Senior Lifetime Wellness Plans and Lifetime Dental Plans Promotions

In honor of Senior Pet Quarter all senior Lifetime Wellness Plan enrollment fees are $50 off. Renewal fees are discounted by $25. The veterinarians and team at West Ridge Animal Hospital believe in preventive care. We advocate that a pet’s optimum wellness is achieved through love, care, routine examinations, vaccinations, good dental health, and continuing education as we learn more about your devoted and loving friend. Our Lifetime Wellness Plans include all of the American Animal Hospital Associations recommendations for basic preventive care for your cat or dog; including twice yearly preventive care examinations, vaccinations, annual lab work, and discounted routine or emergency office examinations.

We had such great client feedback when we started our Lifetime Wellness Program and in response to your request created our Lifetime Dental Plans this year. Periodontal disease is a serious issue found in 85% of pets 4 years and older. If left untreated, your pet can suffer from its ill effects such as inflamed and painful gums, bad breath, bone loss, loose teeth, and infections that can spread to the other parts of the body.

 Through December 31st all senior pets who qualify will receive $25 off the enrollment into a dental health plan.

The Truth about Rabies Why WRAH Chooses 1 year Rabies Vaccines for our Felines

What is Rabies?
Rabies is probably the oldest recognized infectious disease, and possibly the first recognized zoonotic disease (something that can be passed to humans). Rabies is a viral disease that causes infection of the peripheral and central and nervous systems. Rabies can be transmissible between many species including domesticated and wild mammals, including humans. According to the AVMA, “There are over 4,000 mammalian species which are susceptible to rabies, although only a few of these species are considered major reservoir hosts. In the United States, the most common reservoir species are raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes.”

How do felines get Rabies?
Cats are more likely to contract rabies than dogs because cats are more likely to roam outside unsupervised. Cats are also less likely to be vaccinated for Rabies because of the difficulty and stress of bringing them to the veterinarian. According to the AVMA, “In 2008, the number of rabies-infected cats was almost 4 times the number of rabies-infected dogs and 5 times the number of rabies-infected cattle.” Because West Ridge knows how stressful taking your cat to the veterinarian can be we have established a cat friendly room that eliminates some of the tension and promotes a more relaxing enjoyable visit for both you and your cat.

Vaccinating your Feline
Rabies is a disease the can be easily prevented through routine visits and vaccinations. It is recommended that all felines be vaccinated for this disease due to increased exposure and risk due to their curious nature. Even indoor cats can contract Rabies, and that is why WRAH would like all of our feline patient to be vaccinated. At West Ridge, we use a 1 year rabies vaccine as recommended by the American Association of Feline Practitioners, because it is the safest and most effective vaccine for felines.

1 year vs. 3 year Rabies vaccines for Felines
All vaccinations come with their own set of risks. For cats, one of the most serious is fibrosarcoma, a type of cancer that appears at the injection site and spreads rapidly. This usually occurs with vaccines that have an adjuvant added to a vaccine to stimulate the immune system to react to the vaccine and allow the immunity to last longer in the body. This product is usually found in 3 year vaccines. The adjuvant in feline vaccines is usually made up of Aluminum salts. Our hospital uses non-adjuvant Rabies vaccines. Due to the increased risk of Fibrosarcomas, we believe, along with the American Association of Feline Practitioner, that using a 1 year, non-adjuvant vaccines is the best option for our patients. Even though this risk of a fibroscarcoma to form is rare, it is a risk we are not willing to take. For more information on the risks of Rabies or Fibrosarcomas in Feline see the refrences listed below.

References:
The American Association of Feline Practitioners: Feline Rabies
      http://www.catvets.com/cat-owners/disease-and-conditions/rabies

The American Veterinary Medical Association Website: Rabies Background
      https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/LiteratureReviews/Pages/Rabies-Backgrounder.aspx

The Veterinary Partner Website: Vaccine Associated Fibrosarcoma
      http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=526

Weighing in on Your Cat’s Health

by: Alyssa, Kennel Attendant at West Ridge Animal Hospital

Excess body fat puts stress on joints and internal organs, making it more difficult for your cat to play and be active, thus contributing to further weight gain or other detrimental health issues. Diet and exercise play an important role, not only in our own lives, but in the lives of our pets. It’s helpful to remember that when we eat food, our body uses the water, vitamins, and minerals in it to fuel the body. When your cat eats, and has obtained enough nutrition to maintain their body temperature and keep their organs functioning, the rest of that energy either needs to be expelled through physical exercise, or it will be stored as fat.

