It's Pet Dental Health Month!

 

It's Pet Dental Health Month!

Many longtime pet parents are aware of the Veterinary Oral Health Council's recommendation of annual dental cleanings for cats and dogs. What is not yet common knowledge, however, is that dental radiology, or x-rays, are rapidly becoming the standard of care in veterinary medicine. 

While many pets return home from a dental cleaning with fresh breath and sparkling teeth, it is possible they are also leaving the hospital with untreated oral infections. This is due to the fact that without taking x-rays of the teeth, it is impossible to see the many signs of decay and disease that often fester beneath the gum line. In fact, the teeth of dogs and cats are best likened to icebergs, with five eighths of each tooth living under the gums, and only three eighths living above them. With so much happening beyond our field of vision, it is vital that radiology be used to spot the unseen causes of suffering in our furry friends. When booking your pet's next dental cleaning, be sure to ask if the procedure will include this important tool in diagnosing and treating painful dental disease. 

There's more to a canine tooth than meets the eye!

Pets And Diabetes

November is Pet Diabetes Awareness Month, and while diabetes in pets is not uncommon, many pet parents are surprised to learn that a disease so prevalent in humans can affect their pets as well. For reasons veterinary researchers do not fully understand, diabetes tends to be more common in female dogs than in males.  Certain breeds of dogs are predisposed as well, including, but not limited to, dachschunds, schnauzers, poodles, and pugs. Cats are far more likely to develop diabetes than dogs.  According to official numbers, 1 in 400 cats is diabetic, but since cats are experts at hiding signs of illness, the actual number is probably much higher.

Diabetes in both cats and dogs generally develops between six and nine years of age. Clinical signs include increased thirst, increased or inappropriate urination, recurring urinary tract infections, change in appetite, change in gait, and lethargy. Treatment can be as simple as a change in diet, but many pets require medication or insulin injections for life. A new type of insulin has been shown to put diabetic cats into remission after several months - or even weeks - of treatment! Just like their human counterparts, cats and dogs are far more prone to diabetes if they are overweight or obese.  For this reason, (and many others) it is wise to ensure your pets maintain a healthy weight and active lifestyle.

Meet Jade, Our November Pet Of The Month!

This November, our Pet of the Month is Jade! Jade is a 16-year-old tabby who’s got her whole family wrapped around her proverbial little finger.  And with good reason. Jade is always a trooper when she comes in to see Dr. Kupkee and all of her friends, and on most days, nothing seems to slow this sassy senior down.  Congratulations, Jade - tell all of your friends. You’re our Pet of the Month!
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What is a Service Dog?

What is a Service Dog?

September is National Service Dog Month! It’s also a good time to answer one of the most commonly asked questions on this topic: What exactly IS a Service Dog?

According to the Department of Justice (the agency that regulates and protects Service Dogs under section III of the Americans with Disabilities Act), a Service Dog is trained to perform tasks that a disabled person cannot do, or tasks that alleviate the effects of a person’s disability.  For example, a Service Dog may be trained to dial 911, alert a diabetic handler to dangerous fluctuations in blood sugar levels, retrieve dropped items, guide a blind handler, or provide physical stability to a handler with mobility or balance issues.  A Psychiatric Service Dog might physically block a handler in a dissociative state from walking into dangerous situations, or may redirect a handler who suffers from panic attacks or PTSD.  By law, the behaviors that designate Service Dogs must be learned behaviors, as opposed to behaviors a dog may naturally display. For example, a dog whose mere presence provides comfort to a handler with an anxiety disorder is NOT a Service Dog. While such a dog may qualify as an Emotional Support Animal, or ESA, these animals are not granted the same rights and privileges as a Service Dog.  For more information, visit www.ada.gov/serviceanimals.

Meet Aya, Our September Pet Of The Month!

September is National Service Dog Month, and to celebrate, we’re featuring Aya, our September Pet of the Month! Aya is a three year old German Shepherd who assists her handler in overcoming mobility issues. Because of Aya, her owner is able to enjoy a quality of life that was previously impossible. For more information on Service Dogs, please visit www.ada.gov/serviceanimals.

Congratulations, Aya! Keep up the great work, and share with your friends - you’re our Pet of the Month!

Aya assists her handler, Sheila at the grocery store.

