Archive for category Frequently Asked Animal Questions

Are Veterinarians Open To Animal Communication?

Occasionally I work with clients who express concern or nervousness about telling their veterinarian that the information they are providing regarding their pet’s symptoms is coming directly from their animal via an animal communicator. That’s fair. While the benefits of working with an animal communicator are becoming more and more accepted and acknowledged, I know there are skeptics out there. Many veterinarians are very open to the idea, and some are extremely enthusiastic when it comes to using information gained directly from the animal via an animal communicator.

Let me share Abbey’s story. Abbey hurt herself while playing and her limp had become worse over a couple of days. Her guardians called to see if I could talk with Abbey before their upcoming veterinary appointment scheduled for the following Monday. I applaud their strategy. They recognized Abbey’s discomfort and worked quickly to schedule x-rays or whatever would be necessary to understand her injury, THEN they turned to animal communication to gain understanding of Abbey’s symptoms as described directly by Abbey, which might provide additional information to share with their vet.

As I began to get a feel for Abbey’s aches and pains, I recall telling her human “Abbey says it hurts here, and it feels better when she moves in this way.” After a few of these comments I realized that the client was getting quiet and more reserved. She admitted two things: 1. she expected Abbey to confirm the client’s assumption that the discomfort was in Abbey’s lower limb, which she also assumed would be obvious to the vet; and 2.  the client hadn’t considered the need to broach the subject of using an animal communicator with her veterinarian and/or animal clinic staff.

You see, from human observation it appeared that Abbey probably had a “sprained ankle” of some sort. While they couldn’t find an exact location that was painful upon palpitation, the way Abbey was holding her leg and resting her leg when in a sitting position seemed as though her pain was in the lower extremity, the client explained. Conversely, Abbey expressed absolutely no concern for her lower leg; instead, her whole attention rested in the deep hip and pelvis area. The client, whom I had worked with on a few occasions previously, didn’t doubt Abbey’s explanation of her symptoms. This put the client in an awkward position, however, and she had to determine just how comfortable, or uncomfortable, she would be in telling the vet of our animal communication consultation.

An animal communicator’s role is to work on behalf of the animal, allowing the animal to be heard in whatever way is appropriate. The animal doesn’t care if their human admits to working with an animal communicator; they care that their information is being heard and used to the best possible benefit. When I understood the client’s discomfort in talking with the vet, we were able to come up with ways to share Abbey’s symptoms to the vet exactly as Abbey explained them, but which didn’t include the use of the words “animal communication.”

That Monday I received a very excited call from the client on her way home from their veterinary visit. The client had found a burst of courage and admitted to her veterinarian that she had received some very specific details about Abbey’s discomfort via an animal communicator. The vet’s response? “I LOVE animal communication! I’ve worked with an animal communicator myself a couple of times. Tell me, what did Abbey have to say?”

It turns out that Abbey’s very detailed description of where she was hurting allowed the vet to take one, and only one, x-ray and find the problem right away. The vet told the client that she would have started with the lower leg area, concurring with the client’s visual assumption. Her positive experience with animal communication, however, encouraged her to go first to the site of Abbey’s explanation.  The problem area was, in fact, in the area between the hip socket and the pelvis. There was no need to look further, saving the client the expense of multiple x-rays and saving Abbey from extended and unnecessary poking and prodding.

 ”To tell, or not to tell” is a viable question. As long as your beloved animal’s information is being heard and expressed in an appropriate way, I encourage you to follow your intuition. You may find, as in the case of Abbey and her humans, an unqualified acceptance of the concept of animal communication by your health care provider. This opens the door for more dialog in the future regarding your pet’s symptoms and overall health experience. If you are concerned, however, that your animal clinic is not completely on board yet with the concept of animal communication, then work with your animal communicator to identify ways to share your pet’s critical information and symptoms to your health care provider in a way that remains truthful and in integrity for the animal and gives your furry companion every opportunity for a thorough and successful diagnosis. At some point, however, you may find a burst of courage in talking with your veterinarian about the use of animal communication, and you might just be surprised with their positive response!

What is your experience with sharing your animal’s symptoms with your health care provider? Leave a comment and let us know!

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Animal Communication Over The Phone – Seriously?

