We are proud to announce Chase as our July Pet of the Month! Like every puppy we see, Chase is cuddly and adorable, but Chase is extra special-- Chase is being raised to be a service dog! 

Her owners, Dan and Sue Kruessel are Volunteer Puppy Raisers for Support Dogs Inc. They will provide Chase with a home, basic training, and socialization for 15 months.  Part of Chase's training will include 2 months at a minimal security prison in which an inmate will provide more intense training.  At about 15 months, Chase will go to Support Dogs Inc where she will learn an assortment of skills to assist a potential client with mobility and related tasks.  All the hard work pays offs once matched with a client where the dog changes someone's life by providing independence and hope.  

Chase is one of 10 lab pups recently donated to Support Dogs Dogs, Inc. by breeder, Ducktale Labrador Retreivers.  All the pups were named after former and current Blues players....Chase after Kelly Chase.   GO BLUES!!!!

If you'd like to know more about Support Dogs and how you can help, check out http://www.supportdogs.org/. 

Here are some pictures of Chase on her recent visit to My Vet! 

We get to interact with great pets and great owners every day! We decided it wasn't fair for us to have all the fun, so we started the My Vet Animal Clinic Pet of the Month so we can showcase some of these great dogs and cats so everyone can enjoy! This month's featured pet is Zebulon, a handsome and well-behaved German Shepherd. His mom shared his story with us (below), and you can check out his picture on our Facebook page for all of June! Congrats Zeb! 
--My Vet Animal Clinic

Years of playing and working with family shepherds fed Sharon’s desire for a GSD named Zebulon (Zebulon is a family name).   After years of negotiations, Dave agreed.  As an early 2009 Christmas present, we picked up Zeb from a breeder in Truxton, MO.  We looked at all the male pups in the litter to find the GSD that was Zeb.    He was a 2 month old furball that trotted right up to us.  We picked him up a month later.  We arrived home and put him down to explore his new home.  He found the new dog bed and climbed right in.  He was home! 

Zeb assigned himself the job of keeping an eye on Mom and Dad from Day 1.  The first night home with us, he bravely stood in front of Mom and “puppy” barked at the neighbors menacing electric meter.    Today, he continues his vigilance to safeguard Mom and Dad.   When Mom and Dad are working in separate ends of the house, Zeb positions himself in between them in order to monitor both of them.     And…that bark has evolved into quite a loud and deep bark.    Many a door-to-door salesperson has turned around as they hear that bark.

His nicknames are Zeb, Zebbie and Zebbers.  Mom occasionally picks other nicknames – most recently Bear.  When he’s in trouble, he is Zebulon Montgomery!  His favorite toys are bouncy tennis balls which leads to his favorite game, fetch!  An ideal day for Zeb is running after the tennis ball a gazillion times then hopping into the kiddie pool to cool off.    Then we start all over again!

Zeb is an energetic boy.  He loves water and whenever possible will jump into a lake, stream or pool.    He enjoys his daily walks and always seems to keep a store of energy for spontaneous wrestling matches in the evening.   Zeb running across a field at top speed is a beautiful sight to behold. 

Zeb is a smart boy.  Mom & Dad keep him challenged and well behaved with a regimen of exercise and continued training.  Even today, he is enrolled in a group training class that exposes him to other dogs and owners.  He helps Mom in GSD Rescue activities and even allowed a 2 month foster in his kingdom.    

Zeb’s favorite treats are baked by Mom and fit into a chew toy.  In the evening, a mention of the “blue-thing” brings an excited pup with that chew toy in his mouth, ready to be filled with a cookie or two.  He knows which visitors come with gifts and performs a handsome sit to wait for the inevitable goodies.     Should the treat be a bone, Zeb will accept it and quickly hide it somewhere in the house.  He seldom chews them.  Instead, he is content to have them squirreled away in various places in the house.    

Zeb has been a great addition to our family.  He is happy, energetic and well behaved (at least most of the time, that is).  He is our Zebbie-Bear!

It's time for another My Vet Animal Clinic Pet of the Month! This month, we're featuring Abby the Basset. Abby is a recent addition to her adoptive family, and the perfect pet of the month for National Heartworm Awareness Month. As a rescue, Abby contracted heartworm disease. Luckily, a rescue organization and her owners have made it possible for the long road to treatment....and recovery. Her owners shared her story with us- read below and enjoy! 

