February is National Pet Dental Health Month - Dr. Cavender

February is National Pet Dental Health Month

Good oral health is more than just a pretty smile. This is the time of year we remind owners to think about their pet's oral health care.    

Poor dental hygiene can put both your pet’s health and your pocket book at risk. “Dog breath” – or a cat with a foul-smelling mouth – can be a sign of untreated dental conditions. If left untreated, you may put your pet at risk for greater problems such as periodontitis.  

Routine cleanings can help prevent periodontal disease and save money in the long run.  A 2014 analysis conducted by Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. showed that the average cost per pet to prevent dental disease is just one-third of the average cost of treating dental disease.

More importantly, a complete oral examination can detect hidden health problems. Even if your pet’s breath smells fine, there still could be dental conditions that are hard to spot without a complete veterinary exam.  Most pet dental disease occurs below the gum line, where you can not see it.  Your pet's teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian. 

Schedule your pet’s dental checkup with us now. We’ll do a thorough checkup to make sure your pet is at optimum health. We also can show you how to brush your pet’s teeth in between exams. Brushing is the single most effective thing you can do to keep your pet’s teeth healthy between dental cleanings.  It may also reduce the frequency or even eliminate the need for periodic dental cleaning by your veterinarian. 

We’re committed to your pet’s health and wellness, and we know that you are as well. Book your appointment today!  We look forward to helping your pet have a clean and healthy new year!¹

1.  www.avma.org/PetDental

Canine Influenza

Canine Influenza is a highly contagious infection that can be caused from 2 different strains, H3N8 and H3N2. H3N8 is the strain that was responsible for the outbreak 10 years ago. The outbreak in Chicago last spring was caused by H3N2. It takes 2-4 days before dogs start showing symptoms and this is when they are most highly contagious, allowing them to spread the disease unknowingly. 

Symptoms of Canine Influenza come in two forms, the mild form and the severe form. Most dogs develop the mild form and although Canine Influenza is highly infectious, it has a fairly low fatality rate (less than 10%). Mild form infections have a soft moist cough that can last for up to 30 days. They can become lethargic, have a low grade fever, decreased appetite, sneezing, and discharge from the eyes. They can get secondary bacterial infections and develop thick nasal discharge. Sometimes the cough is very similar to the dry cough of “Kennel Cough.” The severe form infections are associated with high fevers (104-106 degrees) and develop pneumonia and difficulty breathing. The pneumonia may be due to a secondary bacterial infection. 

Treatment for Influenza is mostly supportive and can range from just monitoring at home to hospitalization for IV therapy depending on the severity of the illness. The canine influenza virus is not transmissible to humans and there have been no reports in cats. The dogs that are most at risk are ones that are in close proximity to other dogs such as boarding facilities. There have only been 2 reported cases in Idaho recently. If your dog is coughing it is most likely not Canine Influenza, but your pet should be seen to be evaluated for other respiratory diseases. 

At this time we are not recommending vaccinating for Canine Influenza for the general population; however if you have a high risk pet (traveling or being exposed to a large amount of dogs such as at a dog show that have been traveling) please let us know and we can discuss whether or not vaccination should be considered. 

We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated on changes.

What to expect if your pet needs dental care by Evann Thoms

  

Periodontal disease. The tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth.  The word "perio" means around and the word "dontal" means tooth.   Out of all the members of a household family, it can't be hard to guess who has the worst dental hygiene: the pets!  They don't brush or floss their teeth as religiously as their people do, and this goes on for years! GROSS!

A full 85% of pets have periodontal disease by the age of 3 years old.

            Surprisingly enough, there is little physical difference between the dog or cat's tooth and the human tooth.  If we do not regularly disinfect our mouths and brush away plaque, plaque can quickly mineralize into tartar or calculus.  Bacteria then starts to build up under the tartar, and thus the big nasty disease process starts!  Bacteria that lives under tartar in the mouth can seed into other areas of the body, affecting organ function and can be carried virtually anywhere the bloodstream goes.

            It's a good idea to start being comfortable opening your pets mouth and taking a peek inside.  Lift the lips and physically look at the teeth.  If your pet allows, briefly take a glance at the inside surface of the teeth and back of the mouth.  Take a good whiff too!

           

           

It shouldn't be too surprising that just like humans, pets need to visit the "dentist" too for a regular cleaning and exam. Home care of the tooth is never perfect and veterinarians will tell you, you cannot brush the tartar off the teeth.  But the professional cleaning your pet gets at the veterinarians office is very similar to the one you get at your dentist office.

