Tooth Resorption Pet Quarterly - Veterinary Dentistry Courses

Transcription

Tooth Resorption Pet Quarterly - Veterinary Dentistry Courses
Pet Care News From Your Veterinarian
®
$4.25
FALL | Volum e 6, No. 4
DNA Testing:
Discover Your
Dog’s Breed
How to Prevent
Heartworm Disease
Keep Your Cat’s
Teeth Pain-Free
Congestive
Heart Failure:
Know the Signs
Important Message About Your Pet
WHEREVER YOUR BEST FRIEND GOES
Fleas don’t just infest your pet. By spreading their eggs and larvae
around, they end up in your carpet, your couch, everywhere. To stop an
infestation, ask for the brand vets recommend most: FRONTLINE® Plus.
It kills fleas fast, plus their eggs and larvae—and even ticks.
It’s waterproof. And just one dose lasts all month long.
Make sure the only one getting comfy in your home is your pet.
Ask for the Vet’s #1 Choice,* FRONTLINE Plus.
*Vet-dispensed; MDI Data.
®FRONTLINE is a registered trademark of Merial.
©2009 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. FLE09CNPRINT_R
Kills fleas and ticks fast...and lasts.
FALL | VOL. 6, No. 4
Picture-Perfect Pets
Pet Care News From Your Veterinarian
IN THIS ISSUE
Congestive
2Treating
Heart Failure
Is your dog coughing?
See your veterinarian.
Charlie
Lucy
Companion Animal Hospital,
Jacksonville, Fla.
Daisy
Jena Lee
Oakwood Animal Hospital,
Oakwood, Ga.
Dog’s a What?
4 My
DNA tests can help create
a health plan as unique as
your pet.
8
Have a Heart
Find out why heartworm
prevention is so important.
Animal Hospital of Treasure
Island, Treasure Island, Fla.
Gone Mad?
12 Cavities
Ways to prevent painful
Shores Animal Hospital, Gainesville, Fla. Meranda
Animal Medical Clinic, Melbourne, Fla.
tooth resorption in cats.
Blood
14Life-Saving
Donations
Does your pet qualify
as a blood donor?
Danger “D”
Antigua Veterinary Hospital,
Saint Augustine, Fla.
Rudy and Riley
Greenbriar Animal Hospital,
Jacksonville, Fla.
Pet Quarterly® is an educational resource
provided by your veterinary hospital.
Comments are welcome at
[email protected]
©Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Pet Quarterly®
magazine does not make any representations as
to opinions or facts as presented. Reproduction
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written permission of the publisher.
Postmaster:
Send address changes to:
Pet Quarterly, 2951 34th Street South
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Jerry
MVS Animal Clinic,
Deerfield Beach, Fla.
Lucky
Powers Ferry Animal Hospital,
Sandy Springs, Ga.
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Pet Quarterly | Fall 2009 1
Senior Wellness
Congestive heart failure:
Know the Signs
Is your dog coughing? It could mean heart disease.
Here’s what your veterinarian can do to help.
By Davin J. Borde, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM (Cardiology)
Key Points
Signs of congestive heart failure
in dogs may start with a subtle cough.
Immediate veterinarian attention
may help save the dog’s life.
Most dogs respond very well
to therapy and can survive years after diagnosis.
Your veterinarian will likely
perform several tests to diagnose congestive heart failure,
including an electrocardiogram and a chest x-ray.
Several treatment therapies
are available for congestive heart failure—including drugs
to help reduce blood pressure and control leaking of the
mitral valve and to remove fluid from the lungs.
Your veterinarian may prescribe
a new drug called pimobendan, which can assist the
heart in pumping more strongly and reduce the leak at
the mitral valve.
C
Coughing or respiratory distress can be one of the early
signs that your dog is suffering from heart disease. The
signs may be subtle at first, and if ignored, can get worse.
Getting your pet evaluated promptly by your veterinarian
can save its life.
Congestive heart failure is a syndrome that can
result from various heart diseases. Lung congestion
can develop, and your dog may cough, have difficulty
breathing or not want to exercise. Congestion can also
develop in other areas of the body, causing swelling of
the legs (called limb edema) or fluid buildup in the
abdomen. Congestive heart failure is caused by an
abnormality of heart function, and just like in humans,
results in failure of the heart to pump blood to meet the
demands of the body.