From Abby's Owners: 


2013 was tough at our home which we've dubbed "BassettCrest".   We said goodbye to 2 of our 5 beloved basset hounds -- Chloe (aged 17y) and Leah (aged 15y) as well as our 'little buddy' Simba, the Abyssinian cat. All had different medical conditions that finally took their toll.  Our  basset gang was reshuffled with Ella and Duke (bonded pair) sliding into older middle-aged;  Herman our 4 year old, very energetic basset looking to play (lots), and ourselves feeling the household a little bit empty at 3 bassets.  
 
We contacted Guardian Angels Basset Rescue, a non-profit based in northern Illinois that does a wonderful job rescuing unwanted bassets in the northern Illinois/Indiana area.  They had matched us up with our Herman over a year earlier.  We applied to adopt another basset. It took a couple months.  GABR was methodical in finding the "right match" to our circumstance.  A foster family contacted us about Abby, a 5 year old female basset, with a great temperament, likes playing.  She sounded perfect.  There was one "issue".  Abby had tested positive for heartworm.  She just finished treatment  and could be adopted-- but there was a risk, albeit slight, she could test positive still. It was "too early to tell."  
 
From the history that could be pulled together, it was clear that Abby had a tough 2013 too. GABR found her in a shelter in Indiana.  At the time, she was malnourished, positive for various worms, including heartworm...and very stressed out as suggested by loss of hair and weight issues.   While in shelter, she had a litter.   Once her pups were weaned, GABR assumed responsibility for Abby's ongoing medical care.  She had been treated for worms, updated on all shots, and spayed.  She was also treated for heartworm disease- receiving two injections over a period time.  Per treatment protocol, Abby's had to remain quiet, her activities strictly limited to only going outside to "potty" --while on a leash. She spent many days quietly in a "safe crate" or limited to a couch at her foster family home.  (She still has an affinity to hopping up on the couch--even when not allowed!)
 
We researched heartworm disease and consulted with staff at My Vet Animal Clinic.  We discussed options with GABR and agreed that if Abby still tested positive, we would have her treated again.  GABR's would cover the cost, however we would have to stick to the strict treatment regimen, which would not be an easy thing, for Abby or us.    
 
We decided to adopt Abby anyhow.  Abby came to our home the day after Thanksgiving.  She quickly fit in with the gang-- playing chase me and tug-o-war with her new brother Herman (only one lamp pulled off the table!) while negotiating with "the elders" --Duke and Ella.  (Our cat Sky, we suspect, just rolled her eyes!)
 
Abby was due for the follow-up heartworm test in January.  We took her to My Vet.  The result of the test--"positive".  We were dismayed.  Would she have to go through the intensive treatment, yet again?   Dr. Griese reviewed her record thoroughly and consulted with the previous treating veterinarian at the shelter.  It was possible this was a "false-positive" --that the heartworms were still clearing from Abby's system.  Recommendation: re-test in another month.   
 
The weeks ticked by.  Abby fell into rhythm of the rest of the basset pack and our household. Her weight increased to a normal level  and she continued fine tuning her tug-o-war techniques with Herman.  A happy girl all around.
 
The day of truth arrived. Re-test. We took Abby to My Vet.  Deep breath. The result.... negative!  Hooray!  Now our goal is to keep her that way.
 
Heartworm disease is serious. Luckily there is treatment and it worked for Abby.  She's now joined the rest of our BassettCrest gang on once-a-month Heartgard as well as Frontline in the flea/tick season.  
 
Thanks much to Dr. Griese and the staff at MyVet-- for the great care for Abby and the rest of the gang over the years.

The BassettCrest Dwellers... David & Rich 

We had a GREAT time seeing many clients, community members and friends at yesterday's Eureka Mardi Growl. We set up a small "photo booth" and had a blast taking (or attempting to take) some of these great pooch's pics. Check them out below, and be sure to comment on which one is your favorite! 

