Since February is pet dental month, I thought I’d take the opportunity to address the perception among many clients that dental issues really aren’t a big deal and are optional to treat. Each week this month, I’ll be debunking some common myths surrounding dental disease. 

Myth #1- My parents never had their dog’s teeth cleaned and he lived to a ripe old age. This whole thing has been blown out of proportion. 

In the veterinary profession, there is a joke that about 20 years ago we discovered that dogs have teeth, and about 10 years ago we discovered that cats also have teeth.  Decades ago, dental care wasn’t emphasized and the risks were not appreciated. Medical understanding evolves over time, and what we know now may not have been a generation ago. Vets who practiced 40 years ago weren’t taught much (if anything) about periodontal disease. I graduated from vet school 15 years ago, and I had one lab and maybe a couple of lectures on dental disorders. Over the last few decades our knowledge of disease processes in general has expanded, and this includes things in the mouth. Just because something wasn’t done in our parents’ generation doesn’t mean that there isn’t valid reason to do it today.

 Check back next week when I discuss another common pet dental myth. You can also find additional information about pet dental care on the Banfield website.

Question: I just got a 10 week old puppy that I bought from a breeder. She was vaccinated at 6 and 9 weeks, and de wormed at 6, 8, 10 weeks. Today I noticed a thin short worm in her stools. Does this mean the de worming didn’t work? Should she be de wormed again?

Answer: You may be describing a tapeworm segment, which is typically seen on the surface of the stool or dried in the hair around the anus, as opposed to the longer worms that tend to be within the stool. Tapeworms come from having fleas, and the common puppy de wormers don’t have action against them.

I would recommend you make an appointment with your veterinarian for a general health examination, a review of the vaccinations and de-worming she has received, and make sure you are doing everything you need to be in terms of preventive care (including flea control). The doctor can de worm your puppy for tapeworms either with an injection or an oral de wormer that has action against tapeworms. If what you are seeing is a tapeworm, understand this is only a section of the worm (the sections are shed as the worm grows). I hope this is helpful to you.

If you have a non-emergency question about your pet’s health, you can submit it on our website. You can also view our archive to read answers to questions asked by other pet owners.

Behavioral issues can vary greatly and can be found in both dogs and cats, such as toileting/spraying in the house, destructive chewing/scratching, unwanted barking, aggression, etc.  All of these behaviors, plus many more, are not normal pet behaviors and can often mean that something is wrong.  So the first course of action for a responsible pet owner is to determine why their dog or cat is exhibiting these behaviors and to rule out any potential medical concerns that could be causing their pet to act this way.

If there are no medical concerns, then it is time to look back on the history of the pet and look and review the timeline of when and how the unwanted behavior started.  Was there a traumatic event, a change to their current living situation, or maybe an abrupt change to their daily schedule?  These are just a few possible scenarios that could be disruptive to a pet and cause a change in behavior.

It would be recommended at this point to seek out the help and expertise of a professional and certified trainer, or even better, a board certified behaviorist, as they would be able to assist you in finding the true cause of these behaviors and then recommend the appropriate training regime (which will often include behavioral and routine changes on the owner’s part as well) to either eliminate or dramatically reduce the undesirable behaviors.

The next step for a responsible pet owner, and many times the hardest, is to acknowledge and respect that there may be certain things or situations that your pet simply can’t handle or be in.  This may require some lifestyle changes on your part and even some frustration or sadness when you realize that your pet may not be able to do everything that you want or go everywhere you want to go.  But in acknowledging and understanding this, you are providing a better, less stressful  life for your pet and ensuring their safety and mental well being.

Many people are aware of the common dangers with decorations and such things, though much has been a bit overblown and almost fallen into “old wives’ tale” categories.  Tinsel and ribbons are certainly a danger, especially for cats, as they can cause life-threatening strictures of the intestinal tract.  Poinsettias really aren’t very dangerous.  In fact, your pet would have to eat a full plant or more in order to become seriously ill, so a few nibbles on a leaf aren’t going to be toxic.  You also have to worry about low-lying candles being hit by wagging or swishing tails and knocking flames to the ground or even catching fur on fire.  But one of the biggest concerns I have is one that is usually overlooked by most people.

In almost any holiday we can count on one constant factor, whether it’s Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or many others.  Food!  We love to eat when we have get-togethers, and when that dog looks up at us with the deep brown eyes it can be very difficult to resist sharing.  Even if you don’t give in to the puppy pleading or insistent kitty meows, pets are notoriously good scavengers and can make quick work of food left on counters or short tables.  But instead of this activity being cute, it can instead be very dangerous.  And since there is so much baking going on for so many weeks in December, the risk is often greater than even the traditionally food-heavy holiday of Thanksgiving.

