Help support Grateful Paws in their rescue efforts!!!!

Help support Grateful Paws in their rescue efforts by attending their annual fundraising event. 

March 5th, 2014, Grateful Paws will host their 4th Annual Wolfcuff Fundraising Event at The Alibi in Wilton Manors.

This event hosts a silent auction along with a cruise raffle and excellent entertainment.  ALL to support Grateful Paws Dog & Cat Rescue!

Advance tickets can be purchased by contacting Grateful Paws directly and include a pre-event VIP Cocktail Reception.

Tickets are also available at the door. 

Hollywood knows how to party with a purpose and this a wonderful purpose to party for.  Contact Grateful Paws for more information at info@gratefulpaws.org or by calling 954-462-8840.

February Team Member of the Month- Bobbi!!!!

You many know her as Bobbi in the Lobby but we know her as a dream come true. 

This month’s Team Member of the Month hasn’t been a part of our team for very long but her contribution to the HAH has been exponential. Joining us in December as an employee, Bobbi has been a long time client and brings that unique perspective to the table. 

Her Client Care Coordinator position has been a longtime goal of the management team and we feel proud to finally say that we have someone, whose sole responsibility, is to make sure our clients are comfortable while they wait to see their Veterinarian.

Bobbi is the perfect fit for this position and for our team. Stop by and congratulate our February Team Member of the Month- Bobbi!!!!

February- Patient of the Month- Sandy!!!

This month's patient of the month has a very interesting story to tell. Sandy, a 7 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback came in last month for a routine spay.   She received a full examination  by Dr. Carlos and blood-work for the procedure was discussed. In situations where a patients is young and (apparently) healthy, it is quite normal to not pursue pre-anesthetic blood-work before a routine surgical procedure.  This instance seemed no different and Sandy's owner elected to go forward with the procedure without blood-work. We will find that Sandy was not a "normal" patient.

Once in surgery, Dr. Carlos discovered that Sandy had a few anatomical abnormalities. Sandy's uterus and ovaries were severely underdeveloped making them difficult to locate. While looking for the left ovary, Dr. Carlos noticed that Sandy was born with only one kidney. 

Having only one kidney does not effect a spay procedure specifically. It does change anatomical development, as seen with Sandy, and makes everything more difficult but more importantly it directly effects the way the body metabolizes anesthesia.  Happily, this is where Sandy's story is somewhat uneventful. Sandy recovered from surgery quickly. She spent one evening with us on intravenous fluids and was soon home and healing well.

What continues to be interesting though was that Sandy's blood-work (done after surgery) was completely normal. Because she was born with this deviation, her kidney values were within normal limits. In fact, if not for this routine procedure, the awareness of her unique condition would not have manifested until a problem arose later in life due to the responsibility of functionality resting solely on the one kidney.

Now Sandy is home. Her incision is healed and she is frolicking like a Ridgeback does. Her family is prepared for future variations in her blood-work because of this visceral difference and can approach decisions well informed.

This routine procedure gave both Sandy and her family more than anticipated. Sandy is a lucky dog and we are happy to highlight her as our Patient of the Month for February!

Are Your Dog's Teeth Healthy?

So often we see patients that come in for an annual exam or even a dental and are surprised that their pet's teeth are badly effected by dental disease. Their pet is happy and eating and should animal breath really smell like roses?!?!?!?

It is hard to know all the things to look for. Like you, we rely on the expertise of our vets to help us navigate the healthcare of our four-legged friends and keep them happy and healthy.

Check out this interesting article on dental care that we think helps to demystify the mouth!

Your Dog's Teeth: Toothaches and Other Problems
 

If your dog had a toothache, would you know? If their gums were receding and painful, could you tell? Probably not.

To find out why, WebMD talked with veterinary dentists. They shared their thoughts on recognizing the early signs of oral problems in dogs and offered tips on what you can do today to help keep your four-legged friend's teeth in great shape.

1. Understand Your Pooch's Mouth
Just like people, dogs can break or fracture their teeth. And just like us, they can also get gum disease. Dogs are five times more likely to get gum disease than humans for a couple of reasons. First, dogs have a more alkaline mouth, which promotes plaque formation. Second, unlike humans, dogs usually don't have their teeth brushed daily.

