February has been designated as the month to recognize and emphasize the importance of dental health in our pets. Making dental health a priority for your pet results in more benefits than just pearly white teeth and fresh breath; it can mean maintaining total body health for your pet as well.

Left untreated periodontal disease can cause changes in the liver, kidneys and heart. At Raritan Animal Hospital we have several options for your pet to help keep him or her healthy.

If your pet already has progressive signs of periodontal disease such as bad breath, red gums, yellow or brown crust near the gum line, and even some loose teeth, a dental cleaning is recommended. A dental cleaning is performed using methods very similar to those used in human dentistry except your pet is anesthetized during the procedure. Your pet’s teeth will be scaled free of tartar, polished clean, and treated with fluoride. The condition of each tooth will be charted and recorded in your pet’s medical record and any loose or diseased teeth will be extracted with the aid of a high speed drill.

Once clean, we offer the option of placing an oral sealant, called Oravet™, on your pet’s teeth. This sealant protects your pet’s teeth and can slow the formation of plaque and tartar extending the time between dental cleanings. Once applied, the barrier will need to be maintained with a weekly application of gel from the Oravet™ home kit which will be sent home with you after your pet’s cleaning.

Other options available to help maintain your pet’s oral health include regular brushing with enzymatic toothpaste that has been formulated for dogs or cats. Oral rinses, such as Nolvadent, are a great additive to brushing. They help reduce the amount of plaque- forming bacteria present in the mouth. Prescription diets such as Hill’s T/D are an effective method to help lessen the formation of tartar on your pet’s teeth. Treats such as CET Chews are also available in various sizes for dogs as well as two flavors, fish or chicken, for cats. These treats, like dental diets, also help to decrease the ability of plaque to form on the tooth surface.

For our canine patients a new and exciting option in periodontal disease prevention has emerged in the form of a vaccine which targets the bacteria responsible for facilitating the formation of plaque and eventually tartar. This new product is the Porphyromonas vaccine. Incorporating this vaccine into your dog’s dental health regimen has been shown to help reduce the bone changes accompanied by periodontal disease thus reducing the chance of tooth loss. This is especially important for those canine breeds most prone to periodontal disease. Ask your veterinarian today about the status of your pet’s oral health and about creating a dental health plan tailored to meet your pet’s needs.

The Sooner, The Better!

At Raritan Animal Hospital, we welcome all kinds of patients including those with feathers and scales. Whether you own an iguana, cockatoo or rabbit; all animals need at least a yearly check up. Birds, our focus for this month’s newsletter, are especially skilled at hiding illness from their owners until it is often too late for treatment. Early detection by an owner is essential in order to provide the best chance of a successful outcome. The earliest signs of illness may be subtle; a decrease in appetite, a change in amount, consistency, or color of stool, a change in attitude or behavior. If you notice that your bird is just not acting normally, don’t think of yourself as being overprotective. Bring your pet in and let our veterinarians determine his or her health status.

Nutrition is essential in maintaining your bird’s overall health and well-being. At Raritan Animal Hospital we advocate feeding a pelleted diet. Pellets tend to be much more nutritionally complete than seed based diets. When you bring your bird to us, please be detailed about what foods you are offering as well as which of those foods your bird is actually eating. Birds, even when sick, may still play in the food dish without eating anything! If your bird’s diet needs changing, talk to your veterinarian about different methods for switching to a pelleted diet.

When you come for your office visit, bring a fresh fecal sample with you. For birds this can be an individual sample that you collect at home or simply saving the whole cage liner for the veterinarian to examine and collect a sample. In addition to a physical exam, we recommend routine blood work. Blood work can often reveal those symptoms of illness your bird is trying to mask such as underlying organ disease or infection. The more information that we have about your bird, the more focused treatment can be.

If your bird is sick, we may recommend hospitalization for the day so that we can do our physical exam and diagnostic tests in stages to decrease the amount of stress that may occur with each step. Handling a sick bird, especially one experiencing difficulty breathing, can have fatal consequences if not done carefully. Our staff is trained to provide the gentle touch your ailing bird needs.

The best medicine for birds is preventative medicine, so be a proactive bird owner and make sure your feathered friend is examined at least yearly by a veterinarian. Pay attention to even the smallest changes in your bird’s usual routine. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, don’t hesitate to call us and schedule an appointment. What better gift to receive than the piece of mind that your pet is in perfect health!

