Good oral hygiene is a cornerstone of good health. Dogs and cats with a healthy mouth have a much better quality of life, as they are pain free and have fewer health problems. Pets with “pearly whites” are less prone to many diseases: heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease and joint disease (arthritis) just to name a few.

Gum disease and loose teeth are painful.  Ask anyone who has had either problem. Many of our clients comment that their pet is still eating despite having a mouth that is obviously painful. Our furry companions are still acting on instincts that have allowed them to survive for thousands of years before domestication. They must eat to survive- so eat they will. You cannot rely on your pet’s motivation to eat to decide whether his/her mouth hurts.   IF IT WOULD HURT YOU, IT HURTS THEM.

Regular professional cleaning is important to maintaining your pet’s teeth and gums in tip-top shape. We use an ultrasonic scaler and hand-scaling instruments to clean each and every tooth thoroughly above and below the gum line. The teeth are then polished to create a smooth, lustrous tooth surface resistant to plaque build-up. Questionable teeth or areas where teeth are missing teeth are radiographed and addressed as needed. A board certified Veterinary Dental Specialist is available to provide advanced dental care including root canals, caps and braces.

You may wonder why an anesthetic is needed to clean your pet’s teeth properly.  In order to clean the teeth properly, a pet’s mouth must be opened quite wide for a significant period of time.   Cleaning the inside of the teeth under the tongue requires a lot of dexterity and patience on our part.   No conscious dog or cat would tolerate such an invasion into their space.  Cleaning below the gum line is somewhat uncomfortable (as we all know) and, again, would not be tolerated.

At our practice, we have two people dedicated to each dental procedure.  These people are either a licensed veterinarian or a registered animal health technologist, who have gone through extensive, formal training in anesthesia and dental procedures.   We do not use untrained staff for this on any other procedure.   This dramatically increases the safety of the anesthetic, as one trained person is entirely and constantly focused on the pet’s vital signs from the time they are asleep to the time they are fully awake while the other works as quickly as possible to complete the procedure.

Occasionally, we hear of groomers or other untrained persons advertizing that they clean teeth.  Not only is this illegal (all dental work must be performed under the supervision of a veterinarian), but they are, at best. doing NOTHING to improve the pet’s health and, at worst, contributing to disease and pain in that pet.  The British Columbia Veterinary Medical Association is an organization created largely to protect YOU, the consumer.  If you know anyone who cleans pet’s teeth without the supervision of a veterinarian, please report them to the BCVMA before they harm any more pets!

If you have any concerns about your pet’s teeth, please call us.  We would be more than happy to discuss with you what you need to do in order to have your pet be healthy and happy for as long as possible.

A HEALTHY MOUTH IS VITAL TO YOUR PET’S HEALTH.

Summer is a great time to be a pet; the days are long and kids are out of school. That leaves plenty of time for lots of attention and some serious fun. But summer can also be dangerous.

Be Aware

Playing or exercising in the heat can bring on a lethal case of heat stroke. Keep pets cool and calm in the hottest part of the day and never leave your dog in the car (even for a minute). Every summer, many animals succumb to heat stroke after being left in a parked car. Always make sure your pet has access to ample amounts of clean, fresh water.

Burrs, foxtails and awns from parched grasses can cause painful infections underneath the skin, so make sure you groom you dog carefully after he/she has been “bush-whacking.” (Dr. Van Duin has removed many of these plant particles from abscesses over the years.)

Chemicals used to keep yards green and control pests may poison our pets. Prevention is the best way to protect your pet, of course. Always keep an eye out for potential hazards. Finally, use household chemicals sparingly, and store them properly and securely or, better yet; don’t use them at all.

If your pet seems ill, it’s often hard to decide what’s worth worrying about immediately or what can wait until you can get your pet in during our regular hospital hours. Anything is worth a call to a veterinarian if you’re not sure, but some things definitely require urgent attention, no matter the day or hour. Among them: seizures, fainting or collapse; any eye injury; vomiting or diarrhea, anything more than two or three times within an hour or so; allergic reaction; any suspected poisoning; any wound that’s open and bleeding, or any animal bite; any traumatic injury; Breathing problems and straining to urinate/defecate.

