their liver, kidneys, heart, and brain. Just like humans need to care for our teeth, it is no different for our pets. Special care needs to be given, but many are concerned they may not know how to care for this health concern. 

Signs of Dental Problems
•    Red swollen gums
•    Teeth coated with tarter
•    Rotten smelling breath
•    Discolored molars or canines
•    Sores on gums
•    Worn down teeth
•    Excessive drooling
•    Trouble eating

Brush
That’s right! Brush your dog’s teeth just like we brush, but DO NOT use your toothpaste for your dog’s teeth. We do not swallow our toothpaste, but a dog would have to. Human’s toothpaste is actually toxic when swallowed. The minty taste is also not appealing to their taste buds. Special dog toothpaste is edible, and will not cause them any harm. Now this is a pretty hefty task to get your dog to sit still, and let you brush away at his teeth. Then again is brushing your dog’s teeth the only way to keep your dog’s teeth healthy? The answer is no! 

Dental Treats
We love giving our pets treats! When we think of giving our pets treats though, we normally think of a non-nutritious food. There are some treats which actually can clean your pet’s teeth for you. Life’s Abundance has the perfect blend of dental treats for your pet. This is a splendid recipe of harvest grains and the natural sweetness of honey, with a robust helping of Calcium and Phosphorus to support healthy bones and teeth. Parsley sweetens the breath so you get a direct benefit from this treat as well. With Gourmet Dental Treats, you'll be treating your dog's healthy teeth well while giving your dog delicious oven baked treats. The best part is that your pet will actually love getting his teeth cleaned!

Check-up
Remember how important a healthy mouth is for the overall health of your pet. Something as important as this should be regularly watched for. Open your pet’s mouth and check for the different signs mentioned previously. If two or more of these signs are visible in your pet, a trip to the veterinarian should be made to avoid further problems.

*See the picture below to contrast an unhealthy mouth with a healthy one!