Imagine not brushing your own teeth. Within a day, your mouth would probably feel pretty gross. For most pets, never having their teeth brushed or professionally scaled is a fact of life. 

While it can seem frivolous or indulgent to care for a pet’s teeth, the fact is that a large majority of cats and dogs suffer from the effects of periodontal (gum) disease by the time they reach age 3. Caused by poor pet dental care, this irreversible disease is 100% preventable.

Responsible Pet Ownership

Just like regular brushing or nail clipping helps your pet look and feel good, routine dental care can significantly add to their health and happiness. Sure, some pets resist having their teeth brushed. But when approached with patience, consistency and positive reinforcement even the most hesitant pets will eventually tolerate it. 

Younger pets are easier to train, so we recommend starting them as easily as possible.

Why It’s So Important

Tartar builds up over time through a process in which plaque (caused by oral bacteria) calcifies. Gingivitis, or gum inflammation, can lead to infection, erosion, tooth decay, and tooth loss. Chewing on hard toys or treats can break teeth, painfully expose nerves, cause infection, and require extraction.

Where to Start

At your pet’s yearly or bi-annual wellness exam, we take a look inside their mouth to assess the condition of teeth and gums: 

• Tarter is common on the back molars, and left alone, the gums can eventually recede, making the tooth fall out. 
• Infection and damage to the surrounding bone tissue typically follow. 
• What’s worse, oral bacteria can seep into the bloodstream where it can damage major organs, like the liver, kidneys, and heart.

Professional Intervention

To protect both pets and vets, animals receive general anesthesia prior to a full dental exam and cleaning. Using special dental tools we’ll remove plaque and tartar from the gum line. We will polish, smooth, apply fluoride, or barrier sealant to further protect the teeth. Because we cannot see the full extent of periodontal disease, we will take digital dental x-rays to see what’s really going one beneath the gum line.

Pet Dental Care at Home

Brushing your pet’s teeth at home is one of the best things you can do to safeguard their long term health. The process helps reduce oral bacteria that can lead to plaque and tartar buildup. 

• Using a special pet toothbrush and toothpaste (never human toothpaste, please). 
• Start slowly with small circles around the teeth and gum line.
• Once they’re comfortable with the sensation, you can increase the length and frequency of pet dental care at home. 

Certain toys, treats, rinses, and chews can reduce oral bacteria. Please let us know if you need help finding the right dental products for your pet. 

All Pets Benefit

While a great deal is said about pet dental care for cats and dogs, they aren’t the only pets that benefit from routine attention. 

The exotic pets we love can be at risk for painful abscesses caused by misaligned teeth. Guinea pigs and chinchillas are commonly seen for impacted teeth. Luckily, because they require tooth trims, we can stay in front of any developing problems.

If you ever notice the following symptoms of periodontal disease, Shiloh Veterinary Hospital is always here to help address pet dental care:

• Bad breath
• Changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Pain or pawing at the face
• Drooling
• Lethargy/depression
• Eye discharge
• Facial swelling
• Swollen or reddened gums

Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information, or to schedule an appointment for your pet. We’re always here for you!

The post Is Pet Dental Care Really Necessary? The Answer May Surprise You appeared first on Veterinary Blog for Los Angeles - Shiloh Veterinary Hospital.

The tiniest members of our families may not always be cats or dogs. In fact, the number of pet owners that are bringing unusual and wonderful exotic pets into their families seems to be increasing! Small mammals like guinea pigs, hamsters, and ferrets, birds of all varieties, reptiles and amphibians, and other exotic pets are a popular choice for those who seek the unique. 

Exotic pets make excellent pets, but their care is different from other domestic animals. The Shiloh Veterinary Hospital team is here to put a spotlight on exotic pet care and veterinary examinations for the best health and wellbeing of your pet.

Exotic Pet Care 101

Exotic pets are a great choice for those with an interest in non-standard pets. They are perfect for those with allergies to dogs and cats, and tend to be easier to manage in an apartment or shared space. 

But what separates exotic pets from other domestic pets is the fact that they, aside from certain birds, live shorter lives and are much more fragile than cats and dogs. Without the right husbandry, or care, they become susceptible to illness and disease. 

The very basics of exotic care is really getting to know your pet’s needs, which are different from species to species.

