Stone Ridge Veterinary Services Ltd

Let’s Talk - 𝐎𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭!! 🦷⚡️

For anyone that has been following along, we talk about 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 and oral care a fair amount. Periodontal Disease is a great example of 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧; a slow build up of tartar accumulation eventually irritating the gum line causing bleeding and leading to organ complications. ❤️‍🩹

However, today we want to cover 𝐀𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧. Acute Oral Pain examples include 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡, 𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 and 𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬. 🦷

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫?? 👀

- Sudden reluctance to eat or open mouth
- No longer wanting to play or chew
- Reluctance to have their face touched
- Foul Breath
- Dropping food
- Grimace (in cats)
- Oral Bleeding
- Increased salivation/drooling
- Facial Swelling

𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞:

The patient below presented with increased salivation, foul breath and holding her mouth open. Upon the physical exam, followed by sedation, we discovered that our patient had a bone chunk wedged in the left side of her mouth.

Once the bone chunk was removed, she was treated with some oral rinse, antibiotics and pain meds. She made a full recovery! 🐾

If you suspect your pet has any oral pain (acute or chronic) 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐭 𝟕𝟖𝟎-𝟓𝟓𝟒-𝟎𝟔𝟔𝟑 📞

Let’s Talk - 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐧! 👀

Skin conditions can be categorized as either Chronic or Acute depending on the situation, and cause. Some times an acute condition can develop into chronic if left untreated or if the treatment is unsuccessful. 😕

𝐀𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 include lacerations/wounds, acute parasitic dermatitis and hot spots. They appear suddenly and often have a quick solution to healing. 🩹

𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 include allergies, some lick granulomas, chronic parasitic dermatitis, autoimmune disorders and infections. These conditions will often last for long periods of time and are usually complicated to treat. ❤️‍🩹

𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞: 📖

The patient below presented with chronic chewing of his hind leg, and suspected food allergies. The owner changed the patients food and was able to find one that contains no chicken, however the patient kept chewing for about 4-5 weeks.

With a suspected deep skin infection and inflammation of the leg, treatment began with steroids, antibiotics and Laser Therapy treatments (multiple over the next handful of weeks).

During the next few visits, our patient started to have decreased swelling, increased hair growth and a reduced need to lick the area. We are currently still battling this chronic skin condition, but are happy to see so much improvement! 🤗

So what are some 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬? 🤔

- Allergies (Food/Environmental)
- Parasitic Load (Can also lead to Secondary Skin Infection)
- Bacteria (Such as Yeast can develop from a skin fold and/or a moist environment)
- Lesions (Wounds, Abscesses, etc)
- Nervous Behaviours (Anxious Licking/Chewing)
- Grooming (Too Much or Too Little)
- Horomonal Imbalances (Cushings, Hypothyridism, etc)

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫? 🔎

- Excessive Licking, Chewing, Rolling, Rubbing or Scratching
- Stained Fur or Skin
- Odours
- Thickening or Reddening of Skin on areas such as the Belly/Groin Area, between Toes and Face
- Hairloss or Thinning
- Hair Coat feels Greasy, Dry or has Dandruff
- Possible Seasonal Signs (Showing the signs above but only during a certain time of year)

𝐅𝐔𝐍 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓: 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧! 😱

If you suspect your pet has a skin condition, call us at 780-554-0663. 📞

Let’sTalk - 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬! 🦴

𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 is a type of 𝐝𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 that progressess with age. This is categorized as 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧; 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 causing 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭. 💥

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫!? 👀

- Decreased Mobility
- Not as Active or Social
- Reluctance to Jump, Climb or Step Up
- Stiffness or Lameness
- Licking/Chewing at Paws, Limbs or Joints
- Swelling/Heat
- Muscle Atrophy
- Vocalizing

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝? 🩻

Diagnosis can start with a 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, locating what joint seems uncomfortable, if it can move smoothly and if there can be any heat or swelling detected. Following a physical exam, 𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐬 are often close behind. This will help determine both location and severity.