"Plaque is made up of saliva, food debris, sloughed cells from the lining of the mouth, oral bacteria, and their by-products," says Colleen O'Morrow, DVM, a fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry and a veterinary dentist practicing in Manitoba, Canada. "As the plaque thickens from not being brushed away on a regular daily basis, the bacteria multiply."

Once the bacteria multiply, the problems do, too. As the bacteria increase, your dog’s mouth mobilizes cells to fight the invasion. Those mobilized cells and the bacteria combine to cause inflammation and tissue destruction in your dog's mouth. As the inflammation and tissue destruction progress, they destroy bone, which ultimately leads to tooth loss -- and a lot of pain for your pooch.

2. Be Aware: Dogs Rarely Show Signs of Dental Pain
Even with a cracked tooth or periodontal disease that damages gums around the teeth, your dog would probably eat normally, wiggle happily at your return home, and overall act like the same dog you know and love.

Your pet may be in chronic pain, but you wouldn't know it. Why? Dogs have evolved to hide such chronic pain. Their animal instinct is not to show signs of weakness.
"In my experience the No. 1 sign of periodontal disease is no signs at all," says Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM, a veterinary dentist who practices in Florida and Georgia.

"The number of patients I see a year that come in because there is pain is less than 5%," says Beckman, while more than 80% of dogs have periodontal disease by the time they're 3 years old. "I really want to get that point across," says Beckman, "there are almost always no signs at all" of dental pain.

Source; WebMD Pet Health Feature
By Wendy C. Fries
Reviewed By Amy Flowers, DVM

February is National Pet Dental Month!

                               Does your best friend have bad breath? 

Despite what many pet owners may believe, “dog breath” is not just a nuisance – it’s a sign of an unhealthy mouth. Bad breath is caused by bacteria. Over time, bacteria lead to plaque and tartar buildup on your pet’s teeth. The result is bad breath, reddened gums, and other common signs of dental disease. As dental disease progresses, other signs can include drooling, discomfort while chewing, and loose or missing teeth. Even if you’re using treats and chews to help control tartar, these are frequently not enough to keep dental disease in check. Ask us about the best ways to control plaque and help protect your pet from dental disease.

Dental hygiene is an important part of your pet's health, because dental disease can be associated with other serious health problems such as heart disease and kidney disease. But how do you know if your pet has a healthy mouth? Let us examine your pet’s teeth and gums to help determine if there are any dental issues you should know about. After a brief visual examination, we may recommend a more detailed examination (which requires sedation), a dental cleaning, or options for at-home dental care.

Even if you think your pet’s teeth and gums are fine, we can offer expert advice to help you keep them that way! Dental health shouldn't be taken for granted. Fortunately, many dental problems can be managed through at-home care and by bringing your pet to us for regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings.

During the entire month of February, take 10% off dental services* including bloodwork done at the time of service. Whether you have a senior cat requiring a bloodwork or you have a two year old pup that needs a simple cleaning, we will take 10 percent off  your services.

As an added bonus, simple extractions will be free. 

 We want your pet to live a long, healthy life, and we understand that maintaining a healthy mouth is part of that. Your pet’s health is important to us, so let us help you with this commitment. Call today to discuss your pet’s dental care needs and how we can help!

Source: http://www.hollywoodanimal.com/dental-care

*Canine extractions, Carnasal extractions and other complex procedures, including x-rays, are not included in the discount.

Why Dental Care is Important!!!!

Clients are always asking us about Dental Care.

"How often do our pets need a dental?"  

"How much can I do at home?" 

"Is bad breath the only way to tell if my pup is ready for a dental?"

These are all great questions! How do pet owners know when pets can have chipped or cracked teeth and still eat fine. Your veterinarian is the best person to answer these questions but here are some great facts and a few tips from the AAHA to get the conversation started.

 

Why Dental Care Is Important

Proper dental care can detect dental disease that not only affects the mouth, but can also lead to more serious health problems such as heart, lung, and kidney disease. Good dental hygiene is just as important for pets as it is for humans. Yet, it is one of the most overlooked areas in pet health. Studies by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) reveal that nearly two-thirds of pet owners do not provide the dental care recommended by veterinarians. AAHA’s Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats are a working framework for small animal dentistry practice, including dental examinations, cleanings, and surgical procedures.