Incorporating play time into your day with your cat is a great way to tap into their wild side and make sure they are getting sufficient exercise. Laser pointers, Kong Kickeroos, and other cat toys are a great way to encourage them to practice their hunting, pouncing and other instinctual behaviors. Try having an exercise session before meal time; this may give your cat the sensation they have hunted, killed, and eaten their prey! If you have more than one cat in the household, encourage group play to build a bond between the cats.

While an excess of calories and a deficit of exercise is one of the most common causes of obesity, some cats have simply been dealt a rough hand, genetically speaking. They may be suffering from an illness or disease that is affecting how their body uses nutrients. If you feel your feline may benefit from shedding a few pounds, or if they have had a change in their weight that you are unsure of the cause, contact your veterinarian. During your cat’s routine preventive care exam, talk your veterinarian about doing a nutrition consultation. The science of pet nutrition is an exciting place, and new advances are always being made. Hill’s Pet Nutrition has produced a revolutionary new diet called Metabolic Weight Loss Solution. This diet is formulated to reprogram your pet’s metabolism to function like that of an animal at a healthy weight. Statistics indicate that more than 80% of pets fed Metabolic at home show weight loss results!

Call your West Ridge Animal Hospital veterinarian today to schedule your feline friend an appointment at (970) 330-7283,  or request an appointment online!

What Are You Preventing by Neutering Your Pet?

Why should you spay or neuter your pet? According to a 1995 survey by the American Animal Hospital Association, nearly 80 percent of the cats and dogs in the United States and Canada are spayed or neutered.

Neutered males of all species are less likely to roam, less likely to fight, and less likely to spray urine everywhere to mark their territory. When male cats and dogs roam they are exposed to many dangers including but not limited to cars, infectious diseases, and fights with other animals. These hazards will most likely lead to an expensive trip to the veterinarian.

The word neuter refers to the removal of the reproductive organs of either a male or a female of a species, the commonly used term for the removal of female reproductive organs is spay. The scientific terminology for neutering in the male is castration and in the female is ovariohysterectomy.

The majority of the Veterinarian community believes it is best to neuter either a male or female pet just before or shortly after sexual maturity. For rabbits and other pocket pets, this time could range from four to six months in the small to medium sized breeds and up to nine months in the giant breeds. For cats and dogs, it is important to wait until all of the adult teeth are in. In order to avoid common behavioral issues, it is best not to wait past a year of age to neuter males. Once a hormone-triggered behavior has continued long enough, you can be dealing with a firmly entrenched habit that will not fade even after neutering. Frequently, neutering helps with behavior problems, even if done much later, so don't give up on it just because you've missed the optimum time.

Un-Neutered pet’s prostate gland will gradually enlarge over the course of the dog’s life due to the influence of excess testosterone in the body. With age, the prostate is likely to become uncomfortable, possibly being large enough to interfere with defecation. The prostate under the influence of testosterone is also predisposed to infection, which is almost impossible to clear up without neutering. Neutering causes the prostate to shrink into insignificance, thus preventing both prostatitis as well as the uncomfortable benign hyperplasia (enlargement) that occurs with aging.

Read more about the specif benefits of spaying your female companion animals at our veterinary practice's website by clicking here.

Spaying and neutering is a very important subject for this quarter’s prevention topic. A Pediatric care exam is the first step to prevention. Our Doctors and Technicians vet at West Ridge would love to talk to you about your pets spay or neuter options. Let’s help decrease the overpopulation so that they are safe and healthy! 

Don’t Let Your Pet Get Away With Having Dog Breath!

Think about how you felt when you woke up this morning.  Were you fresh and alert?  Were you groggy and uncoordinated?  Did your back ache?  How was your breath?  Chances are your mouth tasted like you licked the bottom of your shoe, and your teeth felt “fuzzy.”  That fuzz is plaque, a combination of bacteria, saliva, and food particles that have made themselves at home on the enamel of your teeth.  Plaque starts forming just four short hours after brushing your teeth.  If left there long enough it can calcify and become tartar, which is a rigid crusty deposit that can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning.

