February is National Pet Dental Health Month

This article is from PetsMart:

Find out why good dental care is important to your pet.

Dental plaque, which is composed of bacteria, saliva, and cellular debris, builds up on the enamel of the teeth. When plaque accumulates with food particles, it becomes hard, thick, and yellow--or calcified--and is called tartar.

Tartar becomes evident on many Pets' teeth by the time they're 2 to 3 years old. If it's not removed, tartar causes red, inflamed, infected, and painful gums (gingivitis); bad breath (halitosis); cavities; and periodontal (gum) disease, which leads to pain and tooth loss. The bacterial infection can also spread through the bloodstream to other organs in the body, including the heart and kidneys, and can shorten your Pet's life.

Be sure to seek care for your Pet if you notice any of these signs of dental disease:

* Bad breath
* Decreased appetite
* Weight loss
* Yellow teeth
* Red or swollen gums
* Missing teeth
* Nasal discharge
* Tearing or swelling below one eye

Preventive Care:

Good preventive care begins with attention to these basics:

* Food. Feeding your Pet a firm, kibbled, premium Pet food is an easy way to help slow down plaque formation through a mechanical, abrasive action. Special "foods" such as Pedigree Dentabones®, have been specially designed to help keep teeth clean.

* Chew Toys. Appropriate chew toys are another fun and easy way to prevent tartar. Numerous products are available--consult your veterinarian about the best products for your Pet.

* Brushing Teeth. One of the best ways to prevent tartar is to brush your Pet's teeth. Yes, this is possible--especially if you make it a fun experience early in life--and brushing can be an enjoyable part of your Pet's healthcare routine. Your veterinarian can show you how to brush your Pet's teeth and can recommend toothbrushes, toothpastes, and mouth rinses that are made especially for Pets.

* Exams and Cleanings. Your Pet needs regular dental exams and professional cleanings just like you do. Frequency of cleanings depends on each Pet's individual needs, so be sure to consult your veterinarian at least once every six months. If you notice bad breath or other signs of dental disease, call for an appointment with your veterinarian immediately.

Remember, prevention is the best cure! See your veterinarian regularly, and offer your Pet good dental care at home.

Authored and edited by Brent Carroll, DVM

Did You Know...

Dogs and cats lose baby teeth just like people do. Puppies have 28 temporary teeth that erupt at 3 to 4 weeks of age. They lose these teeth at about 4 months when their 42 permanent teeth begin to emerge. Kittens have 26 temporary teeth that erupt 2 to 3 weeks after they're born. Their 30 permanent teeth start emerging at 3 to 4 months of age.

...here I am showing you that I lost my baby teeth. It is visible especially upfront! It's very hard to eat without teeth, while the gums and the new teeth emerging are bothersome. That's why I like to chew or nibble anything I see. My gums are healthy though! Thanks to my Momma for patiently brushing my teeth even if I bite her.

Did you missed my long and pinky tongue? Here I am showing you again! :-)

Some dogs wear braces. Braces can help correct a dog's bite problems and ensure that its mouth opens and closes correctly. Orthodontics work can range from adjusting just a few teeth to applying a full set of braces.

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Did you notice, yours truly looked good today? That is because I just had my haircut/grooming done! Thanks to Melissa for her patience! She did great cutting those bothersome hair around my eyes and paws. She also cut my nails and brushed my teeth real good. She also pulled the hairs that grow inside my ear. This time they did more than my first visit which is more on introducing me to the noise, the scissors and cleaning stuff. After that, they give me a real good bath and moisturized my hair and skin. She also put 2 red bows on my hair, so I looked pretty when presented to Moma and Dada.

I wasn't picked up until almost 2PM. I was ready before noon and I felt so tired. I never had breakfast yet and I've been holding up my personal necessity.

I actually fell asleep on our way home. That whole routine made me sooo tired and sleepy.I guess those ear plucking stressed me out!

At home!

I really am so tired! I got to go! until next time!

Trip to PetsMart

Parents and I went to PetsMart at Polaris Parkway to get an appointment for my second haircut. With my harness and leash attached, I was able to walk freely at the store for the first time. Muma or Dada usually carry me.

As soon as we entered the store, I saw debris on the floor that caught my attention. I thought they were food, so I taste some of them but it taste awful.

The place was very overwhelming. There were a lot of stuff stocked on each isle. I saw a lot of foods, treats, and toys and some clothing that I think would looked good on me.

As soon as I got wound up, here I go! Looks like I was doing inspection isle by isle here. I got my appointment done and it will be this saturday at 8AM just like the first time I had one.