In this day of technology, many of us are able to telecommute to our work from the convenience of our home office. We can hook up via the Internet to stay on top of emails, and our home phones or cell phones can link us in to most meetings quickly and easily. Does the same apply to the profession of animal communication? It’s one thing to participate in a meeting via phone or web conference, but can an animal communicator work with animals via phone or web conference?

phoneOne of the most frequently asked questions I receive from new clients is: how can you work with my animal if you aren’t right here with them?

Most of my animal communication consultations are performed from my home office via phone. I have a comfy futon-style chair where I curl up with my phone and the provided photograph of the subject animal. I work with the animal’s human guardian on the phone, giving the guardian real-time access to their beloved pet’s comments, feelings, and concerns. In the same way, the guardian has opportunity to express their love, appreciation, and expectations to their animals in real-time.

While the phone line connects me directly with the guardian, my link to the animal needs no physical, tangible connection. By focusing on the animal through a photograph or verbal physical description, the telepathic linkage to the animal is created.  With the guardian present via phone, I invite the animal to join us in conversation. Quite often the animal is immediately and enthusiastically ready to chat; occasionally the animal is a little more reserved until they are assured of the purpose of our conversation and that their beloved guardian is fully present and participating in the conversation. At the beginning of the consultation I “test” the linkage by describing a few general characteristics of the animal as presented by the animal to the guardian for validation, and then we proceed with the guardian’s questions and topics for their pet.

Does this differ from an in-person animal communication session? The only real difference between a phone and an in-person consultation is the presence, or lack thereof, of the phone itself! Very often the animal will come and go from the room in which our consultation is happening. With just a brief visual of the animal initially, the same telepathic linkage to the animal is present during an in-person consultation just as in a phone consultation.

The only true advantage of an in-person consultation is for the human guardian to have the comfort level of a one-to-one connection with the animal communicator. This is very valid, and I am happy to offer an in-person communication session if the human is most comfortable with this approach. The advantage of an animal communication session via phone is the absence of distractions, both for the animal communicator and the animals. If your pets are shy or have stranger fear, or if the home is a bit chaotic with the demands of young children, for example, then a phone consultation may be more comfortable for all concerned.

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Animal Articles Worth Reading

I enjoy reading a variety of animal-related magazines regularly. There are a lot of good ones out there! Occasionally I will call your attention to an article here or there. The current issue (December/January 2010) of Animal Wellness magazine has a number of helpful articles which may be relevant for you and your animal family.

December/January 2010 issue

December/January 2010 issue

The article “Aging Gracefully” by Barbara Nefer lists seven steps to a happy senior. Some of the seven steps are common sense for animal lovers, but I found a few tips I hadn’t thought of.

My animal communication practice sometimes deals with dogs who have a desire/need to eat things that are not edible. “Strange Tastes” by Debbie Swanson talks about the dangers of this obsession and offers tips to break the habit.

Have you ever considered meditating with your animals? It’s fun AND beneficial! The article “Peace on Earth” by Kathleen Prasad explains that animals respond well to meditation, often responding with deep relaxation and extra lovin’ for their human.

I was particularly grateful for the article “Making the Switch” by Shawn Messonnier, DVM which lists several very relevant and important questions to ask when considering moving from a conventional to a holistic veterinarian.

Another frequent topic in my animal communication practice has to do with dogs who are anti-social or show aggression to other dogs. Every dog I work with has a different rationale or reason for exhibiting these behaviors. The article “Is He Antisocial?” by Sharon Athanasiou helps illuminate how humans are a factor in the equation with a list of “do’s” and “don’ts” to clip out and post on your fridge!

There is also a short update on the “Happy Bill” which, if passed as written, would give a tax deduction of up to $3,500 per year on pet care expenses. You can stay up to date on this pending legislation http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3501.IH:

If any of these topics are near and dear to your heart, I encourage you to pick up the current issue of Animal Wellness magazine or subscribe here.

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Keeping Our Pets Safe During the Holidays

Late fall often signals a flurry of questions from clients about keeping their pets calm in the midst of all the holiday happenings. Those of us in the United States will soon be celebrating Thanksgiving, and the celebrating continues on holiday 3through early January. That’s almost two months of parties, house guests, marathon shopping, extra food in the house, the delivery drivers ringing the door bell, and then fireworks on New Year’s Eve to top it off.  That’s a lot of possible stress for our pets. Hey, who am I kidding? It’s a lot of stress for humans, too! As enjoyable as the holidays are, they can lead to some mild (or more) anxiety, less sleep, less exercise, and chaos around the home. Our pets are right in the middle of it all.

