Last updated 2 months ago
Some pet owners worry that spaying or neutering their pets is cruel. In fact, spaying or neutering is one of the kindest things you can do for your animals. Not only do spaying and neutering help reduce needless euthanizations by keeping the pet population under control, but they also protect pets’ health and make them less aggressive. Check out this infographic from a Dallas vet to learn more about the importance of spaying or neutering your pet. Please share it with animal lovers everywhere to spread this crucial message.
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Last updated 2 months ago
Is brushing your pet’s teeth as important to your daily routine as brushing your own? It is easy to overlook regular oral health care for our pets, but poor dental hygiene comes with several major health risks. Understanding proper oral health care for your pet is a vital part of keeping your pet healthy, playful, and comfortable for a long life. Oral health care includes regular visits to your DFW area veterinarian as well as at-home dental care.
Periodontal Disease
Dogs and cats rarely get cavities like people do. Instead the main problem they face is periodontal disease – infection and inflammation of the gums. A vast majority of dogs and cats are at risk for the early stages of periodontal disease by age three. Periodontal disease affects the gums and causes painful infections and inflammation in the gum and supporting tissues. This can lead to tooth loss, bleeding gums, bad breath, and pain. Gum disease can lead to irritability and bad eating habits in your pet. Visiting your vet regularly for dental exams and cleanings can prevent these problems.
Tooth Decay
Without regular cleanings to eliminate plaque, tartar, and bacteria above and below the gum line, your pet’s teeth will gradually begin to loosen in their sockets and could devlope cavities. This decay eventually leads to major infections, tooth loss, and gum problems. These problems can result in grumpiness, decreased playfulness, and long-lasting pain in the mouth. Oral health care protects teeth and gums from decay and inflammation, which will keep your pet’s health at its best throughout its life.
Spreading Infection
Infections within the mouth are especially risky because of how easily they can spread to other vital organs. Dental disease has been linked, in humans, or animals, or both, with these problem areas:
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Heart valve infections
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Liver disease
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Kidney disease
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Septicemia (blood poisoning)
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Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
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Reproductive derangements such as low birth weight, premature birth
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Difficulty controlling Diabetes
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Chronic pain
Poor dental care decreases pet wellness and increases the risk of serious and potentially deadly diseases and infections. Since these infections can spread quickly and our pets cannot speak directly to us, a pet’s health can very quickly decline, sometimes before a pet owner even realizes there is a serious problem.
If you are concerned that your pet is at risk of complications due to poor oral hygiene, schedule a pet wellness appointment with your Dallas vet. Call Preston Road Animal Hospital of Dallas at (972) 239-1309 or Meadow Brook Animal Hospital at (972) 529-5033 to schedule an examination today.
Last updated 2 months ago
We discussed cat scratch disease in cats in the first part of this series and we are now turning out attention to the disease in humans.
Symptoms
As you may recall, Cat Scratch Disease is caused by infection with an organism called Bartonella. Most humans who contract Bartonella infections have some history of exposure to cats. Similarly to cats, humans with cat scratch disease show a range of symptoms including: bumps (papules) or blisters (pustules) of the skin at the site of injury, fatigue, headache, lethargy, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
Treatment
Most people with normal immune systems will fully recover from cat scratch disease in 6-12 weeks, even without treatment. Those with a compromised immune system may have a harder time, but an easier recovery is still expected with antibiotic treatment. Those suffering from cancer, AIDS, or those with more extremely suppressed immune systems will have a more difficult time overcoming the disease and antibiotic treatment will likely be recommended.
In general, cat scratch disease should not go untreated, as it has more recently been linked to rheumatoid illnesses in humans, such as rheumatoid arthritis. If you believe that you or a loved one may be infected, seek the help of your physician for diagnoses. Be sure to take the steps outlined in part one of this series to help prevent cat scratch disease in the first place.
More Information
For more information on cat scratch disease in people, check these links out:
U.S. National Library of Medicine
Center for Disease Control
Video by Nabil A. Ebraheim, M.D.
If you would like more information on Cat Scratch Disease, please contact Dr. Sue Chastain at Preston Road Animal Hospital of Dallas by calling (972) 239-1309 or at Meadow Brook Animal Hospital of McKinney by calling (972) 529-5033.
Last updated 3 months ago
You care for your own teeth everyday, but how often do you think about your pet’s oral health? Poor dental care for your pet can result in a lot more than bad breath, and it’s vital to understand proper oral hygiene for your furry friend.
There are many associated risks with delaying your pet's dental appointments. A knowledgeable veterinary dentist can develop the right regimen for your pet's dental care. This video explains more about dental health for dogs and the many problems associated with improper oral care.
If your pet is due for a dental exam, schedule an appointment with your Dallas area vet right away to avoid major health complications. Contact us at Preston Road Animal Hospital of Dallas at (972) 239-1309 or Meadow Brook Animal Hospital of McKinney at (972) 529-5033 to schedule an appointment with vets who have the experience, knowledge, and compassion to offer you top veterinary care including dental examinations.
Last updated 3 months ago
If your pet is like ours, he or she is an important part of your family, and you will want to make sure they stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Remember, since our pets can’t talk, drive or charge things on the credit card, they rely us to care for them. Take a look at these links to learn more about taking good care of your dog or cat.
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Humans are not the only ones who suffer from allergies. Learn more about allergies that affect your pets in this article from WebMD for pets.
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Even the best-cared for cats need surgery sometimes. Take a look at this post to learn more about how to take care of your cat after it has surgery.
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Cats are curious little creatures that need love and attention from you. Learn what new cat owners should keep in mind in this article from PetMD.com.
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When you bring home a new puppy, you will need to give it the right food so it can develop properly. Find out more about the nutritional needs of puppies in this resource from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
For quality and compassionate veterinary care in the North Dallas area, contact Chastain Veterinary Medical Group through Meadow Brook Animal Hospital of McKinney at (972) 529-5033 or Preston Road Animal Hospital of Dallas at (972) 239-1309. We promise to take great care of your furry friend.
