Pets Need Dental Care Too!

Just as dental care is essential for our good health, it is important for our pet’s good health too.   We want to prevent and take care of pain in our pet’s mouth.  Most people are surprised to find that when pets have pain in their mouth, they still eat.  They may tend to chew using a different area of their mouth, or swallow their food whole, but they still eat.   When infection and inflammation are severe, they may be less active and “act old”.  Infection in the periodontal area (between the tooth and bone) as well as endodontic disease (root canal infections or abscesses at the root of the tooth) are painful and can spread infection elsewhere in the body.   Fractured and dead teeth (discolored pink or purple teeth) can also be painful and become infected or abscessed.  Gingivitis (red inflamed gums that may bleed easily) will cause pain when chewing. 

Brushing your pet’s teeth is the best way to reduce plaque and tartar.  Animals do naturally remove some plaque and tartar when they chew, but it is often not enough to prevent periodontal disease.  Smaller dogs tend to have proportionally larger teeth for the size of their mouth and they also tend to accumulate more tartar and have worse periodontal disease.   Special attention often needs to be paid to the teeth of small breed dogs.  By 2 to 3 years of age, they can have significant disease in their mouth.  Brushing your pet’s teeth daily with a pet tooth-paste (enzymatic and no fluoride) will greatly reduce the amount of disease in their mouth.  

To introduce brushing for the first time, try rubbing the gums with your finger dipped in some tuna water, or something else your pet likes to taste.  Gently rub the top part of the tooth and the gums; you may do this while holding their mouth shut rubbing just the outside of the teeth and gums.  Once your pet tolerates this try using a pet tooth paste and either a soft bristle tooth brush or a finger brush to gently brush the gums and teeth.  Make sure you get all the way in the back. 

If your pet has yellow or brown tartar present on their teeth already they likely need a dental cleaning.  Contact your veterinarian for an appointment to do this.  Your pet will have their teeth scaled and polished just like you do when you go to the dentist.  Dental x-rays are also taken to check for disease under the gum line.   Your pet will not hold still for this awake so they are anesthetized and intubated (a tube in their trachea).  Intubation prevents tartar, bacteria, water and other debris in the mouth from entering the lungs as well as delivering oxygen and anesthetic gas during the procedure. 

Pets live longer healthier lives when their teeth are taken care of.   Discuss with your veterinarian what can be done to help keep your pet’s mouth healthy. 

What Vaccines Do My Pets Need?

Before vaccinations, pets were left unprotected from fatal diseases such as Parvo, Rabies, Distemper and Feline Leukemia. Now though, many diseases can be prevented by you and your vet coming up with a customized vaccination plan for your pet.
Some canine vaccinations such as Rabies, Parvovirus, Distemper and Hepatitis are “core vaccinations” these are vaccinations that help to prevent diseases that are widespread and potentially fatal. These vaccinations are typically recommended for all dogs.
Non-core vaccinations are those that are tailored specifically to your pet’s lifestyle/ risk. These vaccinations include Bordatella (kennel cough) and leptospirosis. Your pet could be at risk for kennel cough if he/ she is boarding, groomed or shown or is in an area where she can be exposed to other pets.
Leptospirosis can be a risk for pets that are exposed to wild animals or livestock or if they are drinking secondary water or water from lakes, streams or ponds.
Feline vaccinations are just as important as canine vaccinations and in some ways our feline friends are even more likely to be exposed to disease than our canine friends. Feline vaccinations can include Rabies, Panleukopenia (distemper), Feline Leukemia and many more. Just like the canine vaccinations your doctor is the best resource to help determine what vaccinations your cat needs.
The frequency of vaccinations is something your Doctor will need to help determine for your pet. Some vaccinations need to be given as often as every six months. Others need to be given every year to every three years.
Regardless of how often your pet would require vaccinations, he or she needs to be examined by a doctor 1-2 times per year. This will allow your doctor to evaluate your pet’s general health and determine any health issues before they become serious. Remember the most important part of your pet’s health program involves prevention and this begins with an annual wellness examination and through this examination your veterinarian can determine the vaccinations your pet will need according to its lifestyle.

Disaster Preparedness

Saving the Whole Family

Anything that causes a family to have to evacuate their home suddenly can be considered a disaster.  Here are a couple of disasters that can be common to our area that need preparedness.