It's National Pet Poison Prevention Week, and we hope you've enjoyed some of our info posts on common pet toxins. If you missed any, they are all on our Pinterest page March Poison Prevention board, as well as some helpful links to bookmark for reference. 

From lilies to chocolate to mouse poison, there are many dangerous things your pet could ingest. Symptoms run the gamut from no signs at all to vomiting/diarrhea to death. As pet owners, we have a responsibility to educate ourselves about common toxins and keep our pet's environment safe. Accidents do happen, though, and it's impossible to be aware of every toxin. Even as a veterinarian, there are so many potential poisons, toxic dose ranges and treatments, my toxicology book is never far. We often have to look up obscure plants, chemicals and foods. Rather than discuss all of the potential toxins and poisons your pet might come in contact with, we decided to run through what you should do in the event that your pet has ingested something potentially harmful.

Step 1: Get it out of your pet's mouth! 

Obviously as soon as you see Fido gnawing on a big block of D-con or baker's chocolate, you want to take it away from them. Not only do you want to limit their exposure, but if possible, it's just as important for you to be able to identify exactly WHAT that product is when you talk to your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control. We frequently get calls from owners stating that their dog just ate something- mouse poison, chocolate, or human medication, etc, but the owners immediately threw it away. In order for us to know a) if the product is actually toxic, b) if the pet consumed a toxic amount, and c) if the time frame still allows for decontamination, we need to know what we're dealing with. Here's some things to specifically look for: 

• Product Name/Brand 
• Active ingredient(s)
• Ounces of product (such as chocolate), number of pills, etc (or your best estimate)
• Milligram (mg) of medication
• When your pet ate the product

Once, while I was busy inducing vomiting on a patient who had eaten an entire bulk pack of chewing gum, one of my technicians had to spend nearly 30 minutes on the phone with the gum manufacturer. Since we didn't have the packaging, we weren't even sure if that particular flavor ingested contained xylitol or not (it did).Turns out most human food and chemical products aren't really helpful in the dog toxicity customer service department. Having brand name, ingredient and even flavor information handy can save time and money while we rush to treatment. 

Step 2: Call Your Veterinarian!

It's a simple step that is often overlooked. Often times, a quick (and free!) phone call to your veterinarian or the local emergency clinic can confirm or deny whether your pet is at risk. Don't wait to see if symptoms develop- most toxins do not have immediate effects!  If your pet just ate something, often the veterinary staff can tell you over the phone if it's enough to cause a problem. If you have the above information handy, we can usually quickly calculate whether or not your pet needs to be seen, or what you can do at home. Sometimes, we can calculate out that your pet hasn't consumed enough of a product to be of concern and you can monitor at home. If a true toxin ingestion is caught quickly, we can often induce vomiting before the toxin has a chance to be absorbed. If it's been a longer exposure, we can administer a product that will bind the toxin and prevent symptoms, or provide fluid therapy to help flush it out. For exposures like the anti-coagulants, it's important that we start Vitamin K as soon as possible to prevent bleeding later. 

If you can't reach your veterinarian, 

Step 3: Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. There is a $65 consultation fee, but you will be speaking with board-certified veterinary toxicologists with the world's largest pet toxicology database. They can quickly confirm or deny whether your pet is at risk, and your fee will include their recommendations and consultation with your local veterinarian should your pet need medical intervention. Make sure to have the above information handy, as well as your pet's age, breed, sex and weight. 

Even as veterinarians we often call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center as it's impossible for us to keep up with every new product that your dog and cat has access to. Pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and even regular people foods are constantly changing ingredients, and the Poison Control Center can give us the most up-to-date information on exposure, toxicity and treatment. I've even used them for my own pets when one of my dogs got into a friend's gym bag and chocolate protein powder (double whammy toxicity for protein overload and chocolate!). Definitely not a toxin I learned about in school! 


Now's also a good time to mention what a great resource the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is. Their website, http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control has a TON of great information you can look up on various toxins, human medications and more. I utilize this website frequently, especially the Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant list (http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants) when I'm looking at what houseplants are safe to bring in to my house. My husband now no longer has any excuse NOT to bring home *cat-safe* flowers since I bookmarked the site on his phone! You can also sign up for a free Pet Safety Kit which includes a magnet with the phone number for the Poison Control Center (https://www.aspca.org/form/free-pet-safety-pack?ms=wb_rig_petcaresection-generalsmall-201307&initialms=wb_rig_petcaresection-generalsmall-201307). Check out their articles on top toxins and best practices to keep toxins out of your pet's reach. 


