Mancat Monday: Evan and the Neverending Spa Days

Hello, friends! I unintentionally took a couple days off from blogging again. After a busy week at work, I simply did not turn my computer on at all this weekend. But you better believe we're today with Mancat Monday. Given that he's getting another stunning sanitary shave at our veterinary clinic's grooming department today, Evan wanted to show off one of his recent haircuts.

It's not all that easy to see in that photo, as only his back end gets shaved. So, how about a bit closer up?

For anyone who might not know or remember, Evan is hind limb paralyzed as well as urinary incontinent. Those two combined have proven to require regular shaves on his rear end to keep him clean and dry, and since he's told me in no uncertain terms that he does not like me to shave him, he goes to our groomer, whom he gives no trouble whatsoever. We've discovered that he does best when shaved every two weeks, so the boy pretty much lives at the vet. Luckily, the drugs he's on following his urethral obstruction in December, mostly gabapentin, make him feel very happy and calm, including when he's getting groomed. That's not to say he particularly appreciates being shoved in a carrier every two weeks, but he's the best boy and does incredibly well overall.

Happy Monday from handsome Evan and all of us!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Ready for another weird, witchy winter scene from a past series of doodles? Yes? Good. Here you go.

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Tip of the Day

Among other things, February is National Pet Dental Health Care Month. So, of course we'll be giving a couple of tips on keeping those pearly whites healthy and happy. Let's start with a quick discussion on at-home care and dental disease prevention. First and foremost, of course, is the act of brushing your furbaby's teeth, which can help remove food morsels, plaque, and other debris that could lead to tartar and other dental issues. Though this is not a job that every furbaby enjoys or even allows, if they are trained to accept it and it is done correctly, brushing can help keep those teeth healthy and happy. There are pet-friendly toothpastes and other oral cleansers out there, as well as pet-friendly toothbrushes and other similar tools for cleaning those teeth. There are even products on the market that more heavily focus on helping treat gum disease, such as for those furbabies with a history of gingivitis or stomatitis. Not all dental products are created equally, though, so if you are unsure what is safest or best for your furbaby, then most certainly discuss the options with your veterinarian.

There are also other types of products on the market that can potentially help teeth remain as healthy as possible. These of course include treats and food formulated for dental health. This is something that again can be discussed with your veterinarian, as he or she will best be able to guide you to products that are the most reliable and effective.

Dental care can of course start at home, but do keep in mind that it is still possible for tartar, gingivitis or stomatitis, and other forms of dental disease to arise even with brushing and other at-home care being used. Tomorrow we'll discuss some of the symptoms you might notice if your furbaby's oral health is in need of further assistance.