Dogs and Swimming

A question I am often asked during the summer is whether or not all dogs instinctively know how

to swim.  Many breeds of dogs, such as Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and

Portuguese Water Dogs are both physically built and genetically wired for swimming, while

many other breeds do not fare nearly as well.  Dogs with deep chests, such as Boxers,

Weimaraners, and Great Danes are naturally top heavy, and may or may not be strong enough

to make up for this natural imbalance.  Brachycephalic, or “smushy-­faced” breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers tend to be very poor swimmers and are common victims of

drownings.  While some of these dogs may enjoy the water, my recommendation is to only allow

swimming if the dog is wearing a life ­vest, on a leash, and very closely supervised.

While Dachshunds are not generally a water-­loving loving breed, our little Grendel is a skilled

and enthusiastic swimmer! That being said, she has yet to figure out how to budget enough

energy to return to shore before running out of energy. This is not an uncommon problem, so

dog owners should be certain to teach their dogs how to reach the side of the pool and climb out

unassisted. Consider installing a doggie pool ramp and teaching your dog where it is and how to

use it.  Dogs that swim in natural bodies of water must be taught to return to you on command

without exception.  Since Grendel will not do this consistently, she is only allowed to swim in the

bay attached to a long, extendable leash.  As she ages, we are more inclined to add the life

vest.  It is important to remember our dog’s changing physical abilities as each new summer

rolls around.  Dogs that are elderly, blind, deaf, or prone to seizures must never be left

unattended near any bodies of water or unfenced pools.

Meet Leia, Our August Pet of the Month!

Leia was adopted last month from Miami Dade Animal Services. Leia rules the roost in her new home, and her favorite place to be is on top of her new dad’s head! Leia has plenty of friends looking for forever homes in our shelter. If you’ve thinking of adopting a furry friend, check out our social media platforms for details, using the hashtag #ClearTheShelters.

Congratulations Leia and share with your friends - you’re our Pet of the Month!

It's National Pet Fire Safety Day!

It’s National Pet Fire Safety Day!

According to the National Fire Protection Association,  roughly 1,000 house fires per year are accidentally started by pets.  While this number seems high, it’s a bit easier to fathom when you factor in all the ways in which our pets get into trouble.  Since today is National Pet Fire Safety Day, let’s talk about some ways to keep the whole family safe.

Switch to Flameless Candles

Many house fires are started when candles are knocked over by agile cats, or swept to the floor by dog’s wagging tail. It’s so easy to forget about a burning candle. Give yourself one less thing to worry about and switch to flameless varieties.

Cover Stove Knobs

A surprisingly high number of house fires are caused by “counter surfing” pets who accidentally turn on stove tops! Since toddlers and small children are guilty of this as well, there are many products on the market that turning on the stove impossible for both human kids and fur-kids.

Be Mindful of Electrical Cords

Dogs, puppies, kittens, cats, house rabbits - they all LOVE chewing and playing with electrical cords. Keep them out of your pet’s reach and consider securing pets in crates, or separate rooms when you are not at home.

Keep Crated Pets Near a Window or Door

This will make it easier for firefighters to reach them, which increases their chances of being rescued from a fire. Keep leashes nearby as well, as this can save precious time in a rescue situation.

Alert Firefighters to Your Pet’s Presence

If you don’t think firefighters are willing to risk their lives to save an animal, think again! That being said, make it a bit easier for them. If you’re calling in a fire, let them know how many pets you have and where they are located. Better yet, place “Save My Pet” decals on your windows. While we hope this type of advice is never needed, it’s always better to safe - and prepared - than sorry.

Inappropriate Elimination in Cats Part 5 of 5

When dealing with inappropriate elimination, the whole environment counts.  Follow these simple steps for a happier, well-balanced cat.

• Feed your kitties a measured amount of food twice a day. Don’t leave food down all day. Also, feed your kitties in separate areas. This makes sure your cat is getting a controlled, stress free meal time and helps you know exactly how much your kitty is eating.

• Increase play time for your kitty. Find a toy that your cat likes to play fetch with. Buy interactive cat toys such as wands with feathers dangling from them, but only use these with parental supervision as kitties can get entangled in string toys, and even worse ingest the strings and cause an obstruction! If your kitty is not toy motivated, but is food motivated we recommend purchasing an interactive food releasing toy such as the Twist & Treat.

