We’re here to address some common pet myths that you may have heard of like “wet nose = healthy pet” – find out what’s true and what’s a myth!
“Wet nose means a healthy pet”
The moisture that you see on your dog’s nose is actually a thin layer of mucous that helps them to absorb the scents around them. They then lick their noses to deliver those scents to the olfactory glands on the roof of their mouths. Having a dry nose does not mean they are not healthy it simply means they do not lick their nose as often or they do not secrete as much of the mucous layer. When you should be concerned is when your pet’s nose is presenting a discoloured discharge. Also knowing what is the “norm” for your pet is important – if they always have a very wet nose, but the last few days it’s been very dry, keep an eye out for other symptoms.
“My Pet isn’t in pain – they aren’t whimpering or crying out”
Our furry family members are brave creatures and don’t present signs of pain quite the same way that we do. Animals don’t communicate like we do and therefore show their pain in different, more subtle ways. We try to educate on body language changes in your pet. They often show pain in those subtle changes i.e. cats who are starting to hide more, curling their front legs tightly underneath themselves etc. Cats will not present themselves when they are vulnerable. When you start to notice subtle changes in behaviour, it may be time to speak to your vet.
“Vaccines and Annual Exams are a money grab”
Annual exams actually help to prevent spending more money in the long run as they allow us to catch medical conditions early on. Generally, the earlier we can catch an issue the less expensive it will be to treat. Vaccines are an important part of keeping your pets (and pets around yours) safe from common communicable diseases such as Rabies, Distemper and the dreaded Parvovirus. These diseases are more often deadly than curable and we, as animal lovers and health care practitioners, would prefer to prevent them for a small fee than attempt to treat them for a much more extensive fee.
“Dental Care is a money grab – my pet doesn’t need their teeth cleaned”
Dental care is an important part of keeping your pet healthy and helping them to live a long and pain free life. >85% of over the age of 2 years have some form of dental disease. The longer we wait to treat these issues the harder it is on them, their internal organs, and your pocket book. The infections that can form in your pets mouth when they go unchecked can cause bigger issues in the long run.
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