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Good diet is the keystone to good health - PERIODONTAL(GUM) DISEASE
- Microchipping and council registration
- The Barking Dog - what can we do?
GOOD DIET IS THE KEYSTONE TO GOOD HEALTH.
An animal's natural food is the ultimate in nutrition. Millions of years of research and development by Mother Nature has determined the optimum diet for the dog and cat families. Domestication, I would argue, has not changed that diet to any great extent.
Experience
in practice, and as a pet owner of currently two dogs, and four cats, has proved
to me that the following dietary advice for our pet dogs and cats (and ferrets)
will help prevent disease and give your pet a long and healthy life. It is an
attempt to mimic nature's best. It should be emphasised that the diet is similar
for both dog and cat, and that the basis of the diet is raw, meaty bones. Not
surprisingly you will find that our domesticated carnivores are excellent processors
of meat and bone. Just look at the poo from an animal fed on meaty bones. And
anyway just ask our Sandy...
Every day offer:
- WATER. Milk can cause diarrhoea, and often contributes to obesity.
- RAW, MEATY BONES. I recommend CHICKEN WINGS or NECKS for small dogs and cats. LAMB FLAPS, BRISKETS and LAMB NECKS for larger dogs. This should make up the bulk of the daily diet - perhaps 60-80% by volume.
- TABLE SCRAPS, including lightly cooked vegetables, partly digested vegetables (the equivalent of cooking) are part of the natural diet, being the devoured stomach contents of the carnivore's prey. If there is insufficient then consider commercial off-the-shelf petfoods (biscuits are better than tinned-"the best laxative known to mankind")
THINGS TO AVOID
It is best to avoid COOKED or BARBEQUED BONES. Cooking makes them brittle. Chop bones, cut by band saw, have sharp edges. Large knuckle bones (bone only) can cause tooth fracture, and will also result in constipation.
In general avoid bones that 'man' has processed. Let the animal do the processing!
In a similar vein avoid feeding corn cobbettes - they are often swallowed whole, and result in bowel blockage!
A FEW POINTS TO REMEMBER
Raw meaty bones are nature's toothbrush. They help teething from the early age of 4 weeks; they help prevent a smelly breath, and chronic periodontal or GUM DISEASE. Offering exclusively mushy, processed foods is often associated with the development of gum disease. Experience and research shows that gum disease can lead to more serious, and often life-threatening, systemic conditions for example heart and kidney disease.
No one can tell us the perfect diet, not even the 'nutritional experts'. Table scraps will cater for any small deficiencies and trace elements in the diet. Remember "variety is the spice of life". Mineral and vitamin supplements are not necessary. Too much can often cause problems. For example there is plenty of naturally balanced calcium/phosphorus in the raw bones.
The amount you feed will depend on many factors such as body condition, exercise, age, pregnancy or lactation.
I must stress however that, just as in nature, every animal, and situation can be different. Often older animals are 'hooked' on to commercial flavour enhanced petfoods, and prove difficult to change their diet. Some older animals often have gum or periodontal disease and will not eat bones because of pain. I would therefore recommend that your pet should have an examination. Problems identified can be addressed and then perhaps more specific dietary advice initiated.
Your pet deserves a long and healthy life.To top of page
PERIODONTAL (GUM) DISEASE PREVENTION DOES YOUR PET'S BREATH SMELL? Studies and
observations in practice show that periodontal or gum disease exists in greater
than 85% of our pet dogs and cats older than 2 years of age. Periodontal disease
is the most common disease seen in general pet practice in Australia. The
pictures below indicate the stages of gum disease ranging from gingivitis (inflammation
of the gums) to severe periodontitis (inflammation/infection of the tooth sockets).
Pictures courtesy of Pfizer Pty
Ltd.
"Sally" Smithson with A
bad smell on the animal's breath is often the first thing noticed by the pet owner.
