Archive for category Health & Well Being for Pets

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 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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The Benefit of Chiropractic for our Pets

In my animal communication practice, I have worked with animals who receive regular chiropractic treatments for a variety of reasons. Often the animal can clearly express just how valuable the treatments are for them. I recall one recent animal communication consultation when a dog explained that he was feeling “less congested” in his mid-back after just one chiropractic session. He had a sensation of more openness and better flow in that area, which even included better flow in his digestive system.

Dr. Andi giving free spinal screening at Barker Days, September 2009

Dr. Andi giving a free spinal screening at Barker Days, September 2009

I am very pleased to introduce Dr. Andi Harper, DC, CAC who agreed to be interviewed and discuss the benefits of chiropractic for animals.  

Q: I’m interested that, while you are fully trained and qualified to administer chiropractic care to people, your practice is focused on and limited to chiropractic care for animals. What is it about working with animals that led you to focus your practice, Harper’s Ridge Chiropractic Care, solely on animals?

A: I have always loved animals. I was that girl at age 13 that rode her bike down to the animal shelter to clean cages, just so I could play with the animals. I read dog breed books for fun at age 9. The goal was always to work with animals. I just never dreamed I would be able to devote my entire practice to the chiropractic care of small animals and actually work with vets in their clinics to bring much needed care to our four-legged friends. It is more than I dreamed.

Q: What are the benefits of chiropractic care for animals overall, and are there a few specific issues which seem to be more predominate in your practice?

A: The benefits of chiropractic care for animals are generally the same as they are for humans. Chiropractic care is able to reduce arthritis and the associated joint pain such as mild/moderate hip dysplasia, and decrease pain through the release of spinal pressure, which in turn reduces stiffness and muscle spasm throughout the painful region. With the reduction of pain with a chiropractic adjustment, your pet will then have better range of motion, better movement, better coordination, especially those dogs that are “neurologic” and are crossing and knuckling more commonly in the rear. Now your pet will have more energy and will generally feel better due to proper alignment of the spine.

I generally work with the geriatric or senior group of dogs. They usually have a hard time getting up from a seated or lying position, going up stairs and getting in the car. These dogs may have been diagnosed specifically with arthritis or it just may be suspect. Their parents have been to the vet and they are taking some medication for pain that is usually helpful but their parents are wonderful pet owners and they only want the best quality of life for their pets final years and they are looking for something more. They are looking to make their beloved pet more comfortable because when it comes right down to it, they are an important part of the family and they deserve the best.

Q: For animal guardians and lovers, can you give us an idea of symptoms or diagnoses that might respond well to chiropractic treatments?

A: Many symptoms and diagnoses respond to chiropractic care. I will mention here just a few. I picked these few because the first one about losing power in the back end is easily fixed and is usually mis-diagnosed as a hip problem; the lick granulomas are difficult to treat and many vets are not even familiar with a cervical adjustment as a treatment option; and post-surgical is one of the issues I think is so very important and one I don’t see very often.

Lose power in the rear: the inability to jump into the car or on furniture (if they are allowed) is usually due to the thoracolumbar region becoming overly sore due to overuse. This a transition spot in the spine and generally takes a little more of a beating (wear and tear) and when it becomes very sore your dog will lose power in both back legs. Your dog may also have more trouble sitting down and getting up; it may be slow and look painful (it probably is).

Lick granulomas: when contained to one foot (occasionally two), lick granulomas are generally not due to an allergy which usually will affect all four feet. Please discuss all possible allergies with your veterinarian. From a chiropractic point of view, these granulomas clear up with about 2-5 cervical adjustments. The theory is that your dog is experiencing pain, numbness, tingling down the paw due to a chiropractic subluxation in the neck. The neck is not moving properly. I have seen these granulomas (areas where the dogs lick obsessively and cause an open wound ) where owners have tried everything and they have been present for years, clear up with chiropractic adjustments.