           

So what does a veterinarians dental cleaning entail? Well, to start, your pet MUST be placed under anesthesia. It is NOT possible to perform the proper 6 step cleaning of your pets mouth without general anesthesia.  The first step entails removing the visible tartar with a specific  set of instruments.  Step two, more delicate tartar deposits are removed with another set of scalers that are safe for the gum line.  Step 3, another set of scalers are used to removed tartar that is building up underneath the gum line. Step 4, the enamel that was etched from scaling is then polished to remove any unevenness. Step 5, the mouth is then disinfected, rinsed and usually sealed with a type of fluoride sealer or plaque repellent. The sixth and final step is charting! Technicians and doctors notes all abnormalities of each of the dogs 42 teeth or the cats 30 teeth. 

           

            So what about a non-anesthetic cleaning?  Most groomers are now offering "anesthesia free" dental cleaning, but it is IMPOSSIBLE and important to note that the 6 step cleaning process is not safe or possible to do without anesthesia.  It is important to protect a pets airway from the tartar and bacteria we are chipping away from their teeth, along with being able to see all surfaces of the teeth including the inside, to probe and look for disease.  Groomers and daycare facilities more commonly offer to brush a pets teeth for you, which if tolerated, is fantastic!  Can you imagine our children's day care facilities offered to help brush our kids teeth twice a day while they were there?!  On a more serious note, typical brushing and cosmetic cleaning of  a pets teeth do not address the more serious periodontal disease where is occurs: UNDER THE GUM LINE.

Holiday Dangers for Pets

Christmas is almost here and with it comes some unique dangers to your pets.  One of the most notable is tree ornaments and tinsel.  

Cats primarily are known for eating tinsel, which can get caught in the intestine, causing the intestines to bunch up like an accordion.  This requires extensive surgery to remove.   Gift wrapping ribbon can also cause similar symptoms.  

Ornaments seem to equally popular between cats and dogs.  Keeping any glass or breakable ornaments higher on the tree is best to avoid them from being ingested, or causing cuts in the mouth.  Some of the soft ornaments are just the right size to be eaten and get stuck in the intestinal tract.  If  you have a pet known to eat things they shouldn't, it is probably best to keep the accessible part of the tree bare.

Christmas lights also pose a threat to dogs and cats alike.  Chewing on cords can cause electrical shock which can cause injuries ranging from electrical burns in the mouth to death.  Always use a grounded 3 pronged plug and try to keep cords out of reach.

As we are receiving and baking special treats this time of year, it is important to remember that there are several things that our pets should not be eating.  Chocolate is probably the most common toxin people know about.  It does not take very much baking chocolate to cause a toxicity.  If your pet ingests chocolate they should be examined by a veterinarian.  Fat trimmings and other rich foods can also cause severe gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, diarrhea and pancreatitis.  Any baked treats that contain Xylitol can be life threatening for your pet as well.  Macadamia nuts are also toxic and can cause severe tremors. 

Although this is a sharing time of year, the best idea is to not share our Holiday foods with our pets!

By Dr. Jennifer Pearson, Idaho Veterinary Hospital

Thanksgiving Dangers to Avoid

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family and friends and enjoying large home cooked meals.  It is important to remember that not everything that we eat is good for our pets to eat and that this can be a stressful time for them as well.  Here are a list of some things you should keep in mind for your pet this Thanksgiving:  

1. Fatty Foods:  These can cause at best a gastroenteritis and at its worse pancreatitis which can be life threatening.  It is best to avoid feeding your pet any table scraps.  If you do want to give  your pet a treat only give a small amount and stick to turkey breast or veggies.
2. Bones:  Do not give your pet bones to chew on or eat.  These can cause trauma to the GI tract or an obstruction
3. Onions and garlic:  Onions, garlic and onion powder, widely found in stuffing and used as a general seasoning, will destroy your dog or cat's red blood cells, which can lead to anemia.

4. Grapes and Raisins:  Grapes and raisins contain a toxin that can cause kidney damage to both dogs and cats.
5. Chocolate:  Chocolate can actually be fatal to your dog or cat; so all those sweets must be kept well out of reach.
6. Bread Dough:  Unrisen bread dough can be dangerous if eaten.  Not only will the dough expand in the stomach causing bloating, but the fermentation can severe electrolyte changes.
7. Anxiety:  Although having our friends and family visiting is fun for us, it can be very stressful for your pet.  If they have nervous tendencies already it is important to give them a quiet area that they can relax.  There are also anxiety medications that can be prescribed if necessary as well.
8. Garbage:  With a lot of cooking and eating also comes a lot of garbage.  Please make sure that it is disposed of properly and securely to avoid your pet getting into it.   Garbage can cause many issues including vomiting and diarrhea to the worst case scenario, death. If you have any questions or concerns please contact our office at 208-466-4614. Our Doctors and Staff wish you a safe and Happy Holiday.