Happy Poison-Proofing!

-CD

I'll admit it- we have the best job in the world. We get to interact with pets every day, and hear great stories about how our patients make their human's lives better. 

Recently, the staff was discussing what our newest Facebook profile picture update should be. Another photo of the clinic cat? An interesting pet factoid? A random animal holiday-related event? 

While all great options, we decided that what we like most about our jobs is probably what you guys most like reading about and seeing too, right? And thus, the My Vet Animal Clinic Pet of the Month spotlight was born! Each month, we'll randomly choose a pet who visited the clinic that month for their annual exam. That pet will be featured on our clinic Facebook profile picture, and have a spotlight on our Facebook, Pinterest and blog pages! That's right- we're out to make your dog or cat an internet superstar :-) Actually, we're just out to show off some of the really cool pets we get to see every day. So drumroll please.....our very first pet of the month is....Kindle! 

Kindle is a long time My Vet Animal Clinic patient, and everyone here knows her by name. She comes in regularly for her Adequan injections, which help her with her arthritis. Last week, she was in for the easy stuff- just her annual wellness exam and vaccines. Kindle is so used to coming in she knows exactly where to go, and exactly where the treats are. She also knows that we're all suckers for giving her probably too many of them! One smart cookie. 

Kindle joined her family of people and pooches 13 years ago- named for kindling, in keeping with the family's fire-related theme (they've had Smokey and Flare, too!). She was one of nine Golden retriever pups, and at their first birthday, all the puppies and their families were invited back to the farm for a birthday party. This party was complete with games, but Kindle was so good at winning them she had to let some of the other pups take a turn. Like we said, this girl's not just looks. 

Kindle's favorite toy is a Kong, and she is a big fan of Beggin strips. Even at 13, she'll still do some tricks in the exam room for treats. Even though she's slower to get around, she still starts every morning by going out and getting the paper, bringing it inside and upstairs, dropping it on the bed, and back downstairs for her breakfast! Now if only our dogs would do that.....

We think this pooch is pretty special, and hope you do too! 

-CD

Alas, it's been a fun month, but National Pet Dental Health month is almost over! All good things must come to an end, right? No way! While we and other veterinary clinics across the country have used February to educate pet owners and throw in some free dental chews, dental care should not be limited to a single month. It should be something we all work to provide our pets every day. In our last few blogs, we've talked about how easy that can be- even just the proper diet and tossing your pooch a dental chew can go a long way.

So now you're all probably wondering- what happens when home care alone is not enough? Let's say you've been inspired to start brushing or offering more dental care products, but your pet's pearly whites are already subpar? Or, maybe you've been a diligent pet owner and brushing since the beginning, but your pet's teeth still show signs of disease? We'll talk today about professional dental cleanings. Let's walk through it step by step:

1. Physical exam and dental assessment
Checking your pet's teeth and gums is part of every physical exam. When bad breath, difficulty chewing, excess saliva/drool or facial swelling are present, the dental exam is even more in depth. Veterinarians will do their best to assess each tooth, but as you can probably guess, Fido doesn't exactly allow us to do a great exam of even all of the outside teeth, much less the hard palate, under the tongue, or the other three surfaces of every tooth. If there is heavy tartar and calculus buildup, swelling or gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), your vet will probably recommend a dental cleaning. 

2. Pre-anesthetic exam and diagnostics. 
Based on your pet's age, health status and other medications, bloodwork may be done ahead of time to ensure that your pet is healthy enough for anesthesia. The bloodwork will check for signs of systemic illness, anemia, infection, and overall organ function to make sure your pet is a good candidate for anesthesia. The results will help us know what medications to use for sedating your pet, as well as what other treatment, such as fluids and antibiotics, that they may need during and after the dental cleaning. 

3. The big day. 
Generally speaking, dental cleanings are a full day at the spa, so to speak. Our clinic schedules these procedures on certain days, and we have you drop them off early that morning. We'll touch base regarding any questions or concerns, and make sure to have an appropriate number to call you during the day. Your pet will be weighed and given another once-over to make sure we're all set! 