Post-surgical: where the dog had to be off a limb and the body had to compensate by using the other three limbs in a somewhat abnormal fashion while the injury healed. These clients feel so much better after an adjustment.

Q: How would one find a qualified and skilled practitioner of chiropractic for their pet? Are there certifications or licenses required which are specific for work with animals? For example, can most Doctors of Chiropractic work on animals?

A: The best way to find a qualified and skilled certified animal chiropractor is word of mouth. Ask your animal communicator, the lady you buy your pet food from, your veterinary acupuncturist and/or holistic vet who they recommend. Ask your own chiropractor, because not just any chiropractor is certified to work on your animals. Along with being a doctor of chiropractic medicine, the chiropractor that works on your pet needs to be certified by an American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA)  approved program. This is a 210 hour post-graduate program that specializes in teaching chiropractors how to properly adjust animals. The AVCA program I attended is Options for Animals.

Q: What is your favorite animal chiropractic success story?

A: This has been the toughest question because I am having a hard time narrowing it down to just one story. I will tell you about Shadow, a German Shepard rescued by Ann from the Dumb Friends League. Shadow was saved by Ann at about age 5-7 and she had been terribly abused for most of her life. She was bred continuously and left outside to fend for herself until she became too much of a bother. This was the story Ann got, unfortunately not an uncommon story. She brought Shadow home. It took Shadow months to trust Ann.  Ann called me in because Shadow was having such a hard time getting around - very slow and sore looking when she went to sit down, and getting up looked even more painful. By this time Shadow would follow Ann everywhere, down to the barn and back several times a day and Ann was worried she wasn’t going to be able to make it back to the house at some point.

During my first visit, Shadow had to be tricked into the house and into her bed. She laid there, never looked me in the eye and didn’t make a peep. I warned Ann that this may take a few visits to get her moving better and that was all we were going for, moving better. Ann, Shadow, and I knew we weren’t going to get a two year old dog back. I saw Shadow every couple of weeks for a few visits, then every month for a few visits and then she was permanently put on an every other month schedule. Ann was thrilled. Shadow made it down to the barn and back every time and she was going for walks, at a very slow pace mind you, but she wanted to go. After about six months of seeing Shadow on a regular schedule, she made eye contact and interacted with me during a treatment. She actually whined and turned her head when I hit a sore spot. About a year later she started to greet me when I would stop by for our treatment. I saw Shadow for almost 3 years and chiropractic care kept her moving and brought her back into her body, the body she disconnected with so severely due to the unbearable abuse. Unfortunately, Shadow passed away at the beginning of this year due to a possible infection in her heart. I miss seeing her every other month and enjoy knowing how far she came in such a short amount of time. Although Shadow never did move with speed and grace, she was happy. I was privileged to be a part of the few good years Ann was able to provide for her.

 

Dr. Andi Harper with her Standard Poodle, Jaxx

Dr. Andi Harper with her Standard Poodle, Jaxx

 

My name is Dr. Andi Harper and I am a Doctor of Chiropractic and a Certified Animal Chiropractor. I completed five years of chiropractic-medical school in 2002 and immediately went onto my post-graduate education in animal chiropractic. I completed my AVCA certified program in January 2003.

From the end of 2002 to about the end of 2006 (when I got too busy) I volunteered at the Aurora Animal Shelter, adjusting as many dogs and cats as possible. I was able to “get my hands” on a variety of dogs with many different issues, from happy healthy puppies to dogs that were HBC (hit by car) and many different issues in between.

Harper’s Ridge Chiropractic Care , my chiropractic practice devoted entirely to animals, came into being in June of 2005. In the past year I have narrowed down that specialty to just dogs and cats. I now refer those with horses to other certified animal chiropractors who work with horses on a regular bases.

Currently I work out of a handful of veterinary clinics in the Denver-Metro area and one clinic in Colorado Springs. I offer a house call service in the Denver-Metro area for those who have multiple house pets that require chiropractic care (a schedule of clinic dates and house calls days can be found at www.HarpersRidge.com).

