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Greetings!
We hope you and your pet had a nice Valentine's day. February is Pet Dental Health Month. Read below for tips on keeping your pet's mouth healthy.
Let us know what you would like to see in future newsletters.
Sincerely,
The Okaw Vet Clinic Staff |
Winter Can be a Pain - Literally
Cold winter weather can aggravate health problems in pets in different ways. We often think of the arthritic older dog with bad hips having more trouble in the cold weather. Other problems can be worsened by the cold in dogs as well as cats and show up in unusual ways.
Arthritis worsens in cold weather due to a couple of factors. Changes in the barometric pressure causes changes to the joint fluid pressure also So, that increases pressure on the joint and can increase the pain that is felt in the joint. Cold weather also decreases circulation to the toes, and surface of the skin which then decreases the ability to carry the medication, or natural fluids in the body to help the joints work better. Muscles are literally stiffer due to holding tight against the cold. Larger breed dogs that have trouble with how their nerves are working to their legs often have more trouble in the cold as well. Cats do get arthritis, and will also have more trouble getting up on their perches, in and out of the litter box, or up and down stairs.
There are different things that you can do to help your pet out in the cold weather. Before increasing prescription medication or starting any over the counter medication talk to your veterinarian. More is not always better and may have some side effects. There are other supplements and comfort care that you can do to help your pet. Give your big dog time to physically get up walk around in the home a little before taking them out for toileting. If they need to get right out, take them out but keep it limited to 5 minutes, bring them in then let them out again 10 to 15 minutes later as needed. Give them a half hour or so after any medication given before a longer walk so the medications are in their system working. There are diets that are fortified and designed for joint care, and joint supplements that are also helpful. It is best to talk to your veterinary staff for recommendations on the best brand and amount.
Heated beds, ramps, moving litter boxes up stairs, and making moving around the home easier is not spoiling your pet. It really hurts at times for your pet to get up the stairs to sleep in your room, so making life easier is pain relief, not spoiling. Pets are good at finding ways of just accommodating their limits so if you notice your dog not coming up the stairs, or avoiding laying on the hard floor, it is usually because they are dealing with something painful. Sometimes a simple accommodation is all your pet needs to feel better. |
Dental Health is Important
You may be reading about dental care for pets a little more now since February is dental health month for pets. Health teeth are very important to your pet's overall health.
Since a pet cannot brush their teeth, it is easy for plaque and tartar to build up. Many of the foods have dental crystals in them to minimize this which is a huge help. You can brush your pet's teeth using a tooth brush or even bandage gauze. There are pet toothpastes to clean the teeth and decrease any inflammation.
Dogs often break teeth because they chew on many things. There may not be much of a problem due to a small break but larger breaks can cause pain and problems. It is hard to know when your pet has broken a tooth, unless they bleed. If your pet has bleeding from the mouth, be sure you veterinarian examines the teeth carefully and discuss care.
As tartar builds up, infection will start to creep under the gums and create periodontal disease. This infection can spread to the bone, and other vital organs. This is the point where the breath smells bad. It is important to discuss treatment for this through dental cleaning and treatment for infected gums with your veterinarian. This care must be done under deep sedation or anesthesia since our patients cannot sit there with their mouths open! Anesthesia is much safer than in the past, even for older pets, using pre anesthetic screening tests and a better selection of medicines to use.
There is chronic pain with dental disease, not sudden harsh pain. You may not see your pet eat any differently, or avoid play. They may be eating on the other side of their mouth, or just avoiding certain toys they would pick up. Occasionally the pain of the mouth makes a pet dislike being touched on the head or face. We may see some pets be aggressive generally due to the mouth pain - this is irritable aggression. Some pets have a much better disposition once that pain is gone.
To learn more about dental disease check out the American Veterinary Dental College website, or the pet library on our website. |
Keeping your Pet's Mouth Healthy
Keeping your pet's mouth healthy is important. Your pet will be healthy and not have "doggy" or "kitty" breath.
You can do some things to help your pet's mouth stay healthy.  Brush your pet's teeth daily. Use a pet tooth brush and tooth paste. We sell a tooth brush that has a three sided head so it brushes each side of the tooth in one swipe. Pet tooth pastes come in chicken, liver beef and other flavors. Do NOT use people tooth paste. It is poisonous to your pet. Read the next topic below to learn how to teach your pet to accept their teeth being brushed. Encourage your pet to chew on rawhides, nylabones and other toys to help clean your pet's teeth. Use a water addative to help keep your pet's teeth clean. We sell an additive called Clenz-a-dent. We also have a cleaning rinse that can be squirted into your pet's mouth.