4. Anesthesia
When it's their turn to clean their chompers, they'll be given an injection of a sedative and analgesic cocktail to take the edge off. Once they're sedated, they'll have an endotracheal tube placed in their trachea, and this will be connected to a gas anesthetic machine. This has dual purposes: it will provide anesthestic gas and oxygen, but also protect your pet's airway when the dental cleaning begins. After your pet is fully anesthetized and intubated, he or she is placed on their side on a dental table- basically a big sink with a grate on top, so the water will be carried away from them. The veterinarian will start cleaning the teeth while a technician monitors your pet's heart rate, respiration and depth of anesthesia. 

5. The cleaning begins!
The first part of the cleaning is called scaling. Using a high speed ultrasonic scaler, the plaque, tartar and calculus are removed from all surfaces of the pet's tooth. This tool is also used to clean under the gumline. 
Next, a polisher and some dental prophy paste are used to polish out any microscopic defects in the surface of the tooth, making it more difficult for plaque and dental to reattach. 
The prophy paste is rinsed off, and a flouride gel is applied. And that's it! 

6. Waking up
Your pet's anesthetic gas is discontinued, and their endotracheal tube removed. They're moved to a warm cage and allowed to wake up in some comfy blankets. Within a few minutes, your pet will be up and at 'em. We monitor them for a few hours to make sure they're doing well. They get to go out for a walk and a bathroom break, and before you know it they're ready to walk out the door with their pearly whites on display. 

7. At home
That night and the next day they may be a little tired, but otherwise back to normal! We recommend only feeding them a small amount of food and water that evening to make sure their stomach is not upset, but they can resume a normal diet the next day. 
If any major extractions or infections were found, we may ask to recheck your pet in a week or so to ensure adequate healing. Most dental cleanings need no follow up care from the veterinarian, but are ready for you to start fresh with a clean slate of healthy teeth! It's a perfect time to start that home care we've talked about. 

So that's it! Pretty easy, huh? We hope you have enjoyed learning a little bit more about dental health for your dog and cats! Remember to provide dental care for your pet on a regular basis, and ask us if you have any questions! 

Hello again, friends! Welcome to our third posting in this National Pet Dental Health Month series. This week, I'll provide recommendations and share what I give my own pets. Maple, Oscar and Hurricane have been consulted at length for this blog, and were happy to sample a variety of products. 
An important note before we begin:  even religious use of the best products will still not prevent some plaque and calculus buildup. Furthermore, what is already on your pet's teeth will not come off without a dental cleaning. Groomers of the world are about to hate me, but the teeth brushing they offer your pets every 6 weeks with their bath is about as effective as it would be for our breath if you or I went that long without brushing. Is it better than nothing? I suppose. But it's a drop in the bucket. To be effective, dental care needs to happen every day.  A consistent home care routine will help prevent progression and delay the frequency that your pet will need a cleaning. 

Finding Good Products
That said, let's talk about finding safe and effective products.  Just because a product has a "dental" claim on the bag doesn't mean that it is guaranteed to help your pet's teeth- be wary of marketing gimmicks! Many of the products on the shelf, particularly in the chew and treat department, are likely to be of benefit. But technically, anything you get your dog to chew on at all will stimulate saliva, which will help break down plaque. So in theory, I can call the leg of your antique dining room table a "dental treat" if your dog has taken a few minutes to scrape their chompers into it.
One great guideline is to look for products labeled with the  Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval.  The VOHC  gives their mark of acceptance when products have been tested and proven effective against plaque and/or tartar. You can check out the complete list here: http://www.vohc.org/accepted_products.htm. 
If you find a product that's not on the list- that doesn't necessarily mean that it's not effective or safe.  Testing and protocols can be costly for some companies, and some may not feel the VOHC seal is necessary. So if you are considering a product not on the list, do some research on the ingredient list, company, and manufacturing location-- or ask your veterinarian! Better yet, read on for some specific product recommendations! 

