Dental Care For Your Pets

When To Start Dental Care.

With the help of your Veterinarian, be on the lookout for retained deciduous teeth (baby teeth that should have come out) and malocclusion (bad bite) problems. The earlier you catch the problem,  the better. Your Veterinarian can teach you how to care for your pet's teeth and gums early on.

Deciding If Your Pet Has A Problem

Bad breath is often a first indicator of dental disease. Gently lift the lips and check for tartar, inflamed gums, or missing/broken teeth. Cats may exhibit increased drooling. Both cats and dogs can exhibit reluctance to eat or play with toys, "chattering" of the teeth when trying to eat, lethargy, bleeding gums, eroded teeth, and failing to groom (cats). Dental disease progresses in stages -- if caught early, you can prevent further damage and save as many teeth as possible.

The Rest of the Body Is Affected

Infected gums and teeth aren't just a problem in the mouth -- the heart, kidneys, intestinal tract, and joints may also be infected. The tartar and any infected areas of the mouth contain a multitude of bacteria than can 'seed' to other parts of the body. For example, a bladder infection can start through transmission from teeth to kidneys and bladder. With regular dental care, you can prevent some of these more serious side effects.

Think About Cleaning at Three Years of Age

If your pet is an adult over 3 years of age, it would be wise to schedule a dental check up with your Veterinarian. If a dental cleaning is necessary, it is advisable to do pre-anesthesia blood work to make sure your pet does not have any underlying problems.



                                    

                                                Canine tooth with tartar

Canine tooth after cleaning

The Dental Cleaning       

As mentioned above, pre-dental blood work is recommended. This is a check on the overall health of the pet to make sure that liver, kidney, and blood counts are within normal ranges and to reduce any risks possible prior to the anesthesia. Many pets with bad teeth will be put on an antibiotic a few days prior to the dental to calm the infection and reduce possibility of complications.

                                          

Your pet will be fasted from the evening before for the anesthesia. The dental itself is similar to a human dental cleaning - tartar removal, checking for cavities, gingival (gum) pockets, loose teeth, any growths on the gums or palate, removal of diseased teeth, and finally, polishing. The polishing is to smooth the tooth after tartar removal, as the tartar pits the tooth. A smooth tooth will not encourage tartar formation as easily as a roughened tooth.

Trouble Signs to Look for In Your Pet

Watch for the following signs:

·         Bad breath

·         Reluctance to chew / crying out when chewing

·         Increased salivation

·         Red and/or puffy gums

·         Bleeding gums

·         Tartar / Calculus (hard coating on teeth that is usually brown or yellow; results from plaque build-up)

·         Missing and/or loose teeth

Preventing Dental Disease in Dogs and Cats

There are several things you can do to help keep your pet's teeth in good shape. Start a dental care routine as early as possible in your dog’s life so he get used to the feeling of having his teeth brushed and inspected. Puppies have 28 deciduous teeth that typically fall out by about six months of age. By this time, your dog should be getting his teeth brushed regularly. If you decide to brush your dog’s teeth, here are some important tips to keep in mind:

1.    NEVER brush your dog’s teeth with human toothpaste – it can make your dog sick! Use special enzymatic toothpaste made especially for dogs. The same goes for oral rinses.

2.    Plaque begins to turn into tartar / calculus within 24-48 hours, so daily brushing is recommended. Work your dog’s tooth brushing into your own routine – consider brushing his teeth around the same time you do yours so it will be easier to remember.

3.    Use a “finger brush” or special long toothbrush designed for use on dogs. When starting out with brushing the teeth, the finger brush can help ease your dog into it, as these do not feel as awkward as hard brushes.

4.    Before you begin, ask your veterinarian to show you some techniques to make tooth brushing easier on you and your dog.

If you are not able to brush your dog’s teeth, there are other options. Consider using oral rinses made especially for dogs. You can also purchase special prescription dental diets like Hill’s T/D. Avoid real bones – not only can they lead to gastrointestinal upset, they may also cause tooth fractures.

MOST OF ALL: 

Make sure you keep up with vet exams. From time to time, a professional dental cleaning may be recommended. This requires general anesthesia. During the procedure, your dog’s teeth and gums will be examined closely for problems. The teeth will then be scaled and polished. If dental problems are noted, tooth extractions could become necessary. Alternatively, you may be referred to a veterinary dentist for specialty procedures. Some dogs need dental cleanings one or more times per year, while others can go longer. Be certain to follow your vet’s recommendations. And remember, what you do at home can really make all the difference.

