Posted on January 17, 2012 | Posted By Petflect | Filed Under Safety | No Comments
By Steve Dale; Chicago Tribune
My biggest wish for the New Year is that you will keep your pets healthy.
You’d think every pet owner would comply, but the fact is there’s been a steady decline in veterinary visits over the past decade, and our pets’ health is suffering.
Totally preventable problems are on the rise. As one example, according to Banfield Pet Hospitals State of Pet Health 2011 report, internal parasites are up 13 percent in cats, and 30 percent in dogs since 2006.
Also, just as with people, discovering illness in pets early can sometimes spell the difference between life and death. Owners might say, “Well, I know when my pet is sick.” However, this isn’t always the case, especially for cats, who are skilled at masking illness. A veterinarian may detect problems you cannot.
When a problem is discovered early and treatment is prompt, the outcome may be more favorable. For example, some types of cancers in pets can sometimes be cured. Early diagnosis can also mean less suffering or pain for our pets — and less pain for our checkbooks. Discovered early, mast cell cancer in dogs, as one example, may not require radiation treatment.
Other problems, such as diabetes in cats, can sometimes be avoided all together. If you cat is overweight, helping the pet shave off pounds might mean avoiding diabetes. Sadly, diabetes is on the rise in cats, up 16 percent since 2006, according to the Banfield report.
There are many reasons for the decline in vet visits. I don’t deny that in some cases veterinarians are to blame, pushing clients away with high fees, or “nickel and diming’ their clients. Overall, however, veterinary medicine remains a relative bargain. Consider that a knee replacement for a dog might cost a few thousand dollars, while in human medicine, a similar procedure would cost 10 times that amount. The difference is that in human medicine, for the most part, insurance or government aid cover the cost. In veterinary medicine, you must pay up front unless you have pet insurance, which I believe is a great safety net.
Also, we need more emphasis on preventative care. Historically, such care for pets has been downplayed in favor of vaccines. However, over the past decade, there’s been less need for many vaccines, leading too many owners to skip veterinary visits, thinking there’s little need to go.
In addition, while veterinarians remain among the most trusted of professionals, we live in an increasingly cynical society. Clients today are less likely to instantly accept a veterinarian’s recommended course of treatment. Owners often seek out a “second opinion.” They may consult another veterinarian, but increasingly they’re visiting “Dr. Google.”
According to the Bayer Veterinary Care Usage Study (surveying pet owners and veterinary professionals about their views on veterinary medicine and pet health), 15 percent of owners said that by using the Internet, they believe they have less need to visit veterinarians.
Sometimes websites are credible sources of background information, but a surprising number of pet owners read blogs written by non-experts, and accept whatever advice they read online as gospel.
I’ve been horrified by the trend, which I began to see about five years ago, when readers began writing me asking how to “avoid the veterinarian.” This is entirely contradictory to what I believe is in the best interest of our pets.
Posted on December 10, 2011 | Posted By Petflect | Filed Under News | No Comments
By Gail Rapport, DVM Humane Society of Boulder Valley
Cindy Lee, president of the Wags and Menace Foundation, observes a dog’s dental cleaning at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley’s Veterinary Clinic. The foundation provided financial support to buy new dental equipment for the shelter. (Courtesy photo)
Out of all the members of your family, it isn’t hard to guess who has the worst dental hygiene: your pets. They don’t brush or floss their teeth, and this can go on for years. If you want to show your kids what will happen to their teeth if they fail to brush regularly, just look at your pet’s teeth — and smell his breath.
A full 85 percent of pets have periodontal disease by age 3 years.
Periodontal disease is disease around the outside of the tooth. Our (human) dentist reminds us that if we do not regularly brush away plaque on our teeth, it will become tartar (or calculus — that gritty material your dental hygienist scrapes away).
When tartar builds up it begins to affect the gums and you will notice redness. As the disease advances, it damages the ligaments and finally the actual bone around the tooth can begin to deteriorate. Bacteria in the mouth can travel through the bloodstream leading to infection in the heart, liver, kidney or other organs.
Gingivitis is reversible. Bone loss, once it starts, is not.
It is important to become comfortable handling your pet’s mouth. Lift the lip and look at the teeth, especially the back teeth. Open the mouth and look at the inside of the teeth and at the tongue.
If you have pets of different ages, compare what you see inside.
Here are some things to think about regarding your pet’s dental health:
Regular professional cleaning
For people and pets, regular professional dental cleaning is important for good dental health. Home dental care is never perfect and periodically tartar must be removed and teeth polished and disinfected. The professional cleaning performed at the veterinarian’s office is similar to what a person receives at their dentist’s office:
Visible tartar is removed.
More delicate tartar deposits are removed from the gum line.
Periodontal sockets are probed and measured to assess disease.
Tartar is scraped from below the gum line until the roots are smooth.
