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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • Hospital Tour
    • Services
    • Testimonials
  • Client Care Center
    • COVID-19 Protocol
    • Request Appointment
    • New Client Registration
    • Senior Wellness Program >
      • Senior Wellness Package
      • Senior Pet Questionnaire
    • View Your Pet's Records
    • Forms & Information
  • Connect
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    • Social Media Feed
    • Feature Your Pet!
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Pet Health Blog

What is a "dental prophylaxis"?

1/23/2020

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Your pet's oral health is about more than fresh breath! Advanced dental disease can cause illness elsewhere in the body as bacteria enters the bloodstream through inflamed gums. This can cause infection in the kidneys, liver - even the heart!

Dental disease is also painful. As tartar builds up, the gums become red and irritated. Tartar buildup creeps below the gumline, eventually eating away at the structures that secure the teeth. A loose tooth is a painful tooth!

What is a "dental" exactly?

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A dental prophylaxis (or dental cleaning) is the only way to thoroughly remove tartar buildup from all of your pet's teeth and allow for a "clean slate" to provide at-home oral care & maintenance (and hopefully prevent the need for future anesthetic procedures).

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For your pet's safety and to ensure a thorough cleaning, this procedure must be performed under general anesthesia. Precautions are taken to optimize safety, such as pre-anesthetic bloodwork, EKG & radiographs of the chest to detect abnormalities that may affect your pet's ability to handle anesthesia. All pets are monitored both manually and with electronic biometric equipment throughout anesthesia.

Once under sedation, we use an ultrasonic cleaner to remove all traces of tartar that has accumulated on the surfaces of the teeth, as well as the calculus that we cannot see below the gumline.


We use a special probing instrument to measure the gingival depth surrounding each tooth. This helps us locate pockets of bone loss that may identify a diseased tooth that otherwise appears healthy to the naked eye.

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In addition to physical measurement, we use dental radiography to locate signs of disease.

Look at tooth #105 in this photo. To view it from the outside, it looks perfectly normal - but the dark shadows around the root in the dental x-ray reveal bone loss all around. This is a diseased tooth that will cause pain and discomfort very soon if not extracted.

We ask for pre-authorization for extractions when you drop your pet off for his procedure. Our goal is to minimize anesthetic time, and don't want to extend it if we're unable to reach you by phone.

Know that we only perform extractions if absolutely necessary (i.e. the tooth is or will soon be causing pain to your pet). The veterinarian will use local anesthetic injections prior to extracting diseased teeth, and post-operative laser therapy is performed afterwards to minimize inflammation and jump-start the healing process.

Can't I just brush my pet's teeth?

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YES, we strongly encourage everyone to include daily toothbrushing in their pet's routine. However, brushing alone is not enough to remove tartar that has already hardened on the teeth. It's as tough as cement, and adheres so strongly to the surface of the tooth that it must be removed manually with an ultrasonic cleaner.

After we've removed all the calculus, we polish your pet's teeth with a fluoride toothpaste (using a prophy cup just like at your dentist). This smooths out any microscopic scratches from the cleaning and provides a clean surface for you to start at-home oral maintenance.

How much does it cost?

Because every case is unique, we will provide a written treatment plan with an estimated range at the time of recommendation. The size of your pet and the severity of dental disease are the primary reasons for variation.

February is National Dental Health Month - check out our special offers here!
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How to Keep your Cat out of the Christmas Tree

11/16/2017

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Keep Cat out of Christmas Tree
Decorating for the holidays is a family tradition in most households. As much fun as this can be, it can cause loads of anxiety for cat owners...

Have you heard any of these phrases in your home?

"The toy train is NOT a mouse!"

"What if she chews the cords?"

"AHH! NO! NO TINSEL!"

"Get me the spray bottle."

"That's it...we're not putting any ornaments on the bottom 1/3 of the tree."

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Keeping both your cat and your decorations safe can be a challenge, and there's no single "cure all" that works for every cat (we wish there was!!). That said, we've got some tips that can help relieve some of your holiday stress:

Pet Proof Christmas Tree

1. Secure your Christmas Tree

This isn't just for cat owners! Rambunctious dogs can easily topple a tree as they romp around the room.

From the bottom: Using a square piece of plywood roughly the same width as your tree, place the tree stand in the center and mark where the legs rest. Drill holes at these marks(and the legs of the stand, if needed) and secure the stand to the plywood with bolts.

