Veterinary Help

Much like in humans, pets such as dogs or cats can both suffer from bad breath as a result of a buildup of plaque. In more serious conditions, a pet can develop gingivitis, which can lead to further health problems. In order to prevent both bad breath and any other serious conditions that can result due to bacteria, it is important for all pet owners to understand how to brush their pet’s teeth.

Although it can be tricky at first to learn how to brush your pet’s teeth, it is not a perfect science and therefore just requires practice. Ideally, after a few weeks of learning the basics this should become an every day ritual. The first step to begin working towards a healthy set of teeth and gums is to first have your local veterinarian check your pet’s teeth. If your dog already has gum disease or a broken or chipped tooth, brushing can cause irritation teaching your dog that this is an unpleasant processes.

Before you begin the process of brushing, it is a good idea to place the toothbrush in your pet’s mouth for a brief period. Then, remove it, praise and reward your pet and then put it away for the day. After several days of this, your pet will become used to having a foreign object in their mouth and associate it as something pleasurable because of the rewards.

One thing to make sure as trivial as it may seem is to make sure to purchase a set of toothbrush and toothpaste that is clearly designed for pets. Most local pet stores will have several options and if not, your vet can provide you with one.  Many pet owners have attempted to use human dental products on their pet which can cause both irritation and sickness in animals. It is very important to have toothpaste that is specifically formulated for cats and/or dogs. Despite all your efforts to find the appropriate products for your pet, they may still find the whole process uncomfortable and repudiate your attempts to brush their teeth with a typical toothbrush. However, there are other options such as finger toothbrushes which can also be obtained from a local pet store, if this also fails speak with your vet about other alternatives.

In order to alleviate any pain or discomfort while brushing your pet’s teeth make sure you take into account a few simple steps for optimal comfort. First make sure your pet is on a clean surface that they are used to. Already, this will make them less nervous. Also, try not to be forceful when brushing their teeth. This is especially true in cats because of their sensitivity to water. Cats do not like feeling constricted and by holding them too tight will make them feel claustrophobic.

In order to train your dog to like or at least withstand the brushing, make sure you are very soothing and kind on them, and use an easy circular motion much like as if you were brushing your own teeth. Afterwards make sure to reward them with some sort of greenie which is a treat that has tartar-control in it. Also, with a new puppy it is a good idea to begin this as soon as he is brought home. That way it will become a natural daily process for him. It is also a good idea to have your pet undergo a yearly dental cleaning at the vet once the dog or cat reaches the age of 3.

If you notice bad breath still persists, keep an eye out for any dental abnormalities during brushing. Often times an abscessed tooth can be the reason behind bad breath and requires the assistance of a veterinarian to fix. Some pet stores also sell dog and cat formulated mouthwash which like the toothpaste is supposed to decrease plaque and tartar buildup. If after all these attempts you still find your pet’s breath to be troublesome begin to look at their diet. Often times, canned pet food can be a catalyst for bad breath if it is the sole element in a cat or dogs diet. The solution is to substitute any soft canned food diets with dry food as well if at all possible. In some rare cases due to gum diseases or old age, soft food is the only option.

Finally, in very rare cases bad breath in cats and dogs can be caused by gastrointestinal diseases. Naturally, if you have any reason to believe this is the cause, contact your local vet.

There are plenty of urban myths in the world about how to best brush your pet’s teeth and cure their bad breath most of which are false. Try and avoid any tartar reducing treats unless bought directly from a pet store or vet. Many families have tried to feed their dogs carrots with peanut butter to remove plaque, however, because of the buildup of peanut butter can actually cause intestinal problems in rare cases and is not advised. The best tips are just making sure your vet includes a dental exam and teeth cleaning during your pet’s regular checkup and learning how to effectively brush their teeth. Also, some pet foods and chew toys can help reduce cavities in dogs and remove some tartar buildup.

One thing to be aware of is food or drink additives with a goal of covering up bad breath. These products can often also hide the smell of stools which can be an indication of a sick cat.  However, with dogs a simple drop of lemon juice in their water easily wipes away bad breath in certain breeds of dogs, as long as there is no sugar in the juice.

Although curing bad breath and brushing your pet’s teeth may seem like easy tasks to complete, they both take time and energy. However, if you follow the right steps and try a few methods, you should find one that works. Once again, if none of these methods seem to work, make sure you contact your local vet to check for any potential mouth or gum diseases.

Hyperthyroidism in cats is caused by overactivity of the thyroid gland most often seen in middle aged to older cats. This is due to an overgrowth of functional thyroid tissue. In general the thyroid can be viewed as the body’s metabolism control and with increased activity the body goes into overdrive.Clinical signs may be evident in various body systems but tend to progress slowly. Affected cats will usually have evidence of weight loss despite a normal to increased appetite. They often drink and urinate more then normal. They may be more active, restless or irritable than was once normal.