Valve Disease
The most common cause of congestive heart failure in dogs
is degenerative valve disease, known as endocardiosis. This
results in thickening of valves within the heart, causing a
leak at these valves. It is a disease typically found in older
dogs, often in smaller breeds such as toy and miniature
Poodles, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Pomeranians,
Chihuahuas, Pekingese and Boston Terriers. One study
suggested that 10 percent of dogs ages 5 to 8 years,
20 percent to 25 percent of dogs ages 9 to 12 years,
and 30 to 35 percent of dogs age 13 years old and up
demonstrate heart murmurs (abnormal heart sounds)
suggestive of degenerative valve disease.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are particularly
predisposed to degenerative valve disease: One study
found that 59 percent of Cavaliers age four years or older
demonstrated evidence of degenerative valve disease.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
are one of the breeds at risk for
congestive heart failure.
2 Fall 2009 | Pet Quarterly
Breeds At Risk for Congestive Heart Failure
These are some of the breeds that may develop congestive heart failure. Talk to your veterinarian about a wellness plan.
Small Breeds
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Toy and Miniature Poodles
n Pomeranians n Chihuahuas
n Pekingese n Boston Terriers
n
n
Large Breeds
oberman Pinschers
D
Boxers n Great Danes
n Irish Wolfhounds
n Golden Retrievers
n
n
Other Warning Signs
Congestive heart failure may also be caused by a condition
called dilated cardiomyopathy. This typically affects larger
dogs and certain breeds such as Doberman Pinschers,
Treatment Options
Your veterinarian has several effective therapies to treat
congestive heart failure, which can resolve symptoms
such as respiratory distress, coughing or disinterest in
exercise.
Typically, a veterinarian will start the dog on an
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, such
as enalapril, benazepril or lisinopril to reduce the
degree of leak at the mitral valve. ACE inhibitors reduce
blood pressure, making it easier for your dog’s heart to
pump blood and less likely that blood will leak at the
mitral valve.
Diuretic therapy with drugs such as furosemide,
spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide is also typically used
to remove fluid from the lungs. Your veterinarian may also
prescribe a new drug called pimobendan. This drug can help
the heart pump more strongly and reduce the leak at
the mitral valve. Other medications to control electrical
disturbances, as well as other supplements and treatments,
can also be used to resolve congestive heart failure.
Boxers, Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds and Golden
Retrievers. We don’t know exactly what causes this
disease, but it results in a severe weakening of the heart
muscle. Some possible causes may include taurine and/or
carnitine deficiency (these are amino acids found naturally in
the diet; however some dogs may require larger amounts);
hypothyroidism (a disease resulting in low levels of a
hormone called the thyroid hormone); and viral, parasitic
or other infectious diseases. Certain drugs as well as other
systemic diseases also can weaken the heart muscle.
Detecting the Disease
Your veterinarian will likely perform several tests to
diagnose congestive heart failure. An electrocardiogram
will assess the electrical activity of the heart and search for
any electrical disturbances that may be a sign of congestive
heart failure. Chest x-rays (thoracic radiographs) will assess
the presence of fluid in the lungs and look at the shape and
size of the heart shadow to rule out significant enlargement.
Prior to starting heart medications, your veterinarian may
also perform other tests, such as an echocardiogram (an
ultrasound of the heart) and blood work.
Each case of congestive heart failure is different, so
it’s hard to accurately predict how long your dog will
live if it is diagnosed with degenerative valve disease and
congestive heart failure. Most dogs respond very well to
therapy and can survive years after diagnosis. Getting
your pet to your veterinarian early when you notice signs
of cough or respiratory distress is key to increasing the
chances of successful diagnosis and treatment. n
Pet Quarterly | Fall 2009 3
General Wellness
My Dog’s
a what?
Delving into dog DNA isn’t just for geneticists and
breeders. It’s a vital tool you and your veterinarian
can use to develop a health plan as unique as your pet.
By Mary Scoviak
Key Points
Curious about your dog’s breed?
Ask your veterinarian about a DNA test.
The Mars Wisdom Panel MX
DNA test requires
a blood sample drawn by your veterinarian.
tm
Knowing your dog’s mix of breeds
can also help your veterinarian develop a
customized wellness plan for your pet.
W
“What kind of dog is that?” It’s usually one of the first
questions people ask Chicagoan Alison Otto when they
meet her dog, Milo, and one she has often asked herself.
Golden Retriever and Collie mixes are the most common
guesses. But neither explains his amber-colored eyes, love
of running or protective yet shy behavior. So what kind
of chromosomal cocktail came together to make the mix
that’s Milo?