Floods

Floods can affect any part of the United States.  Each year more than 300,000 people are forced to evacuate due to rising waters. How quickly a flood rises determines what actions a family needs to take in order for them and their pets to be safe.  Slow-rising floods are more predictable and usually involve rising rivers or streams. Flash floods can hit quickly from heavy rain or melting snow. They can also be caused by dam failure. There are three types of flood warnings:

• Flash flood watch. This is issued when a flash flood is possible, but not necessarily imminent. You should prepare to evacuate your pets, if necessary.
• Flash flood warning. A flash flood is imminent or may be in progress.
• Flood warning. This warning is an advanced notice that a flood may occur (or has occurred) in a specific location or river basin. You should begin to relocate large animals (such as horses) that are in danger.
  What to do?
• Map out several evacuation routes.
• Head for the nearest high ground.
• Early evacuation is better. If the evacuation proves to be unnecessary, consider the experience as practice for the real thing.
• Never leave any animal behind unless your safety would be compromised. If he must be left behind make sure he is not tied up and has an escape route.
• The threat of disease is especially strong after a flood.
• Keep your pets away from standing pools of water.
• Give them water from a bottle or what you have boiled. Unless tap water was protected, consider it contaminated.

Wildfires
Wildfires typically occur during summer, when the air is hot and dry. Once lit, they can consume millions of acres, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people. The smoke from wildfires often closes nearby highways.
For this reason:

• You should plan several escape routes for you and your pets in case fire blocks your path.
• You should also practice fire drills with your family, and include your pets in the drills.
• Provide wide spacing between trees, and cut back vegetation overhanging buildings.
  • Create a “fire break” around your home or barn by clearing away vegetation, especially dead brush. Fire breaks should be about 30 feet wide for all structures. For homes built in pine forests, they should be 75 feet wide.
  • Buy rope or leather halters for horses (nylon halters melt when heated and could injure your horse).
  • If a fire is close, wet the manes and tails of horses, and place a piece of cloth    around the nostrils to reduce smoke inhalation.
    • You may want to blindfold them to make evacuation easier.
    • Take all animals with you, if possible.
    • If you can’t bring a horse, lead him to the safest part of the pasture, then shut the barn door.
    • Deaths during and after a wildfire are usually caused by complications from smoke inhalation. If an animal was exposed, monitor him for smoke inhalation pneumonia.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are unpredictable natural disasters.   Although they are not a common disaster in our area, it is prudent to still be prepared in the case of one occurring.

• Do not place dog runs or other animal enclosures underneath objects that could fall on them during an earthquake or sharp tremor.
• Keep a pair of bolt cutters in your disaster kit, in case cages are damaged and can’t be opened.
• Know where to turn off gas supplies to the house or barn.
• Include your pets in family earthquake drills, and instruct your family on how to handle them. Remember that in an emergency, a frightened pet may bite or scratch.
• If you plan to leave your pet at a kennel, inform them of your earthquake preparedness plans.
• If an earthquake hits, keep your pets with you and safely confined, if possible. Pets that escape often return during mealtimes. Make sure they do not eat or drink anything other than from your supplies.

Fear of Loud Noises

It is very common for our pets to have a fear of loud noises.  With the firework season upon us you may find your pet taking cover from the loud pops and crackles.    This obviously can cause an unsafe situation for your pet.  Some of the symptoms exhibited in a fearful dog may include freezing in place, pacing, panting, trembling, salivating, hiding or escaping or excessive barking. In many incidences animals have been known to run off in panic from their homes.

Dogs that are afraid of loud noises do not necessarily become tolerate of them over time, but rather they become more fearful with each exposure.  What can you do to help your pet remain safe during the firework season?

Treatment

First of all, it is recommended by Veterinarians to have your pet examined to exclude any other health issue that could increase anxiety over loud noises.

One cure of your pet’s noise phobia is, simply bring your dog indoors.  Turn on the radio, television, fan or air conditioner as a distraction.  Providing your pet with a hiding place or “safe place” will help them feel secure during loud noises.

Another solution is to take time with your pet to desensitize them to loud noises.  This can be achieved by replicating noises and recording them on a recording device and then playing it at a low volume to expose your pet.  Gradually the volume can be increased paying close attention to any anxiety that increases with the volume.  You do not want the pet becoming fearful at any stage.

If your pet exhibits more severe symptoms an over the counter anxiety relief medication may be suggested by their doctor.

What you do not want to do is excessively pet or talk to your pet during their anxious time as this approach can sometimes cause your pet to become even more anxious over the noise.

Talk to your pet in a happy, stress free voice to assure them that the noises are no big deal.  Our pets are very sensitive to how we respond to situations, so be careful how you react to loud noises.

The best treatment is anticipating your dog’s exposure to loud noises and simply avoid them altogether.  In other words do not bring your pet to the firework display, but be sure they are left in a secure place at home.  Although this topic seems to cover mainly dogs, remember to monitor your cat’s behavior too during loud noises and take the necessary measures to protect them as well.