PET TALES
Newsletter from Countryside Veterinary Service
FEBRUARY 2008
DENTAL HEALTH MONTH
February is National Pet Dental Health month. Your pet’s bad breath could be more than a smelly annoyance; it 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, several veterinary groups are sponsoring National Pet Dental Health Month. Sponsors include the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), Academy of Veterinary Dentistry, American Veterinary Dental College and Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc.
According to the AVDS, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three, often indicated by bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the face and mouth and depression. Besides causing receding gums and tooth loss, the infection may enter the bloodstream, potentially infecting the heart, liver and kidneys. Bacteria, combined with saliva and food debris between the tooth and gum, can cause plaque formations on the tooth, which turns to tartar. If not removed from the teeth, pockets of infection may appear along the gum line, separating the teeth from the gum. If untreated, this disease, called periodontitis, can lead to tooth loss and the infection caused by the disease may enter the bloodstream, potentially infecting the heart, liver and kidneys.
Each regular visit to the veterinarian should include a complete oral health check up to determine if an animal has tartar build up or periodontitis and what the appropriate course of treatment should be. Veterinarians can help pet owners begin a pet dental care routine at home, and encourage them to continue regular veterinary check ups to monitor their pets' oral health.
BUT ALSO…
February is also National Canine Weight Check Month. This is a national campaign sponsored by Pfizer and the AKC to help owners learn about canine obesity and weight loss tips. Free weigh-ins on dogs (and cats) will be offered during normal business hours Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays all of February. Please stop in for a free weight check on your pet and friendly advice on keeping your pet at a healthy weight.
STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE’S—WELL DOG AND CAT’S MOUTH:
Kittens have 26 temporary teeth, 14 in the upper jaw and 12 in the lower jaw. These deciduous teeth begin to erupt at about two to four weeks of age.
Cats have 30 permanent teeth, 16 on the top and 14 on the bottom. These emerge at about three to four months of age.
Cats have 2 permanent teeth that have 3 roots each, and 10 teeth that each have 2 roots.
Puppies have 28 temporary teeth, 14 in the upper jaw and 14 in the lower jaw. These deciduous teeth erupt at about three to four weeks of age
Dogs have 42 permanent teeth, 20 on the top, and 22 on the bottom. These begin to emerge at about four months of age.
Dogs have 6 permanent teeth that have 3 roots each, and 14 teeth that each have 2 roots.
NOW STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH:
Horses’ teeth are extremely long and grow continually. They wear down, change shape and become discolored as they grow, so we can really tell a horse's age by looking at his teeth.
SIMPLE BUT TRUE:
You don't have to brush your teeth - just the ones you want to keep. ~Author Unknown
SMALL COMMERCIAL BREAK:
We carry several dental health supplies at the clinic including toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouth rinse, and dental chews. These items can be found in the front lobby. Please ask the doctor or at the front desk if you have any questions about these products.
BACK TO OUT REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAM:
Do you want an estimate for a dental procedure on your pet? Estimates over the phone for dentals can be very difficult and can easily be incorrect. We can set up a free appointment with a veterinary technician to evaluate the teeth and get a more specific estimate. These exams are by appointment only and are only for a dental exam. Charges may apply if further procedures are done.
HILLSDALE COUNTY DOG LICENSES AT THE FRONT DESK
Hillsdale County Dog Licenses can be purchased here at Countryside. They can be purchased at the front desk through March 1, 2008.
Checks or cash are required for licenses. (We are unable to charge these to your credit card.) Please see Janet with any questions.
GOOD ADVICE:
Smile. Have you ever noticed how easily puppies make human friends? Yet all they do is wag their tails and fall over.
~Walter Anderson, The Confidence Course, 1997