Without DNA testing, not even veterinarians can
be sure. “The vast majority of the time, what you think
your dog is and what your dog really is can be 180 degrees
apart—and that’s just as true in terms of what veterinarians
think as what pet owners think. We guess wrong, too,”
says Carol Osborne, DVM, founder and president of the
American Pet Institute.
Milo’s DNA testing revealed that he is
likely a purebred, possibly a European
breed the test does not yet cover.
4 Fall 2009 | Pet Quarterly
That’s not surprising considering that
dogs are the most diverse mammalian
species on earth. Sure, they all started
as gray wolves, but now there are more
than 300 distinct breeds recognized
by various countries’ kennel clubs, and
an almost limitless number of possible
combinations. More than an estimated
50 percent of all dogs in the United
States are mixed breeds and, according
to a 2007 online ZoomInfo panel,
86 percent of their owners aren’t sure
of their dogs’ breeds.
Curiosity is big driver in the decision
to delve into a dog’s family tree. And as
costs have come down to around $125
and blood tests such as Mars Veterinary’s
Wisdom Panel MX DNA test have
become readily available, more pet owners
want to stop the guessing game.
TM
Doggy DNA Testing
It takes a simple blood test and a few
weeks to find out. Mars Veterinary invited
Pet Quarterly to test a dog, and we chose
Milo, who was adopted from a shelter
eight years ago. Using the Wisdom
Panel MX DNA test, Milo’s veterinarian
drew a small blood sample and sent it
for analysis. Scanning Milo’s blood
chromosome by chromosome, a computer
What breeds make up this adorable canine?
program compared his DNA markers
against those of 157 pure American
DNA testing revealed that Rimsky is a
Kennel Club breeds included in
Cocker Spaniel, Maltese and Norwich Terrier mix.
Mars’ database.
Wisdom Panel MX draws on
groundbreaking canine research conducted by the United
nary practices in the United States and United Kingdom.
Kingdom-based Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition. In
From those samples, researchers mapped out more than
developing the test, the center’s scientists collected and
300 genetic markers that help to identify the pure breeds
analyzed more than 19 million canine DNA markers
in a dog’s background.
from 13,000 samples donated by dog owners and veteriIs all that science necessary just to decide whether
there’s a dash of Poodle or a little Shih Tzu in your dog’s
background? Yes, says Dr. Neale Fretwell, head companion
animal geneticist, Mars Veterinary. “The database was
Mixed Breeds Rule!
what we used to create breed signatures. Not every Collie
Your mutt’s pedigree-free charm is a blessing in disguise,
had identical DNA, but two Collies are still much more
TM
guess the breed
because these dogs are often healthier than purebreds,
says Dr. Neale Fretwell, head companion animal geneticist,
Mars Veterinary. He notes that mixes are less likely to suffer
from genetic disorders of any specific breed, because these
require two recessive genes to occur. So Fluffy’s mismatched
ears will likely be a part of your life for years to come.
See the cover for an important
message from your veterinarian.
Pet Quarterly | Fall 2009 5
General Wellness
39
Did You Know?
There are an estimated
39 million mixed-breed
dogs in the United States.
Source: Mars Veterinary
alike than a Collie and a German Shepherd. Every dog
is a puzzle,” Fretwell adds.
As it turns out, Milo had nothing in common
with Collies, Retrievers—or any other “common” dog
breed. After eight years of being incognito as just
another lovable mutt, the test revealed a low degree
of variation in his DNA markers, an indicator usually
found in purebreds. His closest matches—German
Shepherd, Great Pyrenees and Dalmation—weren’t
close enough.
“So we had to investigate whether it was possible
that the dog was a purebred breed the test doesn’t
cover at present,” says Fretwell. Though the geneticist
was conducting more research at press time, his view
is that Milo is possibly a rare German breed called a
Hovawart—an intelligent working dog whose name
means “guardian of the estate” and one that can trace its
origins to the Bronze Age. (Milo’s exact heritage can’t
be positively identified until his breed is added to the
database.)
Curious about
your dog’s
breed? Talk to
your veterinarian.
The test requires
a blood sample
drawn by your
veterinarian.
6 Fall 2009 | Pet Quarterly
Preventive Medicine
Not every DNA test will uncover a glamorous lineage.
What the test can do is give both the pet’s owner and
veterinarian detailed information that’s necessary to keep
the dog in optimal health and prevent typical illnesses
for its breed. “If I know a dog has Boxer or Doberman
Pinscher in its DNA, I recommend an EKG,” says
Michael Rumore, DVM, Lake Seminole Animal
Hospital, Seminole, Fla. “Both breeds are prone to
cardiomyopathies [a category of heart disease]. But
an EKG would be less of a priority for a Shih Tzu.
