First Street Veterinary Hospital

February is national pet dental month–this is a great time to get your pet’s teeth cleaned and start on a home care plan of prevention. Dental health is SO important for the overall health of your pet.

The procedure of having a professional dental cleaning for your pet is much the same as when you go to the dentist for your cleaning. Except for one big difference…your pet must be under anesthetic. This is the only way to get a true cleaning. The best pet out there won’t allow us to use our instruments in their mouth for cleaning for 30-45 minutes or longer without protest.  And a true dental prophylaxis requires xrays as well. Many of the problems with an animal’s teeth are below the gumline. So while an anesthesia free cleaning by a groomer or other non-professional may sound good, it really does nothing for the health of the pet, and can lead to a false sense of security when there actually may be disease lurking in the mouth.

For a dental cleaning, your pet is dropped off fasted in the morning. The doctor does a complete exam (and blood work if necessary) and formulates an individual anesthetic plan. An intravenous catheter is placed and sedation and pan medication is given. Anesthesia is begun and monitors are put in place to keep track of heart rate, respiration, oxygen levels, and blood pressure. Fluids are given to keep the blood pressure at the right level. A trained technician cleans each tooth and polishes them. Then the doctor does a complete oral exam including probing, radiographs, and charting. If any teeth need extraction then a local anesthetic is given and the doctor proceeds with extraction. During the whole procedure your pet is kept on a warming unit, constantly monitored, with IV fluids running. Your pet is never left alone from start until he or she is fully awake back in it’s cushioned pen.

So call today to schedule your pet’s professional cleaning–It’s 15% off now to the end of February!! If you would like instructions on a home program for dental care please call to talk to a technician. We can also provide instructions and demonstrations on proper brushing techniques.

This is a tricky question that we get all the time. It’s very important to remember that dogs and cats are not miniature people–many human drugs can be very dangerous when given to our pets. The most notorious are aspirin, ibuprofen, and tylenol. We all have these medications at home and most of us routinely use them for ourselves without much thought. But a very small amount of any of them can be deadly to a cat! And all 3 can be very irritating to a dog’s intestines. We have much more effective and safe pain medications for our animals!

Benedryl has many uses in veterinary medicine. But the doses used are different than you would think. Pepto bismol can be dangerous because some animals can’t handle the salicylates it contains. Immodium is useful in some cases of diarrhea, but again the dose is different than for humans.

Does it seem like I’m being evasive? I am. The veterinary practice act states that I need a valid patient/client/vet relationship in order to give any advice. In essence if I give out advice about over-the-counter medications and something goes wrong, I can be held liable. So only patients that I have knowledge of get dosage information. This goes for our staff as well since they are an extension of myself. I routinely use and recommend many over-the-counter products, as well as nutritional supplements, but only when an animal is under my direct care. So by all means call to discuss at home remedies–so long as you are a current client with a current patient.

So many times we get phone calls wondering whether this symptom or that is normal or should be looked at. And we don’t mind these–this is what we are here for! But I wanted to give you some general guidelines of what to look for and when to seek a visit to see us.

Generally a healthy dog or cat that vomits or has diarrhea gets a 12-24 hour reprieve from a visit to the hospital. After all we all feel bad part of the time. What is most important is the overall general feel of the animal. Is he still bouncing of the walls but vomited this morning. Or is he lying in the corner moaning after vomiting 3 times and refusing to eat breakfast. The first case can wait and watch, the second should be seen. Also if there is history of eating something he shouldn’t or history of previous illness, a visit to the vet happens sooner rather than later. Diarrhea gets 48 hours and bland diet before a visit is warranted, unless you notice blood. And with any visit about diarrhea it is important to bring a fresh stool sample if possible. Bland diet consists of cooked chicken breast, cooked low fat hamburger, cooked white rice, and boiled potatoes.

Not eating depends on the animal. My lab stops eating for 24 hours and it’s no big deal. But I do know she’s not feeling well–because she’s a lab and they will eat through anything! Some animals are picky and routinely don’t eat for 24 hours even when nothing is wrong.

Skin rashes, ear infections, shaking head, scooting on the behind can all be symptoms of allergies and generally need some intervention. So these should be seen sooner rather than later. Animals can be expert at hiding symptoms so by the time we see something, chances are that the symptoms have been there for a while.

Wounds, lacerations, cat bites, or other trauma should be seen right away. Many times if we see these early they can be treated with medications and surgery can be avoided. If they are left longer, the more likely surgery will be required to heal properly.

Urinating in strange places can be medical or behavioral. But almost always needs a urine test to rule out medical issues. An animal that is previously potty trained then starts urinating inside or in strange places means something is going on. And if you are coming into the clinic about urine issues try not to let the dog relieve himself before you make it inside.