Tooth enamel is polished to remove any unevenness left by tartar removal.
The mouth is disinfected and sometimes treated with fluoride sealer or plaque repellent.
A dental chart is completed, noting any abnormalities on a dog’s 42 teeth, or cat’s 30 teeth.
It is important to note that a “non-anesthetic” teeth cleaning is not comparable to the above service. It is not possible to perform the “six step” cleaning in a pet without general anesthesia.
Cosmetic cleanings do not address periodontal disease where it occurs: under the gum line.
Home Care Products
Home dental care is an important part of your pet’s overall health and well-being. Good home hygiene may delay the age at which your veterinarian will recommend full cleanings, and may increase the time between cleanings.
Toothpaste and Brushing
Brushing is the gold standard for home care. The bristles can reach between teeth and under gums to pick out tiny deposits of food. Pet toothbrushes are designed to conform to your pet’s mouth, and are typically softer than a human toothbrush. Pet toothpaste is not harmful if swallowed, and comes in flavors such as poultry, seafood or malt. Studies show that brushing three times a week is adequate to maintain healthy teeth and gums but daily brushing is needed to control gingivitis.
Do’s and Don’ts of Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth
Do start with just a few teeth followed by a reward and gradually build up to doing a larger part of the mouth, or all at one sitting.
Don’t use human toothpaste on your pet.
Do start with a toothbrush without any paste to introduce your pet to the process.
Don’t attempt to clean the inner surface of your pet’s teeth.
Do try to perform dental home care daily.
Don’t perform dental home care immediately after a professional dentistry as your pet’s gums may be tender.
Don’t consider dental home care as an alternative to professional cleaning if your pet has more advanced dental disease.
Dental Rinses, Wipes, and Pads
For pets that don’t tolerate brushing, you can try wipes or pads. And if this is stressful for either of you, there are dental rinses available. These products remove plaque deposits on the surface, but lack the ability to pick particles out of the gum socket. These are the next best thing to brushing.
Dental Treats
For many people, brushing regularly is simply never going to happen. Fortunately, all is not lost. A proper dental chew can reduce plaque by up to 69 percent There are many good products available for dogs and cats. Chewing provides abrasion, which helps remove plaque and tartar. In many cases, your pet will need to eat about one chew daily to achieve benefit.
Dental Diets
It is a common misconception that feeding a dry pet food will protect teeth from dental disease. Most cats, and many dogs, do not actually chew their kibble; it is swallowed whole and has no effect on the teeth. There are special dry food diets for both dogs and cats available at your veterinary clinic, which are designed with a larger kibble to actually “scrub” the teeth as the pet chews. Veterinarians typically do not recommend making this a primary diet, but suggest adding a few kibbles to each meal or using them as rewards/treats to supplement other methods.
Posted on November 16, 2011 | Posted By Petflect | Filed Under Safety | No Comments
** from lovemyspca.com
With the hustle and bustle of the approaching holiday season, it’s important to be aware of common household items that can pose significant danger to your four-legged family members. Pay special attention to decorations, food and stress to prevent any emergency vet trips.
Enjoy the Season in Style, but Decorate Safely
•Keep shiny holiday tinsel and ribbon away from your curious pets. These items can be ingested and cause serious problems.
•Place glass ornaments high up on the tree where climbing cats and inquisitive pups can’t break them.
•Be mindful of swinging tails and curious paws around flickering flames; also beware of electrical shock for pets that like to chew.
•While commonly used to deck the halls, holly, mistletoe, lilies and amaryllis can be poisonous, even deadly, to pets. A single leaf from any lily variety is lethal to cats. Other seasonal plants to avoid with pets are Christmas tree pine needles
•From jingle bell collars to elf attire, if you’re going to dress your pet up, make certain the costume doesn’t stress your pet out and doesn’t hinder movement, hearing, sight, breathing or ability to bark or meow; remove any dangling pieces that could be chewed off and cause your pet to choke.
•Alcohol is still a big no-no for pets. Intoxicated pets can suffer from vomiting, seizures, coma and even death.
Eat, Drink and Be Healthy: Food and Beverage Cautions
•Bones pose a choking risk and could splinter causing an obstruction or lacerations. No turkey bones despite how tempting!
•Fat trimmings also seem like a nice treat, but can cause upset stomach and pancreatitis.
•Tin foil is tasty and enticing for pets to lick, but doesn’t show up on x-rays and can harm the digestive tract.
•Chocolate is off limits for our four-legged friends. Whether in gifts wrapped under the tree or left out on the table, dogs especially are attracted to this holiday delicacy. They sniff out the goodies hidden in festive wrapping paper and will readily consume the entire contents. The darker and richer, the more toxic. Ingestion could lead to vomiting to heart arrhythmias, tremors and seizures.
•Many holiday cookies and desserts contain nuts, which can upset animals’ stomachs; keep your pets away from almonds, pistachios and macadamia nuts.