Understanding what breeds are present in the dog’s
DNA allows the owner and veterinarian to set priorities.”
In the future, this test may even be able to tell if
a dog is prone to cancer. Fretwell says that the genetic
markers for cancer in dogs are not yet known, but are
the subject of research in academic laboratories.
For now, though, DNA testing can help you better
understand and care for your dog. n
Mary Scoviak is a Cincinnati,Ohio-based editor
and writer.
To Learn More
To find out more about dog breeds and DNA testing, visit:
n
Wisdom Panel MX: www.wisdompanel.com
n
Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition: www.waltham.com
n
American Kennel Club: www.akc.org
TM
Reasons to Know Your Dog’s Breed
When it comes to genetic
information, what you don’t
know may hurt your pet.
For example, Dobermans are often afflicted
with bloat—not that uncomfortable feeling humans
experience, but a serious medical condition that can be
fatal if not treated within 24 hours. Dr. Neale Fretwell,
head companion animal geneticist, Mars Veterinary,
points out that Collies are especially prone to drug
reactions and must be medicated with care.
Carol Osborne, DVM, adds that sight hounds, such
as Whippets, have low body fat and are exceptionally
sensitive to anesthesia. “It’s unlikely they’ll survive if
they’re overdosed,” she cautions.
Each breed faces its own set of health risks, and
DNA testing is a building block for any wellness program.
“Finding out what’s in your dog’s DNA doesn’t
magically fix anything, but it does allow you and your
veterinarian to work together to create a personalized
health plan for your dog,” says Osborne.
Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s breed or
mix of breeds and ask for a wellness plan based on these
risk factors.
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
Am. Staff. Terrier
Basenji
Basset Hound
Beagle
Belgian Tervuren
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bichon Frise
Border Collie
BOSTON TERRIER
Bouvier des Flandres
Boxer
Briard
Brittany
BullMastiff
Bull Terrier
Bulldog (English)
Bulldog (French)
Cairn Terrier
Cavalier King Charles
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chihuahua
l
ular
Gastro
-intestina
Osteo
-artic
Obesity
log
Uro
Dermato
lithiasis
ic
l
ular
Gastro
-intestina
Osteo
-artic
Obesity
log
Uro
Dermato
Chow Chow
Cocker Spaniel
Collie
Dachshund
Dalmatian
Doberman Pinscher
English Setter
Finnish Spitz
Fox Terrier
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Gordon Setter
Great Dane
Great Pyrenees
Greyhound
Irish Setter
Jack Russell Terrier
Labrador Retriever
Lhasa Apso
Maltese
Mastiff
Miniature Schnauzer
Neopolitan Mastiff
lithiasis
ic
l
ular
Gastro
-intestina
Osteo
-artic
Obesity
log
lithiasis
Uro
Dermato
ic
Common Canine Health Risks by Breed
Newfoundland
Old English Sheepdog
Otterhound
Pekingese
Pointer
Pomeranian
Poodle
Pug
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Saint Bernard
Scottish Terrier
Shar Pei
Shetland Sheepdog
Shih Tzu
Siberian Husky
Silky Terrier
Springer Spaniel
Weimaraner
West Highland White
Whippet
Yorkshire Terrier
RisK Intensity High
ModerateLow
Very Low
Source: Survey conducted with 93 veterinarians, Beaver Creek, Colo., May 2007
Pet Quarterly | Fall 2009 7
Parasite Control
have a
heart
Get your pets tested for
heartworm every year—
and be vigilant about
preventatives to avoid this
dangerous disease.
By Keri Weyenberg
Key Points
Heartworm is caused when an infected
mosquito bites a dog or cat.
Heartworm infection has severe health
consequences, including inflammation and
compromised heart and lungs. This can lead
to permanent damage or death.
Treatment for heartworm in dogs can
be a grueling process requiring multiple injections,
office visits, blood draws and cage rest, with costs
rising up to $1,000.
There is no approved treatment for
heartworm in cats.
Heartworm is on the rise across the
United States. All dogs and cats are at risk, no
matter where you live. It can happen to your pet.
Prevention is easy and comparatively
inexpensive. For the cost of a Frappuccino once
a month, you can protect your pet from this
debilitating and deadly disease.