Now, think of how fresh your breath feels after brushing your teeth.  Remember the feeling of how smooth your teeth are when you run your tongue over them?  How often do you brush your teeth each day?  Dogs and cats get plaque and tartar buildup just like humans.  How long has it been since you brushed your pet’s teeth?

Professional dental cleanings are vital in maintaining your pet’s oral health, just as they are for humans. Imagine how your mouth would taste, smell, and feel if you only went to the dentist for cleanings once or twice a year, and did not brush and floss at home in between those visits.  YUCK!  It is the same idea for our pets.  Routine professional cleanings are extremely important, but we don’t want to skip out on home dental care between those.  Ask your vet about how to brush your pet’s teeth, what chew toys and treats are safe and effective for cleaning plaque, and to learn about other great methods and tools for giving your pet that same clean fresh feeling you enjoy after brushing.  Don’t let your pet get away with having dog breath!

If I could, I’d do it myself; 

alas, I have no thumbs.

Dental Quarter Update:

Dental Quarter is in full swing at West Ridge Animal Hospital! According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), periodontal disease is the most common, preventable, condition most frequently seen in dogs and cats. Good home care includes: brushing, appropriate chewtoys, and a healthy diet. For pets that are predisposed to dental disease or struggle with their oral health, there are a myriad of additional resources, including: water additives, medications, and oral health wipes. 

In conjunction with proper home care, your pet’s dental health needs to be assessed by a veterinarian on a yearly basis. Usually this is completed at the time of their preventive care physical examination(s). West Ridge Animal Hospital uses a grading system to determine the level of your pet’s periodontal disease. If needed we can complete an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) approved anesthetized dental cleaning, assessment, and treatment to address your pet’s periodontal disease. To date this year we have performed over fifty anesthetized dental procedures, and have one month remaining in our big push for your pet’s dental health.

Contact us today at (970) 330-7283 to learn more about our at home starter kit
or to discuss your pet’s dental health. 

Click here to read more about AAHA Dental Care Guidelines

FEBRUARY FUN FACT: Why Pet Toothpaste?

A question we often hear from our clients when teaching them how to protect their pet’s teeth is, “Why do they need special toothpaste? Can’t I just use regular toothpaste?” Besides the fact that your pet might not appreciate the strong minty flavor that we tend to prefer, there are a few other reasons we recommend special toothpaste for your furry friend. The primary reason is also why we have different toothpaste for babies; adult human toothpaste contains fluoride, and babies and pets don’t know how to rinse and spit. Ingestion of too much fluoride can cause problems, so we want to avoid this.

Additionally, human toothpaste is foamy, and we don’t want our pets ingesting the agents causing the foam.  We still need a product that can clean their teeth and not cause harmful effects, so pet toothpaste is made to help dissolve plaque, and it comes in flavors that your pets will appreciate.  Flavors can include malt, poultry, beef, or vanilla mint. A common ingredient in human toothpaste is xylitol, also found in gum, which is highly toxic to dogs and cats. The sodium level in our toothpaste is also much higher, which can be harmful when swallowed by pets. Do your pet a favor and brush their teeth with toothpaste specially formulated for their needs and which tastes good to them!

Read More Dental FAQs

Holiday Tips for Protecting Your Pet

Holiday Tips for Protecting Your Pet

 'Tis the season when it starts getting colder, and the holiday spirit is in the air. Here are some tips for making this a healthy and happy time for you and your pets.

HOUSING: Make sure your pet is protected from the weather. If your pet is an indoor pet, make sure they have a warm, draft free place to sleep, preferably elevated slightly off the floor. If your pet is outside, a warm insulated pet house or shelter is recommended. The house should be elevated so moisture cannot accumulate inside. Provide a small opening covered with canvas to block out winter winds. If the wind chill or weather conditions become too severe, please bring your pets inside.

FROSTBITE: Remove ice and snow from your pet's paws and coat at once. Frostbite can look reddish, white, or gray and the skin may appear scaly. If you think your pet has frostbite, take him/her to a warm place immediately. Apply warm, moist towels...  (read more)

For some some great ways to include your pets in your holiday memory-making, click here.