Dental Chews & "Edible Treats"(AKA Greenies)
Most dogs enjoy some sort of rawhide- like chew. Most owners (myself included) prefer the kind that a) my dogs can't completely ingest in 30 seconds or less, b) don't leave a mess on my floor and c) don't cause my dog to have diarrhea.  
That said, my personal favorites are the C.E.T. Dental Chew products. These come in a variety of sizes you can match up to your pooch's size. They take even the strongest chewers at least a few minutes to eat (my pooch Maple works at one for about 20-30 minutes).  My dogs get one every day, and at less than 60 cents per treat, I think it's a bargain compared to Greenies (which I do think are also an excellent although more pricey product). For added oomph you can upgrade to the CET Hextra chews, which are coated in chlorhexidine, an antiseptic that provides 24 hours of antimicrobial action. My dogs seem to like these even better, but I'll warn you the coating can stain some lighter carpets (like my favorite off-white throw rug; I know, I know- why do I even have one of those, right?!?).  And finally, the CET VeggieDent is a perfect option for those pets with sensitive stomachs or food allergies, as they are entirely vegetable based! These make Greenies seem like mushy French fries, so they're a great challenge for those strong chewers! 

Prescription Dental Diets
These products, namely Hill's Prescription Diet T/D (for Teeth/Tooth Diet) and Purina DH (Dental Health), are outstanding products for daily dental health. The individual pieces, or kibbles, are specially formulated to encourage more chewing and abrasive/brushing like action of the food against the surface of the tooth. They are clinically proven to reduce plaque and bacteria- which is an impressive feat. These pieces are quite a bit bigger than regular kibble, and have a unique fiber-like matrix. Even my smallest pooch Maple at 40lbs needs the T/D Small Bites. The regular sized bites are actually almost as big as a charcoal briquette!  Now here's the bad news....they're a prescription diet. Prescription diets come at a higher cost, and not everyone can do that.  Effective? Yes. Pricey? A little bit. 
My solution? Feed these diets as treats! I started this on the recommendation of a colleague a few years ago, and my dogs love it! We've replaced Milkbones or any other treats, and keep a jar of these by the back door. They get a few pieces a day when they come in from going outside, and I can tell it has helped! 
I buy a 5 lb bag of the T/D and break it up into a few gallon-sized zip lock bags after I've filled the treat jar. The bags go into the freezer, and 5 lbs will last my dog between 3-4 months! If you hit up the Hill's website for a coupon, you'll be able to knock the cost down to just a few cents more than regular your standard Milkbones, which is well worth it in my book!

What About the Cats? 
Don't worry, feline friends! We haven't forgotten you! While most owners don't think about giving their cats dental chews or treats, they need it just as much- if not more! Since they're not panting in our face as often, it's hard to notice visible tartar, gingivitis or bad breath on kitties. Bacteria and plaque buildup is just as dangerous for a cat's entire organ system as it is for a dog. The good news is that the principles of dental care are the same- brushing if they'll tolerate it, dry food for mechanical removal of plaque, and dental treats and chews! 
So what do I give my own cats? They eat a dry food only diet, and they get Feline Greenies treats every day. My cats both love the treats and they definitely have to get their crunch on to eat them. They come in a variety of flavors for the picky eaters, and are reasonably priced and available at most pet stores. 

Other Products
As we talked about last week, there are LOTS of other products out there- toothbrushes and toothpastes, dental rinses, gels, cleaning pads and water additives to name a few.  But again, I'm a realist- I know you're busy, and I know your pets hate you for trying to brush their teeth . Dental chews and dental treats are a win-win, so make a resolution to try one and start providing your pet with some daily dental care! 

-CD, with special contributions from Maple, Hurricane & Oscar

Well, after we grossed you out with the stages of periodontal disease last week, this week we'll focus on what you can do at home to help prevent dental calculus and smelly breath! 

Home care is essential to keeping your dog and cat's teeth at their healthiest, and can be easy to incorporate into your daily routine! Let's start with your pet's dog food....

