​by North Fork Veterinary Clinic | Sep 19, 2020 | Blog

On December 20th, 2013, at its 68th session the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed March 3rd- the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Wild animals and plants)  in 1973 - as UN World Wildlife day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world's wild animals and plants. 
World Wildlife Day has now become the most important global annual event dedicated to wildlife. 
World Wildlife Day (WWD) will be celebrated in 2022 under the theme "Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration". The celebrations will seek to draw attention to the conservation status of some of the most critically endangered species of wild fauna and flora, and to drive discussions towards imaging and implementing solutions to conserve them. All conversation will be inspired by and seek to inform efforts towards the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals. 
According to data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, over 8,400 species of wild fauna and flora are critically endangered, while close to 30,00 more are understood to be endangered or vulnerable. Bases on these estimates, it is suggested that over a million species are threatened with extinction. 
Continues loss of species, habitats and ecosystems also threatens all life on Earth, including us. People everywhere rely on wildlife and biodiversity- based resources to meet all our needs, from food, to fuel, medicines, housing and clothing. Millions of people rely on nature as the source of their livelihoods and economic opportunities.
In 2022, World Wildlife Day will therefore drive the debate towards the imperative need to reverse the fate of the most critically endangered species, to support restoration of their habitats and ecosystems and to promote their sustainable use by humanity. 
wildlifeday.org/

​Dental health is a very important part of your pet’s overall health, and dental problems can cause, or be caused by, other health problems. Your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian to check for early signs of a problem and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.

What is veterinary dentistry, and who should perform it?Veterinary dentistry includes the cleaning, adjustment, filing, extraction, or repair of your pets' teeth and all other aspects of oral health care. These procedures should be performed by a veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary dentist. Subject to state or provincial regulation, veterinary technicians are allowed to perform certain dental procedures under the supervision of a veterinarian.
The process begins with an oral exam of your pet’s mouth by a veterinarian. Radiographs (x-rays) may be needed to evaluate the health of the jaw and the tooth roots below the gumline. Because most dental disease occurs below the gumline, where you can’t see it, a thorough dental cleaning and evaluation are performed under anesthesia. Dental cleaning includes scaling (to remove dental plaque and tartar) and polishing, similar to the process used on your own teeth during your regular dental cleanings.
Oral health in dogs and catsYour pet’s teeth should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian for early signs of a problem and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.
Have your pet’s teeth checked sooner if you observe any of the following problems:

• Bad breath
• Broken or loose teeth
• Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
• Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
• Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
• Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
• Pain in or around the mouth
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth

Some pets become irritable when they have dental problems, and any changes in your pet’s behavior should prompt a visit to your veterinarian. Always be careful when evaluating your pet’s mouth, because a painful animal may bite.
Causes of pet dental problemsAlthough cavities are less common in pets than in people, they can have many of the same dental problems that people can develop:

• Broken teeth and roots
• Periodontal disease
• Abscesses or infected teeth
• Cysts or tumors in the mouth
• Malocclusion, or misalignment of the teeth and bite
• Broken (fractured) jaw
• Palate defects (such as cleft palate)