The Providence Veterinary Hospital Blog is a publication of Peter Herman, VMD, at the Providence Veterinary Hospital, 2400 Providence Ave. in Chester, PA. Contact Dr. Herman at 610-872-4000 or visit us at http://www.providencevet.com/.

Repairing the Anterior Cruciate Ligament

One of the more common injuries we see in small animal practice is rupture or tear of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee. Perhaps some of you reading this blog have had your dog or cat (yes I said cat) diagnosed with this injury.

The knee is a complicated joint. It consists of the femur above, the tibia below, the kneecap (or “patella”) in front, and the bean-like fabellae behind. Pillows of cartilage called the medial and lateral menisci fit between the femur and tibia like cushions and there are assortments of ligaments holding everything together allowing the knee to bend the way it should.

There are two cruciate ligaments which cross inside the knee joint: the anterior  cruciate and the posterior cruciate. They are named for the side of the knee (front or back) where their lower attachment is found. The anterior cruciate ligament prevents the tibia from slipping forward out from under the femur.

Diagnosing the Tear

The ruptured cruciate ligament is the most common knee injury of the dog; in fact, chances are that any dog with sudden rear leg lameness has a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament rather than something else. The history usually involves a rear leg suddenly so sore that the dog can hardly bear weight on it. If left alone, it will appear to improve over the course of a 5 to 10 days but the knee will be notably swollen and arthritis will set in quickly. The key to the diagnosis of the ruptured cruciate ligament is the demonstration of an abnormal knee motion called a “draw sign.” It is not possible for a normal knee to show this sign.

Draw Sign

The veterinarian stabilizes the position of the femur with one hand and manipulates the tibia with the other hand. If the tibia moves forward (like a drawer being opened), the cruciate ligament is ruptured.
It is not unusual for your pet to be tense or frightened at the vet’s office. Tense muscles can temporarily stabilize the knee preventing demonstration of the drawer sign during examination. Often sedation is needed to get a good evaluation of the knee. This is especially true with larger dogs.

Since arthritis can set in relatively quickly after a cruciate ligament rupture, radiographs to assess arthritis are helpful. Another reason for radiographs is that occasionally when the cruciate ligament tears, a piece of bone where the ligament attaches to the tibia breaks off as well. This will require repair and the surgeon will need to know about it before beginning surgery. Arthritis present prior to surgery limits the extent of the recovery after surgery though surgery is still needed to slow or even curtail further arthritis development.

Consequence of Not Repairing the Injury

                   Normal

Without an intact cruciate ligament, the knee is unstable. Wear between the bones and meniscal cartilage becomes abnormal and the joint begins to develop degenerative changes.

                                                                                               Damaged Knee


The Surgical Repair

There are many different “repairs” of the anterior cruciate ligament. There are more than a dozen published descriptions. Since there are that many or more, you may conclude that no one has the absolute correct answer to the injury.
The procedure that I have currently favored (about 150 times) can be described more as a clean out of all damaged or torn tissue rather than a “repair”. The word repair suggested I have somehow fixed the anterior cruciate ligament and left it to heal inside the joint. The ligament does not heal.

The knee joint is opened and completely inspected. The torn or partly torn cruciate ligament is removed. If the posterior cruciate is damaged, it too is removed.  Any bone spurs of significant size are bitten away with an instrument called a “rongeur.” If the meniscus is torn, the damaged portion is removed. The joint capsule is closed in a “pants over vest” pattern which adds stability to the knee as it heals. This suture technique is called imbrications of the joint capsule.

Typically, the dog may carry the leg up for 10-14 days after surgery but will increase knee use over the next 2-3 months eventually returning to normal. Cats heal faster. They are usually more gentle and careful.

Typically, your dog will require 12 weeks of exercise restriction after surgery (no running, outside on a leash only including the backyard)

• Your dog should increase weight bearing about 5 to 10 % per week.
• The hardest part of healing is when your dog feels better and walks and wants to run and the 12 weeks of healing are not over yet.. This is where intellect rules over emotion. Keep your dog on a leash and limit his or her exercise as directed.
• Remember that 12 weeks will heal the knee to 90% of normal strength under normal circumstance. Your dog will appear perfectly sound.  It will take a full year to achieve 100% maturity.
• Listening to your vet’s discharge instructions is probably the most important thing you can do to be successful.

Unsolicited Feedback from a Client:

Our Shepherd Lab Mix Prince had been suffering for over 2 years with a bad limp.  We had taken him to 2 other Vets and received conservative treatments and just began medicating our Prince with pain meds.  He was only about 2 when this began and just turned 4.  It was breaking our hearts the way he was limping around and in constant pain. 

