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.

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! 

Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS) can help Minimize Hip Dysplasia Risk

This quarter, West Ridge Animal Hospital is focusing on Pet Prevention and the different ways to inhibit health issues in our pets. There are many different ways to prevent health issues and one approach is surgical. One surgery in particular has had marked success in minimizing the number of animals with hip dysplasia. This surgery is called the Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS) and is performed in puppies between the ages of 15-20 weeks.

If you have ever watched your beloved 12 year old Labrador struggle to get up off the floor you know exactly what we are referring to. Hip dysplasia is a degenerative disease in which dog shave poor fitting hip joints.  Typically, the ball and socket joint fit together neatly, allowing a dog to move their legs freely and without pain. If the animal’s joint does not fit together properly, as in the case of hip dysplasia, they are more prone to developing arthritis and pain in their joint area as they age.  Motion of the hip joints slowly causes erosion of soft cartilage, causing the bones to rub together increasing pain.

Hip dysplasia can occur in any breed, but is predominant in the larger dogs, particularly the German Shepherd, St. Bernard, Labrador Retriever, Pointers, and Setters. Although hip dysplasia is a genetic condition, research shows that environmental factors can also put a dog at risk. Overfeeding (especially of puppies) can predispose a dog to hip dysplasia. Excessive exercise may predispose dogs as well. Those who adopt a breed of puppy prone to dysplasia should ask their breeder if they have done any screenings on their dogs.

There are several different signs of severe hip dysplasia. Symptoms usually appear before the dog reaches one year of age and may include pain in the rear legs, incoordination, limping, and difficulty rising. Those with less severe cases may not develop arthritis or other symptoms until they become older (6-10 years).

Surgical procedure in young dogs such as the JPS is a more successful option than drugs for treating severe cases of hip dysplasia. Surgeons can improve the joints in young dogs by making changes to the shape of the femur or pelvis. During the JPS procedure, the pubic symphysiodesis, which is the cartilage seam connecting the left and right sides of the pelvis, is electrocauterized (or removed) to induce bony fusion and to stop the continued growth of the growth plate. This then allows the pubic bone to grow normally and allows for a tighter and healthier hip joint.


Much like humans who have joint problems, dogs that are diagnosed with hip dysplasia should not be free of exercise. Exercising at the dogs own pave can help loosen up the stiffness in the joints. Weight is a big factor as well. Shedding extra pounds can cause relief to the joints and bones. Those dogs that do have arthritis should be kept away from the cold since cold weather can aggravate aching joints.

If you are concerned about your dog having hip dysplasia or you want to do everything you can to prevent it, please talk to your veterinarian about the JPS procedure (www.WRAH.net/care/procedures/JPS.html) when scheduling his or her spay or neuter. Your pet will thank you for it!

Read about Lowering the Risks of Degenerative Joint Disease

Monthly Heartworm Prevention: Why Does My Dog Need It and What Does It Cover?

It's that time of year again; spring is in the air!  Many people and animals love this time of year because they have the chance to get outside and enjoy the warm sunshine and beautiful weather.  But you and your furry friends aren't the only ones to enjoy the new season.  Predators lurk, waiting just outside your doors.  One of these sneaking creatures would love to slip inside a crack in your window and make a blood meal out of you or your unsuspecting pet.  Want to know what this nasty little guy is?  A mosquito!  These guys seem like a mere nuisance, biting and giving us annoying itchy bumps; yet what most people don't realize is that mosquitoes can carry heartworm larvae that can easily infect our unprotected pets.

Many people will say, "Fluffy doesn't go outside but to go potty a few times a day, so I don't think I need to worry." Or, "The area I live in doesn't have many mosquitoes, so Fluffy doesn't need protection."  Heartworm disease is prevalent in all fifty states, and all it takes is one bite from a mosquito to infect your pet.  Heartworms live in your pet's arteries; they multiply until there are so many of them that the blood cannot flow properly. Treatment for heartworms is costly and dangerous but also lifesaving. Heartworms are scary, but there are several preventive options on the market.