We offer pet dental cleanings to help your pet's teeth stay healthy. We place your pet under anesthesia while we perform the dental. Dr. Foote cleans the teeth while one of the veterinary technicians or assistants moniter your pet. We look at your pet's gums for any abnormalities. We remove plaque and tartar from your pet's teeth and look for loose teeth. We will remove loose teeth. We will also remove teeth if they are damaged. We then polish your pet's teeth and apply a sealant to help prevent tartar build up. Here are a before and after picture of a dog during a dental cleaning.
 Before
After
Most adult dogs and cats have some form of periodontal disease. Tartar and plaque build up on your pet's teeth. Bacteria starts to live and reproduce around the plaque. Hair and pieces of food also can get stuck between your pet's teeth, allowing more bacteria to grow. The bacteria releases toxins that irritate the gum tissue. This causes inflammation, redness and pain. The toxins also attack the supporting structures, including the periodontal ligaments and bone, around the tooth. The loss of supporting structures makes the tooth loose. The bacteria can enter your pet's blood stream and travel to other organs, including the heart, kidney and liver. The bacteria can inflame these organs and cause health problems. The bacteria living in your pet's mouth also causes bad breath.
The progression of dental disease has four stages. During the first stage, the gums will be slightly red and swollen and teeth will have plaque on them. The first stage is reversable with a dental cleaning. During the second stage, the gums are red and swollen, the teeth have chunks of plaque on them and the breath will smell. This stage is also reversable with a dental cleaning. During the third stage, the gums will also bleed and some teeth may be completely covered by tartar. The mouth is also very sore during this stage. This stage may be reversable with a dental cleaning. During the fourth stage, the gums may contain pus pockets and tooth roots may be visible. This stage is not reversable. We perform a dental cleaning to remove the tartar, loose teeth and infected tissues. |
Brushing your Pet's Teeth
You can teach your pet to accept having their teeth brushed. The best time to start brushing your pet's teeth is when they are a puppy or kitten. But you can teach your adult pet too. Purchase a pet tooth paste and brush. Pet tooth pastes come in various flavors. Try a flavor you think your pet will like.
When you start, don't just shove the tooth brush into your pet's mouth. They will probably get scared. You need to slowly work your way up to brushing your pet's teeth over several days. Start by putting some of the tooth paste on your finger and let your pet lick it off. When your pet looks forward to getting the tooth paste, start sticking your finger in your pet's mouth and move in like a tooth brush a few times. Do this until your pet is comfortable. Then start putting it on the brush and let him or her lick it off. When your pet is comfortable with this, move the brush in and out of the mouth one time. Do this until your pet is comfortable. Then slowly add more swipes until you can brush your pet's mouth.
You can give your pet treats after you brush his or her teeth. |
Litterbox Happiness
Does your cat...
- Use the box some of the time, but not all the time?
- Use the box regularly for urine or stoo, but not for the other?
- Go right next to the box, but not in it?
Do you have more than one cat and can't tell who goes out of the box? Do you want to prevent litterbox problems before they start?
Join Dr. Foote at Prairieland Feeds in Savoy on Sunday Feb 28th from 2 - 3 pm. Please RSVP by Feb 27th by calling (217) 352-2232 or emailing us at okawvetstaff@mchsi.com
*Please note this is a humans only seminar. Please leave your furry children at home. |
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About Okaw Veterinary Clinic
Thank you for reading our newsletter. We strive to make our pet parents informed about pet healthcare. If you have any concerns or questions, please let us know.
140 W. Sale St.
Tuscola, Illinois 61953
Okaw Veterinary Clinic
217-253-3221
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Do you have Small Stuffed Animals?
Do you have small stuffed animals laying around your house taking up space? We are looking for small stuffed animals. They will be donated to clients who have pets that need a playmate for rough play. These pets will attack their owners' feet or other pets in the house.
The stuffed animals should be about the size of a rabbit. If you have any to donate, please bring them into the clinic. If you have any questions, please call 253-3221 or email okawvetstaff@mchsi.com |
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Common Household Toxins
This session will present a brief rundown of the common items found in homes and yards that are toxic to animals. These include grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, chocolate, cocoa mulch, and some toxic plants. Class will be held on March 8.
Early Reg. Deadline: Wednesday, Feb 24.
What's Buggin' Your Pet? A Primer About Parasites
Learn about the common parasites of your pet, such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, heartworms, fleas, ticks, and more. You'll also learn how to prevent you and your pet from getting these potentially deadly parasites. Class will be held on April 12. Early Reg. Deadline: Wednesday, March 31.
The Class fee is $8.00 if you register by the early register date. If you register after the date, the fee is $13.00.
Please visit the U of I's websiteto register or for more information. If you have questions, please call 217-333-2907. |
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Remind My Pet
Sign up for this free service to get reminders of when your pet is due for their heartworm, flea or other medication. You can have the reminder sent as an email or text message.
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