We took Prince to Doctor Herman.  Dr Herman was very thorough with the examination.  He suggested that Prince be sedated for an x-ray to allow him to properly check range of motion since he would tense up.  This made perfect sense but the other 2 vets we had taken him to didn't do this.  With he examination Dr Herman diagnosed him with an ACL tear (knee) and arthritis forming.  The knee needed surgery and the joint had to be cleaned up. We had the surgery done and within 2 days Prince was putting weight on the joint, his appetite had returned and he is a much happier boy, all around!  Prince is making an amazing recovery. I would recommend Dr Herman to anyone who has a pet with similar issues. We also found the cost for the procedure to be quite reasonable. 

 Thanks,

Dennis and Joyce C

The Providence Veterinary Hospital Blog is a publication of Peter Herman, VMD, at the Providence Veterinary Hospital, 2400 Providence Ave. in Chester, PA. Contact Dr. Herman at 610-872-4000 or visit us at http://www.providencevet.com/.

Ticks and Why They Can Hurt Your Pet.

Ticks are usually active in the spring, summer, and fall; however, the adults of some species are active even in the winter. We did an experiment last year. We took a tick from one of our patients and put the tick in the freezer in November. In March, we took it out to see what happened to the tick. In ten minutes, it was crawling away.

Brown Dog Tick

Tick carry disease that can be transmitted to dogs and cats. This blog will concentrate mostly on the dog in this issue.

Some general or universal clinical signs that can be associated with  tick disease are the following:

1. Fever

Dogs suffering from severe tick bite may have its body temperature rise rapidly.

2. Loss of appetite

Sick dogs can’t eat much. If you notice that your dog is barely touching its food, it definitely is sick. Take it to the veterinarian right away for proper diagnosis.

3. Sore joints or swollen limbs

Ticks can bring about soreness in the limbs area and almost anywhere else in the body.

4. Skin infections

Aside from soreness and swelling, skin infections are also apparent on dogs infested with ticks.

5. Lethargy

Dogs that are less active than normal might be an indication that they’re suffering from something. Always check your dog for fleas, ticks, and other health concerns every time it feels lethargic.

6. Arthritis

Arthritis can be a symptom of tick-related diseases too. Ticks can invade the body of your dog and then localize themselves in the joint area. As a result, your dog's joints can become inflamed and swollen.

7. Abnormal changes in the blood count

While this symptom is fairly hard to detect at home, the veterinarian can check for it.

If you see any of these symptoms in your pet, it is best that you take it to the vet right away for proper diagnosis. A lot of pet owners mistakenly think that dog ticks are not serious health concerns. Keep in mind that dog ticks can lower your dog’s immune system, thus making its entire body exposed to a host of other diseases.

Some specific diseases that ticks can transmit are:

Lyme Disease in Dogs

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by the deer tick (often referred to as the black-legged tick). Signs of Lyme disease in dogs are difficult to detect, and warning signs may not appear until several months after infection. Signs may come and go and can mimic other conditions. Cases vary from mild to severe. In severe cases of Lyme disease, kidney failure can occur.

Most common signs of Lyme disease:

• Recurrent arthritis/lameness that lasts 3–4 days, sometimes accompanied by loss of appetite and depression
• Reluctance to move or a stiff, painful gait
• Swollen joints that are warm to the touch
• Pain in the legs or throughout the body
• Fever, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes

Canine Ehrlichiosis

Canine Ehrlichiosis is caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia canis and Erlichia ewingii. Ehrlichia canis is transmitted by the brown dog tick and Ehrlichia ewingii is transmitted by the lone star tick. Like Lyme disease in dogs, warning signs may not be readily apparent. If left untreated, this disease could progress to a chronic infection without clinical signs, which can last days, months or years.

Mild signs appear to mimic a vague illness, the most obvious sign of which is weight loss. Severe cases of canine ehrlichiosis that go undiagnosed and untreated can end in death.

Most common signs of canine ehrlichiosis :

• Depression or Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Runny eyes and nose/discharge
• Swollen lymph glands

• Spontaneous nose bleeds
• Bruising (petechiae) on gums and belly
• Lameness/joint pain

Canine Anaplasmosis

Sometimes referred to as dog fever, or dog tick fever, canine anaplasmosis is caused by the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum or is transmitted by the deer tick (often referred to as the black-legged tick)—the same tick that transmits Lyme disease. Another form of canine anaplasmosis is caused by the Anaplasma platys bacterium carried by the brown dog tick. Although these two forms of anaplasmosis present with different signs, both may pose a serious threat to your dog's health.

