ACC News

 With many demands on their checkbook, pet owners today are not only looking for the best care, but also the best value.  Even though veterinary medicine has historically been a great value, the price of special diets, wellness care, grooming, and dental care can really start to add up.  Luckily, following a few simple preventive guidelines can help you to make sure that your pet stays healthy and you save money. 

Industry experts state that the average yearly cost for keeping a dog is about $1,200 and about $800 for a cat.  According to the Humane Society of the United States, the cost of veterinary care is actually very reasonable when compared to human health care (www.hsus.org).  Still, the prospect of an emergency or prolonged illness of their pet has many owners concerned.

The very best recommendation for saving money is to prevent those diseases that are easy to prevent and costly to treat.   Diseases such as canine parvovirus, canine distemper, feline leukemia, or feline panleukopenia are all easily avoided by the administration of vaccinations during the puppy and kitten years or young adulthood.  Each of the above mentioned infectious diseases can be extremely costly to treat.  A puppy who contracts canine parvovirus can easily end up costing his owner in excess of $500-800 in hospitalization, antibiotics, and supportive care.   Compare that price tag to the $10-25 cost of a routine vaccine and you can easily see the benefits and, of course, the savings.   Additionally, talk with your veterinarian about which vaccines are right for your pet.  Due to differing risk factors, your pet may not need every vaccine available and that can help to save you money as well.

Parasites, such as heartworms and intestinal worms, are often a source of disease and some can even be spread to you and your family.   Simple, effective heartworm preventives are available and most will end up costing less than $10 per month.  In the form of chewable pills, these preventives are also easy to give.  Some of the medications will prevent heartworm disease and also stop the infestation of intestinal parasites. This inexpensive preventive step can actually save you from having to pay big money to treat your dog for heartworms or potentially treat your family for a roundworm infection.  Due to the prevalence of intestinal parasites and the increase in heartworm cases across the United States, remembering your pet’s heartworm preventive can truly be a life-saver as well as helping you to save those pennies.

As a rule, most people are very good about brushing and caring for their own teeth, but how many would think about caring for their pet’s teeth?   Proper dental care can be a big money saver for pet owner.   Dental disease in our pets can predispose pets to heart problems, liver problems, and even kidney problems.  The American Animal Hospital Association has stated that more than 80% of dogs and cats over the age of 3 years old have some sort of dental disease.  Early preventative care, such as routine teeth brushing, proper dental chew toys, and oral examinations can help to prevent the need for a costly dental procedure.  Most veterinarians now have a barrier sealant gel available to help slow the accumulation of plaque and tartar.  Keeping the plaque away also means keeping away the high cost of dental disease and the other related problems.

Dr. Butch,  Dr. Egan and Dr. Putnam strive to keep our pets eating healthy and staying fit.  Two 20 minute brisk walks are a great way to keep your dog in top shape and help firm up your shape as well.  Studies have shown more than 25% of pets seen by veterinarians are obese and that extra weight can lead to problems in the joints, heart problems, breathing issues, and even diseases such as diabetes.  Using a high quality diet for your pet can also help to prevent medical issues and keep him or her at an appropriate weight.  Although it might seem counter-intuitive, buying a premium diet for your pet will end up saving money for you in the long run.   Low-cost, generic brand pet foods are often low in energy, causing the pet to eat more to meet their energy needs, thereby finishing those cheaper bags faster than a similar sized high quality diet.  The money you save by going generic might end up being spent solving a problem years later!

Finally, some good common sense rules will help you to save money on your pet care as well.   Keeping your pet confined, or on a leash, will insure that he or she is not roaming the streets, at a risk of being hit by a car or attacked by another animal.  Spaying or neutering your pet will prevent the need to spend extra money on the care and feeding of puppies or kittens and will also reduce your pet’s urge to roam.  Seeing your veterinarian twice a year is a great way to catch problems and diseases before they get too advanced. And finally, either a pet health insurance policy or a savings account for your pet could help you to provide excellent care in an emergency situation.  