West Ridge Animal Hospital uses a product called Sentinel that protects your pet against not only heartworms, but other intestinal parasites that they might bring home to you and your family. Sentinel Flavor Tabs and Sentinel Spectrum are oral medications proven to help protect your dogs from heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and flea eggs.  Spectrum goes one step further and protects against tapeworms as well!  Both medications contain powerful, safe, and well tolerated drugs (Mibemycin Oxime, Lufenuron, and Proziquantel added to Spectrum) to kill heartworms and other parasites before they can cause serious health problems to your furry friends.  This monthly preventive product also has the ability to protect your dogs by killing flea eggs from hatching and developing into a full blow flea infestation.

As evidenced by the comparison chart below, Sentinel and Sentinel Spectrum both have the ability to thoroughly protect your pets with an easy to administer monthly dose. Sentinel is a proven product. It is safe and effective in preventing not only heartworm disease, but intestinal parasites that could possibly infect your family.  All you need to do to get your dogs started on this monthly parasite preventative is a yearly heartworm blood test that can be performed at your veterinarian's office.  This test ensures that your pet is not already infected with heartworms and can safely receive the preventive.  So get out there and enjoy the beautiful weather with the knowledge that you are protecting your dog and family all with a little flavored tab!

Heartworm Prevention: Dogs

(click image to enlarge)

Read about Treating Canine Heartworm Disease

Speaking from Experience:  One Pet Owner’s Story of how Heartworms Affected her Family 

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.

K-9 to 5 - Dogs Need Jobs Too

So the spouse is off to work, the kids are taken care of, what about the dog? It’s not something we typically think about when we adopt that furry friend, but they need just as much stimulation and exercise that our kids do. Going for a walk once a day helps, but our pets need more activity than that. According to the ASPCA, boredom and excess energy are two of the main causes of behavior problems in dogs. Most of our pooches are pure or mixes of breeds that were bred for a purpose. Bred to work. Most of us don’t need help herding livestock and hunting rabbits, we simply need a companion and lifelong friend. That natural instinct your pet feels to move, lead, and provide is no longer satisfied, so it makes sense that those hours spent while you are away at work, or running your daily errands tends to end in a torn up couch or angry neighbor. So what now? We know the problem and the reason for the behavior, but how do we help? The answer is mental and physical stimulation.

"Working" hard at having Sirius Fun!

Doggy daycare is a great way for dogs to get out of the house and run off that pent up energy, but that’s not all daycares are good for. Taking your dog to a reputable facility is very beneficial in many ways for many different types of dogs. Along with the physical exertion of running around in a spacious area, your dog will be introduced to many new faces, aiding in socialization. This makes your special dog a friendly dog as well. One that, when worked with and exposed often, will be less likely to show signs of aggression towards people and other animals. You may just see “Fluffy” chasing her friend for a stick, but instinctually your pup is tapping into those ancient urges to hunt and work. That’s the ultimate benefit of doggy daycares; they give your dog a job. In their minds, they get to spend the day searching, hunting, chasing, and establishing relationships in “packs”, while being supervised in a safe environment.

Lounging around at Sirius Fun Doggy Daycare
after a hard day of "work".

Now What does all this mean for you? This means you drop off an excited, anxious pup and pick up a tired, mentally, and physically satisfied dog that is ready to go home, eat, and cuddle. Sounds like a win-win for you and “Fluffy”.


that you've decided daycare is worth a shot, be choosy. Tour your prospective facility; ask how the staff is trained, ask about requirements, and how the daycare is run. Each facility will be different and it’s important to take the time to find the right fit for you and your best friend.

For more great pictures of the K-9 to 5, please visit Sirius Fun's Facebook page!

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

Puppy Playtime, Obedience Classes & More

Hello Puppy Parents!

I hope you all are having a wonderful start to the New Year with your Pups. My name is Kristy, and I am the trainer/behaviorist and manager at Sirius Fun Doggy Daycare. We are the sister company to Westridge Animal Hospital. I wanted to introduce myself and let you know what activities for puppies we have coming up. I am a certified trainer going on ten years now. I have been managing doggie daycares and working with families for this entire time. I have a Masters in Behavior from Texas A&M and my specialty in dog training is behavior problem solving with owners and family/canine dynamics.