8 Fall 2009 | Pet Quarterly
E
Every year, pet owners flood into veterinary practices
across the country to have their pets tested for heartworm
disease, get preventative medication and then hope to
not receive a call from their veterinarian saying their pet
has tested positive.
What’s so important about this annual pilgrimage?
“Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal
condition caused by parasitic worms living in the
arteries of the lungs and the right side of the heart
of dogs, cats and other species of mammals,” explains
Sheldon Rubin, DVM and president of the American
Heartworm Society (AHS).
These nasty worms can cause inflammation and
block blood flow to your pet’s heart and lungs. Up to
250 worms can infect a dog, and each worm can grow
up to 12 inches long. Heartworm is transmitted when
a mosquito sucks the blood of an infected animal and
then transfers the microfilaria, or heartworm larvae,
when it bites the next animal.
An estimated 1 million dogs test positive for heartworm
each year in the United States, a statistic that experts say
is entirely preventable. “Prevention of heartworm disease
using safe and effective medications as directed by your
veterinarian is near 100 percent,” says Rubin.
Prevention vs. Treatment
Treatment is available for dogs unlucky enough to be
infected, but it can be a grueling process. Dogs are injected
with Immiticide®, an arsenic-based drug. Multiple
treatments can be required, depending on how badly the
Heartworm disease is
spreading across the
Southeastern United States,
with most clinics reporting more than 26 cases
annually and some having upward of 100 cases.
HEARTWORM INCIDENCE 2001
HEARTWORM INCIDENCE 2007
Average number of cases per reporting clinic
<1 case/clinic n 1–5 cases/clinic n 6–25 cases/clinic
n 26–50 cases/clinic n 51-99 cases/clinic n 100+ cases/clinic
Heartworm
on the Rise
Think you don’t need to worry about
heartworm? Think again. Every three
years the American Heartworm Society
conducts a study to see where more
cases are popping up. The most recent
completed study concluded in 2007 and
showed for the third time since 2001
that heartworm rates had risen and that
the area in which it is usually detected
has expanded.
The disease is being found more
frequently in the Northwest, a part of the
country that was rarely affected before.
Regions that have always fought heartworm, such as the Mississippi Delta,
South-central and Southeastern states,
are experiencing a significant increase in
the number of pets diagnosed.
Why the sudden upswing? Doug
Carithers, DVM and vice president of the
American Heartworm Society, suggests
that it’s likely a combination of events.
Changing weather patterns can allow
mosquitoes to live longer or breed more.
In the current economic climate, pet
owners might be less likely to purchase
preventative or to give it consistently.
As testing methods get more advanced,
veterinarians could be finding more
cases that would have previously
gone undiagnosed.
The severity of heartworm incidence shown in these maps is based on the average
number of cases per reporting clinic. Some remote regions of the United States lack
veterinary clinics, so there are no reported cases from these areas.
Source: ©American Heartworm Society
Pet Quarterly | Fall 2009 9
Parasite Control
Heartworm Dos
and Don’ts
n
n
D
o get your pets tested every year
for heartworm.
D
o use year-round heartworm
preventatives for both dogs and cats.
n
n
Don’t share doses between pets.
Don’t skip doses.
pet is affected. There are also repeated office visits, blood
work and plenty of down time for the dog. Recovery can
take up to three months or more, with the pet requiring
cage rest or limited activity to prevent injury to the heart
and lungs. All this can rack up to $1,000 in costs.
Michael Murray, DVM and technical director
for Merial Limited, maker of the Heartgard line of
preventatives, can’t stress the importance of prevention
enough: “Prevention is a vastly superior alternative to
treatment, being safer and less expensive,” he says. Adds
Rubin, “It costs no more than a cup of Starbucks a
month to prevent heartworm.”
A wide range of prevention drugs is available for dogs,
including monthly oral medications, topicals and even a
bi-annual injection. All preventatives work by killing the
larvae that have infected the pet and that are under the
pet’s skin, migrating towards their ultimate destination,
the heart and lungs. Talk to your veterinarian about the
best method of prevention.
Protect Your Cats
Heartworm disease is more common among dogs, but
cats are also susceptible. In cats, heartworm infection
can lead to a severe respiratory disease known as
Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease, and in
some cases, sudden death. Because there is no approved
treatment for cats, prevention is all the more critical.
“There is no treatment available for our feline
friends,” says Rubin. “The best option is to wait for the
worm to die, about two to three years, and try to treat any
resulting symptoms. Cats usually visit the veterinarian
half as often as dogs and typically either survive the two
years with heartworm without ever being diagnosed or
die suddenly, making it difficult to estimate how many
cats contract the disease.”