Cats Beware! Lilies are Toxic

 

We love our cats. We love beautiful lilies, too. Unfortunately, we must never enjoy them together. No one knows exactly why lilies are toxic to cats, but we do know that they are; VERY toxic, in fact. Virtually every species of lily plant will cause acute kidney failure in cats. Just a couple little nibbles of the bloom can cause death. While the flower itself is the most toxic part, even if a cat sips the water the bouquet sets in, he/she can experience issues. The pollen, which falls on the counter and attaches to anything that brushes it, is also toxic. If you see any pollen dust on your kittie, please bathe him/her immediately before the dust is ingested during personal grooming. It is imperative that you see your veterinarian immediately if you witness your cat eating or licking a lily, or if you discover some of the plant missing.

 

The lilies to which we refer include: Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum), Tiger Lily (Lilium tigrinum), Day Lily (Lilium hemerocallus), Asian lily (Lily asiatic spp.) and Rubrum Lily (Lilium rubrum). All of these varieties are popular in both bouquets and in gardens. Most bring us big, five or six-petaled orange, red, yellow or pink flowers. The leaves are either long slender clumps at the base of the plant, or dark leathery green leaves that ascend the tall stem.

A cat ingesting any part of a lily plant may experience abdominal distress including vomiting, lack of appetite or lethargy. If not treated within 2-4 days, signs of kidney failure may begin to show. These symptoms can consist of loss of appetite, depression, vomiting, and lack of urination.

 

There is no definite diagnostic test for determining lily toxicity. Your veterinarian will likely run blood tests and check your cat’s urine for abnormalities which point to kidney failure.
Sadly, there is also no cure for lily ingestion at this point. Treatment involves emptying the stomach of lily contents, administering medications to lessen the absorption in the intestines and induce diuresis through intravenous fluid therapy. Depending upon many factors including amount ingested and time elapsed before therapy, your cat may possibly recover completely over time. The prognosis for most cats, however, is guarded; most have permanent kidney damage and a percentage will not survive at all.

With this knowledge, we strongly urge you to prevent any opportunities for your furry friend to even come in contact with these deceptively dangerous plants; ideally, the flowers will stay outside and your cat in.

Keeping Your Pet's Mouth Healthy, Dental Grades

These figures depict how the doctors grade your pet's teeth.

Periodontal Disease and Its Treatment, Part I

PART I: What is it?

We’ve all heard the term Periodontal Disease, but do you know what it really is and how it forms?
Periodontal literally means “around the tooth”; periodontal disease, then, is infection and inflammation of the gums, ligaments, and bones surrounding the teeth.  Gingivitis is the less severe form; if left untreated it progresses into periodontitis and tooth loss.

It all starts with a sticky substance called plaque which is made up of saliva, bacteria and tiny bits of food.  Plaque is easily removed through brushing and flossing.  Areas of plaque that are left on teeth eventually harden into tartar; once formed, tartar can only be removed with ultrasonic tools and special instruments during a dental cleaning.  To further exacerbate the situation, tartar has a rough outer surface to which even more bacteria likes to attach.  This buildup irritates and inflames the gum, causing a pocket with ideal conditions for-- you guessed it-- even MORE bacteria and tartar.  Thus, a vicious cycle forms of bacteria accumulation and additional inflammation until eventually the result is tooth and bone loss.  On top of the risk of tooth loss, bacteria can separate and travel through the bloodstream to the liver, heart, and/or the kidneys.

Knowing our pets can’t brush their teeth and remove plaque, it is easy to see how animals’ mouths are so susceptible to disease!

Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions

Our beloved cats (and some dogs, too!) commonly fall victim to Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (aka FORLs or, simply, Resorptive Lesions).  These cannot be prevented, meaning that (1) if your cat gets them, you are not guilty in any way, and (2) cats must receive dentals performed by a veterinarian regardless of how well their teeth are cared for.

Resorptive Lesions originate in the cementum which covers the root of the tooth.  They work their way to the pulp, then move either down or up the inside of the tooth; sometimes going both directions at once.  By the time any external signs are visible, your pet’s tooth already has a painful end-stage lesion.  Signs that your cat has a lesion which has progressed to the crown include: not eating, eating only soft items, general malaise, and drooling.

