Pet Dental Disease’s Four Stages

As we have discussed in previous blogs, your pets dental health is very important! Periodontal disease is often seen by our veterinarians, and can be found in most dogs and cats. This disease can lead to pain, infection, tooth loss and damage to other organs.

Dental health for our pet patients is very important to us at Bregman Veterinary Group, so we would like to place the focus of this blog on periodontal disease and further educate you on the stages of periodontal disease that can occur in pets.

Periodontal disease can be broken down into four stages, they are as follows:

Stage 1
The early stage is characterized by gingivitis. This is an inflammation of the pet’s gums as it responds to the existence of bacteria and tartar. You might notice some minor swelling of the gum area. You may also notice a visible thin red line on the gums next to the teeth at this stage as well.

Stage 2
A.K.A. periodontitis. At this stage there is a small amount of bone loss,  < 25% , visible on oral x-rays. Inflammation of your pet’s gums may occur along with visible plaque and tartar and bad breath. At this stage, your pet should get a professional cleaning to thoroughly remove the plaque and tartar, and to help reverse the progress of the disease.

Stage 3
At this stage serious damage starts. This stage is also known as moderate periodontitis. During x-rays 25-50% of bone loss can be found. Gums are swollen and aggravated and may even bleed. Significant pain may be present along with bad breath. It is recommended the infected/damaged teeth now be removed.

Stage 4
In the 4th and final stage, extreme periodontal disease is obvious. Bone loss is now >50%, visible in x-rays. Your pet could lose numerous teeth along with being in extreme pain. Infection could spread to internal organs as well now.

Preventing and Treating Pet Dental Disease

Periodontal disease can be treated, which is why you should always have an annual exam for your pet. This allows your veterinarian the ability to take the necessary steps for your pets oral care. These regular checkups, dental cleanings and daily brushing done by you go a long way towards a healthy mouth and life!
As always, your Bregman Veterinary Group is here for you and your pet! Don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule your pet’s next visit. Happy Brushing!

Pets benefit Mental Health

There is an increasing amount of research being done that shows how people with mental health issues can benefit from having a pet. The studies being conducted are now being meta-analyzed and providing evidence to support this fact. Studies have been done interviewing  individuals with varying backgrounds of conditions including PTSD, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Benefits
As the studies being conducted have shown, having a pet provided an unconditional support and love for owners. This helps to ease feelings such as loneliness, distress and worry.

"Pets provided acceptance without judgment, giving unconditional support, which [participants] were often not receiving from other family or social relationships,"
- Dr. Helen Louise Brooks

It has been found that owners stated their pets required them to stay connected with the outside world. Through different factors pets require physical activity, such as dogs that require walks and being outside. This would encourage owners to have social interaction and created strengthened ties to the community.

Study has also shown that those who own pets helped them with keeping a solid sense of self-worth, identity and meaning. One participant in a study noted  "When I was so depressed, I was kind of suicidal. [...] The thing that made me stop was wondering what the rabbits would do. That was the first thing I thought of and I thought, oh yeah, I can't leave because the rabbits need me." Another response included "When he comes and sits up beside you on a night," said another pet owner, "it's different, you know, it's just, like, he needs me as much as I need him, sort of thing."

With studies related to this subject continuing, the increase of knowledge in this area is quickly growing. Animals of many types can help calm a person when it comes to fear, stress and anxiety. As veterinarians we can see the benefits for owner’s of having a pet as part of their lives and we wanted to share those thoughts with you!

Tips For Keeping Your Pet Cool In The Summer

Summer is quickly approaching, which means extra fun with your pet enjoying the outdoors. However it also means rising temperatures, for not just you but your pet too! Here are some tips to help you beat the heat for your pet and keep them safe this summer!

5 Tips for keeping pet cool

1. Shade. While out enjoying the sun at the park or beach, be sure to take breaks and seek out shade for a cooling off period. A pets fur can trap heat, making it even hotter for them, so ensure both them and you get a shade break. 
2. Time of day. Exercising your pet is great, but should be done with caution during the hotter months of summer. Rather than a mid-day walk, take them out early in the morning or later in the evening when the heat is less intense. 
3. Get a fan. Set up a nice cool enjoyable breeze for your pet to enjoy while you are gone during the day. This will help them stay comfortable while your away. Be sure to set it up so in a manner that keeps them from pulling it over and causing an injury. 
4. Grooming. If your pet has a thick fur coat, consider getting trimmed to an appropriate length for summer temperatures. This will allow them to stay cooler and comfortable. 
5. Frozen treats. Make your pet a fun tasty summer treat that will help keep them cool. Add treats to ice cubes creating a fun pet popsicle for them to enjoy. 

Happy First day of Summer everyone, and stay cool!