Remember, our state of mind affects our pets. When we are worried about the in-laws week-long visit, or stressed that we haven’t found that perfect gift for Aunt Sally, our pets can take on – mirror – our anxiety. When our stress is intensified because we haven’t been to the gym for a week and a half, we might begin to see our companion animals exhibiting unusual behaviors.  A stressed-out human often equates to a stressed and mis-behaved pet. It is important, for your sake as well as your animals, to stick to your normal routines during this busy time.

Sure, easier said than done! But consider strategies and opportunities to keep your routine in place and to minimize anxiety as much as you can. Try to calm yourself before walking in the door to your home or stable. It’s a cycle – if you are calm when you greet your pets, then they do their favorite thing of keeping you calm and entertained all evening long. The calmer you are, then the calmer they are, then they calm you more…. and the cycle continues.

Consider the things in the next couple of months that will be out of the ordinary in your animal’s perspective. Will your home be a revolving door of visitors, a college student returning home, or relatives taking up residence for a few days? Or perhaps your family will be vacationing for a few days and your pets will be staying in a kennel or cared for by someone else. An animal communicator can help prepare your pets for these short-term changes.

And what about the food? All that glorious food! Both dogs and cats have intolerance to certain foods that humans take for granted – onions, garlic, chocolate, raisins, and some nuts are just a few. While cooking for a party or a family gathering, be aware of tasty but possibly toxic morsels that drop on the kitchen floor. 

The rich and abundant food during the holidays is intensified with the potential side-effect of less time and attention to
exercise. Remember that even during the most hectic of times, getting out with your animals – a nice trail ride with your horse or regular walks with the pooch – will benefit your animals AND you.

HolidayFinally, keep in mind that the holidays often bring in elements which can be harmful, even toxic, to your house pets. Christmas trees with lights strung on the low branches can be snagged by dogs and cats, resulting in the animal getting tangled or stuck, and a struggling pet may have the strength to pull the tree down on themselves. The water in the tree stand is far from fresh and clean, so try to keep the well of the tree-stand covered. Broken ornaments, tinsel  and  holiday ribbon could be deadly for pets if swallowed. Extra candles, possibly scented with essential oils, can have an adverse effect on cats. And remember seasonal plants like poinsettias, azaleas, and holly are beautiful and festive, but also pose serious danger to animals if ingested.

Whether you are traveling or staying at home, enjoy the holidays and help your pets fully enjoy this time as well.

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Dog Training – Finding the Right Trainer for You

Guest Blogger, Christi Campbell, shares her professional perspective on dog training. Part one “The Benefits of Dog Training” discusses reasons why training your dog are important. Today’s article discusses how to find the right trainer for you and your dog, and describes a few types of training that may suit your needs.

Christi Campbell with Wally and Rider

Christi Campbell with Rider and Wally

Okay, I’m Convinced I Need One.  How Do I Find A Trainer?  Finding a good dog trainer is a little like finding a good veterinarian, or a dentist, or a doctor.  Talk to friends, neighbors, people at the dog park.  Find out where they took their dogs for training, and what they thought about the trainers.  Get out the phone book and make some calls.  A trainer should be willing to give you two minutes of their time on the phone to describe their training philosophy and methods.  That does not mean that a busy trainer will agree to diagnose and train you and your dog over the phone.  Keep your initial conversation limited– ask about their training style.  Do not get into your dog’s life story unless the trainer asks for that information. 

Trainer or Behaviorist?  A dog trainer can help you establish lines of communication with your dog and help you teach your dog specific behaviors (Sit, Down, Stay, etc.).  A Behaviorist can help you live peacefully with your dog by helping you to understand how your dog thinks and how to shape their behavior in everyday settings.  If you aren’t sure which one your dog needs, it is always good to start out with a basic training foundation; every dog can benefit from learning the basics.  If you think your dog may have issues that a basic training class cannot address (extreme levels of fear or aggression, for instance), you may wish to pursue some basic training with a behaviorist.  Many trainers are also behaviorists, just ask when you call.

Interviewing a trainer:  Ask about their education and experience, bearing in mind that dog training is still very much a “learned on the job” kind of profession. Membership in a professional organization is a signal, but not a guarantee, that a trainer takes their profession seriously and tries to stay up-to-date with the latest training news and methods.  There are, however, many wonderful trainers who are not members of any organization, as they may have been training for many years and the organizations are all relatively new.

