Dental Disease, a common health problem in dogs and cats, has the potential to lead to many problems, including bad breath, loose teeth, swollen gums, and general mouth pain.
It is caused by a thin coat of protein from saliva, food particles and dead cells, which forms on your pet's teeth and gums, creating a breeding ground for bacteria once the layer thickens. This thickened layer of bacteria can cause gums to swell and, in severe cases, the bacteria can spread through the bloodstream from the gums to other parts of the body, which can lead to life-threatening conditions.
To help ensure healthy teeth, pet owners should consider doing the following.
* Your veterinarian can perform an in-depth oral exam to look for signs of early tooth decay. During this process, anesthesia is used so your vet can scale, polish and give fluoride treatments to your pet.
* You can brush your pet’s teeth at home a few times per week. Pets tend to resist tooth brushing, but if you associate this process with a treat, they will likely begin to like or at least accept it. Please note: You must use a pet toothpaste sold at a pet store or provided from your veterinarian. Human toothpaste contains xylitol, which can be toxic to pets.
* You can give your dog or cat dental toys, treats and specially formulated foods, all of which are made to help prevent plaque build up. When shopping for dental friendly treats or foods, look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval. For a list of these products, visit www.vohc.org
Remember, it is always a good idea to consult your veterinarian about your pet’s dental health. Based on your pet’s specific circumstances, he or she will be able to provide you with the most effective way to keep your pet’s teeth healthy.
Many pet owners don’t realize that oral hygiene is important to pets just like it is to humans. Imagine going years without brushing your own teeth; they sure would need a cleaning!
The purpose of recognizing February as Pet Dental Health Month is to educate pet owners on the importance of keeping your dog’s or cat’s teeth healthy. However, this is an activity that requires year-round monitoring, either with brushing from home, giving special food or using another method. (There are many ways to regularly care for your pet’s teeth. Ask your vet about what would work best for your pet.)
Here are a few more facts about dental care in pets that you may not have known. These facts come from petdental.com, a great pet dental care resource.
* 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS).
* Periodontal disease is common among dogs, especially smaller breeds.
* Cats can develop resorptive lesions, which are painful. Studies have determined about 28 percent of domestic (pet) cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.
Throughout the month of February, we’ll share more information on why regular dental care is important and what you should do to benefit your pets’ teeth. In the meantime, ask us any questions you have on Facebook or share a picture of your pet and his or her pearly whites on our wall. If you would prefer, you can always email questions and photos to us at palonlinerx@yahoo.com.
Palmyra Animal Hospital is now offering Puppy Kindergarten, which focuses on socialization and also covers a variety of topics, such as obedience training, clicker training, aggressive behavior and first aid.
Scheduled discussions include the importance of dental health, how to puppy-proof your home against common canine toxins and first aid and emergencies.
Details about the seven-week course:
* Each class lasts about an hour. During that hour, exercises and skills are demonstrated for you and your family to practice at home with your puppy during the rest of the week. (Yikes…HOMEWORK!!!) Puppies also have free time to interact and play with each other. This helps to reinforce appropriate play behavior.
* Classes are for puppies aged seven weeks to six months.
* Children between ages 4 and 17 are welcome, with adult supervision. Having your children involved in training your puppy can be a great learning experience.
* We welcome up to three family members to attend with each puppy. If there are circumstances in which you would like more than three family members to attend class, special arrangements can be made with the instructor.
* The cost of the entire seven week course is only $75. Discounts are available for multiple puppy households.
If your puppy is not currently a patient at Palmyra Animal Hospital, you need to provide proof that your puppy has been examined by a veterinarian and received its first distemper vaccination. Although kennel cough vaccination is not required, we strongly encourage it any time your puppy will be in contact with other puppies or dogs. Your puppy must be free of fleas. If not, we will apply flea control for an additional fee.
If you have more questions or would like to register for a course, please contact Llisa Spencer at (315) 597-4567.
Is your dog exhibiting a particularly frustrating behavior that you don’t know how to fix? Add your questions to the comment section below or email
The new year is a great time to make a positive change not only in your own life, but also in your pet’s life. We all love to spoil out dog and cats, but the truth is, too much of this can hurt them in the long run (no matter how much they imply the opposite!). Making just a couple changes for your pet this year will help him or her shed a few pounds – and could add years and quality to his or her life.
Here are a few tips and to keep in mind when working to help your pet lose weight in 2012:
Talk to your vet to learn what your pet’s ideal healthy weight should be and then set a goal to work toward throughout the year.
Monitor your pet’s diet, and as difficult as it may be, avoid feeding them table scraps or too many treats. Or, try replacing some of the fatty snacks with baby carrots.
Increase daily exercise for your dogs. Daily walks for 30 to 60 minutes can help maintain a healthy weight and shed extra pounds.
For indoor cats, have plenty of stimulating toys and use them often to coax your kitty into running around. Even adding 5-10 minutes a day of active playtime with a laser pointer or dangling toy can help your kitty.
If your pet is in need of a total body makeover, restricted calorie diets are also available and can help provide a basis for successful weight loss. Ask your veterinarian about specialty diet options.
By decreasing extra calories, increasing daily physical activity, and promoting a healthier lifestyle for your pets, you will both be rewarded with fewer vet and doctor visits. Good luck!
We are excited to be able to use this blog to share information on keeping your pets healthy. If you have any questions or topics you would like to see addressed, please email us at palonlinerx@yahoo.com.
Our History
Palmyra Animal Hospital opened in 1950 at 1215 Canandaigua Road (Route 21), where it’s still located today. As a small town community veterinary practice, doctors and staff past and present have always focused on offering compassionate care for pets living in the local Palmyra community. We are proud to have helped pets and their owners for more than 50 years, and Dr. Rebecca Nealey and the staff at Palmyra are excited to care for pets for years to come.
Our Staff
Our doctor, Rebecca Nealey, DVM, joined Palmyra Animal Hospital in 2009. She completed her undergraduate education at the Pennsylvania State University and received her bachelor's degree in wildlife biology in 1991. She went on to attend the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, was awarded her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2000 and completed a large animal internship at the University of Illinois.
Our licensed veterinary technicians (LVTs), Llisa Spencer and Lindsay Foxluger, complete many tasks to assist Dr. Nealey. These include monitoring patients, assisting with surgeries, administering medications, performing laboratory diagnostics and more.
Animal care assistants Susie Roncone and Holly Cross have many tasks that assist both doctors and LVTs, such as cleaning cages, feeding and giving patients water and performing routine diagnostics such as weighing and obtaining temperatures.
Our client service representatives, Norene Zegers and Ann Mullin, answer phones, schedule appointments and greet clients when they arrive at our hospital.
Finally, we can’t forget our hospital cats, Ralphie and Petey, who entertain and love our staff, patients and clients day in and day out!
Advice on keeping your cat or dog healthy and improving his or her well-being. Information on what's happening in Wayne County's pet lover community. All info about creatures with fur and paws!
