If you think putting up with bad breath is just part of owning a pet, think again. Bad breath is not normal.

Regular activities like eating can cause plaque to form on your pet's teeth. This plaque must be removed or it will begin to form tartar, which will irritate the gums and cause bad breath.

Ignored teeth don't just turn yellow or brown. They cause the gums to become diseased, cause pain and may even cause teeth to become loose.

Pets suffering from peridontal disease may experience additional problems with internal organs such as the liver, heart and kidneys.

Small dogs are at high risk because they live longer and their teeth are packed together in a smalller space. But oral disease can affect dogs of all sizes.

70% of cats show signs of oral disease by age three.

Pets often break teeth by excessive chewing on objects like:

• Fresh bones
• Hard toys
• Chain link fences
• Stones

Start performing regular dental care with puppies and kittens as early as possible.

Be sure to watch for warning signs of dental disease:

• Bad breath
• Bleeding gums
• Sensitivity around the mouth
• Difficulty chewing or eating.

There are many options to help with your pets dental health.

• Brushing teeth with toothpaste formulated for pets.
• Hills Feline and Canine T/D is a food specifically designed to remove plaque.
• Greenies, a daily dental chew used like a treat.
• Twice yearly oral exam.

 

 

• Dogs can be trained quickly, some in a matter of minutes, to obey basic commands.
• Most cats are difficult if not impossible to train to respond to directives.
• Cats can be house trained in an instant as long as they have access to a litter box.
• Most dogs take considerably longer to house train, and some just never get all the way there.
• Dogs are social beings, they want to be with their pack.
• Cats are solitary by comparison and their primary attachment is to territory.
• Dogs have 42 teeth
• Cats have 30 teeth.
• A dogs memory is only about 5 minutes long.
• Cats can remember up to 16 hours.

There are two bands of fibrous tissue called the cruciate ligaments in each knee joint. They join the femur and the tibia together so that the knee works as a hinged joint.

The are called cruciate ligaments because they cross over inside the knee joint.

Humans have the same anatomical structure of the knee. Cruciate ligament rupture is a common knee injury of athletes.

The knee joint is a hinged joint and only moves in one plane, backwards and forwards. Traumatic cruciate damage is caused by a twisting injury to the knee joint. This is most often seen in dogs when running and suddenly changing direction.

This injury usually affects the anterior or cranial ligament.

The joint is then unstable and causes extreme pain, often resulting in lameness.

A chronic form of cruciate damage can occur due to weakening of the ligaments as a result of disease. The ligament may become stretched or partially torn and lameness may only be slight and intermittent, but a process of inflamation, or arthritis, is occurring in the joint.

Dogs under 10kg may improve without surgery, especially aged patients. These patients are often prescribed anti inflamatory drugs and limited activity.

Dogs over 10kg require surgery to repair the cruciate ligament.

There are various techniques available to replace the action of the cruciate ligaments. These surgeries most often involve the placement of artificial ligaments along the outside of the knee joint.

It is important your dog has limited activity for six to eight weeks after surgery.

Our veterinarians will discuss your pet's recommended post-operatrive care with you.