Diagnosing a Resorptive Lesion requires both oral radiographs and dental probing- both of which can only be performed while the cat is under anesthesia.  In every one of our comprehensive dental exams, a veterinarian probes the gums and gets full-mouth x-rays to ensure all issues, even those under the gums, are discovered.

If a Resorptive Lesion exists in a tooth, that tooth must be extracted.  Treatment following an extraction includes pain management and antibiotics.  Your cat will need to come back in for the DVM to monitor healing.  Unfortunately, any cat that has had one Resorptive Lesion is likely to have subsequent lesions.

Of course, we all would prefer to completely prevent any chance of pain in our furry friends but the good news is that, with careful treatment by a licensed DVM, Resorptive Lesions are completely treatable!

Be thankful AND vigilant for an emergency-free Thanksgiving

We all have things for which to be thankful, but allow us to give you one more this year: thankful for NOT having to make an urgent care visit to your local veterinarian!

As far as animal safety goes on Thanksgiving, the food reigns supreme:

• The more obvious culprit, of course, are the turkey/ chicken/ ham (even steak) bones. Not only can they get lodged in the throat, stomach and even the intestinal tract, they can also puncture your dog insides.
• Fatty or rich foods- poultry skins, gravy, fatty meat, etc.- can, at the least, cause intestinal distress and may even lead to pancreatitis, a serious inflammation of the pancreas or intestine.
• By now, everyone has heard that chocolate can be toxic to our dogs, but a less-known fact is that xylitol (a common sugar substitute) is even more dangerous. To be safe, keep all sweets up out of your pets' reach. Other foods on the not-allowed list are onions and garlic, grapes and raisins, and macadamia nuts; all of these can be toxic to our pets.

It would also be good to keep in mind the fact that lots of visitors can be stressful to your pets, as well. To avoid this, you can create a safe haven for them or even board them in a facility.

All of us at West Ridge Animal Hospital wish you and yours a peaceful, playful, happy Thanksgiving!

And no offense, but we hope we don't see you first thing Friday morning for an urgent care visit...

AAHA Standards: DE02c

In the days leading up to this year's accreditation renewal with the American Animal Hospital Association, we will be highlighting some of the standards we must uphold.  Here's today's:

"DE02c: Dental services provided include Radiography"

Here at West Ridge, our dental services don't just "include" radiography, we take full mouth radiographs on every dental procedure.  Why?  Teeth are very similar to icebergs in that the majority of the tooth is hidden under the surface of the gum.  It is not uncommon to go into what looks like a routine procedure, only to find through x-rays that a root is bad and must be extracted.  Not only would a diseased tooth root be extremely painful, but the inflammation and bacteria involved can also cause many issues throughout the body.

How to transport your cat to the vet with less stress – for them and for you!

Providing regular health care for your cat is essential to a longer, healthier and more comfortable life for them. However, many cats get stressed going to the veterinarian. Here are some tips to make the trip to your veterinarian easier:

· Try to have your cat associate the carrier with positive experiences. Your goal should be to have them enter the carrier on a regular basis. Leave the carrier in a room where your cat spends a lot of time and give them time to become familiar with it. Placing soft bedding or clothing inside may help them feel more secure.

· Treats, toys or catnip placed inside should encourage them to enter the carrier. It could take days or sometimes weeks for them to trust the carrier, so be patient! Always reward your cat for the behavior you want, so if your cat is sitting near or exploring the carrier, give a treat.

· If your cat is not yet used to the carrier, but needs to go to the veterinarian right away, try putting the carrier and your cat in a small room with few hiding places. Encourage your cat to enter the carrier using a special treat. If that doesn’t work and your carrier has an opening at the top, try to gently cradle the cat and lower it into the carrier. If your carrier allows, removing the top half, placing your cat into the lower half and calmly replacing the top can also work.

· There are many types of cat carriers on the market. Before deciding which one is best for your cat, consider your cat’s size, how well she tolerates handling, and what carrier is easiest for you to transport. It should be safe, secure, sturdy, and easy for you to carry. Some of the best carriers are hard-sided and open from both the front and the top. An easily removable top allows a cat which is fearful, anxious or in pain to stay in the bottom half for exams by the veterinarian.