Make a list of questions to ask all of the trainers you interview, that way you can compare apples to apples when you make your decision.  Some questions you might want to include:  When did they start training dogs?  What do they do to keep current on training methods and techniques?  How do they teach the Sit command (literally, step by step)?  How do they make learning fun for the dog?

Making a decision:  Most people and dogs will have their needs met by a basic group class, and, because the cost of the trainer’s time is spread over a group, these classes tend to be less expensive. If your dog is uncomfortable around other dogs, or fearful of people, or simply too disruptive to participate in a group class, having one or more private sessions with a trainer or a behaviorist is well worth your time and money, and can prepare you both for a group class in the future.

What about logistics? You need to decide what your priorities are.   Are you willing to drive 20 or 30 minutes to your dog training appointments or classes?  Is the cost of the class your main concern?  These are just some of the questions you should answer in order to narrow your list of potential trainers.

The best way to find a trainer that you and your dog will be comfortable with is to talk to them, *several* of them.  Will they allow you to come observe a training session or class?  Are they patient with you on the phone?  Do they sound like you might like them?  Trust your gut.  And don’t be afraid to leave a class and not return if things are not working out.  This is a relationship, like any other, and it must work for both of you.  As a side note, I use the Internet to find almost any service I am looking for.  You may be tempted to email a trainer to get their answers to your questions, and that is fine, but it is very difficult to “read” someone from an email, and I suggest that you follow up with any promising candidates by phone.

No matter who you choose:  If a trainer ever asks you to do something with your dog that makes you uncomfortable, STOP.  Have them explain their reasoning and what they hope the training result will be.  If they cannot or will not explain, or if you are still uncomfortable, DO NOT KEEP TRAINING.  Your first duty is to your dog.  He trusts you to make sure nothing bad happens to him.  LISTEN TO YOUR INNER VOICE AND HONOR YOUR DOG ABOVE ALL.  A good trainer is flexible and has many tools in their toolbox, they will keep trying until they find something that works for both you and your dog.  If a trainer ever tells you that there is only one way to do something, walk away.

Types of training:  Every dog (and every human living with a dog) should start with a foundation of a basic obedience class.  The basic class provides a way to start developing a shared language with your dog.  Basic classes cover things like Sit, Down, Stay, Come and Walk on a leash.  These life skills are wonderful additions to any dog’s repertoire — they are also the foundation for any advanced training you may want to do.  Many trainers will require you to attend a basic class, or demonstrate some basic proficiency, before moving on to more challenging work like off-leash training, which opens the doors to fun activities such as hiking with your dog off-leash or participating in dog sports.

Christi and Red Rocket Rider competing in Houston, Texas

Christi and Red Rocket Rider competing in Houston, Texas

After you have completed the basic training, you may want to continue your learning partnership with fun dog sports, such as: 

Agility – an obstacle course where the dogs jump over bars or through hoops and run through tunnels, over A-frames, across dog walks, teeter-totters and much more.

Frisbee/Canine Disc – dogs catch flying discs in several formats: short distance; long distance; and freestyle, where they perform choreographed moves to music.

Flyball – a relay race where dogs work as a team to be the fastest to finish each dogs’ run over a series of hurdles, catch a ball from a specialized box and return to the start.

Rally/Obedience – dogs perform a variety of obedience commands in sequence.  Rally obedience is less formal than traditional Obedience competition.

There is a dog sport or activity suited to everyone and every dog!  Lure coursing, earthdog trials, dock diving, musical canine freestyle, carting, sheep herding…  and many, many more.  Playing with your dog is a great way to keep the lines of communication open and to keep the learning fun!

Christi Campbell, J.D., is a partner in Harmony Animal Wellness in Kittredge, Colorado and offers private training by appointment through Harmony Animal Wellness, 303-674-6288.  Christi has been training dogs for more than 30 years, professionally for more than 15. In her quest to understand the canine mind and body, she has taken animal communication classes, trained in TTouch and Dorn Therapy and become a Reiki Master.

Christi travels nationally and internationally teaching training seminars and judging canine disc competitions. She volunteers as a trainer for Freedom Service Dogs, Colorado Disc Dogs and several rescue groups. She lives in beautiful Evergreen, Colorado with her husband, four dogs and two cats.