From the top: After the tree is in place, install a wall anchor (molly screw) level with the top 1/3 of the tree. Loop a strand of fishing line around the center of the tree and tie it to the anchor.

*Not keen on putting a hole in your wall? Try finding a spot where you can hang a picture for the remainder of the year. This isn't a good time for Command Strips (we chatted with a 3M representative that expressed concern that while you can tie the fishing line to the hook, a leaning tree may be enough pressure to rip the adhesive - and part of your plaster - off the wall)!

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2. Make the tree "yucky"

There are several methods to make the base of your tree unattractive to your cat, and as mentioned before, not all of these work for every kitty. Here are some starters:

Scents & Sprays:
  • Commercial products (like Keep Off!) have mixed reviews, but seem to work for some pet owners.
  • Make your own spray with water + orange, lemongrass or citronella oil. Some cats detest these scents and will avoid the area on their own.
  • Orange peels placed around the base of the tree may have a similar effect - just replace them every couple of days. Bonus: you'll boost your Vitamin C intake to ward off flu season! ;)
Tactile Deterrents:
  • Aluminum foil laid under the tree/wrapped around the base is enough to give some cats the heebie-jeebies when they set foot on it.
  • Commercial training mats are available - though we don't recommend these, as they work by discharging a (mild) static shock when your cat steps on them. Sure, it might work, but at the cost of causing your cat distress, fear, and anxiety when he was just exploring his curiosity!

3. Offer an Alternative

Cats are attracted to trees - it's in their nature to want to climb and observe their surroundings from up high! Ask Santa if he might bring your kitty a early gift: A CAT TREE! There are some very reasonably priced cat trees online, with options to fit any style and budget.

Be sure to reward your cat with praise for choosing her kitty condo over the forbidden Christmas tree!

"...as you supervise your cat with the newly-raised Christmas tree, keep quiet and watch..."
Deter Cat from Christmas Tree

4. Do Not Punish!!

Remember the old saying, "You catch more flies with honey than vinegar?" Well, you train more cats with praise than punishment, too.

If (despite your attempts to deter him) you catch your cat climbing the Christmas tree, resist the urge to yell and scream and yank him out of the branches.

Instead, give a stern, "No" and remove him from the tree. Put him somewhere that you both want him to be: the cat tree, scratching post, etc. Reward him for staying there and interacting with his playthings.

Along the same lines, as you supervise your cat with the newly-raised Christmas tree, keep quiet and watch...if she walks up to the bottom branches and sniffs them, let her go and see what she does.

If she advances or starts batting at ornaments, follow the above method of moving her to a different place.

If she sniffs and turns away, REWARD!

Why does this work? Think like a cat:
"Every time I go away from that (glorious, shiny bit of outdoors in my livingroom) tree, I get told what a good girl I am and get a treat!"

Remember: Honey, not vinegar. :)

Other Important Safety Tips

  • DO NOT USE TINSEL! These little foil strips are irresistible to cats. If ingested, they can cause serious harm to your cat's gastrointestinal tract. If you find that your cat has anything string-like hanging out of his throat or anus, DO NOT PULL IT - call us immediately.
  • Keep delicate, breakable, and sentimental ornaments high on the tree and out of reach.
  • Avoid edible ornaments (especially strings of popcorn...it can pose the same problem as tinsel!).
  • If you have a live tree, cover the pot with a piece of cardboard to keep your pets from drinking the water.
  • Protect cords for lights and other decorations. Pre-cut cord tubing is available at the hardware store, or you can use duct tape to secure the (tantalizingly dangly) cords from the tree to the base. Unplug decorations when pets are unsupervised.
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Vaccine Reactions: When to Worry

8/23/2017

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Vaccine reactions are uncommon, but can be very serious, and in some cases, life-threatening. Know what's normal, and when to be concerned about your pet following a vaccination. Of course, if you're ever concerned about your pet's health, we encourage you to call us! Better to be safe than sorry. :)
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Today is "Check the Chip" Day!

8/15/2017

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Is your pet microchipped? Great! This permanent ID has proven time and time again to be an effective backup for lost collars and tags. But it doesn't stop at just having a microchip implanted!

The #1 reason for microchipped pets NOT reuniting with their owners is that the contact information in the database is incomplete or incorrect.

August 15 is "Check the Chip" Day, so take a few minutes to log in and make sure the info linked to your pet's microchip is up-to-date.