Welcome New Additions

The Raritan Animal Hospital would like to welcome the newest additions to our staff! Wayne Jacobs and Jessica Rios have joined our technician staff, while Jen Eisinger and Jen Procanik are the newest additions to our receptionist staff!

Raritan Animal Hospital is proud to announce that we now carry a limited supply of blood products in the hospital. This is just another way that we are striving to meet the needs of our clients! If you are interested in learning your pet’s blood type, please speak to one of our doctors for more information.

Slentrol™ weight loss program.

Last quarter, we introduced Slentrol™, a new prescription medication which aids in weight loss in obese dogs. It works by suppressing a dog’s appetite, which reduces calorie intake and stops unwanted behaviors, such as begging. We are happy to introduce one of many patients who are successfully losing weight since starting this program.

Jessica is a miniature pinscher who began Slentrol™ over the summer. Jessica is hoping to achieve a nice, slim waist by the next swimsuit season. Already, Jessica has lost 7.5% of her body weight with the help of Slentrol™. She is already becoming more active and feeling good about herself. Great job, Jessica!

If your pet might be a candidate for the Slentrol™ weight loss program, please make a consultation with your veterinarian. Obesity is linked to diabetes, heart disease and joint problems; early intervention is the key to preventing these and other medical problems. Please call us for more information.

Join us for the National Canine Weight Check

Stop In And Let Us Weigh Your Pet!
WEIGHT CHECK DATES & TIMES
February 4th 2-4pm & 5-7pm 5th 2-4pm & 5-7pm 6th 2-4pm
7th 2-4pm
8th 2-4pm

February 18th 2-4pm & 5-7pm
19th 2-4pm & 5-7pm
20th 2-4pm
21st 2-4pm
22nd 2-4pm

Weight Checks will not be available at the hospital clinics
The National Canine Weight Check is a public service supported by the American Kennel Club Humane Fund and veterinarians across the country, through a sponsorship by Pfizer Animal Health.

New Innovations in Flea Control

With spring around the corner, flea and tick season will soon be upon us. In recent months, flea resistance has become a hot topic in veterinary medicine. In some areas of the country, fleas are becoming impervious to traditional over-the-counter medications. As a result, we at the Raritan Animal Hospital are introducing our clients to the newest innovations in flea control.

Promeris™ is a monthly flea medication which has activity against both fleas and ticks. Promeris™ is applied topically (much like Frontline®) and kills fleas and ticks for one month. Its active ingredients are amitraz, which is the gold standard for tick control, and metaflumizone, a non-toxic compound to which fleas have never been exposed. It is waterproof and safe for use in puppies as early as 8 weeks of age.

For dogs, we are also recommending that Promeris™ be used in conjunction with Sentinel®. Sentinel® is a monthly heartworm preventative that contains a flea growth inhibitor. If a flea bites a dog on Sentinel®, the flea is prevented from hatching into the next stage of the life cycle, and it sterilizes the flea, preventing it from laying eggs. These measures protect the home from environmental contamination.

For our feline patients, we recommend Revolution®. Revolution® is a topical preventative that protects cats from heartworm, fleas, ear mites, and some internal parasites. It is applied monthly, and is recommended for both indoor and outdoor cats.

This spring, be proactive in protecting your pet from fleas and ticks. Please speak to your veterinarian for more information.

Learn about Breed Analysis

Have you ever wondered what your mixed breed dog is a mix of? If so, you may be interested in having your dog genetically analyzed! The Wisdom Panel™ MX is the newest and most complete genetic testing available to determine breed analysis.

The Wisdom Panel’s genetic testing is performed only by veterinarians. A small sample of your dog’s blood is submitted to the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition. By comparing sites along your dog’s DNA with that of over 130 different AKC registered dogs, a comprehensive profile is created for your individual pet. The Wisdom Panel™ can determine if your pet has any purebred dog in it’s lineage up to the great grandparents. Together with the breed analysis, each pet has a breed profile which discusses historical background, physical traits, and breed-associated behaviors that may be noted in your pet.

If you are interested in learning more about breed analysis, please speak to your veterinarians. The Wisdom Panel™ will be available to patients at the Raritan Animal Hospital in January 2008.