Gastrointestinal signs include vomiting and/or diarrhea. The excess thyroid hormone may cause an increased heart rate and can lead to changes in the heart muscle itself. In some cases this leads to heart failure. These changes may be reversible once the hyperthyroidism is controlled but not in all cases. These cats can also have decreased ability to deal with stress leading to panting and open mouth breathing in stressful situations.Underlying kidney disease is an especially important consideration in cats with hyperthyroidism. Since older cats are typically affected with both disease processes they may occur together though it is not thought that there is a cause and effect relationship. The hyperthyroid state can both harm and help the kidneys. The harm comes if high blood pressure is caused by hyperthyroidism. This in turn leads to the progression of kidney disease. The help comes from increased filtration of blood through the kidneys helping maintain their function. Treating hyperthyroid cats with underlying kidney disease is a balancing act and these patients need to be monitored closely

Methimazole is a drug used to manage hyperthyroidism. It does not cure the disease, but interferes with thyroid hormone production, controlling thyroid hormone levels as long as it is given. Upon discontinuing this medication thyroid levels will again rise. Because of this it is often the first choice treatment in cats with kidney disease when the decision has been made to treat them. Methimazole is not without risks. The most common side effects are vomiting and anorexia. These gastrointestinal signs may resolve with a lower dose or symptomatic treatment while continuing on the methimazole. More serious effects include facial excoriations, blood cell count problems and exacerbation of underlying kidney disease. For these reasons, during the initiation of therapy it is important to regularly monitor not only blood levels of the thyroid hormone but also blood cell counts and kidney values. Regular physical exams are essential as well.

Radioactive iodine therapy is considered the treatment of choice for many hyperthyroid cats. It involves the injection of radioactive iodine (I131). Since the thyroid is the only body tissue that concentrates iodine it is specifically targeted allowing the radiation to destroy the hyperactive thyroid tissue. This procedure is done at specialized facilities equipped to handle the radiation and require the patient spend several days while the radioactivity dissipates. This method does offer a cure.

Feline urinary tract obstruction is a life threatening emergency and needs to be addressed immediately if suspected. It occurs when the urethra becomes plugged preventing the cat from urinating. Due to anatomy, it is significantly more common in male cats that females. The most common cause is a urethral plug that is a mix of mucus, inflammatory cells and mineral crystals. This can also be secondary to urinary tract infection or urinary bladder stones (uroliths).

The inability to urinate is obviously quite painful but can result in other systemic signs. Commonly cats will strain unproductively in the litter box. Affected cats are also lethargic, distressed and may vomit or collapse. The kidneys can be damaged as a result of the obstruction and in some cases the damage is not reversible. The obstruction can also lead to heart arrhythmias secondary to a significant elevation in potassium.

Treatment is aimed at stabilizing the cat, supporting the kidneys, delieving the obstruction and addressing any underlying problems as quickly as possible. Common initial diagnostics include lab work to evaluate the kidneys and electrolyte levels, a urinalysis to look for infection or mineral crystals, an ECG to evaluate the heart for arrhythmias, and X-rays to look for urinary bladder stones.

These cats are placed on IV fluids to help support the kidneys while the unblocking procedure takes place. Often cats need to be sedated or anesthetized for the procedure. A urinary catheter is used to relieve the obstruction and with that in place the bladder is flushed of debris with sterile solution. The urinary catheter is often left in place for 24-48 hours prior to removing to ensure that the cat’s kidneys are producing urine and to allow inflammation in the urinary bladder and urethra to subside. If heart abnormalities are noted on ECG they are addressed with medication and correcting the potassium levels with IV fluids. If present, urinary bladder stones may need surgical removal once the cat is stable.

These cats may remain on IV fluids to help keep the urine dilute and support the kidneys. If indicated cats may be started on antibiotics to address infection, anti-inflammatories and pain medication. They may also be put on medication to help relax the urethral sphincter making it easier for urine and inflammatory debris to pass.

Once a cat has had a urethral obstruction they are at risk for reoccurrence. This can happen at any time so it is critical that these pets are closely monitored to ensure they urinate daily. If an underlying predisposing condition was found, addressing this can help prevent a repeat episode but this is not a guarantee. For male cats that do have recurrent episodes there is a surgical procedure that can be considered called a perineal urethrostomy which widens the urethra making these plugs easier to pass though these cats can still become blocked.

If you suspect your cat is unable to urinate you need to see a veterinarian immediately as this is a life threatening emergency if not addressed promptly.