Have your cats tested each year, and talk to your
veterinarian about the appropriate preventative. Even
indoor cats should be given preventatives, because
mosquitoes do get into homes and can potentially bite
your pets.
Year-Round Prevention
In 2005, the American Heartworm Society updated its
recommendations, extending the length of preventative
treatment from nine months of the year to year round.
The change was based on several key reasons:
n You are less likely to forget to give your pet a
preventative if you are consistently giving it.
n Pets may travel with their owners to
mosquito-populated areas.
n The possibility of milder winters could allow
mosquitoes to live longer.
At a Glance: Heartworm Disease in Dogs and Cats
Cats
Parasite
Dirofilaria immitis
Transmission
Mosquito
Susceptibility to infection
61% to 90%
of cats exposed to
infective larvae become infected
Duration of worms
2-3 years
Organs most typically affectedLungs
Diagnosis
Complex
Treatment
• None approved
• High risk of complications
Compounds for prevention
4 approved in U.S.
Dogs
Dirofilaria immitis
Mosquito
Virtually 100% of
dogs exposed to infective
larvae become infected
5-7 years
Heart and lungs
Relatively simple
• 1 compound approved
• Complications manageable
Several approved in U.S.
Source: American Heartworm Society
10 Fall 2009 | Pet Quarterly
Each heartworm
can grow up to
12 inches long.
Passing the Test
Two common tests for diagnosing heartworm are
Most preventatives also
include medications that
the microfilaria filter test and the antigen test. The filter test is
prevent other types of
intestinal parasites, some that
a simple blood test that looks for microfilaria (mosquito larvae)
are transmissible to people.
circulating in the pet’s blood. An estimated 15 percent to 20
Don’t forget the yearly
heartworm test, even if your pet
percent of dogs that are actually heartworm positive won’t have
is on year-round preventative
treatment. Sometimes we miss a
microfilaria circulating, so they’ll falsely test negative. That’s why
treatment, or give it late. Or, your
the American Heartworm Society recommends the antigen test.
pet may vomit the pill when you’re
not looking.
The more accurate antigen test looks for proteins in the blood
Because it can sometimes be
harmful to give a heartworm preventhat were released by female heartworms.
tative to a dog or cat that is already
infected with heartworms, it’s imperative
to make sure your veterinarian tests your
pet every year. The AHS recommends waiting
until the test results return with a negative result
before giving preventative.
The biggest take-home message is it that heartworm
disease can happen to your pet. Remember, AHS
considers 1 million dogs testing positive every year to
be a conservative estimate. With regular preventative
treatment and routine veterinary care, your pet doesn’t
have to become a statistic. n
n
Keri Weyenberg has been active in the
veterinary community for nearly a decade.
After a career as a technician and manager,
she is currently pursuing admission to
veterinary school.
Pet Quarterly | Fall 2009 11
Dental Health
Cavities
Gone Mad?
Tooth resorption in cats is painful but often goes
undetected. Regular dental checkups and x-rays can help.
By Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM
T
Key Points
Cats naturally hide their pain, just like
their wild ancestors. So regular checkups
may be the only way to detect tooth resorption.
Tooth resorption is best detected
through x-rays.
The cause of tooth resorption in cats is
not known, but it can be treated by extracting
the tooth.
Dental checks are more important for
cats as they age.
Your veterinarian may recommend dental
x-rays for your cats every 6 to 18 months.
12 Fall 2009 | Pet Quarterly
Tooth resorption (the breakdown or destruction of a
tooth, starting at the outer cementum and working its
way in) occurs in a large percentage of our feline friends.
Because the symptoms are difficult to see, cats often
suffer silently with this painful condition.
Your veterinarian can help alleviate the problem, so
it’s a good idea to include a dental exam in your cat’s
overall wellness program.
Small red dots on the tooth, often at the gum line,
are a common sign of tooth resorption (see Figure 1).
These cavitations may be no more than ½ millimeter
in diameter and are very difficult to detect without the
experienced eye of your veterinarian. Other lesions are
present under the gum line and do not show themselves
until the disease is very advanced.
No one knows what causes these defects. We do know
that something stimulates a cell called an odontoclast
that destroys the tooth structure at a microscopic level.
The destruction will progress, eventually destroying the
entire crown and root unless detected early and treated
by your veterinarian. Although your cat likely will show
no signs of discomfort, once visible these lesions are
often painful.