Most pets will manage to get through such “dietary indiscretion” with a midly upset stomach or diarrhea.  But who wants to clean up such messes from the carpet?  A greater worry is pancreatitis.  This disease is a severe inflammation of the pancreas, an organ which among other tasks produces key digestive enzymes.  Pancreatitis can cause vomiting and a decrease in appetite on the mild side, but has the potential to even be fatal.  Very rich, fatty, or rancid foods are the biggest culprits, especially when eaten by breeds that are especially prone such disorders (schnauzers being one of the most susceptible).  I have seen a shih-tzu die from eating a plate of stir-fry and seen a cocker spaniel almost die from eating a couple of hot dogs that had been in the trash.  Even the cases that survive often need hospitalization and extensive treatment. 

The other big food-related risk is one more people are aware of, and with all of the cookie and desert baking that goes on close to Christmas it is even more of a concern.  Chocolate is potentially toxic, but there are a number of factors that need to be considered.  First, the type of chocolate makes a big difference.  The active ingredient, theobromine, is not present in white chocolate, is found in small amounts in milk chocolate, and then in increasing concentrations in dark and unsweetened chocolates (therefore the kind often used in baking is potentially the most dangerous).  The other consideration is the pet’s size, as the toxicity is dose-dependent.  The larger the pet, the less potential for toxicity.  For example, a poodle eating a Hershey’s Kiss may have some mild but not dangerous signs (and likely won’t have anything noticable), but eating a part of a bag of baker’s chocolate could be potentially fatal.  A Labrador retriever wouldn’t be phased eating an entire candy bar, and would likely have less noticable signs with a bag of dark chocolate.

The bottom line is that you should never give your pets human food and should be very aware of where they are during gatherings with lots of food around.  Visitors may not know your rules against such treats, and your dog isn’t going to say “No, really, don’t leave that plate of cookies and nachos on the coffee table.”  All of these food-related disorders are highly preventable, and avoiding such temptations can make the holidays much happier for everyone in the family.

Holiday lights – Don’t forget electric cords connected to lights are a tempting chew-toy for any kitten or puppy. Please secure or cover them to prevent shocks or burns as well as the potential for falling lighted objects which could cause injury.

Holiday decorations – Tinsel, ribbon and string are dangerous for pets because they can be swallowed and cause severe injury to the intestinal tract. Also, keep lit candles far from wagging tails and curious noses and whiskers.

Christmas trees – If you have a lovable, large-breed dog or a tree-climbing feline, you can expect your Christmas tree may be toppled– and the tree will lose. Make sure your tree is well secured by anchoring its top to the ceiling or a wall using a strong cord.

Mistletoe, holly, pine needles, and other tasty greenery – Although you would never pop these into your mouth, your dog or cat may. Keep these plants and decorations out of reach to avoid gastrointestinal upset or worse.

Poinsettias – It’s a common holiday belief that poinsettias are toxic. Pets may get an upset stomach from eating a few leaves, but they would need to eat a very large amount for it to be toxic.

People food – Your dog may beg for leftovers from the holiday turkey, but it’s best for their health if you don’t give in. Table scraps covered in rich gravy and fatty poultry skin can cause severe gastrointestinal upset or pancreatitis, a very serious and painful disease. Instead, try a turkey rawhide or a treat made just for them.

Holiday goodies/wrappers – There are many foods that tempt pets during the holidays but are unhealthy. Chocolate contains theobromine, a caffeine like ingredient that can be toxic to pets. Dark, semi-sweet or Baker’s chocolate contain the highest amount of theobromine and are the most dangerous. Packaging materials can cause choking or intestinal blockage. *If you suspect your pet has eaten something poisonous or potentially harmful, call your Banfield or local emergency hospital immediately.

Pet Escapes – Pet escapes seem to rise during this time of year when pets may become frightened by changes in routine and activity, and overwhelmed by friends and family stopping by the house for holiday visits. Remember to keep an eye on the entrances and exits of your home in order to keep your pets from escaping. Get your friend an early gift-a new properly fitting collar with ID tags.

Adequate Shelter – Remember that pets need shelter from wind and rain/snow when the temperatures drop during the winter holiday season. Old or chronically ill pets may have more difficulty during cold weather. For pets living or spending long periods of time outdoors, you may need to increase amount of food fed since it takes extra calories to stay warm. Pets can damage their paws by cutting them on icy surfaces.

