Goldenvale News

Dental Disease in Dogs and Cats

 If you were asked to name the most common disease of adult dogs and cats, what would you answer?   Heart disease, lung disease, liver or kidney disease?  Well, if you said dental disease, you would be correct.  Actually dental, or periodontal disease, can affect all of these other organs. Studies indicate 85% of our adult pets have some degree of periodontal disease and small breeds of dogs are closer to 98%! 

This disease begins with the formation of plaque, which is a transparent adhesive fluid composed of saliva, food particles, and bacteria.  Plaque can form in the human mouth within 2 hours of a dental cleaning.  Plaque can form in only 2 to 5 days after a dental cleaning in our dogs and cats.  Some dogs and cats are more susceptible to periodontal disease than others, because they produce more plague on their teeth, same as with people, largely due to genetics.   If plaque is not removed by daily brushing, the mineral salts in saliva will precipitate and form hard dental calculus, or tartar.  The tartar inflames the gums and allows bacterial organisms to grow and cause further inflammation.  This inflammation causes swelling of the gum tissue that traps more bacteria below the gum line.  The bacteria damages the attachment of the gums to the teeth and eventually leads to destruction of the bone and the tooth falls out. 

Even though this destruction of tissue and bone may take 2 to 5 years, the pet will be in significant pain due to the inflamed gum tissue and infection this entire period of time.  Also, it is important to realize this infection can be absorbed directly into the blood stream and can be transported to the liver, kidneys, lungs, spine, and commonly the heart.         (information in this article is provided by Bob Judd D.V.M.)

As February is Pet Dental Month stay tuned for the specifics of prevention of periodontal disease.

A TRIBUTE TO DUDLEY

( July 21,1999 – January 9, 2009)

They will not go quietly, the dogs who’ve shared our lives.

In subtle ways they let us know their spirit still survives.

Old habits still make us think we hear a barking at the door.

Or step back when we drop a tasty morsel on the floor.

Our feet still go around the place the food dish used to be,

And, sometimes, coming home at night, we miss them terribly.

And ‘though time may bring new friends

And a new food dish to fill,

That one place in our hearts

Belongs to them….

And always will.

Is chocolate toxic? 

The answer is – It Could Be.  It all depends on the quantity ingested.

Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine and it is this aspect of chocolate which causes the toxicity. The amount of theobromine in chocolate is directly related to the amount of chocolate liquor in the product.  Chocolate liquor is the liquid that results from grinding the cacao seeds (beans).  Baking chocolate has the highest percentage of chocolate liquor, then semi-sweet and dark chocolate, and milk chocolate has the least and is therefore the least toxic.  The following chart illustrates the quantity of various chocolate types needed to be ingested to cause toxicity.

Signs of theobromine toxicity include: vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, tremors, seizures, and death in severe cases.

More commonly, however, pets accidentally ingesting chocolate treats like chocolate bars or a box of chocolates suffer from indigestion due to the fat and sugar content, similar to kids if they overindulge.  Occasionally pancreatitis can develop which is a serious and life threatening inflammatory disease of the pancreas causing intense abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

It takes about 4 days for the effects of chocolate to get out of the dog’s system.  If the chocolate was just recently eaten then it may be effective to induce vomiting.  Otherwise hospitalization is needed to counter the toxicity symptoms  until the chocolate has cleared the system.

So, what should you  do with all your chocolate?  To be on the safe side, maybe you should take all of your chocolate into the vet’s office – they’ll know what to do with it!

During the December holiday season we often like to decorate with beautiful house plants – but which ones are safe for our pets to be around?

Holly and mistletoe are toxic if ingested as are amaryllis bulbs.

Poinsettias, on the other hand, are not considered toxic, contrary to popular belief.

 Next up – Chocolate !

December Holiday Season – what a wonderful time of the year. Perhaps a reminder of some holiday safety tips would be useful  to try to avoid ending up at the veterinarian’s office.

Christmas trees are a great attraction for our pets.  The shiny tinsel and sparkling ornaments beckon to be swatted at and yes, ingested.  This can cause intestinal blockages and perforations.  Cats, especially, go for the tinsel as well as gift decorations of ribbon, yarn , and string.  Then there is the cat in the Christmas tree, pulling it over, breaking the ornaments, and spreading broken glass over the floor.  Cut pads on the paws can bleed profusely and by the time you catch your terrified kitty you could have blood everywhere.  Also the water necessary to keep freshly cut trees contains tar and other chemicals which leach out of the trunk.  Drinking this could cause, at the very least, salivation, nausea, and abdominal cramping.  A final thought on fresh Christmas trees: many male dogs find it so thoughtful of you to have brought their bathroom indoors!

 One solution to the Christmas tree hazards might be to try to place the tree in a room that can be closed off so when you are not right there to supervise, the door can be closed to keep your pets out of harms way.

Poinsettias – are they poisonous?  Stay tuned for the answer.  

Information via the Internet is virtually limitless. The links on the right-hand sidebar are but a few of the many possible sites which you may find informative or interesting. But please remember, the best source for accurate information is your veterinarian.