• If all else fails, there are anti-anxiety medications for cats that can help. Available as an oral medication or even as a transdermal gel applied to the ear, these medications give your kitty some chemical encouragement. All of the behavioral and environmental modifications mentioned above should still be adhered to for the best chance at solving this unpleasant problem.

Inappropriate Elimination in Cats Part 4 of 5

Here are some more suggestions to encourage proper use of the litterbox

• Try Feliway. Feliway is a product that releases imitation cat pheromones. While the scent is undetectible to humans, it can be very calming for our cats. Feliway comes as a spray and a diffuser.  We prefer the diffuser to ensure consistent use.  A diffuser should be placed in each room or for every 650 square feet. Check out their website for more information: http://www.feliway.com/us.

• If one cat is picking on another cat, it’s a good idea to put a collar with a bell on the cat that is the bully. Make sure the collar is a cat safe collar that breaks away if caught, or a collar with an elastic release.  This inter-cat intimidation can be very subtle, so watch for resource guarding and staring contests. These can be enough to cause a cat to avoid using the guarded litter box.

• Cats will often mark territory more if they feel threatened by other cats, even outdoor cats. So, DO NOT feed any cats outside your house. Food will attract stray cats and potentially dangerous wildlife. There are feral cat spay/neuter trap and placement services in many communities. We recommend that you help these cats find forever homes versus taking their chances out in the wild.

To be continued, Part 5 next Friday!

Inappropriate Elimination in Cats Part 3 of 5

Here are some simple steps you can take to encourage  your kitty to use her litterbox.

• Place your litter boxes in low traffic areas. Also you may want to spread them around the house, especially if one kitty picks on another one.

• Don’t clean your litter box with a strong smelling cleaner, especially citrus cleaners. We recommend Odoban.  The eucalyptus scented variety is mild, and ideal for deodorizing and cleaning litter boxes. Any enzymatic cleaner is good.  Be sure to replace any old stained litter boxes.

• Don’t use perfumed litters. If your cat is finicky about litter, offer several different kinds and textures until you determine your kitty's preference. Examples would be scoopable litter, non-scoopable clay litter, pine or recycled newspaper pellet litter, and crystal litters. Note: A sign that your cat might dislike a particular litter is if your cat is not covering his/her waste in the litter box.

• Cat Attract is a litter that can be found at many stores. Blended with a natural herb attractant, Cat Attract’s herbal scent, ideal texture and particle size combine to help solve litter box problems. To learn more about Cat Attract, visit their website: http://www.preciouscat.com/product/cat-attract/.

• Vary your kitty’s litter box options. Similar to the litter smorgasbord mentioned above, kitties can have preferences regarding the type of litter box they use. Behaviorists recommend that the litter box be as long as your cat from the tip of the nose to the tip of it's tail. The shallow plastic storage containers without the lids work great. Covered litter boxes are great to keep kitty elimination odors from reaching humans, but they trap them inside the covered box and make the box an unpleasant place for your cat. Older cats with possible arthritic issues will appreciate a low entrance to their litter box. You can even make a cut out so the cat to enter more easily.

To be continued, Part 4 next Friday!

Inappropriate Elimination in Cats Part 2 of 5

Management

Take your kitty to the vet.  Before addressing any behavioral issue, we should first make sure your cat doesn’t have a medical problem. For example, urinary tract infections can cause kitties to urinate outside of the litter box. We recommend getting a urinalysis and fecal analysis run to rule out infection, and some routine blood work to make sure your kitty doesn’t have a metabolic problem.

Once your kitty gets a clean bill of health, you can start addressing his or her dislike of the litter box. Remember cats are very clean, particular animals with a very strong sense of smell. Litter box cleanliness and convenience is of utmost importance in preventing and treating inappropriate elimination problems!

To be continued, Part 3 next Friday!

Inappropriate Elimination in Cats Part 1 of 5

Inappropriate elimination is one of the top reasons cats are surrendered to shelters or euthanized. There is nothing more frustrating than coming home to find out your kitty has urinated on your bed or defecated on your sofa. While this can be a very difficult habit to break, there are ways to prevent and manage this behavior.

Prevention

• Spay or Neuter your cat- Intact cats, both male and female, are prone to marking their territory. Also, intact male cat urine has a much stronger odor.

• Make sure you have plenty of clean litter boxes. There should be one litter box per cat plus one more. For example, a two cat household should have three litter boxes. Litter boxes should be scooped at least once a day and completely emptied and cleaned with a mild (non-citrus based) cleaner weekly.