Here are some important suggestions for caring for these unusual companions:

• Ensure that your pet’s enclosure is the right size and temperature for their species. Some pets, like reptiles and amphibians, require a heat lamp or matt. Give enough room in the enclosure for movement and ease in getting around and place the enclosure in a draft-free area of the home.  
• Keep enclosure clean by changing bedding or newspaper frequently to prevent bacteria and potential infection or illness.
• Enrichment for your pet is a must. Keep them active and interested by placing things like faux plants, things to hide in, mirrors, wheels and other toys (small mammals), and items that are appropriate for their species. Never put too small items that can be ingested and choked on in the enclosure, since this can cause an intestinal obstruction or choking.
• Keep water bottles and dishes clean and free of debris. Clean bowls and bottles in the microwave to sterilize them or in warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
• Handling your pet also requires extra vigilance in keeping both them and you safe from disease. Reptiles, avian species, and some amphibians carry salmonella and e. Coli, so washing your hands before and after handling is imperative.
• The correct diet is essential for exotics to keep them healthy. Use the prescribed diet for your species and supplement with fresh leafy greens and certain fruit (for some).

Exotic Wellness Exams

Consistent wellness care is important for all pets, but your pet may require extra exams each year. This is because most exotics have shorter lifespans and their health may change more frequently than that of cats or dogs. Because exotic pets are easily stressed, having a veterinarian who is experienced in treating small mammals and exotics is important to their comfort and safety during an examination.

Some of the components of an exotic wellness exam include:

• Visual and physical examination
• Dental exam
• Blood draw for complete diagnostic testing
• Nail and/or beak trim
• Nutritional consultation

We will also help instruct you on at home care and answer any questions you may have about your special pet. These exams are typically done once a year, but sometimes more frequently when a pet is older or more delicate with their health status.

If you have any questions about exotic pet care, or would like to schedule an appointment, please do not hesitate to call. 

The post Unique Babies: Exotic Pet Care and Veterinary Wellness Examinations appeared first on Veterinary Blog for Los Angeles - Shiloh Veterinary Hospital.

Responsible pet owners know that their furry, feathered, and scaled friends need to be seen by the veterinarian regularly – after all, those vaccinations are pretty important! 

Pet wellness examinations are about so much more than shots, however. Getting to know your pet through a detailed health history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing is an essential part of keeping your pet’s healthy for years to come.

The Basics

Establishing good habits early on in your pet’s life makes it easier to keep up with their well being for the long term. This is true for all pets, including exotics. 

Pets age much more quickly than humans, which is why adhering to your pet’s scheduled wellness visits is so important. We recommend bringing your pet in for a wellness exam once per year until they reach about age 6 or 7, after which twice per year is advised.

In a pet wellness exam, the following areas of pet health are assessed:

• Nose-to-tail physical exam – Your veterinarian will evaluate your pet’s ears, mouth, lymph nodes, heart, lungs, abdomen, and musculoskeletal system at each visit. 

• Dental health – The majority of pets have some form of dental disease by the time they reach age 3. Untreated dental disease can have serious health consequences for your pet, which is why your pet’s oral health is assessed and discussed at each wellness visit.

• Nutrition/weight management – Maintaining an ideal weight for your pet through proper nutrition and exercise is an important part of pet wellness. Sudden weight changes can also indicate underlying health problems.

• Disease prevention – Vaccinations and parasite prevention are crucial to your pet’s long term health. Your veterinarian may also recommend certain diagnostic disease testing, such as fecal testing, bloodwork, or urinalysis.

• Behavioral concerns – Your pet’s wellness exam is the perfect time to bring up any issues or areas of concern you have regarding your pet’s behavior or personality. Nipping problems in the bud will reduce stress for both you and your pet, and lead to a happier, healthier life.

• General monitoring – Age, size, and breed all predispose pets to certain health problems. Seeing your pet regularly will enable your veterinarian to catch and treat these problems as they arise.

Pet Wellness at Home

Your daily, weekly, and monthly pet care routines are the backbone of pet wellness. You know your pet best, and your careful observations of any “off” behaviors, personality changes, lumps, bumps, or anything else out-of-the-ordinary can give us a head start in diagnosing a problem.

At Shiloh Veterinary Hospital, we care deeply about all of our pet patients. If you need help getting into a pet wellness routine, please contact us. We are here for you!

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