As you may have already heard, February is National Pet Dental Health
month. In an effort to elevate the importance of pet dental care in
owner's minds, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American
Veterinary Dental Society, and Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. have joined
together this February to spread the word about dental care during National
Pet Dental Health Month.
By taking good care of your pet's teeth, you can not only help prevent
periodontal disease - the most commonly diagnosed disease among cats and
dogs over the age of three - but also help your pet live a longer and
healthier life.
During National Pet Dental Health Month, pet owners are reminded of the
dangers of poor dental care. Because dogs and cats can't brush their own
teeth, it's up to their owners to ensure their beloved pets get the oral
care they need. Trouble begins when food particles and bacteria build up
in the mouth, forming plaque and tartar, which lead to gingivitis and
severe periodontal disease. This disease leads to tooth decay, bad breath,
bleeding gums and, in severe cases, tooth loss. More complications arise
when the bacteria that cause periodontal disease travel into a pet's
bloodstream, possibly resulting in damage to the heart, liver, kidneys, and
lungs.
To prevent serious health problems caused by poor oral health, pet owners
can follow a few simple guidelines suggested by the American Veterinary
Dental Society: Take your pet to your veterinarian for a dental exam.
Your pet should have a thorough physical exam, including examination
of the teeth and gums, at least once a year. If plaque and tartar buildup
is evident, your veterinarian may recommend a dental cleaning. Start a
home dental care routine. Your veterinarian can suggest an at home regimen
that may include nutritional supplements and brushing your pet's teeth. One
of the most convenient and effective ways to combat oral disease is feeding
specially formulated foods proven effective in removing plaque and tartar
buildup - T/D (tartar diet) made by Hills works very well for patients in
our practice. The Seal of Acceptance of the Veterinary Oral Health
Council, an organization initiated by members of the AVDS to guide
consumers, appears on products that meet defined standards for plaque and
tartar buildup control in dogs and cats.
Remember to call and schedule this important appointment if your pet has
not had a recent dental exam or cleaning.
PETS WITH "CHIPS ON THEIR SHOULDERS" EASILY REUNITE WITH OWNERS
In the last few years, millions of dogs and cats - as well as tigers and
other unusual pets- have been implanted with tiny microchips, which are
encoded with unique numbers to make identifying lost, stolen, or abandoned
animals a snap.
When a lost pet is brought to a shelter or clinic, assistants can use a
hand-held scanner to read a chip's unique number. A computer database then
matches the number with the pet's owner, medical history and other
pertinent information.
Microchip scanners are now found in most pet shelters and animal control
agencies across the country. The chips are a windfall to emergency room
veterinarians, who often treat injured animals that don't have identifying
information. Veterinarians then face the tough choice of putting the
animal to sleep if critically injured when the owner is unknown.
Microchips offer a variety of applications. Officials at the Iditarod
trail sled dog race use them to prevent illegal dog
substitutions. Valuable horses are sometimes injected instead of branded.
We have placed chips in pets as small as parrots, to prevent them from
being lost or stolen at bird shows and competitions.
Although the microchips can be implanted during a routine office visit,
many people opt to have their pets chipped when they are here for a dental
cleaning or spay/neuter surgery. The one time fee for the AVID chip
insertion is $54. Let us know if you would like an AVID informational
brochure which further details this wonderful and helpful technology for
our beloved pets.