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The Benefits of Dog Training

Guest Blogger, Christi Campbell, shares her professional perspective and answers a question I receive frequently: “Should I find someone to help me train my dog?”

 

Why Train My Dog?

Many people live, if not happily, at least in equilibrium with their dogs without any formal training.  Indeed, the words “dog training” can bring to mind images of police dogs marching around and harsh methods of compulsion and punishment.  While there are some people who still train that way, the vast majority of dog trainers have evolved into much gentler “life coaches” for you and your dog.

Christi Campbell with ??? Ryder

Christi Campbell with Red Rocket Rider, 2006, Belgium, on a four country tour teaching frisbee seminars.

If you are reading this, it is a safe bet that you are interested in a more balanced and fair approach to training.  In fact, you may not be interested in “training” in the traditional sense at all.  So, what does the word “training” really mean?  Dog training is a systematic approach to developing a common language and way of communicating between you and your dog.  Dog training gives you a way to ask your dog for specific behavior that you like (or to ask your dog to desist from specific behavior that you don’t like) and it gives your dog a way to understand what you are asking and to do something (or stop doing something) in order to please you.  Without a common language, you are speaking Chinese to your dog and your dog is speaking Martian to you, and that can lead to a lot of frustration on both your parts.

Talking to your dog through an animal communicator, though wonderful, is not a substitute for dog training.  That would be like expecting a toddler to do everything you ask of them without showing them what you mean.  Toddlers understand our language and our meaning, but they still need some teaching and guidance around what behavior is appropriate and safe.  Dogs do not understand our language and our meaning until we help them, and they need the same kind of guidance as a toddler regarding appropriate vs. inappropriate behavior.

Your dog is brilliant and wants to please you.  Your dog is also living in the moment as a DOG, not a human, and will do what works for him in that moment.  If there is a steak on the counter and your dog is hungry, what works for him in the moment is to grab that steak off the counter and run out into the yard to devour it.  That is a totally normal response for a dog and, to a dog, there is nothing at all wrong with that behavior.  It is only in the context of a human life that the behavior becomes problematic.  Dog training is a way to help your dog understand the peculiar constraints that come with living as a dog in a human world. Dog training smoothes out the  rough edges and makes life a little easier for both of you.

Now, by “dog training” what I really mean is “intentional dog training.”  Whether you are aware of it or not, every moment you spend with your dog is training of a sort.  Your dog is highly educated in studying you.  He knows your every nuance, and he’s always interested in what good things may come to him as a result of his careful study.  If you are inconsistent, your dog has learned to play the odds.  For example, if you sometimes feed your dog from the table and other times (like when you have company) you fuss at your dog for begging at the table, your dog is going to beg at the table every time because he is sometimes rewarded for that.  That kind of intermittent reinforcement is a very powerful tool, and that is what gets humans to sit at the slot machine for hours and hours hoping for a payout.  Your dog is essentially playing the table scrap slot machine.  No matter how much you fuss most of the time, if you ever slip up and feed him, you are setting yourself up for a lifetime of begging.

Christi and ??? Ryder at ??? competion

Christi and Red Rocket Rider at UFO World Cup in Denver, 2002 (they won).

Which brings me to a critical point about consistency.  The most important part of intentional dog training is consistency, and usually it is the most difficult for humans to grasp and follow through with.  Just as with the begging at the table example, there are many hundreds of situations that you and your dog encounter in everyday life.  If the “rules” are not consistent, your dog will choose the option that rewards him the most and go with that, whether or not it is the behavior you intend to reinforce.   I’m not saying you have to be “on” every second of every day, training without a break, never getting to just hang out with your dog.  You just need to be aware that inconsistency is a clear message to  your dog that he can choose his behavior in that situation because you can’t make up your mind what your preference is.

Your dog is always studying you, and your every action and interaction with your dog is filed away under “more information about my human.”  More importantly, your dog believes everything you say to him, and most of what you say is non-verbal.  If, by your actions, you say you don’t mind him jumping up on the couch, your dog believes it, and is genuinely shocked when you get upset because his paws were muddy this time.  If, by your actions, you tell your dog “it’s okay not to come when I call you,” he is truly puzzled when you freak out because he didn’t come when you were worried he would be hit by a car.