Icy Conditions – Drinking water can turn into ice during winter weather so make sure your pets have access to fresh water. In some climates a heated water dish may be necessary.

I have two amazing and adorable dogs, Jules the pit bull mix and Lucas the St. Bernard. Every dog owner out there thinks that their dog is the cutest, most loveable dog alive, and I am no exception as Jules and Lucas give me such unconditional love, affection and devotion, that I would do just about anything to make sure that they are taken care of.

The commitment that I have made to Jules and Lucas, by bringing them home and into my family, has most definitely been tried (4 times to be exact) as I have had to surgically correct both of Jules’ knees and Lucas, at not even two years old, has had two major hip surgeries to correct his hip dysplasia. For these 4 procedures alone, I have paid upwards of $16,000 and that is not including post-operative and annual re-checks and x-rays. Did I have the money for these surgeries saved up? No. But I am strong believer in the saying “when there is a will, there is a way” and I was bound and determined to help my dogs, so I got creative. I picked up a second job waiting tables, I had a garage sale and sold a lot of “stuff” and with some help from some amazing friends and co-workers, we organized some different auctions and fundraisers. In doing all of these things, it greatly helped to alleviate a lot of that initial “sticker shock” of the surgeries and I realized that I could find a way to pay for the opportunity for both of my dogs to have a 2^nd chance at a pain-free life.

Ensuring that my dogs were pain free required a lot of money, effort, time and “commitment” on my part and I have received a lot of criticism for it, as many people just can’t comprehend spending all that money, working all those extra hours and making lifestyle changes just for “a dog.” But if I had to go back and do it all again, I would, in a heartbeat, without a single hesitation, as everything that I have sacrificed for my dogs, they have repaid me ten-fold in simply being able to now watch them run, chase and play with each other and without a limp, hobble or whimper! And not to mention being able to take them on hikes, go to the beach and have them be a part of our everyday life without any physical restrictions or unneeded pain.

The last several years has definitely not been easy, in fact, I am still working two jobs to pay off the most recent surgery. But every morning when the alarm clock starts going off, I am awakened by cold noses and wet licks and when I finally roll out of bed, I am greeted by 2 pairs of appreciative brown eyes that day after day, engulf me with their love and gratitude before dashing downstairs in anticipation of their early morning walk and breakfast.  These brief moments alone, make all the sacrifice worth it.

Thoughts of Thanksgiving for me inevitably lead to food. Several pet dangers lurk in the sidelines of our gastronomical buffet. Make sure you dispose of any turkey or other food packaging quickly and appropriately. All the strings, plastic holders and bags become redolent with meat-smell, ideally designed to lure even the most snobby of pet gourmands. These items can be ingested before you know it, causing damage or blockage of our furry friends’ intestines. It’s also important to make sure you don’t leave these items unattended on kitchen counters or tables as pets can be very crafty about swiping things.

Once the food is cooked, feeding table scraps can cause trouble, too. Both dogs and cats can suffer from overeating (a common thing for all during this time of year) and, worse, can develop pancreatitis, a painful and potentially hard to treat condition that has been linked to excess eating and fatty foods. Remember too that certain food items are particularly toxic to pets and be sure that everyone in the family and those visiting know what it forbidden, such as chocolate and raisins. Make sure pets aren’t given any bones either. Though these seem like the ideal treat for that patient beggar they can splinter while traveling through the intestines causing all kinds of havoc.

Other dangers that can rear their ugly head at this time of year include “fiery” items. As the days grow colder and there is less light we tend to reach for winter favorites, such as fireplaces and candles. Pets may be drawn to either the warmth provided by a fireplace, or the flickering of a candle. Make sure to avoid all burn situations by protecting your pets from open flames, just as you would protect a small child. Be particularly careful with cats as they are notorious for jumping on tables with lit candles and flicking their tails through the flame.

Finally, decorations can pose yet another danger. Be they solid or liquid in nature, such as colorful fall table ornaments or candles, or scented liquids, the items can often attract unwanted attention from your pets. These items, when licked, chewed or eaten, can cause a variety of problems including irritation of the mouth or throat, blockages or toxicity. It is thus important to ensure that these items are out of the reach of inquiring mouths. Flower decorations can also pose a problem. Any time you are bringing new plants or flowers into the home, check on their potential toxicity by going to the ASPCA s Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants site.

However, don’t forget that this is a time to celebrate with friends and family, so do what I do and kick back on the couch with a nice hot cup of tea while enjoying the company of your pets.

