NEWSLETTER Year2 - Volume 1, Dubai, January 2010

Dear Client,

First of all we wish all of you, your family and your pets a wonderful and most of all a healthy 2010.

Before you is the January edition of our newsletter. Since February of each year is declared Pet Dental Health Month by the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) and also in the Netherlands this custom is being followed, so we decided to follow suit. Hence the main focus of this newsletter is on dental care and dental products for your pet, but you’ll also find useful information on other topics.

We regret to inform you that after nearly four and a half years of dedicated, committed and loyal services, Ruth Mason has decided to leave ABVC to pursue other career options which allow her more quality time with her family. Ruth has written an article on her time at ABVC and to thank our clients for their trust in our care. Click here.
Furthermore, Linda Tedd has also left Al Barsha Veterinary Clinic after one and a half  years of trustworthy services.
We wish both Ruth and Linda all the best in their respective careers.

Our pets are living longer nowadays than in the past. Today, we have better preventive medicine (e.g.,vaccinations ) and better ways to diagnose and treat many diseases. Research has taught us that poor dental hygiene is one of the main contributors to organ failure. To prevent oral disease, which is the number 1 health problem diagnosed in pets, it is essential to provide our pets with good dental care, starting at home and assisted by regular veterinary checks and if needed follow up treatment on issues diagnosed. If you would like to read more on the subject, please click here.

If you would like to read why dental care in your pet is necessary and what the veterinarian will do to check for dental diseases in your pet, please click here.

As an incentive for better oral care in your pet, Al Barsha Veterinary Clinic together with Royal Canine have set up a special discount for you during this month in order to spread awareness on dental disease and preventative measures. We will offer you the following discount rates during the month of February:

A good way to prevent dental disease (providing that your pet has no oral problems to begin with), is to brush their teeth at home. If you take things slowly at the beginning and give lots of praise, you and your pet will start looking forward to its brushing sessions. Please click here if you would like to read how to brush your pet’s teeth

With great pleasure we inform you that Hills Pet Nutrition will be launched in the UAE at the beginning of this year and will be available in our clinic soon. Hills Pet Nutrition is the 3rd brand of high quality Petfood we will be selling in our clinic and has first class, high quality products ranging from maintenance products to specialized Veterinary Care products and is a welcome addition to our existing product range. If you would like to read more about the Hills Pet Nutrition Company and their products, please Click on the logo’s of Hill’s

If you own or take care of a rabbit it is essential to check his/her teeth regularly.

The teeth of rabbits are continually growing. Generally, the wear on the teeth through gnawing and eating is equal to the growth of the teeth, so the teeth basically stay the same length. Some rabbits may have malocclusion, which means their teeth do not meet each other normally. When this happens, the teeth do not wear down like they should, and small to big spurs can develop. A veterinarian can trim off the excess, sometimes while in the consult room sometimes while your pet is anaesthetized. Regularly check your rabbit's teeth for any abnormalities. If your rabbit starts to drool, not eat well, loose weight or paw at his mouth, have your rabbit examined by your veterinarian.

For those who would like to learn more about their pet’s teeth, please click here and you’ll find a more in dept article on the mammalian teeth anatomy and structures and functions of the different teeth.

Just a reminder that together with Royal Canine, we have a weight loss competition for your pet(s) with great prizes to be won. Please click here if you would like to read more.



Dr. Ellen Kruijning and the staff of Al Barsha Veterinary Clinic