Not sure where to go? Visit www.petmicrochiplookup.org and enter your pet's microchip number to find out where the chip is registered. If you're having trouble finding your pet's microchip number, call us - we can help!
Infographic: Microchip Your Pet
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Vaccines protect more than your pet...

8/1/2017

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August is National Immunization Month, so we thought this would be a great time to touch on why vaccinations for your pets are so important.

Vaccines protect your dogs and cats from contracting preventable illnesses, but did you know that your pets' immunizations protect you, too?

Read on and you'll understand.

How vaccines work:

Legend has it that Albert Einstein once said, "If you can't explain it to a six-year-old, you don't understand it well enough."
We could certainly get in-depth into the science of immunizations, but for simplicity's sake, here's an anyone-can-understand version:
How Antibodies Fight Disease
  • Diseases are spread by viruses or bacteria. Each of these germs has a unique "code," or antigen.
  • The body protects itself from these diseases by "cracking the code" and sending specific antibodies to destroy the disease before it causes illness.
  • Here's the catch: the body can't "crack the code" if the germ hasn't already been recognized, because there will not be a matching antibody to fight the infection.
How Vaccines Make Antibodies
  • Vaccines are made from weakened or killed parts of viruses and bacteria that cause disease.
  • In these small amounts, the body is able to add the "code" of the disease that the vaccine is intended to prevent to its "library of diseases" (e.g. create antibodies) without causing sickness.
  • If the body is ever exposed to the real disease, it can now "crack the code" and send those specific antibodies to combat the illness.
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Image from Purves et al., Life: The Science of Biology, 4th Edition, by Sinauer Associates

How your pet's vaccines help protect your family:

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Some diseases are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans.

In dogs and cats, the most common zoonotic concern is the Rabies virus. Rabies is a fatal disease, most often transmitted via bite wounds from an infected animal.

It is a problem in Pennsylvania.

According to data from the PA Dept. of Health, there were 405 Rabies positive animals submitted in 2016 (21 in Allegheny County).

The most recently released data from June 2017 reports 154 Rabies positive animals statewide - in just one month.





Keep in mind that the PADOH is only able to report these numbers based on animals that were submitted for testing. This does not include many more that die from the disease, undetected in the woods.

The Rabies vaccine for dogs and cats is extremely effective, and is required for all domestic animals by PA state law (yes, they do go door-to-door and check).

A common question from cat owners: "Pumpkin never goes outside; why does she still need a Rabies vaccine?"
State law aside, indoor cats still need to be protected. Though their risk for exposure is much less than a free-roaming outdoor cat, take a look at the map above: bats are the second most common Rabies positive animals in PA. Most often, these are bats that have made their way into homes through chimneys or by other means.

Cats are prey animals, and Pumpkin would be thrilled to finally get a chance to nab that "hairy bird" that just flew into her house. Not good if the "hairy bird" is actually a rabid animal.

There is no "one-size-fits-all" vaccine regimen.

There are many vaccines available for dogs and cats, but not every pet needs every vaccine. Our veterinarians recommend immunizations based upon your pet's lifestyle and environmental risk - this is one reason we spend extra time to ask important questions during your appointment.

Vaccinations can be divided into "core" and "non-core" vaccines:
"Core" Vaccines for Dogs
  • Rabies
  • DAPP or DHPP
"Non-Core" Vaccines for Dogs
  • Lyme* (while technically non-core, Lyme has become such a problem in Western PA that we now recommend it for all dogs)
  • Leptospirosis
  • Bordetella
  • Canine Influenza
"Core" Vaccines for Cats
  • Rabies
  • FVRCP
"Non-Core" Vaccines for Cats
  • Feline Leukemia (FeLV)

There are no silly questions!

As your pet's medical providers, part of our job is to help you be a well-informed pet owner.
​If you have questions about your pet's vaccines, the diseases they prevent, or anything else, please ask us!
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Top 3 Emergency Preparedness Tips for your Pets

6/8/2017

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Pet Tornado Recovery
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Are your pets disaster-ready?
June is National Pet Preparedness Month, and as advocates for your pets' health and safety, we're sharing important resources and helpful tips to make sure you and your furry family are ready for just about anything!

Link: Get a free pet rescue window decal from the ASPCA here to alert first responders about how many pets are in your home.

Tip #1: Identification, Identification, Identification!
Proper ID - for ALL pets - is the absolute most important thing you can do to increase the odds of reuniting with your animal in the wake of disaster. We all learned a valuable lesson after Hurricane Katrina, when only 15-20% of the tens of thousands of lost pets were able to join their families again.