When in doubt call to ask–we get these kinds of questions all the time. And if you are worried enough to call, it may be a good idea to come in.

One of the things I hear most often is declining a treatment or procedure because an animal is “too old”. There is no such thing! All animals age differently just as people do.  My father at 76 is still able to out-hike me! The same is true of our animals. And there are definitely things we can do to help slow the progression of aging. One of the most important is yearly blood work. Pets still retain a vast ability to hide symptoms. Therefore once a symptom is noticeable there is already damage done. Often blood work can reveal early changes and treatments can be done to correct or change the outcome.

Another important aspect of continued health in old age is dental care. Our teeth are actually very important to other body systems. An infected mouth can lead to heart disease, kidney and liver disease, and pancreatic problems. It is also important to remember that animals will generally not show any pain related to periodontal disease. They will continue to eat regardless. But based on human studies, periodontal disease is painful. Chronic pain can cause changes in the hormone levels and can lead to various problems. Regular dental care is extremely important to long life for our pets!

Diet is another factor that is important for our geriatric pets. Just as our nutritional needs change as we age, so do our pets. And every pet is an individual so diet choices need to be made based on each individual’s health needs. There are specific diets made for many health problems. Calorie needs will change as a patient ages or with different disease processes as well.

Arthritis is a condition that happens to almost every being as it ages. It’s just a fact of life that cartilage and bones start to wear out over time and become painful. Small animals like cats may not show the symptoms as obviously. One study of x-rays taken of cats for various reasons showed that over 92% of cats over age 10 had obvious signs visible on the x-ray. Larger dogs will often show very obvious signs of arthritis. Fortunately we have a wide variety of ways to help with arthritis. These can include nutritional, holistic (such as acupuncture), medical, and surgical. Often we use a combination of nutritional aids and medicines to get the best outcome with the least side effects.

So in closing please remember that the geriatric years can be some of the most rewarding. With new information our pets are living longer and healthier lives. If you have the privilege of living with a senior dog or cat feel free to contact me for more information to make the senior years happy ones.

Pets are often the forgotten family member when it comes to exercise and diet. It’s important that these pets maintain a healthy weight and get proper exercise.

Overweight and out of shape pets are more prone to heart disease, arthritis, pancreatitis, ligament and tendon difficulties, breathing problems, diabetes and occasionally skin conditions from not being able to groom themselves properly. Nobody wants to hear the news that their pet has a serious condition that was preventable. Prevention is always the best medicine.

One long term study showed that pets at their ideal body weight lived 15 percent longer, an average of 2 years!

So we’re sponsoring a program for spring/summer weight management. Actually, we’re going to turn it into a contest!

The contest is two fold. First, weights will be taken and a plan for diet will be arranged with Dr. Julie. A contract with the owner will be signed, pledging not to give treats and come in for regular weigh-ins. Second, the clinic will sponsor a daily walk and talk, providing a meeting place for owners to socialize and share stories while supporting each other to get some needed exercise.

There will be prizes for 1st Place and two runners up in both a dog and cat division. Weight loss will be determined as a percentage of total body weight, so all breeds have an equal chance at winning. A mix of prizes from local companies, Bark Busters®, Invisible Fence®, Lake Oswego Dog Shoppe groomers and others will combine for gift baskets totaling upwards of $500 in the prize pool.

Contest Details:
First Street Veterinary Hospital
545 First Street
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
503-697-5600
www.firststreetvet.com
Free Registration Begins April 15th
First Weigh-in Friday April, 24th and Saturday April, 25th
Daily Walk and Talk, Noon at the Clinic
Final Weigh-out Friday August, 28th

After dental care, it is thrilling to see the dramatic improvements in pets we have treated for advanced dental disease. Their activity levels, appetite, and energy levels often improve significantly. We would be glad to discuss specific recommendations for your pet, in both the professional and home care realm. We can determine upon exam the need for a prophylactic cleaning (to prevent disease) or periodontal therapy (treatment of current disease) and provide an estimate accordingly. As a rule, smaller breed dogs and cats are more prone to periodontal disease than large breed dogs. The interval between professional cleanings varies based on the same factors that influence development of disease. Some dogs and cats need annual cleanings while some may go a lifetime without the need for this procedure. One of our wellness goals is to educate owners to care for each of these teeth over the lifetime of their pet. Dental care isn’t costly, but dental disease is.

This is an area of much discussion and research in the feline community. The current thinking by many leading feline veterinarians is that canned food may ultimately be better for cats than dry. Cats are true carnivores and in the wild eat only protein with vitamins and minerals and very little, if any, carbohydrates. Dry food was developed to be easy for us—it is cheap, can be left out for a few days, and does not need refrigeration. But, dry food is loaded with carbohydrates. And carbohydrates add lots of calories, so we are seeing a lot of obesity and other diet related issues. And dry food does not keep the teeth any cleaner than canned. Cats are also designed by evolution to have periods of feasting followed by famine—so having dry food available all day does cause overeating and this affects how glucose is regulated and released by the body—this is thought to be the reason for an increase in diabetes we have seen over the last 15 years.

