Brushing

Here is a great link for owner's on how to help your pets become comfortable with brushing their teeth!

How to Brush Your Pet's Teeth

Debunking the Grain-Free Myth - Dr. Fiona Caldwell

The driving force behind the increasing popularity of grain-free dog foods is mostly marketing and not based on actual research. Here are some common myths about grains in dog foods and the truth behind them.

Aren't grains poorly digestible?

Consumers are often told that grains such as wheat and corn are poorly digestible, and they should not be used in good-quality cat and dog foods. The truth is that the nutrients in grains are often readily available and absorbable to dogs.

Some prescription GI diets whose goal it is to be highly digestible will use grains such as rice and corn to deliver nutrients.

Aren't a lot of dogs allergic to grains?

There are very few reported cases of dietary intolerance or proven food allergy to corn in either cats or dogs.

Unlike corn, however, wheat and specifically wheat gluten can be a cause of food intolerance and hypersensitivity in dogs. It is estimated that about 5% of allergic dogs (not all dogs, just 5% of allergic dogs) are actually allergic to their food, and most are allergic to the animal protein (chicken, beef, pork, etc).

Beef, dairy and other protein sources are much more frequently implicated as causes of food allergies in dogs.

Isn't corn and wheat bad for dogs?

There is very little, if any, objective scientific evidence that shows corn is deleterious when used as an ingredient in commercial pet foods. The nutrients in corn are in fact readily utilized by the dog. While it cannot be used as the sole source of protein, it can be an important part of a balanced diet.

Corn is an excellent source of several important nutrients, including the essential fatty acid linoleic acid, as well as the carotenoids β-carotene and zeaxanthin.

Wheat is unique and particularly valuable amongst cultivated grains because of its high protein content. It is well utilized in dogs, and similarly to corn can be part of a nutritious diet.

Aren't grains just 'fillers'?

Studies show that dogs can thrive on plant based proteins in addition to animal based proteins in their diet. Dogs are not obligate carnivores, they are omnivores, meaning they eat a little of everything.

Grains, including corn, wheat, rice, barley, oats, sorghum, millet, rye, and others can all be a nutritious part of a well balanced diet. They can contribute not only as a protein source, but can also provide essential nutrients such as fatty acids.

Ok, you convinced me... Are grain-free diets bad then?

Studies providing clear evidence that grain-free cat and dog foods are better are lacking, but this does not necessarily mean you should avoid a good-quality pet food that also happens to be grain-free.

As long as the diet is a good quality, proven complete and balanced dog food with either detailed chemical analysis or feeding trials, then it doesn't really matter.

The primary contraindication to the use of grain-free foods in cats and dogs is probably the fact that these diets tend to be relatively high in both fat and protein. High fat content means more calories which can predispose to obesity in some animals.

High protein intake is contraindicated in animals with significant preexisting renal or hepatic dysfunction. Furthermore, when protein intake is higher than the actual requiremen

t, the extra protein will simply be stored as body fat.

The best dog food for your dog is the one that keeps your dog the healthiest, with shiny coat and normal stools and minimal flatulence.

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