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!

National Animal Disaster Preparedness

Preparing for a natural disaster is never an easy task, especially when you have a family that includes pets. As storm season approaches we would like to take this time to help you with disaster preparedness. Preparing earlier, rather than later can ensure you have all the necessary items needed for proper care during a time of disaster.

Food

One of the biggest issues when dealing with a disaster situation is running out of pet food. It is extremely important to ensure you have enough pet food stocked up and ready prior to a natural disaster. Ensure you have enough water and dry food put away to last up to 10 days for your pet.

Supplies

Another area pet owners need to do a check up on is additional supplies. If at some point you are required to evacuate you will want to ensure these items are readily available. Items to include in your emergency supplies include

• Extra copies of veterinary records
• Extra collars 
• Extra leashes
• Extra sanitation bags
• Bedding
• Toys
• Disinfectants

Evacuations

If you do end up having to evacuate your home, be sure to have handy evacuation route maps and a list of places that are pet-friendly shelters. You should also know of pet-friendly hotels or family members that could possibly take your pet for short time if needed.

Post Disaster

Both human and pets can be greatly affected post-storm. Watch pets closely, monitoring for any changes in their attitude and behavior. When walking your pet be sure to leash them and keep them close by as drastic changes to their environment may confuse them.
 
Being disaster-ready takes planning and preparedness, but with the right steps, you can ensure both you and your pet are properly prepared. If you still have questions, talk with us to make certain you have taken the all the necessary steps to ensure the best and safest outcome for you and your pet.

Hairball Management

Yes, cats are adorable, hairballs however not so much. Cats are known self-groomers, always working to keep their fur clean and in order. As a kitten grows into a full grown feline,  the amount of fur to deal with grows exponentially. This, in turn, means coping with hairballs.

As a cat licks itself, its tiny sandpaper-like tongue acts as a means to groom out the loose fur it has. This fur is then swallowed and enters the gastrointestinal tract. It generally exits in the cat’s feces, but not always. The fur that does not get passed ends up staying lodged in the stomach until being vomited out, aka a hairball.

Helping to Diminish

1. Ensure your cat is entertained. The more active a cat is the less likely it is to groom itself in an excessive way. 
2. Groom your cat every few days to help reduce the amount of fur consumed by your cat. 
3. Cat food. Certain foods help the cat to pass along swallowed fur. Talk with your Veterinarian to find the right food for your cat. 
4. Supplements. Certain ones may help your cat with passing it out. Talk with your veterinarian to help with the right supplement choice. 

Do know that hairballs are a normal event with a cat. They are especially normal during season change such as winter to spring, as the cat is shedding its heavier winter coat. It’s normal to see a few hairballs during this time, but if your cat is excessively getting rid of hairballs then it may be time to take them to your veterinarian.

Hairballs that do not make their way back up can also cause gastrointestinal issues for your cat. You will want to bring your cat to your veterinarian If you begin to notice symptoms such as

• Change in appetite
• Lethargy
• Excessive retching or gagging
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

 If you find your cat is starting to groom itself beyond normal reason, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for an exam. We hope you find these tips useful when it comes to dealing with your feline friend and their hairballs!

Preparing Your Pet For Flea & Tick Season

As the warm weather makes its way in for the summer it’s time to start thinking about protecting your pets from those pesky summer pests. Fleas and ticks can cause a host of different problems for your pet including infections and disease. Thankfully we can help to make sure these little buggers won’t mess with your summer fun and pet walks!

Tips for keeping your pets safe from fleas and ticks

• Collars

Tick collars are a good option and can be most effective at protecting the head and neck area. After attaching the collar ensure it is not too tight and allows for adequate room to breather. Also, follow up and check for signs of irritation or reactions to the collar.

• Flea & Tick treatments

Spending time outdoors with your pet means a higher level of exposure to fleas and ticks. Using a preventive treatment can help to reduce the chance of bites and infection. Consult with your veterinarian  about which treatments would best be suited to your pet.

• Wandering

Keep the amount of time your pets spend wandering through high grass and wooded areas to a minimum. Try keeping them in grassy areas that are well maintained. Also going for walks on sidewalks or trips to the beach are all great options for time outdoors.

• Lawn care

With a properly maintained lawn you can help with keeping fleas and ticks to a minimum. By trimming your lawn and bushes you help prevent spots for ticks to be, thus reducing the number in your yard. You may also consider a lawn treatment if you find areas on your property that have a concentration of ticks. You must exercise caution though as these treatments could be harmful to your pets.

• Be vigilant 

If your pet does spend a regular amount of time outdoors, be sure to check them daily for any signs of fleas and ticks. Keeping your pet’s coat shorter during the summer months can also aid with spotting the elusive little buggers on them.

While fleas and ticks can be a nuisance to you and your pets, following these helpful tips can help reduce the chances of picking them up. Always be sure to consult your Veterinarian regarding health topics for your pets and any preventive treatments you may be considering for them!

Ways Pets Help Improve Your Health

Coming home from a busy day at work, you are greeted at the door by your furry pal waiting for you. A wagging tail and a happy look on their face is all it takes to make your hard day melt away. Having a pet provides you with love and unconditional acceptance not to mention they are always there for you. This bond helps drastically in mental health. Here are some other ways pets help improve your health.

1.     Reduced Pain. It has been shown that with chronic pain such as arthritis, migraines and other conditions that pets can be an affective medicine. A Loyola study found that patients that received therapy dog visits post joint replacement needed 50% less post-op pain medication compared to other patients.

2.     Lower Cholesterol/Triglycerides.  The American Heart Association notes dogs help their owners adopt a healthier lifestyle. Studies show dog owners engage in more walking and physical activity than non-dog owners.

3.     Lower Blood Pressure. Having a pet has shown to decrease and help keep blood pressure in check, especially with people who are at risk or diagnosed with high blood pressure.

4.     Stress Management. Thanks to their continual entertainment and loving ways pets provide a joyful mental break from whatever stresses may be beleaguering you.

5.     Depression Help. Along with medication in mild to moderate depression, those with a dog/cat seem to feel better. Their unconditional love helps with self-esteem along with positive focus provided by caring for them.

6.     Less Allergies. Recent studies have shown infants exposed to dogs have up to a 50% reduced risk of developing allergies and asthma.

Your pets are the heart and soul to your wellness. Through their unconditional love they help you enjoy and live a healthier life!