For these reasons I am now recommending cats be fed at least 50% canned food, if not an exclusive canned food diet. I recommend a good quality food such as Science Diet, Iams, or Purina Pro Plan. Remember with pet foods you really do get what you pay for—the higher cost foods generally have better classes of ingredients and less fillers. If you have specific questions on your pet’s diet please call to discuss.

On a side note—since cat’s are designed as carnivores with periods of famine—it is unusual for them to drink very much water. If you notice your cat drinking a lot of water or more urine in the litter box this can be the first sign of many serious diseases and you should schedule an appointment.
While we’re on the subject of cats—let’s talk about arthritis. We all realize dogs can get arthritis as they get older and we see them slowing down. But it’s harder to recognize with cats. Let’s face it—cats sleep 23 hours out of the day normally, and few actually go on walks with their owners. So recognizing the signs of arthritis in a cat can be difficult. But on a retrospective report at a large veterinary university 92% of all cats over age 12 that had been x-rayed showed signs of arthritis on the radiograph. But here’s the rub—the typical medications we have available for arthritis in dogs aren’t so safe for cats. Plus cats are so light weight compared to dogs that in the past we have largely ignored arthritis in cats. But that time is past—I have been having very good success with a couple of medications. One is Adequan, which is a polysulfated glycoaminoglycan (GAGs). I hear you ask—What??

Over years, either through injury or poor conformation, cartilage wears down or is damaged and arthritis results. The body must then make more matrix and will require the raw materials to do so. Polysulfated GAGs may be injected into the body where they will be distributed to any joints currently effecting cartilage repair. It turns out, however, that polysulfated GAGs represent more than just building materials. They have anti-inflammatory properties of their own that help slow down the actual damage to the cartilage. They also promote enzyme systems that facilitate other aspects of joint repair beyond simply making more matrix. They help the joint create more lubricating fluid as well.

The other medication I am currently recommending is Cosequin, which is a glucosamine formulation that comes in a capsule to be added to the food on a daily basis. Glucosamine continues the work that Adequan has started.

This month I am going to focus first on annual examinations. An annual exam is one of the most important parts of your pets care. Many problems and diseases, if caught early, can be much more easily cured or controlled than if caught late in the process. At an annual exam the Doctor will examine each part of the animal in a systemic way. Usually I start with the front and work my way back. I will look at the symmetry of the head and neck, check the teeth and gums and around the tongue and tonsils, look at the eyes and eyelids, palpate the neck and lymph nodes, then move on to the ears. After this I move to the front legs and axillary (or armpit) region then down the trunk to the abdomen. For most animals an abdominal palpation is next. Usually I can feel the liver, kidneys, spleen, intestines, and bladder if the pet is amenable and not too big. Next I check the spine and rear legs including the lymph nodes in this region and also check under the tail. Along the way I will check the mammary glands as well. Auscultation of the chest with a stethoscope is next. I listen to several areas of the chest in order to hear all parts of the heart and lungs.

After a complete examination the Doctor can discuss lifestyle and age of your pet to tailor vaccinations and diagnostics. Many older pets can forgo yearly vaccinations but instead should have diagnostics such as blood work or radiographs done instead. Most pets over the age of eight should have annual blood work. Knowing there was a normal baseline at some time in the past can help formulate plans and prognosis. Problems noted on physical examination can be discussed and a treatment plan can be formulated.

Yearly examinations can be the best, most affordable way to extend your pets life and make sure your furry family member remains with you for a long time.

You will hear a lot from me about dental health because I feel it is so important to the overall health of an animal. Periodontal disease can lead to kidney and heart disease. Home care is essential and brushing daily is the best. Special chew treats and tartar control diets can also help control dental disease. But nothing is good enough not to have to go to the veterinary dentist periodically. Routine cleanings and maintenance can really help prevent periodontal disease. Think of a tooth like an iceberg. The part you can see is less than half the whole tooth. And once periodontal disease starts we can never cure it—it becomes only able to control the disease process. By periodontal disease I mean plaque, calculus, gingival inflammation, gingival recession, and bone loss.

Once periodontal disease reaches stage 3 or 4 a simple dental cleaning will not be enough to stabilize the infectious process. Good home care and routine dental cleanings before disease sets in will be much better for the pet and cheaper in the long run.

If you would like instructions on a home program for dental care please call to talk to a technician. We can also provide instructions and demonstrations on proper brushing techniques.