· It’s always a good idea to secure the carrier with a seat belt to keep your cat safe in the car. Sometimes cats are less anxious if the carrier is covered or partially covered with a blanket or towel, while others like to be able to see out.

Contact your veterinarian for additional ideas on making your cat’s visit a calm and pleasant one.

Resource: 2011 Feline Friendly Handling www.catvets.com

Some Surprising Summer Safety Situations

Ah summer… days filled with sprinklers, beaches, yard work, and other adventures.  Many of us understand how to keep ourselves and our children safe, but there are some hidden dangers for your pets of which you may not be aware.

-    Hoses: just pieces of innocuous yard equipment, right?  Usually, yes.  However, some dogs are actually being scalded by hot water from hoses that bake in the sun.  If using an outside hose for fun or a bath let it run for a moment and check the water temperature before pointing it at your pet- or your child, for that matter!

-    Solid ground: the ground is a hazard?  Yes.  Animals, obviously, don’t wear shoes when they go outside.  On high-temp days, try out the concrete, asphalt, and even dirt with your own bare feet and your pet will thank you!

-    Cars: NEVER leave an animal in an unoccupied car, even with the windows open.  Temperatures in cars increases alarmingly fast and can be harmful- even fatal- in minutes.

-    Wildlife and pesky insects: not only can they be irritating, they can also inflict illness.  Leptospirosis, intestinal worms, heartworms, distemper, rabies, and tick-borne diseases can all be avoided with proactive measures.  Verify with your veterinarian that your pet is up to date on all vaccines and preventive medications.

-    Pools, beaches and lakes: we all know that these can be very dangerous if we’re not careful.  Here are some suggestions for keeping your four-footed family members free from harm.

• Never force an animal into water, not all dogs enjoy or are adept at swimming.
• There is a very rare risk of water intoxication caused by dogs gulping large amounts of water- be on the watch for strange behavior during or after playing in water.
• It’s a good idea to wear a life vest and not swim too close to your dog so that you don’t get scratched or pulled under accidentally.
• Be sure to provide fresh drinking water.
• Keep a close eye on your pet for signs of dehydration, ear infections or other water-related issues.

-    Landscaping: This category has sub-categories all its own…

• ASPCA’s website to discover what plants are toxic to animals so that they can be placed where your pets won’t have access to them.  
• One must also be careful when applying fertilizers and other chemicals to the yard to restrict exposure to any animals.  
• Metal garden edging may pose a hazard to dogs as it can possibly cut them between their tender paws.  We recommend using rubber, brick, or wood instead.
• It’s a good idea to do an inspection of the yard periodically to check for threats to your pets’ safety.  Oftentimes a piece of fence comes loose or a nail becomes exposed- both treacherous situations for sure!

With just a little extra effort and close observation, we can all enjoy a safe, happy summer!

Carefree Cat Carrying? Maybe... with time.

Is your treasured cat one of those who fight with all their might when you try to take him/her anywhere? The following tips for reforming your travel-hating pet come to us from the Veterinary Information Network:

Cats, carriers and vets

Tips on making it easier to get your cat to the vet (or wherever you need to take them)...

Many cats are fearful of car rides and veterinary visits, which makes it harder for us to give them good medical care. It also makes it difficult for cat owners to decide to take their nervous cats to the veterinarian for routine care and may delay an examination for an illness. Cats can be trained to be much more comfortable with their carriers, cars, and the veterinary clinic. It takes a little preparation and patience, but will greatly improve your cat’s comfort level and our ability to care for your pet. Here are some tips and links that will help you to help your cat!
Of course, if you have additional questions, just call us anytime!

The steps to improved carrier behavior:

1. Start carrier training as young as possible. Starting as kittens teaches your pet that the carrier is just another fun hiding place, or play area, rather than a confined punishment space. Carriers that load from the top or especially those that come apart in the middle are helpful, as veterinarians can then take the top off and start their examination with the cat comfortably sitting in the bottom. Put the carrier in a room that the cat likes to be in, perhaps in a sunny location, with a soft piece of bedding to encourage exploration and voluntary use.

2. Encourage daily entry. Every day, put a piece of kibble or a treat in the carrier. When the cat eats it, calmly praise/pet it and give it a few more treats. If the cat doesn’t take the treat right away, just walk away; if you try to persuade the cat, they will become suspicious! It may take a few days, but the cat should start to eat the treats, although maybe when you are not watching.