•A lot of holiday sweet breads and rolls contain raisins and grapes, which are harmful to dogs. Even just a few can result in a trip to the ER vet with Fido.
•Alcohol is still a big no-no for pets. Intoxicated pets can suffer from vomiting, seizures, coma and even death.
•Bottom line, it’s best to keep your pets on their regular diet and caution visitors against giving your pet special treats or table scraps.
Helping Your Pets Deal with Stress and Strangers
•‘Tis the season for visitors! People aren’t the only ones who can get stressed with the hustle and bustle of holiday guests. Extra people and commotion can make your pet anxious; make sure there’s a quiet room where your pets can retreat.
•Consider designating a room just for your pet filled with his or her squeaky and chew toys, safe treats and fresh water. Leaving Fido or Fluffy in this safe haven can also prevent a possible escape while you’re tending to your guests.
•Speaking of escapes, make certain your pet is microchipped in case he or she does escape.
Keep your furry friends safe this holiday season by ensuring all your family members and guests are aware of the hidden dangers the holiday season can present to pets.
Posted on October 24, 2011 | Posted By Petflect | Filed Under News | No Comments
Published: Sunday, October 16, 2011, 7:10 AM
By Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer
When the suitcases come out, Pepper goes into hiding. She knows what it means: We’re leaving, and she’s not.
There are myriad benefits to traveling as much as I do. Leaving the dog behind is not one of them.
So when longtime friends put me in charge of finding a rental house for our biannual gathering at Deep Creek Lake, Md., I made an executive decision: The dog is coming with us.
Last year, a quarter of dog owners took their pooches on a trip that lasted at least two nights, according to a survey by the American Pet Products Association. And that number is expected to rise as more and more destinations cater to animals and their owners.
“Hotels have figured out there’s a huge market of pet owners who want to travel with their pets,” said Tracey Thompson, who founded petfriendlytravel.com in 2000 after she looked for a rental house on the California coast that she could share with her two large Leonbergers and couldn’t find one.
“Attitudes have changed about pets,” she said. “Pets never used to be considered part of the family the way they are now. You wouldn’t leave your kid behind. Why would you leave your pet behind?”
Tips for a smooth ride with your pet
For safety reasons, pets should be confined to a car’s back seat, either in a carrier or a harness attached to the car’s seatbelt.
Don’t let your dog stick its head out the window; road debris and sudden stops can cause injury.
Don’t give an animal food or water in a moving vehicle.
Before departure, consider getting your pet implanted with a microchip in case you’re separated. Carry a photo of Fido, too.
Never leave an animal in a parked car, even if the windows are partially open.
Plan rest breaks and overnight stays in advance. Some resources to get you started: petfriendlytravel.com, dogfriendly.com, pettravel.com, bringfido.com, tripswithpets.com, petswelcome.com, aaa.com/petbook.
Flying with Fido
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals advises against flying with pets that are too big to fit under your airline seat.
That said, the U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that 2 million pets are transported by air every year, the vast majority without incident. In 2010, 39 pets died during flight, according to petflight.com; an additional 12 were injured and five were lost.
Brachycephalic, or short-nose, dogs — including pugs, boxers, bulldogs, shih tzus and other breeds — are most vulnerable to in-flight complications including breathing issues and overheating. Several airlines won’t transport these dogs as cargo during the summer.
Whether your dog is a short-nose breed or not, get a veterinarian’s OK before flying. Health certificates signed by a vet are often required for in-cargo flights (for other requirements, particularly for travel outside the United States, see pettravel.com/passports_international_health_ certificate.cfm).
Here are other tips to consider before heading to the airport:
Airlines have different regulations on the sizes of carriers they allow in-cabin. Check before you book.
Make your reservations as far in advance as possible. Airlines restrict the number of pets they transport per flight (both in-cabin and in the cargo hold).
Shop around. Fees for flying with a pet vary widely, up to $125 each way in-cabin and $250 as checked baggage.
If your pet will be flying in the hold, reserve a nonstop flight — in the early morning or late evening if you’re traveling during the summer.
Animals travel under less stress when they’re accustomed to their carrier. In the weeks before your trip, put your dog into his carrier as often as possible for trips around town.
The carrier should contain two empty dishes, for food and water, along with feeding instructions.
Pets should wear a sturdy collar and two identification tags, marked with your travel address as well as home address.
Alert the flight crew that your pet is aboard. If there are layovers or delays, ask airline employees to make sure your pet has adequate shelter and ventilation. Don’t hesitate to speak up if you’re worried about your pet’s welfare.
Sources: The AAA PetBook, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, bringfido.com
In the decade that Thompson’s site has existed, thousands of bed-and-breakfasts, rental houses and hotels around the globe have joined the pet parade, designating rooms or whole properties as Fido- and feline-friendly.