Today I saw a cat who is seven years old and hasn’t been to the vet since she was a kitten.  Cats age much faster than we do, so this patient was in a situation equivalent to a 50 year-old human who hadn’t been to a physician, ophthalmologist, or dentist since they were around 10.  Putting it in this perspective really emphasizes the complete lack of medical care that this cat was receiving, as few humans would go 40 years between doctor’s visits.

The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends twice annual exams for dogs and cats.  Why?  Because of the speed of their aging compared to humans and the ability for vets to often detect problems in the early stages of disease rather than waiting for it to become advanced.  In a veterinary visit the most important component is the physical exam.  We can discover many problems that the owner may not even be aware of.  On routine exams I’ve discovered broken and loose teeth, mammary tumors, bladder stones, developing cataracts, and other serious issues; all of which the owners had not noticed!  Without routine exams these abnormalities would have gone undiagnosed even longer and may have created serious health risks.

Let me give you another example: emphasizing the importance of routine exams and blood testing in cats.  Our feline patients are very prone to kidney disease as they age.  In fact, a number of years ago I heard a specialist lecture on this subject and he said “cats are kidney disease waiting to happen.”  The kidneys are remarkable organs with amazing redundancy, which is why people can donate a kidney and be perfectly fine with only 50% of the renal function they were born with.  In order to show up as abnormalities on routine blood testing you have to have lost at least 66% of kidney function.  However, you have to have 75% loss before a patient will act sick.  So there is a window between 2/3 and 3/4 kidney loss where we can detect it but the patient acts perfectly normal!  You can’t look at a cat with a 70% loss of kidney function and tell that there is anything wrong.  If we detect the problem early, we can potentially intervene and slow the progression of the disease.

So for those of you who have cats, don’t neglect their medical care, even if they are receiving vaccines only every three years.  Regular veterinary exams are the key to good preventative medicine and therefore a longer and healthier life.

This idea is especially important in veterinary medicine, and is one of the most common things we as vets talk to our clients about.  With our current technology we can prevent so many diseases that 30 years ago would cause serious illness or death.  Our pets are living longer, better lives because of great preventative care programs (and so are we!).  Even so, it’s not uncommon to have clients decline necessary preventative care, either knowingly or unintentionally putting their pets at risk for disease.  And the reason most often stated is related to finances.

Now, I completely understand that money is tight, especially in the current economy, and I sympathize with my clients.  I’ve felt the pinch in my own life!  But we have to look at the larger picture, and really analyze where the costs will be.  That’s when we go back to Ben’s wisdom, “an ounce of prevention…”  Let me give you a few examples.

Depending on where you seek veterinary care, a vaccine against canine distemper and parvo will cost around $30.  If your dog is infected with parvo, your bill will easily reach $600-1000, and your dog may still not survive.  Six months of heartworm prevention for a 40-pound dog costs around $30-50.  Treating that dog for heartworms can cost well over $800; this works out to the same cost of having bought prevention for at least 8 years!  Let’s look at a disease that’s not as serious: kennel cough (bordetella infection).  The vaccine runs around $20-25 and though the disease rarely turns fatal you can easily spend over $100 in office visits, antibiotics, and cough suppressants.  I could go on and on with numerous examples, but I think you get the idea.  There is never a disease or medical condition that is cheaper and easier to treat than it is to prevent.

Banfield is striving to be the best preventative care practice in the world, so we are very concerned this issue.  We realize that pets need vaccines, heartworm prevention, flea prevention, dental cleanings, and so on, but we also know how expensive these can be.  To help people afford this necessary care, we developed Optimum Wellness Plans that spread costs out at a discount and cover much of the needed preventative care without you having to dip into your wallet as frequently or as deeply.

It all boils down to prevention.  I know many people say that they can’t afford complete preventative care.  But looking at these numbers, can you really afford not to?  What is really going to be more expensive?  Remember Ben’s immortal words.

• All pets need twice yearly physical examinations, including fecal examinations
• All pets need year-round internal and external parasite control
• Clean up pet feces immediately, especially in areas where children play
• Wear gloves while gardening and wash hands well after working in the yard
• Pregnant women and those with diminished immune systems should not clean litter boxes
• Wash all fruit and vegetables from your garden thoroughly before consuming
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly
• Wear shoes when walking outside
• Keep your pet’s environment clean- both inside and outside
• Cover sandboxes when not in use to keep pets and wild animals from soiling them
• Do not allow children to put dirt in their mouths

Pets greatly enhance our lives so keep them and your family healthy by following the above advice to prevent parasites. Talk to your veterinary medical team about keeping your pet parasite free.