We call it dog training, but it is really “people training.”  If you’ve noticed, dog trainers generally spend very little time training your dog and a lot of time training you.  We need you to understand your dog’s point of view and how he thinks, in order to help you communicate with him more effectively.  In many cases, we need to explain to you why your dog is behaving the way he is, because if we can’t get you to change YOUR behavior, there is little chance of getting your dog to change his.  Remember, your dog is doing what works for him in the environment he lives in.  If you teach him what to do to make you happy, even if it isn’t his first preference, usually he will do it because he loves to make you happy.  If you do not teach him what your preferences are, he will make himself happy and love you all the same.

Living with dogs is a partnership, a dance, a privilege.  We owe it to them to at least try to understand their world and their way of thinking.  We also owe it to them to be as coherent as we possibly can when asking something of them, and part of being coherent is sharing a language, a common understanding of certain words, phrases and actions.  I used to think dog training was important because it made the humans happy.  I know now that dog training is important because it informs the dogs and requires the people to do their best to communicate in a way the dogs can understand.

 

** Continue on with Part 2, which discusses types of training and how to choose a trainer that is right for your family and your needs. 

Christi Campbell, J.D., is a partner in Harmony Animal Wellness in Kittredge, Colorado and offers private training by appointment through Harmony Animal Wellness, 303-674-6288.  Christi has been training dogs for more than 30 years, professionally for more than 15. In her quest to understand the canine mind and body, she has taken animal communication classes, trained in TTouch and Dorn Therapy and become a Reiki Master.

Christi travels nationally and internationally teaching training seminars and judging canine disc competitions. She volunteers as a trainer for Freedom Service Dogs, Colorado Disc Dogs and several rescue groups. She lives in beautiful Evergreen, Colorado with her husband, four dogs and two cats.

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Teeth Cleaning for our Animals

Periodically I am asked during animal communication sessions about dental care for pets. Sometimes the animal with which I’m working has discomfort or sensitivity in their mouth. We can get the specific symptoms from the animal during the consultation, but I always recommend that the animal be scheduled for a dental checkup in these cases, which usually can be done with the animal’s regular veterinarian.

Sometimes, however, I am simply asked about the “rule of thumb” for dental cleanings and checkups. My rule of thumb is always “check with your veterinarian!” I say this because every animal, just as every human, has different contributing factors which impact their oral health. The type of food the animal eats, genetic makeup, and types of medications that the animal might be taking can all play a role in the health of our pet’s mouth.

My Veterinarian, Dr. Diana Roberts, Harmony Animal Wellness, states:

“Animals should have their mouth, teeth and gums examined by a veterinarian no less often than annually as part of their yearly wellness screening and exam. Some animals, because of age, genetic makeup or previous dental problems, will need more frequent exams.  Scaling, polishing and regular prophylactic care is important in order to avoid plaque build-up, gingival disease, bacterial infection and potential tooth or bone loss.”

It is normal for animals to have some amount of tartar and plaque buildup, and again there is no rule of thumb regarding the typical age when a first dental cleaning is required or recommended. Your Veterinarian should check your animal’s mouth each year during their well-visit and can help you determine if a dental cleaning is in your pet’s immediate future. Some animals only need a few professional cleanings in their lifetime, and others should have the full procedure every year or two. Home oral care also contributes to the frequency of needed cleanings.

The most thorough and successful dental cleaning uses ultrasonic sound waves to scale the teeth and requires the animal to be under general anesthesia. Your veterinarian can help determine if there are significant or increased risks with anesthesia for your particular pet.

Slide1An alternative to the ultrasonic cleaning is an anesthesia-free procedure which may be  an option  for some pets, especially if they are older or have a medical condition which makes anesthesia risky. I have had a couple of clients who have used and had good results with this type of cleaning. It was the right choice for their individual pet’s needs, however it is important to note that while the anesthesia-free dental cleaning is gaining popularity, the general Veterinary community remains guarded  in its use. The procedure is not as effective in cleaning bacteria up under the gum line, which may lead to gingivitis, infection, or even tooth and bone loss over time. Many animals’ temperament is not suited to the anesthesia-free procedure.

There are products which can help maintain a healthier mouth between cleanings. ProDen’s PlaqueOff  is a natural supplement for dogs or cats and helps to reduce tartar and plaque. There are also  a number of products available for regular home-based oral hygiene. Your Vet Clinic may sell brushes and animal-appropriate toothpaste, and most pet stores carry a variety of these products to brush your pet’s teeth between professional cleanings.

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