3. Gradually close the door. Once the cat happily goes into the carrier when you are around, gently close the door, give a treat, and open the door so that the cat does not feel trapped.

4. Extend the door‐closure period. After several days of this, leave the door closed and walk out of the room for a few seconds before returning and giving another treat. Gradually work up to carrying the carrier to a different place in the house.

5. Begin car rides. Over days to weeks, move on to placing the carrier in the car, then short car rides, then a ride to our veterinary clinic for a treat (and petting from our staff if your cat is comfortable with it). If at any point your cat becomes nervous (crouching, ears back, etc.), go back a step and give treats until your cat is more comfortable with that level.

6. Cover the carrier when traveling. When you start taking the carrier in the car, place a towel over it; cats usually feel safer this way.

7. Add toys, treats or bedding into the carrier. If your cat has favorite toys, treats, bedding, or brushes, please bring them to the clinic when you visit (for training visits and the actual exam). This will give your cat more familiar things that he/she associates with good feelings.

8. Consider using Feliway® (pheromonal anti‐anxiety spray) just before traveling. When the time for the examination arrives, the routine will be familiar and your cat will be much more comfortable. With especially nervous or suspicious cats, Feliway® can help with the initial training period as well.

Some cats, despite your best efforts, still become scared of confinement or travel. In such instances, we can help you by prescribing additional anti‐anxiety medications to help alleviate the stress.

Some videos to help you prepare:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egwBo0o2FN8
http://www.catalystcouncil.org/resources/video/?Id=102
http://www.catalystcouncil.org/resources/video/?Id=89
http://www.catalystcouncil.org/resources/video/?Id=103

Keeping Your Pet's Mouth Healthy, Part 3

As seen in this picture, Bhaer presented to us with a Dental Grade 3 mouth on the morning of January 12th, 2012.
Before doing any treatments, the veterinarian will perform a pre-surgical exam, including bloodwork, to ensure the animal is healthy. Pre-anesthetic medication is given to make the patient sleepy then we intubate him/her.

Doing this allows us:
• unlimited access to the mouth,
• the ability to perform all the actions necessary during the procedure,
• to prevent any fluid and bacteria (loosened from the teeth) from
going in to the lungs,
• to keep our patient pain-free throughout the entire procedure by
utilizing inhalant anesthesia.

While anesthetized, all patients are closely monitored; we watch their temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, ECG tracing, respirations, blood-oxygen saturation, and carbon dioxide levels. We also place a catheter and administer fluids.

Here, you see our technician scaling Bhaer’s teeth to remove the plaque and tartar.

As you can see, we need to reach far into the mouth to get to all the teeth. Can you imagine your pet sitting still and permitting a technician do this while awake??

Then we progress to probing the gums. This tells us about the health of the gingiva; we measure pocket depth and furcation (the space between the roots). This is another action that patients do not allow if they are awake for the dental.

Once that is finished, the mouth is sprayed and cleaned out, then each tooth is polished. Aside from making the teeth pearly-pretty the polish serves to smooth the tooth surface, removing any divots where bacteria can adhere.

Every dental prophylactic procedure here at West Ridge Animal Hospital includes full-mouth digital dental radiographs. Teeth are a little like icebergs in that so much of them is hidden under the gums. Radiographs allow the veterinarian to see the roots and pinpoint any previously undetected issues. It is not uncommon for pets to present with what seems to be a good dental grade, only to find problems lurking in the roots.

Finally, the veterinarian checks over the entire mouth, assessing the teeth and performing any necessary extractions, mass removals, or other oral surgery. Bhaer, fortunately, did not require any of these procedures.

See the difference a dental prophylactic procedure makes!

Please note: You may notice the shape and color change to B's upper fang. This was from years of cage chewing before he was adopted. The brown color change is not 'dirt' or 'stain" but restorative dentin. When worn down slowly the tooth tries to heal and protect itself from invasion of the pulp chamber by putting a layer of thicker dentin over the chamber. In Baher's case, the radiographs and dental probing confirmed that the crown was intact and safe. We see similar changes in dogs who fetch tennis balls year after year.