Other symptoms recorded are yelping when eating, swellings from root abscesses,
excessive licking of lips, discharging sinuses in gums or below the eye (malar
abscess) weight loss, inappetence and general lethargy and ill health. A
closer examination of the mouth especially the outside of the back and upper teeth
(premolars and molars) may also reveal a thick covering of tartar (brown in colour)
on the teeth, pus around teeth, generalised ulceration, gum recession, pain or
even loose or missing teeth. However
the animal often shows no pain. They have no choice. Pus and poisons will
circulate throughout the body leading to general ill health. Constant pain is
debilitating. Periodontal disease is a slow and insidious disease that is most
often hard to detect especially if there are no dramatic symptoms. It is commonly
misdiagnosed as part of the 'ageing process'. The
outcome of performing dental surgery reinforces the diagnosis. "Like a new
puppy" and "Hasn't behaved like this for years" are comments received
after only 7 days. At
the Bligh Park Veterinary Hospital we believe that correct diet is by far
the best way to prevent the development of this often silent disease. Use
of this diet from an early age and after dentistry is recommended. Research
has shown that too much mushy processed commercially prepared food will result
in an increased incidence of periodontal disease. Similarly weaning young 3-4
week old kittens on to red mince will contribute dramatically to early symptoms
of gum disease. For more information
on prevention see Good Diet is the Keystone to Good Health
and "Periodontal Disease Prevention in Cats". Vaccinations are an essential component of infectious disease prevention. We recommend a complete
course of puppy and kitten vaccinations and examinations commencing at 6 weeks
of age. Diseases that we help to prevent include: CANINE Annual booster vaccinations
are recommended. Although your pet may appear healthy, this consultation allows
the veterinarian to give your pet an examination that may pinpoint developing
disease processes. Please consider carefully before breeding from your pet. Desexing is the best way to avoid the hassles of
seasons, accidental mating, problems at birth, and most importantly unwanted litters.
Cats are proficient breeders from 5 months of age and are frequently pregnant
again while mothering 6 week old kittens! Feral cats are a big problem in the
Hawkesbury country areas and our native wildlife is suffering. With cats desexing
also reduces spraying, fighting (cat abscesses) and wandering. We recommend desexing dogs from 6 months of age, and cats from 5 months of age. Desexed
dogs are easier to train. Aggression is often reduced. However it must be noted
that desexing is not always the answer to inappropriate behaviour. This subject
is best discussed more fully with the vet. Desexing
allows you to feed less. Obesity often occurs if this advice is not heeded! At the Bligh Park Veterinary Hospital
desexing is only a day stay in hospital. This means you can bring in your pet
of a morning and he/she will walk out that evening. All sutures are dissolving
and skin wounds are sutured cosmetically. There are no external stitches. This
technique prevents the complications of licking wounds, wound breakdown and
infections. This allows wounds to heal quicker and you don't need to return
for stitch removal. To top of page
PUPPY PRESCHOOL Wild
dogs such as wolves, dingoes and the African wild dogs are pack animals. They
will always be found in family groups. Older animals serve to feed and teach the
young - puppies play and learn in groups. A social hierarchy, the 'pecking order',
is constantly instilled into members of the group. Domestication
has lead to an unnatural situation. Puppies are separated from their littermates
and elders at sale (6 - 8 weeks of age). Although domestication over thousands
of years has lessened this stressful process, research and experience has shown
that providing the socialising and training, thus denied at that early age, will
help to reduce future bad behaviour in our canines. At the Bligh Park Veterinary Hospital puppy preschool helps provide for this
deficiency. Bark Busters
has been providing our clients with this service for some years now. They offer
a 4week course and can be contacted by phoning Teresa on 02 4572 0777 or 1 800
067 712 or accessing their web site at www.barkbusters.com.au Anew section of our website has been added recently
dealing with DOG BARKING This
early intervention not only gives our young delinquents new 'skills' but also
teaches their new parents how to communicate with them. And by the way . it's
also fun! Training your dog is an ongoing
requirement. Bark Busters
can provide continuing 'education' after puppy preschool. There are also many
group training clubs in our local area. Ask our staff for some contact numbers. Training
is an integral part of owning a dog. Training must always be reinforced. Dominating
your new family member is essential, especially with the larger breeds. You must
be 'the boss of the pack', as nothing less than this can often lead to serious
misbehaviour. Remember training takes
time. However this is also rewarding as your dog will love the attention and bond
more closely with their new owner. Please
consider this carefully before purchasing a dog. See 'Choosing
a Puppy' The Hawkesbury is the flea capital of a city regarded as a flea capital in Australia! Here, fleas are
an all year round problem for both cats and dogs. Adult fleas can lay 200 eggs at one time and live for 6 months. Eggs are laid on the
animal and then drop off into the environment. The eggs will hatch into a pupal
stage that buries into the soil (some 2 feet in sandy soil). Ultimately when conditions
are right and they receive the right trigger, they develop into small black immature
adult fleas and are in search of a suitable host in order to gain a blood meal
by biting. These fleas, often inaccurately called 'grass fleas', are very active
and difficult to find, but cause extreme pruritis (itchiness). Over time they
become the mature brown adult flea capable of laying more eggs. As environment plays a major part in the flea's life cycle, 100% control or eradication
is virtually impossible! However new long-acting topical (spray or spot on) products, which are incidentally safer
for animal and environment, are now the most effective tools in achieving
our best flea control. Monthly oral preparations that interfere with the
flea egg development may also be appropriate.
