Tips for Pet Dental Health & February is National Pet Dental Health Month

Don't turn your nose to Fido's or Fluffy's bad breath! That odor might signify a serious health risk, with the potential to damage not only your pet's teeth and gums but its internal organs as well.

To address the significance of oral health care for pets, the AVMA and several veterinary groups are sponsoring National Pet Dental Health Month in February.

You may be groaning inwardly at another post on pet health and periodontal disease, but the truth is many of us pet parents could stand to freshen up on the topic. That’s not a guess, it’s a fact: 17 out of 20 dogs and cats over the age of three have some level of periodontal disease that needs treatment. As one of the most common diseases, it’s also one of the most easily prevented. Dental disease not only “stinks” at the source, it’s also known to negatively impact the health of the whole body. It’s not a stretch to say that to have true wellness, your pet's teeth and gums need to be as healthy as possible. We know all of you are busy, so we will briefly cover the three most salient points to remember when it comes to dental care. 

1. Dental Disease Can Be Painful, Even Deadly ~ We're sure all of you know that dental disease causes “doggie breath”, or "kitty breath" but you may not be aware that chronic inflammation can cause pain, lead to infections, and serves as a precursor to much more serious issues. For instance, severe periodontal disease is significantly correlated with increased risk of heart disease, such as infected heart valves (Glickman et al., 2009). Chronically inflamed and infected gums also increase the risk for kidney disease, limiting the amount of toxins they can purify from the blood (Glickman et al., 2011). We would ask that you keep in mind that inflamed and infected gums are just as painful for dogs and cats as they are for humans, potentially lowering your companion animal’s quality of life. The bottom line is, a healthier mouth makes for a happier pet!

2. For Dental Disease, There is No Magic Bullet ~ Even though periodontal disease is all-too-common, many veterinary researchers are still baffled by its causes, and therefore, the best method for prevention. We do know that plaque-forming bacteria play a role. A recent study (Riggio et al., 2011) showed a wide diversity of canine oral flora, both in health and disease states, including previously undiscovered species of bacteria!

Not knowing exactly what’s going on makes it especially difficult to find a cure, but that hasn’t stopped big companies from trying. In 2006, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer introduced a vaccine for periodontal disease, aimed at targeting three specific bacteria associated with periodontitis (including Porphyromonas denticanis, P. gulae, and P. salivosa). Following the release of the vaccine, Pfizer Animal Health conducted a 4-year review to determine the true effectiveness of the vaccine. Not surprising to me, there was no demonstrable reduction in the progression of periodontal disease, and the company discontinued this product in April of 2011. Our holistic veterinarian, Dr. Jane Bicks, doesn't usually put much faith in vaccines, other than core vaccinations.

Simply put, when it comes to periodontal disease, there are no magic bullets.

3. An Ounce of Prevention is Your Best Bet ~ Recent studies indicate that treatment of canine and feline periodontal disease may not resolve the attendant inflammation, which means negative repercussions may continue for some time (Rawlinson et al., 2011). The only dependable method is to try and prevent onset of the disease in the first place. We can’t stress this enough … for the most part, periodontal disease is preventable! We strongly encourage you to make your pet's dental care a top priority at an early age. Your efforts will be rewarded, as proper dental can improve your pet's chances of long-term health.

The most effective way to prevent gum disease is to brush your pet's teeth on a regular basis.  In addition to routine brushing, a sound, wholesome diet provides a great foundation for health, and feeding your dog Life’s Abundance Gourmet Dental Treats for Dogs will provide additional nutrients to help support healthy teeth and bones. Our Dental Treats also feature a variety of whole grains, added calcium, extra phosphorous and even a dash of parsley to help freshen breath.   Our Wellness Supplement for Cats provides a wide variety of nutritious ingredients in a formula that enhances your cat’s daily diet, to help promote optimal health and wellness.

If your pet already has tartar build-up and evidence of gum disease, do not despair! Make an appointment today to have his teeth cleaned and any infections treated. Soon, he will be back on the road to wellness.

Remember . . . while February is National Pet Dental Health Month, dental health should be a daily ritual for pet owners all year long.

References:

Riggio MP, Lennon A, Taylor DJ, Bennett D. Molecular identification of bacteria associated with canine periodontal disease. Vet Microbiol. 2011 Jun 2;150(3-4):394-400. Epub 2011 Mar 10.

Rawlinson JE, Goldstein RE, Reiter AM, Attwater DZ, Harvey CE. Association of periodontal disease with systemic health indices in dogs and the systemic response to treatment of periodontal disease. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2011 Mar 1;238(5):601-9.

Glickman LT, Glickman NW, Moore GE, Lund EM, Lantz GC, Pressler BM. Association between chronic azotemic kidney disease and the severity of periodontal disease in dogs. Prev Vet Med. 2011 May 1;99(2-4):193-200. Epub 2011 Feb 23.

Glickman LT, Glickman NW, Moore GE, Goldstein GS, Lewis HB. Evaluation of the risk of endocarditis and other cardiovascular events on the basis of the severity of periodontal disease in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2009 Feb 15;234(4):486-94.

