Top 10 Signs Your Cat Has Oral Pain

Top 10 Signs Your Cat Has Oral Pain

Keeping Your Pet Healthy

Wellness Visits

Keeping your pet healthy, happy, and fit… for life!

eeping your pet healthy, happy, and fit... for life!

It's Spring!  Time to shake off the winter blues and get active.

Is your pet ready for the warm weather?  Now's the perfect time to schedule your dogs and cats for their yearly wellness exams.

What is a Wellness Exam?

A wellness exam is a medical check-up for your pet.  The veterinarian will first take a history, asking you all about your pet's activities, her diet, and any concerns you may have about her.

Your pet will then be thoroughly examined.  All of her body systems will be evaluated - from the tip of her nose to the tip of her tail, and everything in between. Finally, samples will be collected for lab analysis.  Typically blood and stool samples are needed, and, in some cases, a urine sample is evaluated as well.

Why does my pet need a Wellness Exam?

Having you pet examined once yearly by your family vet is the most important aspect of your pet's health care. 

- During a wellness exam, problems can be diagnosed during their early, more treatable stages, allowing us to prevent painful, or even life-threatening, complications.

- Prevention is practical.  During your pet's wellness visit, your veterinarian will discuss important preventative practices like heartworm prevention, regular fecal tests, tooth brushing, vaccinations, and flea control.  Preventing disease is always less expensive than treating disease. 

- Your pet hides subtle signs of illness.  Even the most intuitive pet parent will miss the early signs of disease because it is your pet's nature to hide sickness and pain for as long as possible.  Conditions frequently revealed during wellness exams include arthritis, ear infections, tooth decay, abdominal pain, and heart disease.

- During regular wellness visits, your veterinarian gets to know your pet's unique attributes, allowing her to recommend the best possible care throughout your pet's life.  Also, you establish a rapport with the vet and her staff, so that you can work together to keep your pet happy and healthy for years to come.

Healthy Mouth = Healthy Pet

Dental disease is the most common ailment affecting our dogs and cats.

Unfortunately, dental disease often goes untreated.  Dental disease, also called periodontal disease, starts with mildly inflamed gums.  Eventually the inflammation worsens, painful infection sets in, and the bone surrounding the pet's teeth is eroded away - leaving loose teeth behind.

 

The good news: 

Dental disease can be prevented!

 

1.  Brush your pet's teeth.  Use a toothbrush designed to fit your dog's or cat's mouth.  Special pet-friendly tooth pastes are available that taste good to your pet and are safe for your pet to swallow.  Start slow - it may take several brushing sessions to get your pet used to the idea!  Daily brushing will slow plaque accumulation and can prevent periodontal disease.

2. Examine your pet's mouth regularly.  Carefully check your pet's mouth once weekly.  Become familiar with your pet's healthy mouth.  This will help you recognize signs of periodontal disease:

       -- bad breath

       -- red gums

       -- swollen gums

       -- yellow-brown plaque and tartar on teeth

3.  See your veterinarian regularly.  At your pet's annual or semi-annual wellness exam, your veterinarian will thoroughly examine your pet's mouth for signs of periodontal disease.  When caught early, periodontal disease can be successfully treated, preventing painful and potentially life-threatening consequences.

Learn More: 
http://www.vohc.org/
http://www.avds-online.org/
http://www.cvma.net/doc.asp?ID=2225

http://www.curbsidecare.com/Monthly-Focus.html