Periodontal Disease

 

Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissue surrounding the teeth that takes hold in progressive stages.

 

How It Starts and Progresses

Periodontal Disease starts out as a bacterial film called plaque. The bacteria attaches to the teeth. When the bacteria die they can be calcified by calcium in saliva. This forms a hard, rough substance called tartar or calculus, which allows more plaque to accumulate. Initially, plaque is soft and brushing or chewing hard food and toys can dislodge it. If left to spread, plaque can lead to gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, causing them to become red and swollen and to bleed easily. As plaque and calculus develop below the gum line, professional cleaning will be needed to help manage it. If the plaque and tartar buildup continues unchecked, infection can form around the root of the tooth.

In the final stages of periodontal disease, the tissues surrounding the tooth are destroyed, the bony socket holding the tooth in erodes, and the tooth becomes loose. This is a very painful process for your four-legged friend, but these problems can be averted before they start with proper dental care.

 

AAHA Guidelines

Oral Examinations: AAHA recommends that veterinarians evaluate puppies and kittens for problems related to deciduous (baby) teeth, missing teeth, extra teeth, swelling, and oral development. As pets age, your veterinarian will examine your pet for developmental anomalies, accumulation of plaque and tartar, periodontal disease, and oral tumors. The veterinarian can perform a basic oral examination while pets are awake. However, short-lasting anesthetic is required for a more complete examination.

Dental cleanings: Guidelines recommend regular examinations and dental cleanings under general anesthesia for all adult dogs and cats. These cleanings should take place annually starting at one year for cats and small-breed dogs, and at two years of age for larger-breed dogs.

Other guideline recommendations

• Pre-anesthetic exam–Your veterinarian should examine your pet to ensure it is healthy enough to go under general anesthesia. This examination may include:
  • Blood tests
  • Urine tests
  • Electrocardiography
  • X-rays
• Anesthesia monitoring–When your pet is under anesthesia, its vital signs (such as body temperature, heart rate, and respiration) should be monitored and recorded. This helps ensure your pet’s safety while under anesthesia.
  
• Dental radiographs–X-rays of your pet’s teeth are needed periodically to evaluate your pet’s oral health. X-rays also help veterinarians detect abnormalities that cannot be seen through physical examination alone. They can also confirm the need for tooth extraction when teeth are loose or badly infected.
  
• Scaling and polishing–Using instruments much like human dentists, veterinarians remove plaque and calculus from your pet’s teeth. Polishing with a special paste smoothes out scratches to the tooth enamel.
  
• Fluoride/sealants–By applying an anti-plaque substance, such as a fluoride treatment and/or a barrier sealant, the veterinarian helps strengthen and desensitize teeth and discourage the development of future plaque.

Home Dental Care

Pet owners also play an important role in their animals’ oral health. Regular teeth brushing at home coupled with regular dental check-ups can help your pet live a longer, healthier life.

FAQ

Q.	Is there a physical sign that my pet has a dental problem?
A.	Pets’ breath isn't normally great smelling, but if it becomes particularly offensive, it could be a sign of a serious oral problem. Other signs include excessive drooling, loose teeth, tumors on the gums, and cysts beneath the tongue.
Q.	What’s the best way to brush a dog’s teeth?
A.	Use a brush or wrap your finger in gauze and hold it at a 45-degree angle to the teeth. Using small, circular motions, work in one area of the dog’s mouth at a time. Be sure to lift the dog’s lip if necessary to reach the teeth. Since the most tartar builds up on the tooth surfaces that touch the cheek, concentrate there and finish up with a downward stroke on the teeth to remove tartar. Your dog may not let you clean the backside of its teeth, but don’t worry about it because very little tartar builds up there.
Q.	Is there anything else I can do to help my dog’s oral health?
A.	Provide chew toys that help massage your pet’s gums and keep their teeth clean. Ask your veterinarian to recommend toxin-free chew toys. An added benefit of chew toys is their ability to reduce your dog’s stress level, eliminate boredom, and give pets an outlet for their desire to chew. Source: http://www.healthypet.com/PetCare/PetCareArticle.aspx?title=AAHA_Dental_Care_Guidelines