At Sirius Fun we are beginning a new puppy playtime which we encourage you all to try out! Beginning next Monday January 27 from 5:30-6:30pm, we will be hosting our weekly Polaris Puppy Playtime. This is a structured “indoor puppy park” if you will. It will be supervised by our staff and parents are encouraged to stay and enjoy both human and canine socialization. This is a safe and fun way to get on board with socializing your pups. Ages 8 weeks to 8 months are welcome, as long as your pups are up to date on age-appropriate vaccinations and are in good health. If you would, please call to reserve your spot and we will contact your veterinarian for vaccine records.

Next on the list, we have our 5-week puppy obedience classes. Our first is scheduled for next Wednesday January 29th from 6-7pm. The class structure includes problem-solving, socializing, basic commands and most importantly, teaching owners how dogs learn. It is a fun and casual environment. We talk out problems and work together as a group to improve our relationships with our puppies. With the class comes a free half day of daycare ($15 value) which is a great introduction to our daycare program. If you miss a class, no problem! Make up sessions are 30 min, before the following weeks class time. Class is $110 for 5 weeks. This is a January special and this class has a few more spots open. Please let me know if you are interested in this class or the next round of classes in February. I also have private puppy sessions for $25 for a 45 min session. This is structured according to what you and your pups specific needs are.

Finally, we have our dog daycare program. Our daycare is structured in the safest way possible - by personality and size. Our daily routine is on a rotation so that we can better place dogs in groups with their “friends”. For our puppies, we have 2 groups. One is dedicated to the rough and tumblers. These are our larger breeds that grow fast and play hard. The other pup group is for the smaller, more sensitive pups. We take our time and make sure everyone is having a healthy and fun time.

I look forward to talking with you more and if you have any questions or concerns about your pup, please email or call anytime. Best Wishes with your puppy!

Thanks for your time,
Kristy A. Smith

Sirius Fun at West Ridge

6525 West 28th Street Greeley, CO 80634

(970) 330-5150

Email SiriusFun

http://SiriusFun.WRAH.net

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.

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!

Pennies vs Stomach Acid

We all know our stomachs have strong acid in them, but strong enough to eat through pennies?  Not possible!  Or is it??

Elphie the Greyhound came to visit us “complaining” of stomach upset.  It was discovered that this lovely lady tried to add a little metal to her diet, in the form of pennies.  Using an endoscope to thread a cable down her esophagus, Dr Colin Combs caught the pennies with a little net and slowly pulled them out through her mouth.

By the time Dr combs was done, he had retrieved EIGHT (8) pennies!





















Can you believe the damage her stomach had already done? 

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.

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!

Alternative Therapies at West Ridge

West Ridge Animal Hospital is now offering alternative therapies to complement your senior dog’s wellness program! Dr. Amanda Hensley, a rehabilitation veterinarian, joined our team last fall to help build this area of practice so that we can provide the most comprehensive plan for your pet’s needs. Physical rehabilitation is a very important part of the multi-modal approach to managing arthritis and improving quality of life in senior pets. Alternative therapies currently offered include:

• Underwater treadmill – this provides low-impact exercise to help improve mobility, range of motion and strength in pets who may not be able to get enough exercise on land
• Laser therapy – to help control pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.
• Massage – to relieve muscle tightness and soreness that is often present in animals with decreased mobility.
• Therapeutic exercises – these exercises are used to improve strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. There are countless exercises which can be used to target a specific area of the body depending on your pet’s needs, and many of them can easily be done at home with no equipment.
• Acupuncture and veterinary orthopedic manipulation – these modalities are used as adjunct treatment for painful conditions such as arthritis and associated muscle spasm.

To provide our wonderful clients with more information on these topics, West Ridge is hosting an informational seminar at the Greeley Family FunPlex on Sunday, April 22nd at 1:00pm. Dr. Hensley will be speaking about the role of physical rehabilitation in the multi-modal approach to managing senior pets. Other West Ridge doctors and staff will also be speaking about acupuncture, veterinary orthopedic manipulation and massage. Come meet Dr. Hensley and learn about alternatives for your senior pet!

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….