It is important to apply them properly. New topical monthly flea control products, such as Revolution, have the benefit
of also preventing heartworm. This product will also treat intestinal worms
in your cat (but not the dog). This is particularly useful as an easy way of
worming your cat. Compare this to trying to give a worm tablet or paste! It
is for this reason we recommend Revolution for cats. If you are not sure exactly what worms your product treats please phone us
for our advice. Each case is different. Remember that if an animal scratches or licks excessively,
fleas are not necessarily the sole cause. Scratching and excessive licking are
only symptoms of a disease or diseases. We recommend an examination to diagnose
the factors involved. Treating only one factor will not fix the problem. Fleas however are most commonly the initial problem of skin disease. All year round
flea prevention helps to maintain your pets healthy skin and coat. HEARTWORM AND INTESTINAL WORM CONTROL In rder to prevent this serious disease we suggest starting heartworm prevention
with your puppy from 6 weeks of age. We recommend giving your dog heartworm prevention on a monthly basis. In particular
the product of choice comes as a chewable beef cube and has the added benefit
of controlling most intestinal worms. Tapeworm tablets, used on a regular basis,
will complete the control of all the worms that can commonly infect our pet dogs.
Our staff will remind you about tapeworming when you purchase your 6-month's supply
of heartworm prevention. When your puppy is fully grown there is an alternative to the monthly prevention.
We recommend the injection known as SR-12. This prevents heartworm infection
for 12 months and can be given at the time of vaccination. Please be aware these products are not licensed for use on ferrets and rabbits.
These chemicals are very safe for cats and dogs but different species have
different reactions to drugs. Off label use can cause severe harm. Check with
the vet before use. In the event of missed heartworm prevention we strongly advise an examination, and heartworm
test. Clinical signs consistent with heartworm disease will require more accurate
tests. Most monthly heartworm preventatives are prescription only. We do not recommend heartworm prevention in cats because of the apparent low level
of infection and disease diagnosed. Common intestinal worms found in our pets include roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, and tapeworm. With very young puppies start
intestinal worming with a syrup from 2 weeks of age and repeat every 2
weeks until initiating the monthly heartworm prevention. Kittens should likewise be wormed from an early age, and once over 12 weeks, every 3 months
with tablets or pastes. Flea control helps prevent tapeworm infection. The flea is the intermediate host for the most
common tapeworm affecting both dog and cat. MICROCHIPPING AND COUNCIL REGISTRATION There are important legal aspects and requirements to owning a dog and a cat. From the
1st July 99 the NSW Companion Animals Act comes into force. Animal identification by microchipping is an integral part of this legislation. Microchipping
allows vets and pounds to identify and return lost pets to their owners. All
animals that change ownership must be microchipped at the time of changeover.
The full details of the NSW Companion Animals Act can be read at www.dlg.nsw.gov.au The Bligh Park Veterinary Hospital has microchips and a multi scanner capable of reading
all currently used microchips. COUNCIL REGISTRATION All animals older than
6 months have to be registered with the Local Council. The fees are currently $150 for a non desexed animal and $40 for a desexed pet.
This fee is LIFETIME. Concessions will be given for appropriate groups. The fee is much reduced to encourage desexing. All fees
are payable to the Dept of Local Government however the council is responsible
for enforcing the new law. The new Act requires that you keep your dog under control at all times ie on a lead.
Under the new Act Council must provide an area where dogs can be let off the lead.
They must also provide receptacles for dog excrement disposal. The Act also requires that cats be kept within your own property. However enforcing
this will be amusing, considering their ability to climb! Pet
collar identification for dogs and cats is encouraged at the hospital. There is
a large selection of engraved tags available for purchase over the counter.
Healthy Mouth
Noticeable Halitosis
Obvious Halitosis
Periodontal Disease 
FACTORS
ASSOCIATED WITH GUM DISEASE
FELINE
Heartworm is transmitted by the mosquito and affects 30-40% of Western Sydney dogs. There is also some evidence that heartworm can affect cats. 
Apprehending the cat-burglar...
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