Figure 1: The small pink area that is present above the
gumline on this tooth is evidence of early tooth resorption.
Our domesticated feline friend’s instinct is to
hide oral pain. Evolution has done a great job at
teaching them that. They will eat despite any pain in
the quest for survival, just as their wild ancestors did.
They will often chew on unaffected teeth away from
the source of pain to avoid contact of kibble with the
painful area.
A Painful Progression
Tooth resorption in cats might be referred to as “a cavity
gone mad,” because these defects will progress despite
attempts at treating them. But the problem will also
become worse without therapy (see Figure 2). Cavities
(caries) in humans are treated by removing diseased
tooth tissue and restoring the defect with a material
similar to enamel and dentin. These cavities are caused by
acids produced by certain bacteria. Cats do not normally
have these bacteria. Fluoride helps to prevent cavities
X Marks the Spot
Using x-rays to detect tooth resorption is 2.4 times
more accurate than visual examination.
Did You Know?
As many as 60 percent to 70 percent of all cats
experience tooth resorption during their lives.
Source: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association,
Journal of Veterinary Dentistry
Figure 2: Gone undetected, the gum adjacent to the
resorption gets inflamed and painful. Extraction of this
tooth provided this cat with a pain-free cure.
in humans by making the enamel more resistant
to this process, but fluoride does not prevent tooth
resorption in our feline friends.
Because we do not know the exact cause of tooth
resorption, we do not know how to prevent it from
affecting our pets. Veterinary examinations are very
important to help detect this condition early. Dental
x-rays are the only accurate method of evaluating tooth
resorption both above and below the gum line. Often
tooth resorption will not be visible, and x-rays provide
the only means of accurate detection.
Treating the Problem
We can’t prevent tooth resorption, but we can accurately
treat it by removing the tooth structure. The veterinarian
will use nerve blocks to deaden the area, so the cat feels
no pain upon waking. Postoperative analgesics are also
recommended for several days to minimize or eliminate
any residual pain.
Monitoring becomes extremely important, because
most cats with resorptive lesions will experience more
as they age. Rechecks as often as every six months may
be needed to catch tooth resorption early. Ideally, dental
x-rays should be taken every 6 to 18 months to monitor
for additional disease.
Working with the veterinary staff to ensure early
detection, proper treatment and periodic monitoring of
tooth resorption will provide your feline friend with the
best chance at maintaining a pain-free mouth. n
Dr. Brett Beckman is a specialist in veterinary dentistry.
See the cover for an important
message from your veterinarian.
Pet Quarterly | Fall 2009 13
Pet Tales
Can Your Pet Be a
blood donor?
Dog and cat blood donors can save lives—just like human
donors. Ask your veterinarian if your pet qualifies.
By Alison Otto
Riker (shown here with certified
veterinary technician Gina Falish
and his owner, Carol Schussler)
donated 12 units of blood until
he retired this year.
14 Fall 2009 | Pet Quarterly
C
Canine heroes come in many forms—rescue dogs,
bomb-sniffing dogs, therapy dogs. Most are calm, cool
and collected.
And then there’s Riker, a gregarious, 85-pound
red Doberman Pinscher, known for his penchant for
galloping through the house and yard, sliding full-speed
into walls and other objects—and occasionally landing
at the emergency veterinarian’s office in Grayslake, Ill.
That’s where his owner, Carol Schussler, heard about
Animal Emergency & Treatment Center’s blood-donor
program. A cancer survivor, Schussler could no longer
donate her own blood. But as she and the program’s founder
and certified veterinary technician, Gina Falish, soon
discovered, Riker was a perfect candidate. The Doberman
is rambunctious in his own back yard, but he’s willing to lie
perfectly still during a 15-minute blood-donation procedure.
Donor Hero
Over the course of three years, Riker has become an
unlikely hero. Through his blood draws (allowed every
eight weeks), the Doberman has donated 12 units of
blood. Falish estimates that each of Riker’s donations
has helped out four dogs in need of a blood transfusion.
Adds Schussler: “It’s no different than with people.
Donating blood saves lives.”
The busy emergency and critical-care hospital
transfuses 20 to 30 pets per week, a result of varying
emergencies, ranging from surgeries to dogs being hit
by cars. Blood transfusions are also needed for dogs that
have ingested rat poison; the poison is deadly to dogs
because it inhibits blood clotting. With donations from
Riker, Cujo the pit bull, Grady the mixed breed and
other healthy pets (currently 70 dogs and 30 cats
in all) among its client base, the hospital has built a
blood bank that serves its own patients and those of
neighboring veterinary practices.