There aren't hurricanes in Pittsburgh (thank goodness), but we do have our share of floods, tornadoes, fires and the possibility of attack in an unstable world.

We strongly recommend microchipping for dogs and cats (even indoor ones), because while a collar can fall off or be removed, the RFID chip will remain in place for the life of your pet. This simple procedure can be done at any appointment, with minimal pain - it's similar to a vaccine injection, just with a larger needle to accommodate the size of the chip. [Request an appointment online now]

Consider a microchip an extra layer of protection, not a replacement for ID tags.

BoomerangTags.com offers free shipping, no sales tax, and a lifetime guarantee for its CollarTags - they're excellent options for break-away cat collars, too!
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Collar tags should include:
  • Your pet's name
  • Your street address
  • At least one cell phone number (if he's lost, you're likely out looking for him!)
  • "Needs medication" if applicable

Remember to keep your pet's tags and microchip database up-to-date with current contact information!
FEMA Disaster Pet Preparedness
Tip #2: Prepare a "Go Bag"
(It's a good idea to have one of these for your family, too)
This is a grab-and-go pack of essentials for your pet in case you need to evacuate on short notice.

A well-stocked "Go Bag" includes:
  • 3-7 days of food for each pet (rotate every 2 months)
  • 7-day supply of bottled water (rotate every 2 months)
  • A small supply of daily medications (rotate every 2 months)
  • Extra leash + extra collar/harness
  • Food & water bowls
  • [cats] Foil roasting pan as a disposable litterbox
  • [cats] Gallon Ziploc bag of litter
  • [cats] One pillowcase per cat - these can be used as emergency cat carriers, if needed. (Don't worry - they can breathe and actually often feel comforted by the visual barrier from unfamiliar sights.)
  • Recent photos of your pet, in case you become separated
  • Photocopies of vaccine records for each pet
Tip #3: Have emergency contact information ready before you need it
If they're not already, program important veterinary phone numbers into your cell phone:
  • Allegheny North Veterinary Hospital: 412-364-5511
  • Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center (PVSEC): 412-366-3400
  • University Veterinary Specialists: 724-727-2273
  • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 888-426-4435
  • Your local fire/police department non-emergency numbers

You might consider having an alternate caregiver on standby in case something would happen that prevents you from accessing your home. Talk to trusted neighbors and create a plan together to provide care for one another's pets in case of emergency.
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Helpful Resources
Downloads:
  • ASPCA Mobile App (iOS/Android)
On-the-go information about how to manage emergencies with your pet - no signal/WiFi required
  • ​American Red Cross Pet First Aid App
Advice for stabilizing your pet in an emergency, how to administer medication and respond to stress-related behavior.
  • Animal Poison Control App
Quick access to common toxins to aid in assessing severity of risk, identification, and one-click calling to the 24/7/365 pet poison control line.​
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Links:
  • Ready.gov: Pet & Animal Emergency Planning
Preparing emergency supplies, shelter, & more. Includes information for large animal preparedness.
  • American Red Cross: Pet Disaster Preparedness & Recovery
​Useful info, from preparing your emergency kit to helping your pets safely adjust after an incident.
  • BringFido.com
Although​ intended for traveling and entertainment with your dog, this website can serve as a helpful search tool if you must evacuate and find lodging with your pets.
  • Tornadoes: Keeping pets safe
Tips include having family members practice moving pets into a designated "safe zone" - evacuation drills are important for your pets, too!
32 Comments

Is it more than stinky dog breath?

2/1/2017

4 Comments

 
Toothy Dog Yawn

​What does the vet see when looking in your pet's mouth?

Oral exams are an important part of evaluating your dog or cat's health, because disease in the mouth can have far-reaching impact on other parts of the body.

The vet is looking at more than teeth when lifting those lips!

​What is the veterinarian looking for during an oral exam?
  • Is there an odor?
​Halitosis, or "bad breath" can be an indication of disease or infection. Many owners are aware of the bad odor coming from their pets' mouths, but don't realize that in most cases, we can treat the underlying cause.

Halitosis is most often caused by periodontal disease, but can also be a sign of a bigger problem, such as kidney disease or diabetes.
Gingival HyperplasiaGingival Hyperplasia
  • Are there masses or abnormal growths in the mouth?
​A mass in the mouth (such as on the gums or under the tongue) can be benign or malignant, and may cause excessive drooling or difficulty eating. Some cancerous growths show more obvious signs than others, but only removal and biopsy can accurately determine a growth's composition.