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Danger for Cats: Essential Oils

A previous post discussed pine oil and the possible safety issues of the use of pine in cat litter and other common household products. Pine is just one of several essential oils which can be toxic to cats and small house pets.

carrieroilheaderEssential oils are quite common in many forms throughout our homes including some common household products. In fact, several essential oils such as orange, lemon, and pine are well known as powerful cleaning agents, and therefore these scents are quite common in cleaning products. Many of us enjoy aromatherapy and use various essential oils in potpourri or a diffuser to enjoy the healing properties of the oils. Lavender, Tea Tree Oil, Orange or Lemon Oil, and Eucalyptus are all pleasant and useful to humans for their various medicinal properties. Unfortunately, these same oils pose danger for cats and other small house pets.

Cats are unable to properly metabolize essential oils and over time the toxins build up and can damage the liver. Cats in toxic overload may exhibit symptoms such as dizziness, lack of appetite, vomiting, lack of balance, lethargy, and extreme cases of toxicity may lead to death.

While many of us know not to apply essential oils directly – either via mouth or by spraying or rubbing the oils on our cats – it is important to realize that simply inhaling essential oils also poses a danger to cats. Whether absorbed through the skin or inhaled, repeated exposure to essential oils can build toxic levels to the danger point.

Hydrosols, a distilled by-product of essential oils, are considered by most to be safe for cats. If you are a big fan of aromatherapy for yourself or your animals, hydrosols may be an alternative to consider, and some household products are now using hydrosols in place of essential oils.

CatsCats are extremely sensitive to scent, and animals in general have an innate sense of danger. If your cat is showing signs of avoidance – of a room or area of the house, or even of their litter box – check to see if there might be essential oil scents which concern your cat. Some strong-smelling candles, for example, are scented with an essential oil, and just the candle in a room may be enough to turn your cat away. If your cat is having litter box issues, check the ingredient list on the litter to see if an essential oil is being used for odor control.

There are many essential oils and I can’t list them all here, but I will list those considered to be the most dangerous to cats based on several different resources and in no particular order:  Oregano, Bay Leaf, Parsley and Savory, Cedar Leaf, Sage, Hyssop, Cyprus, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Mint ,Caraway, Citronella, Clove, Ginger, Chamomile, Thyme and Rosemary, Pine, Peppermint, Lemon, Melaleuca and Tea Tree Oil, Cinnamon Bark Oil, Wintergreen, and other oils containing phenol (see “Danger for Cats: Pine and Essental Oils” for more on phenols).

There is myriad of information, some of it conflicting, available. As a start, I recommend the Lavender Cat website for more in depth explanations than what I’ve been able to provide. Note: essential oils should not be confused with flower essence remedies. Flower essences are generally considered very safe for animals.

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Danger for Cats: Pine and Other Essential Oils

Recently I had occasion to visit a pet store with an animal loving friend who is always in search of environmentally friendly products which her three cats will accept. She happened upon a bio-degradable pine scented kitty litter which, for all intents and purposes, seemed ideal for her family. In the back of my mind, however, I knew that pine in certain forms is toxic to cats.

pineneedlesIt has always perplexed me that so many litters these days contain the pine scent for odor control, and yet a part of me wants to believe that no manufacturer would purposefully use toxic substances in their litter products. I shared all this with Alyson and her reaction was one of a responsible pet guardian: “If there is even a small question about toxicity, I’m not buying it!”  That put me to researching…

Interestingly, when I did a basic Internet search using keywords “pine” and “feline” the first several results were a myriad of pine-scented cat litter products. There are so many! When I got to the real information, however, I found a number of resources which confirm that in fact pine oil and many derivatives of pine and the scent of pine are toxic to cats. Several veterinary blogs and Q&A forums answer the question of pine scented litter, and the common answer is “we DO NOT recommend using any form of pine or pine scent near your cats at all. The reason for this is pine oil can cause upper respiratory infections. We can recommend an alternative litter product …”

Then there was this exchange regarding a particular type of bio-degradable pine pellet litter:

David says:

August 17, 2009 at 7:55 am

As a researcher I can tell you that pine pellets are indeed toxic to cats. Phenols in particular are poisonous to the cats’ neurological system. You cannot eliminate phenols from those pellets. The first sign of toxicity is facial tics and abnormal whisker and ear movements.