Most common signs of canine anaplasmosis:

• Arthritis-like stiffness with painful joints
• High fever accompanied by lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea
• Neurological signs (infrequent) resulting in seizures and neck pain

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain spotted fever in dogs is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii and transmitted by the American dog tick, the wood tick and the lone star tick. In most cases, Rocky Mountain spotted fever in dogs lasts about two weeks, but in severe cases it can result in death.

Most common signs of Rocky Mountain spotted fever:

• Fever
• Skin lesions
• Stiffness when walking
• Neurological abnormalities

By no means is this a complete list of tick transmitted diseases. It is representative of diseases your pet and did I mention human beings can get? Yes, humans can get these diseases too.

Be on the lookout for ticks when your pet comes inside and also when you are out for a hike or gardening. Have someone check your body for ticks that can attach to your body.

At Providence Veterinary Hospital, we recommend the following products for tick control on your dog or cat and in the home:

• Frontline - for your dog or cats on a monthly basis
• Preventic Collars - for dogs only in heavily infested areas along with Frontline
• Knockout Area Spray - used monthly in your home

Check your dog and cat every day for ticks

The Providence Veterinary Hospital Blog is a publication of  Peter Herman, VMD, at the Providence Veterinary Hospital, 2400 Providence Ave. in Chester, PA.  Contact Dr. Herman at 610-872-4000 or visit us at http://www.providencevet.com/. 

A Pet Owner’s Guide To Flea Control

What are fleas?

   

Fleas are blood feeding insect parasites that can infest many species of mammals.  Flea infestation is one of the most common medical problems veterinarians see, and pets can suffer greatly from this condition.  Flea bites can trigger severe allergic reactions in some pets.  The intense itching caused by flea infestation causes pets to scratch and bite themselves.  This can lead to skin wounds, skin infections, and general misery for your pet.  Even if your pet is not allergic to fleabites, the parasites can carry diseases such as tapeworms and bartonellosis (or cat scratch disease).

What is a flea infestation?     

  

A flea infestation can refer to fleas that are on your pet and fleas in your home and on your premises.  Once fleas hop onto your pet, they begin feeding almost immediately.  Adult female fleas can lay 50 eggs per day, and these eggs fall off the pet and into the surrounding environment.  The eggs hatch into larvae, which feed on organic debris in the environment.  Favorite dwelling places for flea larvae inside the home are in and on the carpet, pet’s bedding, furniture, and baseboards.  Outside the home, flea larvae can be found in areas where flea-infested animals frequent, particularly shady places and places where wild animals might find shelter (e.g., under the house).  Flea larvae develop into pupae (cocoon form), which hatch into adult fleas after a period of days to weeks.  In a flea infestation, fully 95% of the fleas are in these developmental stages, and only 5% are the adult fleas on your pets.

What does it mean to see a flea on my pet?

If 95% of the fleas are in developmental stages, then for every 1 flea you see on your pet, there are 19 fleas in your home in developmental stages to take its place! 

How do animals become infested with fleas? 

                

Fleas are very successful parasites.  They are susceptible to temperature extremes, but they can survive for long periods of time under ideal conditions, and they can even become dormant for many months if no hosts are available.  If your pet spends time outside, in kennels, or around other animals, the risk of picking up fleas increases.  However, even a completely indoor pet can become infested with fleas. Think about it. The owners, and children are going in and out of the home regularly. Because the temperature and humidity conditions inside your home are fairly stable, fleas can live there with relative ease.  In this way, fleas can live in colder regions of the country, surviving climate conditions that would otherwise be intolerable.  Once they have entered a house, fleas can multiply very well under favorable year-round conditions, adding to the challenge of controlling fleas in a home environment.

How can I tell if my pet has fleas?  

Flea Dirt

Fleas may not be easily visible on your pet. If an infestation is severe, though, you may see fleas on the animal’s skin, or you may find them by combing your pet with a flea comb.  Adult fleas are the easiest stage of the parasite to see, but they represent less than 5% of an infestation.  The other stages (eggs, larvae, and pupae) are smaller and more difficult to find.  You may also find small black or brown specks on your pet’s skin or bedding.  These specks look like tiny coffee grounds and are commonly called “flea dirt.”  Flea dirt is the feces of adult fleas and is actually the digested blood of the host.  When the dark particles get wet, the red color returns and may help with identification.  Some pets are allergic to fleas and can be extremely itchy from a single fleabite; other pets may experience mild itching or none at all.  Just because your pet isn’t scratching doesn’t mean there are no fleas. Just because your pet is itching, it doesn't mean your pet has fleas.  When in doubt, consult your veterinarian.

How can I treat the problem?