Gingival hyperplasia (pictured right) is a condition in which the gum tissue grows excessively, often causing it to overlap the dog's teeth.. This disease can affect any breed, but we see it often in Boxers, Bulldogs, and Great Danes.

Gingival hyperplasia is not usually a problem in itself, but it can cause periodontal disease to advance by trapping debris and bacteria between the gums and teeth.

Stomatitis in a CatFeline Stomatitis (Source: MSPCA)
  • Are there ulcers on the gums, cheeks, tongue or hard palate?​
Ulcers are particularly concerning, as not only are they painful - they can be related to more serious underlying diseases, such as auto-immune disorders and infectious viruses.

Some cats develop Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (FORLs) or "neck lesions." FORLs cause the cat's tooth to resorb into the body, exposing the sensitive nerve within. Experts are still seeking the source of this painful condition, but extraction of affected teeth is typically recommended to alleviate discomfort and further progression.

Malocclusion of lower canine and upper incisorMalocclusion (Source: Brett Beckman)
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  • Are the teeth and jaws properly aligned?
Malocclusion (misaligned teeth) is common in brachycephalic breeds ("short-nosed" dogs like Pugs and Bulldogs). While not always problematic, crowding or misalignment can cause excessive wear on affected teeth, discomfort, or difficulty chewing food.

Pictured right is a dog whose lower left canine tooth makes contact with an upper incisor.

Retained lower canine in a dogRetained Deciduous Tooth (Source: Animal911)
  • Are there any retained deciduous (baby) teeth?
​​​There are 28 of those razor-sharp puppy teeth. Normally, these fall out by 6-7 months of age, when the 42 permanent adult teeth have all erupted in your dog's mouth.

Sometimes the root of the deciduous tooth does not resorb properly, leaving it in the way of the permanent tooth as it erupts. We call these retained deciduous teeth.
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If not extracted, a retained baby tooth can cause the adult tooth to erupt abnormally. It can also cause chronic problems with dental disease as debris and bacteria become lodged between the deciduous and permanent teeth.

Severe Tartar (Calculus) in a DogSevere Tartar (Calculus) in a Dog
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  • Is there plaque or tartar buildup?
​Plaque is a soft, bacterial-based film that coats the teeth. It can be easily removed with daily oral maintenance, like toothbrushing.

When plaque is not removed, it hardens into tartar. This mineralization (also called calculus) process forms a cement-like buildup on the teeth and below the gumline. Unlike plaque, tartar can only be removed by professional dental cleaning.

What can you do to improve your pet's oral health?

  • Create a daily oral maintenance routine.
​Brush your pet's teeth every day - at minimum, two or three times a week - to remove plaque and prevent it from turning into tartar. Be sure to use a pet-specific product (we carry C.E.T. toothpaste that is safe for both dogs and cats), because many products made for people contain ingredients that can be poisonous to your pet.

We understand that some pets may not tolerate toothbrushing. Not to worry! There are other options, like OraVet Chews, Oratene Maintenance Gel, and Hill's Prescription Diet t/d. Not sure what's best? Ask us - we're always happy to help!

  • Keep up with annual exams - even if vaccines aren't due.
We want to work with you as a team to keep your pet healthy! Cats and dogs age much faster than humans, so your pet missing one check-up is like you not visiting the doctor for several years. 

  • Schedule dental cleanings before periodontal disease progresses.
​Early treatment not only prevents further disease, but it costs less to perform a routine, straightforward dental cleaning than it does to treat a severely infected mouth. The likelihood of extractions and lengthy anesthesia time increases as dental disease worsens, increasing the overall cost of treatment.
Stages of Periodontal Disease in Dogs and Cats
Think your dog or cat needs a dental cleaning?
February is Pet Dental Health Month, and Allegheny North Veterinary Hospital is offering a special discount on dental cleanings through the end of March.

In addition to saving $30, you'll also get free samples of pet dental care products to keep your companion healthy with a sparkling smile! Click here for details about our Dental Health Offer.

Call us at 412-364-5511 to schedule a pre-anesthetic exam, or request an appointment online now.

Thank you for playing an active role in your pet's health!
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954 Perry Hwy
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412-364-5511
Allegheny North Veterinary Hospital, 2020