Abby says:

August 18, 2009 at 12:57 pm

David, I was concerned about your comment and so I called [the manufacturer of a particular product], and the woman I spoke to reassured me that they have eliminated phenols from the pellets.

David says:

August 19, 2009 at 1:50 pm

Abby:
If you can smell the pine then the phenols are still present.

Several other resources further discuss pine oil and pine scent in an equally cautionary way. The primary culprit in pine and other essential oils (part two will discuss other essential oils) is, as the exchange above states, phenols. There is no debate that in their original form phenols are toxic to cats. Hydrosols, the diluted form of essential oils, are what is left after the oils are distilled to a seemingly non-toxic state. I say “seemingly” because there is controversy. Many of the research sites discuss hydrosols as a safe alternative, however some animal advocates insist that hydrosols have not been tested, and therefore unknown risks may exist.

cleaning productsIf you are currently using a pine-scented litter, I encourage you to check the label carefully. If “oils” or phenols are listed, there is a good chance the product is unsafe for your kitty. While you are reading labels, review your household products as well. Furniture polish, common floor and counter cleaners, paint removers and solvents with pine scent may contain undiluted/undistilled oils which may be toxic for your cats.

Pine oil is just one of several essential oils which can be dangerous to cats and small house pets. Part two will further explore common essential oils and their relationship to our pets.

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Halloween Safety for our Pets

As the holidays approach, it is important to keep our pets in mind. We don’t always consider Halloween as part of the holidays, but nonetheless it is a day, or series of days, which may cause some stress for our pets. Let’s consider the things during this Halloween season that will be out of the ordinary in your animals’ perspective.

Halloween graphics 2Put yourself in your animal’s paws and think about what must be going on in their mind when the door bell rings repeatedly in one evenings time, and every time the bell rings there is a ghost or monster or animated character yelling (in their heightened sensitivities) at their beloved humans. To us, this annual trick-or-treat ritual is normal. For them, it can be very threatening and scary.

Every animal’s reaction and every environment is different, so be aware of your own personal situation and take care of your pets as your circumstances dictate. If you have a skittish kitty, consider keeping him or her in an interior room (like a bathroom or laundry room) with some white noise and visit them regularly. 

For dogs, consider their individual personalities and work with them accordingly. Be compassionate if they have some fear, but don’t coddle the fear either.

Think about your horses too. Stables can be an easy target for pranksters looking for a little excitement on Halloween. Consider keeping your horses in their stalls inside, if possible, away from easy drive-by shenanigans, and check on them as you can.

Presentation1Remember also that Halloween typically brings with it a proliferation of tasty sweets that may beckon your cats and dogs. Individually wrapped candy with shiny wrappers might look like a fun toy to a playful cat. This is innocent enough, but if the wrapper is torn open, the contents may be harmful, even fatal, to your house pets. Carmel apples and popcorn balls sitting on the counter may lure your dogs for a little counter-surfing leading to, at best, an upset stomach. Keep all Halloween goodies up and out of reach.

Finally, keep in mind other Halloween elements which can be harmful to your pets. Halloween decorations such as small plastic spiders, marble eyeballs, and spray-on hair color are all accidents waiting to happen. If you have curious animals in the home, be aware of all the various decorations. Put yourself in your pets’ paws and see which out-of-the-ordinary objects would appeal to you!

With the proper precautions, your family – both human and animal – can have a safe and fun holiday. Happy Halloween!

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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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