Beard G, Emily P, Milligan & Williams C: American Animal Hospital Association, Veterinary Dentistry, Course I, 1989.

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her online specialty pet boutique (http://www.TheGiftedPet.com), and premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)

For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/TheGiftedPet), or email her at Raven@TheGiftedPet.com

Heart Health for Humans and Pets

Heart Health Awareness Month is right around the corner, beginning February 1st. While technically concerned with human heart health, I think it’s vital that we expand the scope of the conversation to address canine and feline heart health, too.

Most people have a basic understanding of the risks of heart disease in humans, but when it comes to the heart health of our pet kids, that area remains a mystery to many.

In the following seven frequently-asked questions, we’ll consider the parallels between all three species (humans, canines and felines), to better understand heart disease.

How Widespread is Heart Disease?

Humans: In America, heart disease is the #1 cause of death. Annually, about 600,000 people die of heart disease, one in every four deaths.

Dogs and Cats: Although reliable statistics are not readily available for adult felines or canines, heart disease is not the pressing problem that it is for humans. That being said, heart problems are still common, with one in ten dogs developing valvular heart disease. As with many health issues, the risk for heart disease increases with age, especially for dogs over the age of nine (the age varies from breed to breed). When it comes to cats, tracking heart disease proves extremely challenging, as felines present virtually no physical symptoms from this condition.

What’s the Most Common Form of Heart Disease?

Humans: In adults, coronary artery disease is the most prevalent kind of heart disease. The main type involves plaque build-up in the arteries, which affects their ability to deliver blood to the heart. As the layers of plaque thicken and harden, blood flow to the heart is further restricted.

Dogs and Cats: The biggest difference here is that pet kids are not at-risk for coronary artery disease. While that’s good news, there are other medical conditions that dogs and cats face.

Dogs can suffer from mitral valve disease or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Mitral valve disease describes a condition where a valve on the left side of the heart fails to close properly. The problem with this is that blood pools into the left atrium, rather than exiting the left ventricle. Older, small-breed dogs are more likely to develop mitral valve disease, and the condition is only worsened by periodontal disease. DCM weakens the heart muscle so that it pumps less vigorously and regularly, a condition more common in large breeds.

Cats, on the other hand, are prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Here, the walls of the heart thicken and the muscle becomes less flexible. The unfortunate result is that the heart pumps less blood. HCM is a genetic disease that is found in both pure and mixed breed cats.

What are the Symptoms of Heart Disease?

Humans: Symptoms vary depending on the disease, but patients with coronary artery disease often have chest pain, arm pain and shallow breathing. And, of course, there’s the big wake-up call of a heart attack.

Dogs and Cats: Dogs typically exhibit signs such as low energy, trouble getting comfortable, labored breathing and a low-pitched, chronic cough. On occasion, they might actually collapse or faint. Cats may also become lethargic, as well as sleeping or hiding more than is typical. Often, cats will also lose their appetite. If a blood clot is swept from the heart and travels down through the aorta, felines can suffer a painful, sudden paralysis in their hind legs.

Important note: If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical assistance immediately. And, if your companion animal experiences any of these symptoms, seek veterinary assistance immediately.

How Do You Test for Heart Disease?

Humans: Doctors can choose from a variety of diagnostic testing, including blood exams, treadmill tests, electrocardiograms and imaging analyses.

Dogs and Cats: For veterinarians, a stethoscope is the most effective way to identify heart disease. That being said, it is difficult to detect an issue absent a murmur. Sometimes an x-ray, ECG or echocardiogram may shed light on an undiagnosed problem.

What Medications are used for Treatment?

Humans: If you were to be diagnosed with heart disease, doctors might prescribe a blood-pressure medication, a blood thinner or a cholesterol-lowering drug (among other things). Patients often use medications to make the heart beat more slowly and to relax blood vessels.

Dogs and Cats: Many of the drugs we use are also used by dogs and cats. Treatments vary according to the animal and kind of heart disease. The important thing to note is that there are treatments available, and new research is presenting new avenues for improvement.

Can Diet Help to Prevent Heart Disease?

Humans: Diet has a big influence on heart health. Eating foods heavy with saturated and trans-fats can raise cholesterol levels and contribute to plaque build-up in the arteries. Conversely, a diet rich in omega fatty acids, whole grains and fiber can help to lower bad cholesterol levels and help prevent heart disease.

Dogs and Cats: A healthy diet has not been proven to significantly alter the rates of canine and feline heart disease … however, much more research has been done on humans in this regard. It’s hard to overstate the importance of quality food and your companion animal’s quality of life.

What About Exercise?

Humans: Yes, definitely! Exercise lowers the risk of heart attack and reduces stress, another risk factor for heart disease.

Dogs and Cats: The kinds of heart disease commonly found in cats and dogs can't be avoided through exercise. But, as with people, regular exercise will improve overall health and help prevent obesity in pets. 

And don’t forget what researchers, healing experts and therapy animals have been demonstrating for decades … that by taking care of a dog or a cat, you’ll also be taking care of your heart.


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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her online specialty pet boutique (http://www.TheGiftedPet.com), and premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)

For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/TheGiftedPet), or email her at Raven@TheGiftedPet.com