If you believe your pet is infested with fleas, begin with a trip to your veterinarian.  Your pet may have a skin infection or other problem that needs attention.  After your pet has been examined, your veterinarian can recommend an effective product that you can use to kill fleas.  Some products specifically target adult fleas; other products prevent the development of eggs; and still other products kill eggs, larvae, and adult fleas.  Regardless of what product is used, multiple treatments are generally required to eliminate an infestation.  If you have several pets in your home, each animal should be treated with an appropriate product.  Although fleas have been around for a long time, there are many products available today that can effectively eliminate them.  Ask your veterinarian about the best way to control fleas.

Why might I still see fleas? 

Today’s topical flea treatments available from veterinarians provide excellent flea killing activity, for a full month with many products.  Although fleas begin to be killed within hours, they are not killed immediately.  When your home or areas where your pet goes outside are heavily infested with fleas, new fleas can constantly jump onto your pet.  These fleas will be killed, but it can appear that the product is not working because the flea burden is so severe.  If the source of fleas is in the home, regular use of topical products that provide month-long killing on all dogs and cats in the home is essential and effective.  If the source is outside, then some likely areas, such as dog parks, should be avoided.  The time of year when the flea burden is greatest varies by geography, so your veterinarian and the veterinary staffs are the best source for recommending flea control strategies that work best in your specific locale.

The Providence Veterinary Hospital Blog is a publication of  Peter Herman, VMD, at the Providence Veterinary Hospital, 2400 Providence Ave. in Chester, PA.  Contact Dr. Herman at 610-872-4000 or visit us at http://www.providencevet.com/. 

Canine Heartworm Disease - Get Ready For Spring

Heartworm disease is caused by a parasite (Dirofilaria immitis).

While dogs are considered the primary host for heartworms, Dirofilaria immitis can infect more than 30 species of animals including cats and people.

Heartworm Disease is widely distributed throughout the United States and has been found in all 50 states. All dogs and cats regardless of breed, sex, age or habitat are susceptible to heartworm infection. Eight out of one hundred unprotected dogs will get heartworm disease in the next 12 months in Chester, PA.

Transmission:

Heartworms can only be transmitted from one animal to the other by mosquitoes. Adult worms in an infected animal will produce offspring called microfilaria which circulate in the blood stream. A mosquito will feed on the infected animal and ingest blood containing the microfilaria. The microfilaria develops in the mosquito to an "infective larval stage".

A mosquito carrying infective heartworm larvae will bite a dog or cat and transmit the larvae. The larvae then grow, develop and migrate in the body over a period of several months and then mature into adult worms. Those adult worms live in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels.

Location:

If there is a dog and a mosquito in a location, there will be heartworm disease.

Infection:

Adult heartworms ranging from 4 to 12 inches in length reside in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels. Their life span in dogs appears to be at least 5 to 7 years.

The number of worms infecting a dog is usually high and can range from 1 to approximately 350.

Stages and Clinical Signs of Heartworm disease:

1. Early Infection             No Abnormal clinical signs observed
2. Mild Disease                Cough
3. Moderate Disease      Cough, exercise intolerance, abnormal lung sounds
4. Severe Disease           Cough, exercise intolerance, difficulty breathing, abnormal  lung sounds, enlargement of the liver, fainting, fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, abnormal heart sounds, followed by death.

Diagnosis:

Heartworm is relatively easy to diagnose with a blood antigen test. A blood test can be performed at our hospital in less than 10 minutes.

Prevention:

Prevention of heartworm disease is much safer and more economical than treating an infection once it occurs. This is usually done with a chewable treat given orally once a month.

Why Test?

The heartworm prevention medication may be vomited or spit out by your dog without your knowledge, thereby, exposing your dog to heartworm disease.

Either by accident or oversight, you may forget to give the monthly prevention (or may give it late).

None of the routine heartworm tests are able to detect immature or early heartworm infestation. Your dog may have had an undetectable infection at the time of his/her last heartworm test, and therefore, could have a dangerous infection.

Treatment of heartworm disease in dogs is much safer and more effective if the disease is caught early in its course.

Dogs may show no outward symptoms. Thus, it can be next to impossible to know if a dog is infected without doing the blood test.

Recommendations:

Providence Veterinary Hospital recommends giving heartworm preventative to dogs every month. In addition, dogs should be tested once annually for heartworm disease. Only use medication provided by your veterinarian. Do not buy medication for prevention of heartworm disease on-line or over the counter.

The Providence Veterinary Hospital Blog is a publication of  Peter Herman, VMD, at the Providence Veterinary Hospital, 2400 Providence Ave. in Chester, PA.  Contact Dr. Herman at 610-872-4000 or visit us at http://www.providencevet.com/.