In reading the news headlines, or even the latest updates in my Facebook feed, I often see the discussion of food, diets, exercise and overall weight and health topics. These are topics that are important to me because of my food allergies, which require me to follow a strict diet. I believe that it is important to understand how the things we consume, including what, when, and how much, affect our bodies. As a veterinary technician and pet lover, I also believe that this conversation is very important to consider for our animal companions. Obesity is a problem in dogs and cats and is becoming all too common. Fortunately, many of the healthy habits that we are learning are good for us are also good for our pets.

 

An article I recently read titled, “Curbing feline obesity by offering smaller more frequent meals,” covers this topic. In a study performed at the University of Illinois, researchers found that cats that were fed smaller meals, more often, tended to be more active and weigh less. The link to the article is here: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/273054.php

 

I found this article interesting because it is a relatively simple solution to a problem that is becoming more widespread all the time. Of course every household is different, and feeding your cat 4 times per day may not be feasible, but the study found that even cats that went from free-feeding to being fed a set amount 2 times per day benefited. And it is a method that has been shown to have great success in weight loss in people as well. A win-win for you and your cat!

Veterinary Care for the Life of Your Pet

Do you have a new puppy or kitten, or a pet who hasn't been in to see us for a while? Wondering what type of preventive care your pet needs? The following graphic is a good overview of the basic care that is recommended for the life of your pet. If you have any questions or would like to set up an appointment, give us a call!

What signs will you see if your pet has dental disease?

Pain from dental disease can present in different ways in our pets. And often, they will show no pain until is severe. But, what might you see if your pet has dental disease? And how can treatment affect your pet's quality of life? Here are a couple of case examples presented in DVM InFocus in March, 2009. (dvm360.com)


CASE 1: Boots, a 16-year-old male domestic shorthair cat with reduced appetite for approximately three weeks, is gradually losing weight. Boots acts interested in food. He eats small amounts and runs from the food dish. He frequently drops food and paws at his face. The client is worried about Boots' poor quality of life and has considered euthanasia.                            

After diagnostic testing, including an oral exam, bloodwork, ECG and blood pressure, and dental x-rays, Boots, was diagnosed with tooth resorption. Tooth resorption occurs when the body re-absorbs teeth, and it can be very painful when the inside of the tooth is exposed. The only treatment for this condition is extraction of the affected teeth, which is what Boots' doctor decided to do. Following his procedure, Boots recovered and returned to normal eating within 24 hours.

CASE 2: Tiny, an 11-year-old female Great Pyrenees, visited her veterinarian with swelling on the right side of her jaw and severe pain. Tiny seemed particularly painful when attempting to chew food. She would chew primarily on the left side, and food would fall out of the mouth on the right side. 

Diagnostic testing included bloodwork, an oral exam, and dental radiographs and found a severe periodontal defect, with severe dental disease around a nonvital tooth. Based on this diagnosis, Tiny's doctor opted to extract the affected tooth to alleviate her pain and stop any further destruction of the surrounding structures in her mouth. Following her procedure Tiny experienced an immediate improvement in eating and return to playful activity.


These cases are examples of how dental treatment can provide immediate relief and improve quality of life for pets. In these cases, their symptoms were more obvious, but remember, most pets over the age of 3 years have some form of dental disease, and many times they will not show any sort of pain. If you have any questions about your pet's dental health, give us a call!


The cases presented here are provided by Dr. Kressin, who operates the Animal Dental Center in Oshkosh, Wis. and is a diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College, in the article Veterinary dentistry and oral surgery for geriatric patients, DVM InFocus, March 2009.

What's in your cat's mouth?

Periodontal disease can have devastating effects on an animals entire body, and often we don't see the damage until it is causing quite a bit of pain. Most often, animals hide any weakness or pain. It can be difficult to understand what is going on in your pet's mouth, especially with cats who don't like to open their mouths for just anyone. The following photographs (from DVM360.com) are examples of some of the painful diseases that a cat can experience from poor dental health.

For more information about feline dental health visit ammonvet.com and dvm360.com


 

Does your pet's mouth smell eww? Odor can signal serious health problems.

Bad breath is often an indication of periodontal disease that can be minor tartar buildup or severe calculus buildup with loose teeth. At times, it can also be an indication of more serious health issues. To provide the best care for your pet, it's best to visit your veterinarian regularly for a wellness exam, including a dental check-up. Your veterinarian will be able to help you determine the best schedule of care for your pet, including any additional tests that may be needed to find the source of the bad smell, and any at-home care that you can provide.

Click here for more information on pet dental health, provided by AAHA.

February is Pet Dental Wellness Month: What products are effective in helping maintain our pet's dental health?

In recent years, we have become more aware of how important our pet's dental health is to their overall health. Approximately 60% of all pets over the age of 3 have some sort of dental disease. To prevent dental disease from causing more negative health effects to our pets, regular exams by their veterinarian and a good at-home dental care routine are very important. The gold standard in at-home care is brushing our furry friend's teeth, just like we brush our own, every day. Even the most seasoned veterinary professional knows how difficult this can be, however. In an effort to make it easier for us to care for our pet's teeth, many companies have created products that are designed to help keep our pet's teeth clean and healthy. So many companies have jumped on board, in fact, that it can be difficult to know what actually works, and what doesn't. In response, the Veterinary Oral Health Council (R) (VOHC) was formed.

The VOHC's stated purpose is to "recognize products that meet preset standards of plaque and calculus (tartar) retardation in dogs and cats." Products are awarded the VOHC Seal of Acceptance after a review of data from trials conducted according to VOHC protocols." The VOHC seal is the pet product equivalent to the Amercian Dental Association (ADA) seal. The VOHC strives to maintain the highest credibility among the veterinary community and to help prevent the most common dental disease in dogs and cats — periodontal disease. (excerpt from dvm360.com, Improving veterinary dentistry: The purpose of the Veterinary Oral Health Council and veterinary specialists (Sponsored by Greenies) Sept 1, 2011)

So, if brushing your pet's teeth isn't always feasible and you're looking for something to help make the job a little easier, just make sure it has this seal on the package:

Pet Dental Health

Did you know that approximately 60% of all pets over the age of 3 have some form of dental disease? We all know a healthy pet makes a happy pet. For healthy teeth we have to visit the dentist, so why should our pets be any different?

To help maintain your pet's best health, Ammon Veterinary Hospital is offering free dental screenings in the month of January to determine when your pet should have a dental cleaning. Call us at 552-9825 to schedule your appointment! 

For more information about pet dental health, visit: http://www.ammonvet.com/health-resources/pet-dental-health.html