Pet owners want to be able to provide the best for their furry friends.  Keeping these simple ideas in mind will help to prevent costly disease and accidents to your pet.  For more ways to reduce the potential cost of medical care for your pet, talk with your Animal Care Clinic veterinarian.

PET DENTISTRY:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-- LEXINGTON, KY.-- November 7, 2008

For us, going to the dentist will often include services ranging from dental x-rays and whitening to repairing fractured teeth. As the human-animal bond continues to deepen, more pet owners want the same sort of service for their pets. And fixing their pet’s smile is a job for the Veterinary Dentist!

More than 85% of our pets will have dental disease by the time they are three years old. But many of our pets will also suffer from broken, diseased, or crooked teeth. For many years, extraction of the offending teeth was the typical solution to provide relief. Now, with the advent of digital dental x-ray machines, veterinarians and even special veterinary dentists can more accurately determine the health of the pet’s mouth and tailor a solution to save the pet’s teeth.

Dental x-rays are a common service for us when we visit the dentist. But our pets have not always been so lucky. The importance of dental x-rays cannot be overstated. Even if your pet’s mouth looks healthy, chances are that some sort of problem lies deeper.

According to Dr. Brett Beckman, President of the American Veterinary Dental Society, 42% of cats and 28% of dogs have hidden dental problems. Dr. Jan Bellows, a Diplomate in the American Veterinary Dental College agrees. “Sixty percent of the tooth lies under the gum line. Since companion animals don’t talk (to tell us where the pain is), x-rays help the veterinarian see what’s below.”

Normally, our canine friends should have 42 teeth. But, for many toy breed dogs and short-faced breeds, like Pugs, this number can cause crowding and mal-alignment. It is not uncommon to see a Shih Tzu or Yorkie with teeth that have rotated. Additionally, dogs with under-bites and over-bites also occur. All of these conditions can make it difficult, or even painful, for the pet to properly chew food. Dr. Bellows says “teeth that are mal-aligned are very common and can lead to a painful mouth if not treated by selective extractions, orthodontic tooth movement or crown reduction and restoration.” Yes, you read that right…braces for your pet!

Cats have their own special dental problem. Due to reasons that have not fully been determined, cats will often develop a painful erosion of tooth enamel called a cervical line lesion or neck lesion. As the normal enamel is lost, the pulp cavity of the tooth is exposed to the environment, causing painful stimulation of nerves. Extraction of the tooth is often the only solution.

Trauma to pet’s teeth is an everyday problem at the veterinary office and happens from a variety of means. Some pets will chew rocks or sticks and fracture their teeth, exposing the sensitive pulp cavity. Police dogs are at high risk for breaking the large canine teeth up front during their rigorous duties. Dr. Beckman reports that he has been able to save several of these broken teeth using restorative techniques and chrome/nickel crowns, allowing the canine officer to return to his duties and, of course, brag to his buddies. Most dental experts agree that if the fractured tooth is healthy, pet owners should allow their veterinary dentist to perform a root canal and restore the tooth rather than simply extract it.

Even teeth suffering from advanced periodontal disease may be saved with the combination of right owner, cooperative pet and the veterinary dental team. Veterinary oral surgery is now on the rise as pet owners do whatever they can for their four-legged friends. After oral surgery, the at-home care of the patient is vital to the recovery and the success of the procedure. Without a compliant pet and a committed owner, the chances for saving the teeth are greatly diminished and extraction of those teeth may be the better option.

It takes a whole team to help keep your pet’s smile healthy. Talk with Dr. Butch, Dr. Egan, Dr. Putnam and Mike McCullar (CDVT) and ask about dental radiographs and dental care plans. Find out what at-home dental products are recommended by your veterinarian and be sure to use them routinely. Ask your Animal Care Clinic doctor about how advanced veterinary dentistry is helping pets right here in our practice.