Periodontal disease is the most common dental condition in dogs and cats – by the time your pet is 3 years old, he or she will very likely have some early evidence of periodontal disease, which will worsen as your pet grows older if effective preventive measures aren’t taken. Early detection and treatment are critical, because advanced periodontal disease can cause severe problems and pain for your pet. Periodontal disease doesn’t just affect your pet’s mouth. Other health problems found in association with periodontal disease include kidney, liver, and heart muscle changes.
It starts with plaque that hardens into tartar. Tartar above the gumline can often easily be seen and removed, but plaque and tartar below the gumline is damaging and sets the stage for infection and damage to the jawbone and the tissues that connect the tooth to the jaw bone. Periodontal disease is graded on a scale of 0 (normal) to 4 (severe).
The treatment of periodontal disease involves a thorough dental cleaning and x-rays may be needed to determine the severity of the disease. Your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary dentist will make recommendations based on your pet’s overall health and the health of your pet’s teeth, and provide you with options to consider.
Why does dentistry require anesthesia?When you go to the dentist, you know that what’s being done is meant to help you and keep your mouth healthy. Your dentist uses techniques to minimize pain and discomfort and can ask you how you are feeling, so you accept the procedures and do your best to keep still. Your pet does not understand the benefit of dental procedures, and he or she reacts by moving, trying to escape, or even biting.
Anesthesia makes it possible to perform the dental procedures with less stress and pain for your pet. In addition, anesthesia allows for a better cleaning because your pet is not moving around and risking injury from the dental equipment. If radiographs (x-rays) are needed, your pet needs to be very still in order to get good images, and this is unlikely without heavy sedation or anesthesia.
Although anesthesia will always have risks, it’s safer now than ever and continues to improve so that the risks are very low and are far outweighed by the benefits. Most pets can go home the same day of the procedure, although they might seem a little groggy for the rest of the day.


​https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/pet-dental-care

Dogs and cats are creatures of routine. If you’ve been at home with them for weeks or months, they’ve gotten used to having you around all day. Before you go back to work, it’s important to prepare them. A gentle transition will help make this change in routine as stress-free as possible.
COVID-19 has driven many families home to shelter and work. It’s also given us the opportunity to enjoy lots of extra time with our pets. Our animals may love this as much as we do – and for pets adopted in the past few months, this may be the only routine they’ve ever known.
Unlike us, our pets have no way of knowing when our at-home sheltering might be coming to an end. Before pet owners resume normal schedules, we need to help our pets get ready for the transition. Here are 10 tips from the American Veterinary Medical Association to help prepare your pets.

Slowly introduce workday routines—Schedule waking up, feeding, and walking as you would for your expected workday routine. Introduce a consistent departure schedule that builds on that routine.

Take anxiety out of your departure—Practice short departures on a daily basis, and gradually extend the time you are gone. Give a small treat just as you walk out the door to condition your pet to find it rewarding for you to leave. If signs of anxiety occur—such as destructive activity—don’t punish your pet. Instead, shorten the time away and slowly build up to longer periods.
Exercise—Before leaving, engage in rigorous play or physical activity. Burning energy can help keep pets calm and relaxed for longer periods while you’re gone.

Keep them engaged—Long-lasting treats, food puzzles, and automatic feeders can help keep pets occupied throughout the day.

Create a safe space—If you typically used a crate while you were gone during the day, but have stopped while at home, now is a good time to either explore discontinuing the crate (gradually increasing the length of time you’re away) or reintroduce crating while still working from home. Do this by making it rewarding for your dog to go into the crate for short periods.
Turn on background noise—Leave on a TV, radio, or sound machine to provide some company while you’re away.

Look for signs of stress—Excessive barking or whining, agitation, destructive behavior, and inappropriate urination/ defecation can all be signs of stress. If you’re concerned, consider filming your pets when you leave so you can observe them and share the video with your veterinarian.

Stay calm—Remain as calm as possible when leaving and returning home. If your pet is overexcited when you return, try not to interact until he/she seems more relaxed. Schedule visits—Consider having a pet sitter visit and play with your pet if you’re unable to return home for an extended period of time.

Talk to your veterinarian—Concerns about behavior, stress, and wellbeing may require a consultation with a veterinary behaviorist or medical intervention.


​file:///C:/Users/workstation10.DOMAIN/Downloads/COVID-19-PreparingPetsReturnWork.pdf

With the holiday season already underway, we'd just like to give our clients our updated hours. 

We will be CLOSED on Monday December 25th and Monday January 1st in observation of Christmas and the New Year. Our hours will be normal otherwise. 

If you have an emergency while we are closed, please call the Red River Animal Emergency Clinic at 701-478-9299, they are located in Fargo, ND. 

We hope you have a fun, safe holiday season. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call!