Dry Food: 
Ditch the soft food people! I know your dog likes it (probably loves it!) but for 99% of dogs and cats, there is no need for soft, moist, semi-moist, gravy or any other non-dry kibble food. Compare it to covering your broccoli with cheddar cheese. Does it make it more delicious? Absolutely. Does it add unnecessary calories? Uh, yeah. Does it counteract the healthy act of eating broccoli? Pretty much. Canned and pouch foods, and whatever other delectable "toppings" you are adding to your dog or cat's food is likely negating the benefit of any hard food. It makes it easier for them to wolf it down so they're not getting the mechanical benefit of chewing- so no hard stuff scrubbing up against their teeth. It's also sticking more to their teeth, adding unnecessary calories, and actually costs more to feed than dry food alone. Sorry dogs and cats of the world, but I've got to be honest. Reserve the canned food for birthdays, special occasions or as a sneaky way to hide in medication when they have to take it. 

Brushing
According to the American Veterinary Dental College, brushing is the absolute #1 thing you can do to help your pet's dental health. Think about it- you and I brush our teeth at least twice a day, and we still have to go to the dentist at least yearly if not more for the professional cleaning. Imagine never brushing your teeth, and chewing on all sorts of the weird treats, chew toys and food that we give our dog. Insert gross face here! 
So yes, it's absolutely important. In an ideal world. I'm a realist, and as I admitted last week, I don't routinely brush my pet's teeth (sorry Dr. Manfra). But with work, kids, a busy schedule and a dog that hates it, it just doesn't get done as it should. That said, it's no excuse, and the trade off is that my dog has a professional dental cleaning at least every year and a half or so. That comes at a higher cost, and of course, is an anesthetic procedure. 
Cats often will tolerate brushing a little bit better in my experience, particularly if they like the Seafood flavor toothpaste. For cats and dogs, it's best to start with a gradual introduction to first the pet-friendly flavored toothpaste (yummy treat!), then by brushing your pet's teeth with the the toothpaste on your finger, and then up to a finger toothbrush or regular dog or cat toothbrush (or you can use a kid's soft toothbrush in a pinch). It really depends on the pet, but my dogs always thought the toothbrush was a chew toy, so we were much more effective with the finger toothbrush. 

What some more tips on brushing? Here's a link to a helpful video on how to brush your pet's teeth! (Also on our Pinterest page)
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/426082814717768650/

So what else can you do to help prevent if you're not able to brush your pet's teeth? Read on fellow fresh-breath lovers!

Dental Chews
I LOVE this option! Why? Everybody wins. Literally. You want to give your pets treats, and they want you to give them to them. AND they actually help! Studies have shown lower levels of gingivitis, plaque and calculus in dogs given a daily dental chew.  Our pooches get one while we're eating dinner so they are less likely to give us the sad eyes while we're dining. 
Keep in mind all dental chews are NOT created equal. Just because it says it is a "dental" chew doesn't mean that it is going to give your dog a blinging smile in a few weeks. If it's also coated in a thick peanut butter or other flavoring, it's probably adding unnecessary calories and debris to your pet's teeth. If your dog can inhale the chew in 30 seconds with minimal chewing, it's probably not doing the job either. Next week I'll give you the run-down of some clinically tested products that myself and the staff personally use. Well, not personally, but our dogs.  

Specially Formulated Dental Diets
In recent years, several prescription foods have emerged to provide dogs and cats with a little extra mechanical action in the chewing process. These foods have a unique kibble shape and consistency to "scrub" the plaque and tartar away. These diets have some great results and many dogs love the taste. Owners often like that the dogs can't gobble their food down as quick, and can see their pet actually chewing! While some pet parents are reluctant to adopt the prescription dental diets as a sole food, we have many clients (myself included) who use these diets in place of treats. My own dog Maple, for instance, gets 2-3 pieces of the Hill's T/D kibble instead of the traditional milkbone-type treats when she comes in from outside. I've noticed a definite delay in her calculus buildup as a result, and she loves them! We'll review these diets more in depth in our next blog. 

Water Additives
These products have taken the market by storm recently! These liquid or powder additives are added to pet's drinking water daily to provide a decrease in bacteria and help freshen breath. You have to add them every day and mix with fresh water. 
There's a huge variation in products out there, and some are controversial due to containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol. This ingredient can be toxic to dogs in high doses, but given the tiny amounts present (usually less than 1/30th of the dose needed to cause clinical signs), they are generally accepted as safe. Just be sure to read the label to make sure it's safe for dogs and cats (some labeled as dog only) and keep the full bottle out of pet's reach. 