Often Arthritis will start off with 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬, and can eventually lead to “𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬” as seen in the image below. Bones and joints should appear smooth, and should have even spacing within the joints.

𝐀𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰 (12yr, Female/Spayed Garage/Outdoor Cat), the joints are very rough and the spaces between the joint spaces are relatively unclear. This 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 point of movement, and inflicts pain and discomfort. ⚡️

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝? 🩺

Depending on Severity and Quality of Life, there are different levels of treatment. 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝, however the pain/discomfort can often be managed. 𝐎𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 are a great place to start, often supporting the synovial fluid (joint fluid), making it easier for the bone connection to glide past each other. 🦴

𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 are often the next step, being offered to help ease the rough/sore days. Medications such as NSAIDs can sometimes be hard on the Kidneys, so they should be used exactly as prescribed and not used a daily solution (unless directed differently from your veterinarian). 💊

A more recent addition to the battle against arthritis is 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬, such as Librela and Solensia. These are monthly injections that block pain sensors, allowing cats and dogs to be more comfortable on a daily basis. Caution must be used when pets are on these medications as they can easily forget that they have damaged joints and can easily over due their activity, and cause further damage. 💉

Arthritis can occur at any age and will affect each individual a little different. If you suspect your pet is facing any kind of joint discomfort, feel free to 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐭 𝟕𝟖𝟎-𝟓𝟓𝟒-𝟎𝟔𝟔𝟑! 🤗

Yes you read that right! It’s the Long Weekend! Sleep in! 😴
We will see you tomorrow for our regular hours 😁

September is 𝐀𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡! 💥

Can you tell if your pet is in pain? 🤔 What changes will you notice?

It is engrained in 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐬 to 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧. This is a survival method used in the wild to avoid predators from singling them out. Today, domesticated pets with often still try to hide signs of discomfort which make it difficult to determine a diagnosis of pain. However! There are a few subtle changes that can be noticed:

𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥:
- Limping
- Panting
- Swelling/Redness
- Change in Posture
- Shaking
- Facial Strain
- Grimace Score
- Down Ears
- Tight Forehead
- Squinting Eyes
- Clenched Jaw

𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥:
- Aggression
- Restlessness
- Decreased Energy
- No longer Self Grooming
- Biting/Scratching/Licking
- Sleeping More Often
- Hiding/Not Wanting as Much Attention
- Decreased Desire to Play
- Decreased Interest in Food/Water
- Having Accidents in the House

𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫/𝐕𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥:
- Vocalizing
- Increased Respiration (Effort/Rate)
- Increased Heart Rate
- Increased Temperature

This month we will share more info about different types and causes of pain in animals. 🐾
Feel free to comment any questions or suggestions below! ⬇️

Happy Birthday to our WONDERFUL Receptionist/Kennel Attendant, Mary!! 🎉
We don’t know what we would do without her 🤗♥️

Cheers to Mary! 🎂

Attention SRVS Family! 📣

There is a long weekend approaching, and we want to make sure that your pets have enough food and prescriptions to get them through! 🐾

Give us a call at 780-554-0663 if you find that you’re getting low on anything, as we will be closed Monday, September 7th 😁

Sincerely,
The SRVS Team 🩺

It’s National Holistic Pet Day! 🌎

Today let’s chat about what holistic means! Holistic is the idea of looking at the animal as a whole and not just at the issue at hand. It assesses a pets over all well-being, environment, nutrition, activity level, and mental stimulation. 🧘‍♀️🧘

Holistic can also represent the more natural remedies side of Veterinary Medicine including VSMT, Acupuncture, Massage and Herbal Supplements. ⚕️

There are so many cool aspects of Veterinary Medicine!! 🤗🐾

It’s official! Shelby is back from her maternity leave!! She’s excited to jump back in and see you and all your pets again!💃🎉

Welcome Back Shelby! 🐾

Charlie wishes every one a HAPPY FRIDAY!! 🎉