PICKENS ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Pet Health Info
Dental Care for Pets
On this page, we will provide information regarding your pets' health that we hope you will find interesting and informative. Please check back as we continue to update the information provided!
IMPORTANT! ANY HEALTH CARE INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE IS NOT TO REPLACE A VETERINARY VISIT. IF YOUR PET EXHIBITS ANY UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR OR SIGNS OF ILLNESS OR INJURY, CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY.
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Each year thousands of animals suffer needlessly from progressive dental disease. The American Veterinary Dental Society estimates that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have dental disease by the time they are three years old.
Dental problems are especially common in small breed dogs.
Many cats suffer from a unique condition called resorptive lesions. Studies have shown that 28-67% of cats have tooth resorption, the loss of tooth structure at or below the gum line. These lesions, which are different from cavities, can be very painful for the cat. Symptoms your cat may have include mouth pain, difficulty chewing, changes in appetite or food preferences, drooling, and/or bleeding from the mouth. If your cat shows any of these symptoms, it is important to have the pet promptly evaluated by a Veterinarian.
Many clients first seek advice about dental issues when their pet develops extremely bad breath. The pet’s mouth may hurt and he/she may have difficulty eating.
But besides these obvious issues, many secondary problems can be related to insufficient dental hygiene. Even some forms of heart disease can be traced back to dental problems. Other organs such as the liver and kidneys can also be affected. Proper dental care can actually extend the life of your pet.
Dental disease begins with tartar and plaque deposits on the teeth. These deposits eventually lead to gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and if left untreated will cause periodontal disease. This can lead to infection and eventual tooth loss.
Your Pet Needs to See the Doctor for a Dental Evaluation If:
- You notice a change in your pet’s eating habits
- You have seen your pet paw or rub at his mouth
- Your pet has bad breath or drools excessively
- Your pet has red, swollen and/or bleeding gums
Steps You Can Take to Improve Your Pet's Dental Health:
- Prevention is always the best option. Discuss your pet’s dental health during your pet’s annual vaccine appointment and schedule a dental cleaning if it is recommended by the Doctor. Regular dental care can prevent costly procedures including extractions later on!
- Brush your pet’s teeth! You can use special designed pet toothbrushes, a small washcloth, or even your finger. Take your time to allow your pet to become used to the brushing procedure. Eventually it can become an accepted routine. IMPORTANT: Use only special pet toothpastes. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation. For more tips regarding pet tooth brushing, click here.
- If brushing does not suit your pet, there are also special dental rinses available that are squirted into the pet’s mouth.
- Special foods and treats are available that help keep your pet’s teeth clean. Ask for more information.
More Do's and Don'ts:
- Provide chew toys for your pet. These can help keep teeth clean by the rubbing action when your pet chews. An ideal toy should be flexible, softer than your pet’s teeth, and large enough that it cannot be swallowed.
- Avoid any chew toy that is very hard and could potentially break teeth. Examples are hooves and nylon or animal bones.
- Lots of dogs love fuzzy tennis balls. The fuzzy texture can be very hard on the teeth, however, especially if the ball also has dirt or sand embedded in its surface. If your dog spends hours with a tennis ball in its mouth, you may want to try to introduce a smooth rubber ball as an alternative.
Proper dental care is not as hard as most people think.
Schedule a dental evaluation with us for your pet. We want to make the most of your pet’s life and a good place to start is dental care. Call today for an appointment!
What vaccines does my pet need?
Confusion with vaccines is a common problem. Typically, the vaccine series begins at six weeks of age. Vaccines are continued every three weeks until pets are sixteen weeks of age. Core vaccines for dogs are called DHPC-P or DHPLC-P. We also recommend an additional Parvo booster at eighteen to twenty weeks for better protection. Core vaccines for cats are called FVRCP. Rabies vaccines for both cats and dogs are typically administered around sixteen weeks of age. Other vaccines are available and added when needed in specific patients.What should I feed my pet?
There are endless possibilities when it comes to deciding on a diet that is right for your pet. Choosing a great diet begins with purchasing the correct stage for the development of your pet. Puppy/kitten foods are for growing pets and are higher in overall calories and nutrients. When deciding which food is best for you consider the ingredients, nutrient levels and AAFCO (Association of American Food Control Officials) rating. AAFCO statements are required on all pet foods and should describe the intended stage the food is used for.When should I begin deworming my pet?
The time to begin deworming your pet will vary depending on the type of dewormer. Some dewormers are much safer than others and can be used as early as two weeks of age. Other dewormers may not be used until eight to ten weeks of age. Typically, dewormings begin with the first set of vaccines. Often, dewormings are continued during the vaccination series at two to three week intervals. Worms that are specifically targeted are hookworms and roundworms. These worms are contracted from the mother and are transmitted through the placenta or through lactation.What flea and heartworm medications do you recommend?
There are many types of flea and heartworm medications available. These products can not only be very helpful, but essential to controlling disease. However, it is imperative to understand the product being used. All products have specific age and weight ranges that must be considered before using on our pets. These products are typically discussed in depth during health examinations.We look forward to helping you with your new addition. Please let us know if there are any areas that we can help you with.
Heartworm Disease
Every year has shown a worldwide increase in Heartworm infections. We have seen this trend locally as well.
Heartworm infections can cause serious problems or even be fatal to your pet. Although treatment for heartworm disease is available for dogs, it is both very expensive for the owner and very difficult for the pet, with recovery taking weeks. Unfortunately, there is currently no medically safe and effective treatment for heartworm disease in cats.
The good news is that heartworm infection is nearly 100% preventable. It is important to give Heartworm preventative monthly, even to “indoor” pets – and to both dogs and cats.