Other Products
No matter your time limits, pet attitude limits or finances, there is a product out there to help. Additional options to those above include a dental rinse, dental gel and dental wipes. If you find that one of the options discussed doesn't work for you, let us know and we'd be happy to help find a more effective solution. 

--Caitlin DeWilde, DVM

February often brings out images of romance, relationships and love. Who wants to share those kisses with a pooch with nasty breath? In addition to Valentine's Day, February is also National Pet Dental Health Month, sponsored by the AVMA. 

My Vet Animal Clinic will be discussing dental health for your dogs and cats in a four-part series this month! We will cover why dental health is important, what you can do at home, what we can do when your pet needs the next level of dental care and what products actually work! Even better- we're offering $25 off dental cleanings scheduled in the month of February. 

So first up- why is dental health important? 
Bad breath and cosmetics aside, dental health is extremely important for pets, just like it is for humans! The health of a pet's mouth directly correlates to their overall well being. When infections occur in the mouth, that bacteria has a gateway to other organs- like the heart, kidney and liver. In addition, when left untreated, dental disease can progress from mild plaque to serious and painful conditions like gingivitis, abscesses, and tooth loss. 
Read on to learn why dental disease is the most commonly diagnosed condition in dogs and cats, and how to identify the four stages of periodontal disease. 

How does your dog or cat develop dental disease? 
Imagine not brushing your teeth twice a day. Forever. Even missing just one day- most of us couldn't stand how our mouth would feel. (The breath alone....gross!). The slimy plaque that forms daily from a mixture of bacteria, saliva and food particles builds up over time when it's not removed with daily brushing. This is the first stage of Periodontal Disease, as demonstrated by my lovely niece-doggy, Sprocket: 

I'll be honest. I know you have other things to do- brushing your pet's teeth may not be on your list of priorities, and sometimes even veterinary professionals can't even do it on our own pets. When I say "veterinary professionals" I mean me, and I'm totally guilty of not brushing my pet's teeth regularly. Yes, I just admitted it. Please don't tell my dentistry professor from vet school. 
The bottom line is that without daily brushing, there's no way to avoid that plaque building up over time into a calcified substance known as dental calculus. The calculus often also causes inflammation of the gums, or gingivitis. That's when we run into some problems. 
Once that dental calculus is there, it's not coming off without a professional scaling. I promise you, no one-time teeth brushing at the groomer, no minty additive in the water, no amount of Greenies or dental chews is going to get that off. It's as hard as concrete, and it's there to stay. It doesn't look pretty on the surface- but it's even uglier underneath. 
Dental calculus and mild gingivitis is the second stage of periodontal disease, and looks like this: 

Yep, that's from my dog Maple's mouth. Don't worry, she's scheduled for a cleaning this month! 

Eventually, the calculus builds up enough to cause more inflammation and swelling in the gums. The gums may loosen their attachment from the tooth and move back from the tooth, exposing the root and other important structures. Things are getting serious now.... You're probably also not thrilled about hanging out with Prince or Princess Dragon Breath. This is the third stage of periodontal disease and it looks like this:

Left untreated, things are going to get really ugly, smelly and painful. Nobody wants that! Dogs and cats are super stoic- they often don't tell us something is bothering them until it's really bad. They often may not show signs until this stage- and when they do, they can include: 
1) Pawing at the face
2) Refusal to eat dry dog food or hard/crunchy treats
3) Decreased appetite and weight loss 
4) Tooth loss  
5) Lethargy or other signs of pain
Regardless if they display symptoms or not, at this stage, your pet's overall health and happiness is likely affected. Here's some examples of this 4th stage of Periodontal Disease: 

Now that you know all about the four stages of periodontal disease and have seen some really gross pictures, you're probably wondering what you can do. And you're in luck, because My Vet Animal Clinic will be sharing tips, techniques and our own personal staff product reviews of dental home care products you can use at home. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates, and tune in next Monday for the next in our series of dental blogs- how you can help at home! 

Happy Brushing, 
Caitlin DeWilde, DVM