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.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

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

Pet Sitter Information Checklist: What Should a Pet Sitter Know Before You Go Away?

When you can’t take your pet along with you, a pet sitter can care for your pet(s) temporarily. Naturally, it’s important to share all the necessary information about your pet with your sitter ~ but what information is that? You might notice that taking care of your pet has become so habitual; all you can come up with is the vet’s phone number! The following checklist can help you remember the important information that will assure that your pet gets the best care in any contingency.

DIET

It’s tempting just to say, “Oh ~ just give him a couple of handfuls of this stuff twice a day.” Instead, help out your pet sitter by sharing information that will make the transition easier for both human and pet(s), such as:

* Typical feeding schedule
* What your pet eats, and how much
* Foods your pets are allergic to or intolerant of
* Where in the house your pets are accustomed to eating
* Which feeding dishes to use.


HEALTH ISSUES

Naturally, you’ll tell the pet sitter any immediate major health issues that need attending to. But also list your pet's age, previous health problems and all current medical conditions, such as hearing difficulties, allergies, heart problems, etc. Make sure the pet sitter understands what they mean in terms of special care requirements. For instance, a diabetic dog might need to be let out more frequently than a non-diabetic dog, or that your kitty might race for the door every time someone enters, which, when you have an indoor kitty, is not what you want happening. Note for the pet sitter what symptoms and problems to watch out for and what to do for each.

MEDICATIONS

Even if the pet sitter is only watching your pet for a short period of time, it’s a good idea to give him or her detailed information about the medicines and supplements prescribed to your pet ~ plans do change, after all. Note the names and locations of all prescribed medications as well as dosages, drug interactions, and the times to administer them. Also important is how to give the medicine: Does your dog only take her pill with a particular food? Will there be injections for your cat? You get the idea! More is better when it comes to necessary information!


EMERGENCY CONTACTS

In the event that something goes wrong or the pet sitter merely has a question, list neatly and legibly all the following names, phone numbers, locations, and email addresses:

1. Your name, cell phone number, email address, and land line number if applicable
2. The name and phone number of your pet's regular veterinarian
3. The name and phone number of the nearest emergency veterinary hospital, if applicable. (Our vet does not handle emergencies, however they refer to another vet nearby).


WALKING

Walking dogs may be a pet sitter’s specialty, but a good pet sitter knows that each dog is different and each day is different. Let the dog sitter know how often you walk your dog, how long each walk is, and how far. Will bodies of water be a swimming temptation? Is the dog likely to pull on the harness or lead? Share general information like how much exercise your dog needs and how he reacts to other dogs, to animals, and to kids. Also, share concrete details such as:

* Which harness to use, and how;
* Is any weather protection necessary? (Our dog refused to go out in wet / snowy weather without boots and a raincoat or sweater, as he did not like wet feets or fur!);
* The preferred walking route.


PLAY TIME

Ask how the time increments work with your pet sitter. Our pet sitter gives us the option of a 20-minute visit for a cat at a slight discount, or a 30-minute visit for a dog, or other increments of 45 minutes for multiple pets, or an hour if additional time is needed. We can mix and match these blocks of time as needed, which makes it nice flexibility-wise. Your dog may require some extra attention. Or, you may wish to have your pet sitter play with kitty for awhile. Some pet sitters will even bring in your mail, clean up any accidents your pets may have, water your plants, and even rotate your lights (on and off) to give the appearance of someone being home. We sometimes leave the TV on and have our pet sitter change the channel during their visits, or put on some soothing music.


QUESTIONS

Sometimes pet sitters need help with a judgement call. Encourage your pet sitter to contact you as often as you want to be contacted.

Lastly, don’t just TELL the pet sitter all of the above; it’s too easy both for you and the pet sitter to forget an onslaught of details given all at once. Plus, a good, reliable pet sitter always has more than a few clients going at the same time, so you generally won't be their only responsibility. Type or write a list that the sitter can consult any time. Taking this simple precaution can make all the difference in easing pet dog comfortably and safely into this new experience and help you trust that your pets are in good hands.

ASK YOUR PET SITTER . . . 

1. Are they licensed, bonded and insured?
2. Can they provide you with references? (In our case, we found our pet sitter via a service, so we know they've been thoroughly background checked!)
3. How long have they been pet sitting?

Ease your mind with these and any other questions you might have. After all, you are entrusting your pets and access to your home to this person, so do your homework and take that trip with peace of mind! ♥