The most recent AAA PetBook includes more than 13,000 pet-friendly lodging options across North America.
New to the pet-friendly travel business is Gloria Cipri Kemer, who has owned the Emerald Necklace Inn in Fairview Park for a dozen years and recently designated one room for traveling pets and their owners. She’s fielded calls for years from travelers who asked if they could bring their four-legged family members. Now she can say yes.
The experiment has gone well, she said. “People who travel with their pets are pretty intense caretakers,” said Kemer, who charges an extra $25 for dogs, which covers the cost of a more rigorous cleaning after checkout. Pets are not allowed in the main rooms of the house, and they can’t be left unattended in the bedroom.
Her location adjacent to the Cleveland Metroparks’ Rocky River Reservation is a bonus. “It’s a great environment for pet lovers,” said Kemer, who offers guests a list of doggy day-care providers in case they have meetings or other appointments where their dog is not welcome.
But as far as the industry has come in accommodating pets, it could do more, says Gloria Turski of Mayfield, who frequently travels with her Chihuahua, Taco.
Fancy beds and dog treats — offered by some upscale hotel chains — are less important than close-by green space, pet-friendly dining, on-call pet sitters and a pool area where her dog is welcome.
Her favorite pet-friendly destination so far is Duck, N.C., in the Outer Banks, where dogs are allowed on the beach off-leash, and restaurants have abundant outdoor seating.
Frank and Diane Hoard of Brunswick recently returned from an eight-day tour of New England with Ginger, their 11-year-old Toller (Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever). Among their travel strategies: Check in advance for locations of Choice brand hotels (Comfort Inn, Clarion, EconoLodge and others), many of which are pet-friendly; scope out restaurants with outside eating spaces; and plan days around dog-friendly outdoor venues like parks and pedestrian malls.
“We plan trips so Ginger can go with us,” said Frank Hoard. “She really is part of our family.”
Among their frequent destinations: New York City, where they hang out in Central Park and stroll the streets of the Upper West Side. Stores frequently put water bowls out for four-legged passers-by; some shop owners even invite the dogs (and their owners) in.
Barking up the wrong tree
But traveling with pets isn’t always a day in the park.
Thompson said pet owners frequently underestimate the stress their animals may feel in strange surroundings.
Many hotels that allow animals prohibit pets from being left unattended in rooms. Thompson knows why. Years ago, she left her dog behind when she went out to eat at a fancy resort. She returned to a very irritated message from the hotel management: “Your dog barked nonstop the entire time you were gone.”
“I was mortified,” she said. “Of course I didn’t know my dog would bark.”
The moral: “You never can be sure what your dog is going to do in a strange situation,” she said. Previously nonaggressive dogs may become agitated and impulsive, and even the calmest dogs are probably going to make some noise when left alone.
Maria Dietz of Concord Township had a similar experience recently when she took Douglas, her Bichon Frise-poodle mix, to the Homestead resort in Hot Springs, Va. The dog shrieked and barked every time Dietz attempted to leave the room. So she had to hire a pet sitter to stay with Douglas while she enjoyed the resort.
“That was an expense we didn’t anticipate,” said Dietz, who also travels with Douglas on her frequent trips to Florida.
Keep your paws off
Not everyone, of course, is excited about the increasing number of four-legged travelers.
There has been backlash in some communities, particularly as restaurants and bars increasingly allow dogs. A controversial Florida law gives local communities the right to decide whether to permit dogs on restaurant patios.
And in New York City’s drinking establishments — where dogs were tacitly permitted but never officially sanctioned — the health department recently began a crackdown on bars that allow dogs inside.
One woman, a frequent traveler from Shaker Heights, said she purposely avoids hotels that advertise themselves as pet-friendly.
“There is nothing like being awakened by a barking dog!” she wrote in an email. “I never had a dog and never wanted one, and I don’t want one sharing my space, nuzzling me, licking me, barking at me or peeing on me.”
Fortunately, the friends who joined me at Deep Creek Lake last month didn’t feel the same way. I found a lovely house — five bedrooms, overlooking the lake — that welcomed 12 humans and one miniature poodle (albeit for an extra fee of $45).
Much of the travel I do — rushing around, checking out new attractions — is not conducive to taking a pet (and I am very lucky to have neighbors who adore my dog and care for her when we’re on the road).
This trip, however, was different. Our days were spent leisurely exploring the erupting fall scenery of western Maryland. And at night, we crowded around the dinner table playing cards, soaked in a hot tub and roasted marshmallows around a backyard bonfire.
Wherever we were, Pepper was in the middle of it — leading the way on hikes through two nearby state parks, on the lookout for squirrels and other wild animals in the backyard, forever hoping for handouts in the kitchen.
Exhausted from so much excitement, she collapsed in the van on our way home. She looked so very content, asleep amid the suitcases.
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