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February
February is:
- National Pet Dental Health Month -
February 6-12, 2011: Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week
February 14, 2011: Pet Theft Awareness Day
February 14-15, 2011: Westminster Kennel Club Annual Dog Show. Held at New York City's Madison Square Garden. This event is televised.
February 20, 2011: Love Your Pet Day
February 22, 2011: Spay Day. Annual campaign by the Humane Society International and The Humane Society of the United States.
February 22, 2011: Walking the Dog Day
February 23, 2011: International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
Why is Veterinary Dentistry so important? Believe it or not, dogs are diagnosed with
dental disease more than any other infection.
Needless to say, nobody wants their pet suffering from a painful
inflammatory condition in which bacteria attacks the gums, periodontal
ligament, and bone tissues that surround and support the teeth. So what’s a good pet owner to do? Simple.
Aside from regular brushing, have your pet’s teeth examined by Dr. Laird
on a routine basis. Checkups and
preventive care will do wonders for bad breath and may help prevent harmful
bacteria from entering the bloodstream and causing serious problems to your
pet’s vital organs.
Prevention
starts at home. As easy as it is for
your pet to get a periodontal infection, it’s just as easy for you to prevent
it. The first step is brushing your
pet’s teeth on a regular basis to reduce plaque buildup and gingivitis. You should use a special toothbrush and
toothpaste designed for pets. Avoid
using toothpaste for people because it can upset your pet’s stomach. Giving your pet appropriate chew toys and
feeding them hard or coarse-textured food can also help remove plaque. If your pet displays and of the following
symptoms, serious periodontal disease may be present:
- Bad Breath – one of the first signs of
dental disease.
- A yellowish-brown crust of tartar on the
teeth near the gum line.
- Red and swollen gums.
- Pain or bleeding when eating, or when the
mouth or gums are touched.
- Decreased appetite or difficulty eating.
- Loose or missing teeth.
- Abnormal drooling.
- Swallowing food whole.
Stop
bacteria before it starts! Most
periodontal infections begin simply enough.
Plaque – which is composed of bacteria, salivary proteins and food
debris – builds up in the space between teeth and gums, causing irritation,
redness and swelling. Eventually,
pockets form and deepen, allowing bacteria to damage the tissues that hold
teeth in place. At this stage, bacteria
from the oral infection have a clear path to the animal’s bloodstream and vital
organs. The organs with the highest
blood flow are most susceptible to infection:
lungs, heart, kidneys, liver and even the brain. Damage to these organs caused by infection
can shorten the lives of dogs and cats.
SEE
YOUR VETERINARIAN FOR REGULAR DENTAL EXAMS AND CHECK UPS. Like people, animals need professional teeth
cleaning on a routine basis (every 6-18 months). Regular dental checkups are important to
maintaining not only your pet’s oral health, but overall health as well. In fact, because animals age more quickly
than humans, dental exams should become more frequent – perhaps every six
months – as your pet ages. Think of it
as a necessary part of your pet’s preventive care plan. Talk to Dr. Laird about professional dental
care and what you can do to keep your pet’s teeth and body healthy.
Needing a furry friend?
Looking for a new addition to the family? We occasionally have puppies, kittens and adult rescues for adoption. Call or come by the clinic during business hours to find out more information!
Click this link to see our Adoptable Pets.
Animal Care Tips for:
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