Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Sep 14/05) - Family pets were front and centre in Rankin Inlet earlier this month when health specialists from Winnipeg's Tuxedo Animal Hospital made their annual visit to the community.

Dr. Pat Dorval vaccinates Willow, a domestic short-hair, as animal-health technician Leigh Weatherburn looks on.

Making the trip were veterinarians Dr. Stavros Iacovides and Dr. Pat Dorval, animal health technician Leigh Weatherburn and receptionist Brenda Brown.

The annual clinic is made possible with the help of First Air, the hamlet and Aurora Northern Contractors.

Iacovides said he's noticed a positive trend develop during the three years he's been coming to Rankin.

He said more owners are aware of the need to have their pet examined and vaccinated, as well as taking care of the parasites in the meats they eat.

"We administer the rabies vaccine as an important part of a pet's core of vaccines," said Iacovides.

"Not only is the vaccine important for the pet's health, but there's also a human risk because rabies can be transmitted to a person from an animal. "Many people specifically mentioned the rabies vaccine to me this year, so they are definitely more aware of the health risk."

Dental awareness

Iacovides said Rankin pet owners are also becoming more aware that dental problems are more of a concern as their furry friends age.

He said as a pet grows older, its immune system isn't as capable of dealing with the bacteria in its mouth.

"An early sign that your pet may be having dental problems is constant bad breath.

"In more advanced cases, you may notice it's having problems chewing on one side of its mouth, or not wanting to chew on bones or rawhide because it hurts."

Proper hygiene

Iacovides said dogs are especially susceptible to periodontal disease as they age.

He said family pets are no different than their owners in that if proper oral hygiene isn't practised, problems will develop. "Advanced dental care is becoming more available for pets these days.

"Some veterinarians in the South are board-certified dentists for dogs, and are able to do root canals, crowning and all the fancy techniques you usually see done on people.

"But, more commonly with advanced dental disease, the best fix is to simply remove the tooth. "Getting the sore tooth out is what makes the dog feel better."