I actually befriended 3 girls this time. Two were working at the store and one also a customer. I dunno, they just came to me and pet me. They think I was cute! Hmmm...they gotta wait after my haircut. I'm sure I'd look gorgeous! Rrruuff! just kidding! I honestly get so excited whenever someone came to me and pet me. I'd usually give 'em lots of kisses and hugs. I'm a very happy trusting puppy.

Cigar, anyone?

I had some kind of breathing problem about 3:15AM today. I don't know what causes it, but I woke me up and all of a sudden I started having breathing difficulty. I made a strange noise that woke up Moma and Dada. Moma came and massages my back and my throat. She thought something choke me on but I don't have something in my mouth. She got worried and kept asking me if I'm OK. We went downstairs to get my water bowl after my condition got better. I felt real good after drinking water and started playing again.

I've been sleeping with Moma and Dada in their bed. I used to sleep close to their feet but It always woke me up when they moved. They unknowingly kicked me and I don't like being disturbed. So, I started sleeping underneath the bed for about a week now. Moma doesn't like it because its dusty in there. It was probably the reason why I had breathing problem this morning. (you know I like to licked everywhere!)

Other than last night's, everything was OK down here. I'm still growing like a weed. I wonder how much I weight now but one thing for sure, I needed another grooming appointment soon.

Moma is doing good giving me a bath every two weeks. I also get daily wipes and ear cleaning. She brushed my hair practically almost everyday. The tear stains are hard to get rid off.

Anyway, I am showing you some of my photos.

I like jewelries, especially Mom's bracelet.

...one night Moma and I were playing hide and seek.
I can run faster than my feet can!
Dada calls me, "my little horse!"


After playing, I wash my face to cool off. I'm soaked!


My favorite tv channel is -The Filipino Channel

Food time! This is my water and food bowl

Yay! My hair is growing so fast!

The pink color in my nose is almost gone, Dada is wondering if I'm a perfect Shih Tzu afterall. But he said he will be missing it. It makes me a special pup.


My new bed...i need to get used to this.

Is this how to smoke a cigar? How do you like my pose?


...drope me a line! OK? You don't need to say something cheezy! Just say....rrruuufff!

Play Time

I had fun playing with Momma yesterday, she was off but did not spent most of her time with her square-headed boyfriend like usual.

...i love tug-of-war!

...these are my toys! plenty ha? ruuuff!



...aha! Mom is bz cleaning all the mess i made, then i can have her cellphone.

...let's see if i can do this texting thing...
...will send a message to Dada, say - Rufff!
...you think he will reply?


...ops! i was caught playing with toilet paper. ya know i eat them? i love eating toilet papers! they taste like paper! so good, its tender lickin'!

...then, Mom got mad, "you little mischevious critter! i told you not to eat papers!"
i am like...mmm...okay!


...then its time for bed, but wait 1 more picture here with my bestfriend doggy plush!


...i love u momma and dada!
...i am ur sweet little critter!

Joy ride and Shoppin' for Stuff

Momma got home from work earlier than her normal schedule today. She told me we are going out for a ride! Rufff! I got excited right away. It's been awhile since I got out from the house because we've been getting really crazy weather lately. Infact it snowed again this weekend so I've been stuck inside the house.

Anyway, going for a ride is fun. I could see lots of vehicles and people other than Momma and Dada :-) As you can see, I am just comfy and sitting pretty passenger here.

After the joy ride we did some errands. First to the bank and then off to Pet Supplies. This is the closest Pet store in our house next to PetSmart. Momma just wished PetSmart is closest so she can take me there for a class.

Dada and Mom already did some shopping for me yesterday for my wee-wee pads and some rawhide bones. This time we just bought stuff that I don't really need. Just so we can go around and kill some time, get out from the house for few hours, ya know! *wink*

Hmm...let's see what I got here. I have a huge bag of Purina Puppy Chow food. I also have a Cookie Cheese flavored treat from ExclusivelyPet.

You heard about biscuits that fight bad breath? I have this Breath Buster from Pedigree. Hmm...I brushed my teeth regularly but these rawhide bones gives me nasty breath, rufff! Hopefully this breath buster is all i need.

Right now, I am wearing this baby powder scent from Lambert Kay. Just two drops of this cologne makes me smell pretty good from head to tail...it should last for days so we'll see!

Mom, almost bought me this weird froggy toy. When you squezze it, it sticks out its tongue and tail! I don't like it so we end up with a tennis ball with a bungie cord.

Photos were taken from my Momma's new toy - the Canon Powershot SD550. Dada bought it for her yesterday from Bestbuy and she was very excited to try it. It is very convenient for her to bring anywhere, anytime without the feeling of bulkiness. It takes 7.1 megapixels and has a larger display. Everything she wanted and more. Mom is loving it!