Special Pets
Not all dogs or cats are destined to be blood donors; it
takes a special pet to qualify. The donation process is not
long, but the pet must be willing to allow a needle to be
inserted into the jugular vein in its neck. Falish estimates
that two of 10 dogs will be selected for her program. The
odds are even slimmer for cats: only one of 15 screened
cats becomes a suitable donor.
As science delves deeper into the uses for animal-blood
transfusions, and as pets are living longer lives, the need for
donors has become more widespread. “Right now, there is
a shortage of cat blood,” says Falish. Type B blood from
cats is in particular demand; only about nine percent of
cats, typically purebreds, have this blood type, Falish says.
But when pets make the cut, the rewards are great—
Requirements for Donating Blood
Ask your veterinarian if your dog or cat qualifies to be a blood donor.
Your pet will undergo a physical exam and laboratory screening to determine its eligibility.
Standards will vary, but here are general guidelines, provided by Animal Emergency & Treatment Center.
All pets should have no breeding history, be in good health and have a friendly disposition.
CATS
DOGS
n 50
n1
pounds or more
to 8 years of age
n Current
on vaccinations
n 10
n1
pounds or more
to 8 years of age
n Current
on vaccinations
n FeLV/FIV
negative
Visit Animal Emergency & Treatment Center’s website at www.aetcenter.com for more information.
Pet Quarterly | Fall 2009 15
Pet Tales
Know Your Pet’s Blood Type
Riker is a universal donor (DEA 1.1 Negative
Curious about your pet’s blood type? Consult your
veterinarian. Dogs have 13 groups of blood types,
which are described by DEA (dog erythrocyte
antigen) followed by a number, such as DEA 1.1.
Cat blood types are similar to human blood-type
classifications, but they do not have the universal
O blood type. The most well-known feline blood types
are A, B and AB. Most cats have type A blood. (For more
detail on blood types, see the Winter 2009 issue of Pet Quarterly.)
and DEA 7 Negative). His blood is kept as
whole blood or spun down and separated
into plasma and red cells, depending on
the needs of the hospital.
for their owners and for pets in need.
Programs often offer perks to their blood
donors, such as free heartworm tests.
Each pet must undergo a physical exam
and laboratory screening to qualify as a
donor. And before each donation, the
pet undergoes a mini wellness check,
a free preventive-medicine plus.
Retired Hero
After a recent visit, Riker is retiring
from his duties as a blood donor.
He will soon turn nine years old, the
cut-off age for dogs. At the end of the
15-minute procedure, the Doberman
gulps his treat of canned dog food (so
enthusiastically that Falish drops it on
the table and quickly moves away), and
Falish wraps a “blood donor” bandana
around his neck. He looks no worse
for the wear, as he eyes a potential
playmate in the waiting room.
Riker has retired a hero, and Falish
continues her mission to get the word
out. She is always looking for more
donors. “The more people know about
it, the more lives we can save,” she says.
Alison Otto is a Chicago-based writer
and editor.
7
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We’d love to hear from you! Tell us how your veterinarian has helped you and
your pet, and you could be featured in our next
issue! E-mail us at [email protected].
16 Fall 2009 | Pet Quarterly
Á,/,ʈÃÊ>ÊÀi}ˆÃÌiÀi`ÊÌÀ>`i“>ÀŽ]Ê>˜`ÊÒ̅iʜ}ÊEÊ>˜`ʜ}œÊˆÃÊ>ÊÌÀ>`i“>ÀŽ]ʜvÊiÀˆ>°Ê
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PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Lebanon
Junction, KY
Permit No. 663
Below is a convenient place to jot down questions for your veterinarian.
Q:______________________________________________________
Q:_________________________________________________________
Q:________________________________________________________
Q:_______________________________________________________
OraVet was so effective
for him, Frankie started
recommending it to all his
friends – EVEN THE CATS.
®
Reduce dental plaque and calculus in your pet
– with the OraVet oral healthcare sytem.
®
Plaque is a clear, colorless film that builds up on
the surface of your pet’s teeth and can lead to
the formation of the hard, rough mineral deposits
known as calculus.
OraVet has been clinically proven to significantly
reduce plaque and calculus formation in dogs and cats.*
*Data on file at Merial.
®ORAVET is a registered trademark of Merial.
©2009 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved.
OVT09CNHALFPAGEAD.
Ask your veterinarian about OraVet today.