Fairway Animal Hospital, Kansas City Veterinary Care

Did you know that February is Pet Dental Month? If you schedule a dental cleaning this month for your pet you receive a free toothbrush and toothpaste set, dental chews (for dogs only), and a sample of Hills Prescription Diet T/D. Below is a wonderful blog written by Amanda, one of our technicians. She has given some information on why a dental cleaning is needed and how important they are for your pet's health.

Our pet’s teeth are often something that we, as owners, overlook until they have “bad breath.” Did you know they shouldn’t have a foul odor from their mouth? Unless, they do the unthinkable…and eat their own poop!

The odor comes from the bacteria that are harbored under the calculus which cats and dogs develop. Food, saliva, and bacteria combine to form a hard, calcified plaque, otherwise known as calculus, over the teeth. The calculus becomes thicker and thicker with each new layer that added on over time. The combination of the bacteria and calculus make the gums and supportive structures around the teeth recede and break down. As this process continues our pet’s mouth becomes smellier. This can potentially cause teeth to become bad and either fall out on their own or need to be pulled. They sometimes develop painful infections around the roots of the teeth too.

The good news is there are a few things that can be done to slow the process, and to help keep our pet’s mouth healthy. If the pet is cooperative, brushing the teeth daily, to every other day, is the best way to keep the teeth clean. Appropriate chew toys, dental diets, and water additives to prevent the bacteria buildup are some other options for the less cooperative pets. Throughout every pet’s life though, they will also require professional cleaning. This includes scaling and polishing all surfaces of the teeth while the pet is closely monitored under anesthesia. Please talk with your veterinarian to determine if a professional cleaning is needed for your pet. Your veterinarian can also discuss some of the other options along with helping to teach you how to start brushing your pet’s teeth.

Hello, my (temporary) name is Moose and I am looking for a forever home. A Fairway Animal Hospital employee found me running down Ward Parkway. She picked me up and took my to her work. I did not have a collar or a microchip. The veterinarian said I was between 5-7 years old. I am very sweet and can get along with most anything! I would enjoy the company of a canine friend, but would be content with being an only child as well! I was checked for heartworms and came up negative, and they also cleaned my teeth. Please contact Fairway Animal Hospital to see if I can come home with you today!

November 7, 2011

TOP 10 HOLIDAY DANGERS FOR CATS

(ANNAPOLIS, Maryland) November 7, 2011—The holiday season is fast approaching and the CATalyst Council, a national initiative comprised of animal health and welfare organizations working on behalf of cats, is reminding cat owners that there are some things they need to be wary of during this festive time of year.

To help keep our feline friends safe and healthy this holiday season, the CATalyst Council suggests you keep the following top 10 seasonal dangers for your cat in mind:

1. Dangerous wrapping—Brightly colored bows and ribbons are a festive and enjoyable part of the holiday season, but remember that ribbon can be extremely dangerous for your cat. If ingested, it can cause a cat’s intestines to bunch and get twisted, and in many cases this will need to be remedied with surgery. If left untreated, this can be fatal.
2. Hanging ornaments—From your cat’s perspective, low-hanging ornaments on a tree are just begging to be swatted at and then played with on the floor. If you have any low-hanging ornaments on your tree, be sure that they are made of materials that your cat can’t chew or otherwise destroy and ingest.
3. Poisonous plants—While poinsettias have long been believed to be extremely dangerous for cats, the danger they pose when ingested by a cat (stomach upset) is not as bad as some other common holiday plants, such as mistletoe, pine tree needles, amaryllis lilies, red azaleas and paperwhites. If you have festive plants, make sure they are somewhere your cat won’t be tempted to chew on them. If you are unsure if a plant is poisonous, or are concerned that your cat may have eaten something dangerous, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA’s animal poison control center (888-426-4435) for more information.
4. Candles—Your cat probably isn’t going to be too intrigued by the candle itself, but a wayward swishing tail can easily knock a candle over, causing a host of problems. Keep candles out of reach, and make sure you stay vigilant around lit candles. The last thing you need over the holidays is an injured cat or fire damage to your home.
5. Holiday foods—While it may be tempting to give your cat just a nibble of turkey or other holiday food, resist the urge. Rich foods can upset a cat’s digestive system, which could produce unpleasant effects. Also, cats should never be given any type of bone, as they can splinter and cause internal injuries to your cat.
6. Stress—Cats like routine and predictability, so when their schedules or environments change, they can become upset. If you are planning on having holiday guests and your cat isn’t used to entertaining, create a safe, quiet space away from the action where your cat can have some peace and quiet. Dr. Brunt, CATalyst Council’s Executive Director and a feline veterinarian for more than 20 years, adds, “Be sure to have food, water and a litter box available in this secluded area so your cat can be comfortable away from your gathering.”
7. Tinsel—Like ribbon, tinsel is almost irresistible to cats and, if ingested, it can require surgery to extract. Which would you rather live without: tinsel or a night at the veterinary emergency clinic?
8. Cats given as gifts— Every companion animal deserves a home where it will be wanted and well taken care of. Shelters nationwide report an uptick in new arrivals right after the holidays, when people surrender the “gift pet” that they may not have wanted.
9. Christmas tree water—The water that keeps your tree fresh is frequently treated with chemicals that can make your cat sick. Be sure that your cat can’t access the tree water.
10. Travel dangers—If you are traveling with your cat during the holidays, be sure that your cat is properly secured in a carrier and that he or she has adequate identification, including a microchip. That way, if you get separated, your cat has a way to be reunited with you. Also, prior to leaving home, find contact information for a veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian in the area you’re visiting, so that, if your cat gets injured or becomes ill, you know where to go to get your cat the care and attention it requires.

Enjoy the holiday season with your cat and, as always, if you have questions or concerns, contact your veterinarian. They are your best resource for information about your feline friend.

http://www.catalystcouncil.org/newsroom/?ID=62