Most everything else can wait until morning, or even Monday if it’s the weekend, but here I must add a plea on your pet’s behalf: Just because something can wait, doesn’t mean it should wait. If your pet’s in pain, take him/her in. You know he’d do the same for you. Some of the signs of an animal in pain include panting, labored breathing, lethargy, restlessness, loss of appetite, aggression, hiding or crying out.

Here are some tips for keeping your pets out of danger during the holiday season.

AVOID

Holiday Food Items That Could Cause Problems For Your Pet

• Alcoholic beverages
• Chocolate (baker’s, semi-sweet, milk chocolate)
• Coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans)
• Mouldy or spoiled foods
• Onions, onion powder
• Fatty foods
• Salt
• Yeast dough

PLANTS

Lilies that may be found in holiday flower arrangements could be deadly to your cat. Many types of lily, such as Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Easter, Stargazer, and the Casa Blanca, can cause kidney failure in cats.

Poinsettias are generally over-rated in toxicity. If ingested, poinsettias can be irritating to the mouth and stomach, and will likely cause mild vomiting or nausea.

Mistletoe has the potential to cause cardiovascular problems. However, mistletoe ingestion usually only causes gastrointestinal upset.

Holly ingestion could cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and lethargy.

HAZARDS AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers, which, if ingested, can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water can be breeding grounds for bacteria, which can also lead to vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea, if ingested.

Electric cords- Avoid animal exposure to electric cords. If they were chewed, they could electrocute your pet.

Cover up or hide electric cords, never let your pet chew on them.

Ribbons or tinsel can get caught up in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction in any size of pet. Cats are more likely than dogs to eat these items.

Batteries contain corrosives. If ingested they can cause ulceration to the mouth, tongue, and the rest of the gastrointestinal tract.

Glass ornaments can cut the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract if ingested.

Please anchor your Christmas tree to the wall, so it doesn’t get knocked over.

MEDICATIONS

Keep all prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs out of the reach of your pets (including any medication your pet may require), preferably in closed cabinets. Pain killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer, drugs, antidepressants, vitamins, and diet pills are common examples of human medication that could be potentially lethal even in small dosages. One regular-strength ibuprofen tablet (200mg) can cause stomach ulcers in a 5 kg dog. Remind holiday guests to store their medications safely as well.

OTHER WINTER HAZARDS

Antifreeze has a pleasant taste. Unfortunately, very small amounts can be lethal. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze can be deadly to a cat; less than four teaspoons can be dangerous to a 5 kg dog. Thoroughly clean up any spills, store antifreeze in tightly closed containers and store in secured cabinets. Automotive products such as gasoline, oil and antifreeze should be stored in areas that are inaccessible to your pets. Propylene glycol is a safer form of antifreeze and is available in many retail stores.

Liquid potpourris are popular household fragrances commonly used during the holiday season. Pets are often exposed to liquid potpourri by direct ingestion from simmer pots or spills, or by rubbing against leaky bottles or simmer pots containing the potpourri, or from spilling the containers upon themselves. Oral exposures result following grooming. Exposure of pets to some types of liquid potpourris can result in severe oral, dermal and ocular damage.

Ice melting products (example; salt) can be irritating to skin and mouth. Depending on the actual ingredient of the ice melt and the quantity, signs of ingestion would include excessive drooling, depression, vomiting or even electrolyte imbalances.

Rat and mouse poisons are used more commonly during colder weather. When using rat and mouse bait, place the products in areas that are inaccessible to your companion animals.

ALWAYS Be Prepared !!!!

Your animal may become poisoned in spite of your best efforts to prevent it. You should keep telephone numbers for your veterinarian, a local emergency veterinary service, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-4 ANI-HELP) in a convenient location. If you suspect that your pet has ingested something poisonous, seek medical attention immediately. It’s better to be safe than sorry.