Keeping Your Pet's Mouth Healthy, Part 1

So many people think of dental care for their pet as tedious and unnecessary, but if one thinks about it one will realize just how disgusting a mouth can get if not brushed and cleaned regularly. Shoot, if I forget to brush my teeth just one morning, I feel gross all day- I can only imagine what our pets feel like! Even more than that, though, is the fact that good dental health lends itself to better overall health as well. Dental disease can lead to issues with the kidneys, lungs and even the heart. So now we’ve established the WHY on dental health, but HOW does one go about it?

Starting when your pet is just a puppy/ kitten, your veterinarian will want to inspect the teeth. He/ she will be checking for problems with the deciduous (baby) teeth, placement of teeth, and looking for any abnormalities or swelling in the mouth. This is a great time to ask your doctor to demonstrate proper teeth-brushing technique. If started at an early age, your pet will accept it more readily, making it easier on everyone to maintain good dental health in the years to come. West Ridge Animal Hospital carries a variety of animal-specific toothbrushes, toothpastes, and oral rinses to better accommodate each household and their pets. Please note: it is not safe to use human toothpaste on a pet, it could cause poisoning from the fluoride since animals don’t spit and rinse.

At each wellness examination, your vet will again look in the mouth and inform you of your pet’s dental “grade”. Don’t worry, they’re not grading your ability or skill; all animals have different dispositions when it comes to their mouths, just as we humans do. This number, 1 through 4, refers to the amount of plaque and tartar, and signifies whether periodontal disease is present and, if so, its severity. This creates a consistent chart for all doctors who might see your pet.

Stay tuned for further posts regarding dental health….

Little known dangers in your handbag...

We humans may be super busy this holiday month, but it is prime time for our pets to get bored; and boredom in pets often leads to mischief. Couple that with the fact that most of us are distracted and multi-tasking, and you get a recipe for disaster: bored pets and unsupervised purses/ handbags. The obvious issue with that is destroyed property, but you may be surprised to discover just how many toxins may be hiding in your innocent little purse! Chocolate, of course, is a well-known biggie- but, really, who keeps chocolate long enough for it to sit in our purse’s?? Read on to learn of other less-known dangers:

- It only takes a cigarette or two, maybe a couple bites of chewing tobacco or pieces of nicotine gum to turn your sweet pet into a sick pet. Symptoms of tobacco ingestion include increased heart and respiration rates, tremors, seizures, and, depending on the strength of tobacco, even death. These signs can occur as quickly as 15-20 minutes after ingestion.

- That small bottle of pills you keep in there? To our pets, that bottle is one extra-fun rattle! Unfortunately, it is easily busted and the contents are NOT fun. With the plethora of meds that might be in there, we can’t give specific symptoms for which to watch, but if your cat or dog gets any human medications, please call your vet immediately!

- Xylitol is getting more attention these days, and rightly so; it is found in sugar-free gums and candies and is highly toxic to our pets. Typically, your pet will vomit after ingesting xylitol. This will likely be followed by hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) which manifests as stumbling, lethargy, even collapse or seizure. In some cases, animals skip the hypoglycemia stage and pass right on to liver failure. Xylitol ingestion is not to be taken lightly; please take your pet in to your veterinarian right away!

- Alcohol- of any variety- is also toxic to our pets, and this includes that little bottle of hand sanitizer in your handbag. Swallowing hand sanitizer is akin to chugging some hard liquor to your pet. This event will probably bring on hypoglycemia, incoordination, depression, and coma.

- Last but not least are the asthma inhalers that are so important to keep close at hand. Yes, our veterinarians do sometimes nebulize our pets with albuterol (or related medications) which is perfectly safe. However, when an inhaler is punctured by teeth, your pet is getting a very concentrated dose- up to 200 per vial, in fact. Increased heart rate, abnormal heart beat, agitation and worse can come from ingesting too much albuterol.

For a safe holiday- and all year, too!- please be sure to keep your purses and handbags up out of the reach of your pets. Just in case there is an accidental toxin ingestion, give us a call immediately! We can be reached at 970-330-7283 and are open until 9pm weekdays, Saturday 8am until 5pm, and Sundays 9am to 1pm. Being an American Animal Hospital Association accredited hospital, we are always prepared for just such emergencies.