Read More: April is Heartworm Awareness Month!
Heartworm Disease is NOT just a problem for dogs! Read more HERE.Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are among the most serious summer health issues for your pet - yet are easily preventable.
A cat or dog’s normal body temperature is between 99.5° and 102.5° F. If the body temperature rises to 105-106°, your pet is at risk for heat exhaustion. If the body temperature reaches 107°, your pet is experiencing heat stroke, which can result in irreversible organ damage and death.
When exposed to hot and humid weather, dogs dissipate body heat mainly by panting. Both dogs and cats sweat through their paws. As temperatures rise, you may notice your cat grooming more than usual – by licking themselves, they leave saliva on their fur, which evaporates and cools the cat. None of these methods, however, is adequate to keep up with exposure to very high temperatures.
To prevent your pet from overheating, it is best to keep him/her inside the house (preferably in air-conditioning) during the hottest part of the day. When your pet is outside, make sure he/she has access to both fresh water and shade. If you exercise your pet, do so in the early morning or later in the evening, when the weather is cooler.
Never leave your pet in a parked car! During warm months, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise dramatically in a matter of minutes. Even when the outside temperature is a comfortable 70-75°F, the temperature inside a closed car can rise to 110-115°F in as little as an hour.
Be especially cautious of heat exposure if your pet is very young, senior, or overweight. Also, certain breeds of cats and dogs are more susceptible. These include animals with very short noses (such as Pekingese or Pug dogs and Persian cats) or animals with very heavy coats.
The warning signs of heat stroke include: brick-red gums, drooling, exaggerated panting, glassy eyes, a rapid pulse, lack of coordination and weakness.
If you find your pet with these symptoms, act IMMEDIATELY to lower their body temperature. Cooling can be done with towels soaked in cool water and placed over the animal. In addition, cool water can be placed on the ears and paws. Avoid using ice or extremely cold water. Get your pet to your veterinarian as quickly as possible.
Home Remedy Suggestions for the Treatment of Vomiting and Diarrhea
- Anti-inflammatory: Laser therapy causes veins to dilate, resulting in decreased swelling around joints, lacerations, and surgical incisions.
- Anti-pain (Analgesic): The laser makes nerve cells less sensitive to pain. The decreased swellings also lessens pain. Cells stimulated by the laser also release natural pain killers called endorphins.
- Accelerate tissue repair: Photons of light stimulate cell growth and help heal wounds faster. The laser allows cells to gather nutrients faster in turn helping the cell grow. The laser can be used on tendons, ligaments and muscles to repair them faster.
- Acupuncture: The laser can also be used on acupuncture points to provide further pain relief.
Laser therapy is a cutting edge technology available to our clients at Pickens Animal Hospital. For patients who are older and unable to undergo surgical procedures, the laser is a great alternative to alleviate pain associated with arthritis. Feel free to stop by and ask about our treatment packages.
Links to Informative Web Sites:
American Association of Feline Practitioners
American Kennel Club
American Veterinary Medical Association
Animal Emergency Clinic, Greenville
Canine Health Foundation
Cat Fanciers Association
Companion Animals: Information from U.S. Department of Agriculture
Pet Dental Care
Foothills Humane Society, Liberty
South Carolina Association of Veterinarians
Upstate Veterinary Specialists, Greenville
VPI Pet Insurance
Most people do not realize that their pets, like human athletes, can experience orthopedic injuries. These injuries can be grouped into two main categories, congenital and traumatic.
Congenital defects are present at birth and cause damage for life unless repaired.
Traumatic injuries are the result of age and activity. Overweight pets are more likely to develop a traumatic orthopedic injury. Weight management is key to preventing these injuries.
Medial Patellar Luxation (loose knee cap) is a common congenital defect, often seen in miniature and toy breeds, including Yorkies, Jack Russell Terriers, Chihuahuas, and Siamese cats. If your dog or cat experiences limping and/or bunny hopping on one of his or her back legs, he or she may suffer from this condition. A simple surgical procedure can permanently fix this problem.
Cruciate ligament rupture is a common traumatic orthopedic injury in large breed dogs. All large breed dogs are prone to cruciate ligament ruptures. Overweight patients are at an increased risk. Labs, Goldens, and Pit Bulls are breeds commonly affected. Dogs affected by this disease will experience severe lameness on the affected limb. Most patients do not bear any weight on the leg. The lameness will get worse without surgical repair. If the ligament is not repaired, the knee will become arthritic.
These common orthopedic injuries are very painful for your pet and need to be repaired as soon as possible to prevent future damage to joint surfaces. Often these repairs are performed by specialty practices. At Pickens Animal Hospital, however, our experience with these procedures allows us to give pet owners another treatment option.
If you have any questions about lameness in your pet, please contact Dr. Burton or Dr. Holtzclaw at 864-878-3044.
At Pickens Animal Hospital, we maintain a pharmacy that includes most of the prescription medications routinely prescribed for dogs and cats.
When you need a refill of a prescription, it is best to call PAH ahead of time, to minimize your wait time and to make sure that a Doctor is available to authorize the refill. Some medications require periodic bloodwork and physical examination. We will make sure you are aware of these requirements so you do not have an unexpected delay in refilling a prescription.
There are some medications that we do not keep on hand, but instead will call in the prescription to the (human) pharmacy of your choice. There is a nominal fee for this service.
Often our clients inquire about on-line pharmacies as a source for pet products. We encourage you to read the following information, provided by the American Veterinary Medication Association:
Please remember that we provide a continuing relationship with your pet, which includes keeping a record of products purchased, any adverse reactions your pet may have experienced, and the effectiveness of the treatment. We are available to answer your questions and to help you use these products effectively.
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