To be continued, Part 2 next Friday!

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Mutts!

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Mutts!
By Dr. Ian Kupkee

If you're anything like me, you probably grew up hearing people say that a dog's mouth is cleaner than a human's.  It brought me great joy when the dogs I grew up with slathered my face with kisses.  That "doggie breath" smell just came with the territory.  It's perfectly normal, right?

Wrong.

Veterinarians now know that dental health is an essential part of the overall health and well-being of our patients.   Here are some of the serious health problems you can avoid by keeping your pet's teeth clean and bright.

Heart Disease

When bacteria build up on the teeth and gums, they go straight into the blood stream and ends up in the chambers of the heart where they infect the heart valves.   Over time, this can cause the heart valves to not close properly, causing the heart to weaken as it works harder than it should to do its job.  This process can lead to congestive heart failure, or CHF, which can be expensive to treat.  Pets with CHF usually need medications and monitoring for their entire lives.  While these medications can prolong their lives, they do not cure the condition.  Pets with CHF usually only survive for a few years after they are diagnosed.

Kidney Failure

The same organisms that cause plaque and gingivitis eventually make their way into the kidneys where they will cause infections leading to urinary tract disease and kidney failure.  .  While there are treatments that can prolong the lives of pets in kidney failure, the prognosis is generally poor.  As is the case with CHF, even the limited treatments that are available can be costly with uncertain outcomes.  Kidney failure is particularly common in cats.

Urinary Tract Infections

Chronic bacterial gum infections caused by plaque and periodontal diease will also lead to  chronic infections of the bladder and urinary tract.  While seldom life threatening, these infections can cause our pets pain and discomfort.  Pets with recurring urinary tract infections tend to lose control of their bladders, making them difficult to live with.

Upper Respiratory Infections

When bacteria take over our pets' mouths, they inhale germs with every breath.  This can lead to infections in the lungs and upper airways, that if left untreated, can progress to pneumonia.  Like urinary tract infections, these are not usually life threatening, but require medical treatments that can become costly.  Often the first sign of an upper respiratory infection is a chronic cough.

Mood Changes

If you've ever had a toothache that just won't go away, you've probably gotten grouchy after a few days.  Pets that are in pain due to dental disease may lose interest in playing with toys, interacting with family members, or being around children.  Worse yet, pain can lead to a shorter temper, which means your pet may be more likely to bite.  Sadly, the most common victims of dog and cat bites tend to be children.

How Do I Know If My Pet Has Dental Disease?

A healthy mouth should contain pink gums and white teeth.  While some staining of the teeth is normal, they should not look dull.  If you see crusty, dark colored debris, blood, or pus along the gum line, it's time for a dental cleaning.  Pay close attention to the back teeth, as they tend to accumulate tarter faster.  Because of the location of these teeth, tartar buildup often goes unnoticed.  Watch for any changes in eating habits. Pets that lose interest in food, especially dry food, are probably not being fussy or finicky.  They are trying to tell us that it hurts to chew.  This is especially true of cats.  If all else fails, the nose knows.  The next time Fido licks your face, have a sniff.  Bad breath means it's time for a cleaning!  

If you think your pet may need a dental cleaning, please give us a call at 305-595-1450 to schedule an appointment.  You can also log onto http://www.sabalchaseanimalclinic.com and click on the "coupons" link for great deals on dental cleanings and first time visits.  

Once Fido's teeth are clean and white, our staff can teach you how to keep them that way!  You can also "like" us on Facebook to stay up to date on special offers, promotions, and fun, pet-friendly social events.  We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Senior Wellness – why is this important?

Senior Wellness – why is this important?

Last Friday, Sabal Chase Animal Clinic hosted Yappy Hour in honor of Grendel's eighth birthday.  She is now officially a canine senior citizen.  But thanks to modern diagnostics that emphasize early detection and prevention of disease, "senior" is the new forty!

My keen, young employees are often baffled by the number of reminders that pop up on the Kupkee family's cell phones: mammogram, cholesterol screening, PSA check, stress test, blood pressure check, and the daily chirps and chimes that remind us to take our multivitamins and calcium supplements.  Someday they too will turn forty, and will be told by their doctors that good health is now a decision, as opposed to a given.  The same is true of our pets.

