Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Aug 30/00) - A team of animal health-care specialists checked out 104 animals in Rankin Inlet earlier this month.

Veterinarian Jennifer Blazeiki and animal health technologist Tina Paradis of the Tuxedo Animal Clinic in Winnipeg, Man., treated 71 dogs, 31 cats and two rats.

They performed 11 surgeries, including seven spays, two neuters and two dentals.

Michele Ashby of Reliable Business Solutions organized the veterinarian's annual visit, which was sponsored by the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre, Calm Air, Kissarvik Co-op and Sheila Milloy and family.

Blazeiki said she and Paradis have travelled a lot to medical conferences, but this marked their first visit to the Kivalliq Region.

"Michele (Ashby) sent faxes to all the clinics in Winnipeg and our clinic's owner replied quickly to say we'd love to come up," said Blazeiki.

"We were very impressed with what we saw. The animals appeared to be well cared for, happy cats and dogs."

Paradis said the pair have concluded that caribou and caribou bones are healthy for a dog's teeth.

"The teeth we've seen here have been very healthy and we were actually quite impressed with that," said Paradis.

Blazeiki is originally from Winnipeg and attended college at Saskatoon's Western College of Veterinary Medicine.

A veterinarian for the past three months, with previous experience at Tuxedo as a summer student, Blazeiki said most dogs will eat until they're full.

She said labs and smaller dogs will chow down until they're fat and offered some advice to help keep pets from getting overweight.

"Most of the time you can follow the directions on the food you serve your pet and cut down a bit during the winter.

"Avoid table scraps. They're the number one culprit in overweight animals."

Paradis is the team's dentist and said as healthy for pets' teeth as caribou bones appear to be, they can cause wearing and the teeth to fracture.

"We do recommend that animals have their teeth brushed a minimum of once or twice a week," said Paradis.

"A pet toothpaste is required because the fluoride and sodium content in human toothpaste is too high. A soft bristled brush should be used.

"As far as other helpers, Dentabone is a very good product and a Gumma Ball is also quite good for fighting tartar buildup and exercising their jaw bone."