Winter Safety Concerns For Your Pets

 

 

Summer is over and winter is coming.  With the drop in temperature also comes winter safety concerns for your pets.  The cold temperatures will make outdoor cats seek places to get warm and one of their favorite places is under the hood of cars or in the wheel well.  When the vehicle is turned on the fan belt can cause significant harm or death.  It is a good idea to bang on the hood prior to starting your car to try to scare any unsuspecting animals out.

 

If your pet (dog or cat) spends a large amount of time outside, especially at night it is important to provide a warm, dry shelter.  This can be a dog crate or even just a box with blankets in it.  The Treasure Valley can see some very cold temperatures and it is recommended to bring your pets inside if at all possible if the temperature is dropping below 20 degrees. Snow can be disorienting to both cats and dogs and there is a greater risk of them becoming lost.  It is important to keep your pets close and not let them run too far off.  This can especially be a concern when taking your pet to an unfamiliar area, like on a snow shoe trip. Also making sure your pets are microchipped or wearing ID tags can help them be returned home if found.

Anti freeze use is more prevalent in the colder temperatures and it is important to take extra care to make sure your pet does not have access to it. Any spills need to be cleaned up immediately and the bottle or any fluid should be disposed or stored in an area that is not accessible to any animals. If you think your pet may have ingested antifreeze you should have them seen by a veterinarian right away. Ice melt products can also be toxic to animals if ingested. Make sure to wipe your pet's feet and abdomen thoroughly after walks to make sure any chemicals are removed that may have been placed on the ground. If you use ice melt products at home it should be in an area that the pets are not walking through.

Common Pet Toxins

There are many different foods and plants that are toxic to animals  that everyone should be aware of.  Some of the most common include:  Chocolate, grapes/raisins, lilies (cats), xylitol, OTC pain medications like Tylenol and Aleve, onions/garlic.

Chocolate ingestion is probably the most common toxin ingestion we see.  Chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, tachycardia (fast heart rate), and at higher doses can cause heart arrhythmias and seizures.  If you have discovered your  pet has ingested chocolate you should call your veterinarian to find out if it is a toxic dose.  The toxicity level rises with the amount of cocoa present so it does not take very much baker’s chocolate to cause serious issues.

Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure.  There is not a lot known about this toxicity as some pets do not have to ingest very many before they develop symptoms and others can ingest large amounts with no issues.  In general it does not take as many raisins to cause a toxicity.  The protocol for treatment includes inducing vomiting, activated charcoal and IV fluids for 48 hours.

Lilies also cause kidney failure in cats.  Most types of lilies are toxic including:  Tiger, Easter, Day, and Stargazer. All parts of the plant are toxic, including the water in the vase of the lily.  If you own cats it is best to not have any lilies in the house.  If your cat may have ingested or chewed on any part of a lily it should be seen by a veterinarian right away.  Bloodwork monitoring will need to be done and your kitty will need to be hospitalized on IV fluids.  If this toxicity is not treated right away it is often deadly.  The most common symptoms are drinking a lot, urinating a lot, and vomiting.

Xylitol is an interesting toxicity that can cause hypoglycemia and at higher doses can cause liver failure.  Xylitol is most commonly found in sugarless chewing gum, but has become more common in baked goods lately.  Every type of gum has a different amount of xylitol present so the best plan is to call Animal Poison Control and they can determine what level of xylitol they have ingested.  Hypoglycemia can last 18-24 hours and will need to be monitored in the hospital and treated as necessary.  If they have ingested enough to cause liver damage they will need to be hospitalized for 2-3 days for IV fluids and other medications to help with liver function.

Over the counter medications like Tylenol, Aleve, and Ibuprofen are not tolerated well in animals and can cause life threatening toxicities like kidney failure, GI ulceration and perforation, and liver failure.  You should not give your pets human medications unless directed to do so by a veterinarian and if your pet ingests a medication it is best to call animal poison control or your veterinarian at Idaho Veterinary Hospital (208) 466-4614 

September is Dental Month

 

This year during the month of September we are offering a $50.00 credit to your account for simply having your pets teeth cleaned. You, the pet owner are an integral part of our dental team. Dental disease is a much bigger issue than unclean teeth. 



  

Top 5 Reasons to have your pets teeth cleaned

1. Bad Breath.

2. I have pain in my mouth and gums.

3. I want to play tug a war without my teeth falling out.

4. Those brown teeth are not attractive.

5. I want to be disease free and live with you as long as possible.

Please call our office to schedule your appointment @ (208) 466-4614