Dogs and cats are considered senior citizens at eight years of age.  For giant dog breeds such as Mastiffs and Saint Bernards, Senior Wellness is recommended at age six.  As our pets age, their bodies undergo subtle changes that often go unnoticed by their owners.  Our new Senior Wellness Screening uses a combination of blood and urine testing to check the health of our pets' internal organs.  Many chronic diseases such as diabetes, Cushing's Syndrome, kidney disease and hypo/hyperthyroidism are easier and far less expensive to treat when they are detected early.  In many cases, simply adding a supplement or changing your pet's diet can manage their clinic signs, slow or stop the progression of the disease, and add many healthy, happy years to their lives.  A quick look at our pet's triglycerides can tell us if they are eating more protein than their changing bodies can safely process.  But as my own physician is fond of telling me, early detection is everything.

By negotiating with our local laboratory, we have been able to permanently reduce the price of this annual screening from $406 to $179 for dogs, and from $365 to $129 for cats.  We are thrilled to be able to provide this crucial component of senior pet care at this price!  This screening is especially vital for cats, as our feline friends are masters at hiding clinic signs of disease.  So if your pet is "of a certain age", please call our office to schedule a Senior Wellness visit.  And thanks again to everyone who joined us for Yappy Hour and made Grendel's entry into senior status memorable and fun!

News from Sabal Chase Animal Clinic: Pet Insurance Paradigm Shift!

NEWS FROM SABAL CHASE ANIMAL CLINIC

Pet Insurance Paradigm Shift

from Lynn
Those of you who have known me for a long time know that I have never been a big fan of pet insurance.  My previous career had been as a life insurance agent, and I knew all too well, that many people feel “insurance poor”, nickel and dimed by premiums paid to insurance companies who seem to do everything in their power to avoid paying claims.  Perhaps you’ve heard me lecture from the front desk about how insurance policies exist for the purpose of protecting the insured against “catastrophic loss”.  Generally speaking, insurance “must haves” are life, health, disability, liability, and property/casualty.  I have never recommended dental or vision insurance.  Pet insurance?  Please.  (Cue eye roll here).  
Last week, I bought Grendel an insurance policy.

So why the paradigm shift?  We recently started working with a company called Trupanion.  Trupanion’s approach is different than that of other pet insurance companies, in that they only cover illness, injury, accidents, surgery, and well...catastrophic loss.  Most other pet insurance companies cover a certain level of both wellness and critical care, but tend to reject claims related to congenital or breed specific disorders.  For example, many pets are prone to urinary tract infections caused by developmental anomolies of the bladder or genitals.  These problems can be fixed surgically, but because they are congenital disorders, they are not covered by most pet insurance policies.  Problems related to the breed tend to be excluded as well.  Dr. Kupkee suspects that Grendel will someday need surgery on her back.  The procedure can only be done by a specialist, and generally costs between $4500-$6000!  Unlike many of their competitors, Trupanion covers the costs of treating  these very expensive conditions.  Their philosophy, like mine, is that insurance is not needed for planned expenses such as vaccines, spays, dental cleanings and wellness.  We can budget for these things.  We cannot budget for cancer.  Should Grendel be diagnosed with cancer, we will now have the option of consulting the top specialists in veterinary oncology, regardless of the cost.
Cost is another reason for the paradigm shift.  On August 11th, CNNMoney published an article titled “Most Americans Can’t Afford a $1000 Emergency Expense”.  The article cited a recent study by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling where 64% of the Americans surveyed reported not having the ability to handle an unexpected  $1000 expense.  Last summer, a play date gone wrong sent Grendel to Miami Veterinary Specialists for an orthopedic surgery.  It was an unexpected expense, and a shot across our bow that accidents happen, and when the dust clears, there is a bill to pay. Once upon a time, the average American family would just pull out a credit card, juggle a few priorities, and make it happen.  Now we (and our pets) need all the help we can get.
The question I am most often asked is how much Grendel’s Trupanion policy costs.  The monthly premium for a $500 deductible is $36.00 per month.  For a $1000 deductible, the premium is $28.00 per month. In the spirit of catastrophic loss protection, we chose the higher deductible with the lower premium.  It’s rare that a gal from Jersey changes her mind, but Trupanion has made me a true believer!

Sabal Chase Animal Clinic

10710 SW 113th Place

Miami, Fl 33176

305-595-1450

http://www.sabalchaseanimalclinic.com/

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